The Influence of Dietary Habits and Meat Consumption on Plasma 3-Methylhistidine-A Potential Marker for Muscle Protein Turnover

Abstract

Scope: 3-Methylhistidine (3-MH) as a potential biomarker for muscle protein turnover is influenced by meat intake but data on the impact of meat on plasma 3-MH are scarce. We determined the association of plasma 3-MH, 1-methylhistidine (1-MH), and creatinine with dietary habits and assessed the impact of a single white meat intervention during a meat-free period.

Methods and results: Plasma 3-MH, 1-MH, and creatinine concentrations of healthy young omnivores (n = 19) and vegetarians (n = 16) were analyzed together with data on anthropometry, body composition, grip strength, and nutrition. After baseline measurements omnivores adhered to a meat-free diet for 6 days and received a defined administration of chicken breast on day four. At baseline, omnivores had higher plasma 3-MH and 1-MH concentrations than vegetarians. White meat administration led to a slight increase in plasma 3-MH in omnivores. The elevated 3-MH concentrations significantly declined within 24 h after white meat intake.

Conclusion: 1-MH concentrations in plasma seem to be suitable to display (white) meat consumption and its influence on 3-MH plasma concentration. 3-MH in plasma may be used as a biomarker for muscle protein turnover if subjects have not consumed meat in the previous 24 h.

Keywords: biomarkers; intervention studies; meat; methylhistidine; muscle protein turnover.

Figure 1

Study Design. A) Baseline examination and blood sampling in omnivores (n = 19) and vegetarians (n = 16). B) Time course of dietary conditions and time points of blood samplings and white meat intervention for the omnivores.

Figure 2

Influence of dietary habits on plasma methylhistidine concentrations and creatinine ratios in omnivores and vegetarians at baseline. A,B) Plasma 3‐MH and 1‐MH (one extreme value is not shown in the figure but included in the statistical analysis). C) Plasma concentrations of creatinine. D,E) Ratios of 3‐MH/Crea and 1‐MH/Crea (one extreme value is not shown in the figure but included in the statistical analysis). Values are given as (means ± SD); horizontal lines represent the mean, with the box representing the 25th and 75th percentiles, the whiskers the 5th and 95th percentiles. *p < 0.05. Omni, omnivores/omnivore group; Veg, vegetarians/vegetarian group.

Figure 3

Influence of a meat‐free diet on plasma methylhistidine concentrations and creatinine ratios. A) Plasma concentrations of 3‐MH and 1‐MH (one extreme value at d0 is not shown in the figure but included in the statistical analysis); 3‐MH (A = d0, B = d3, C = d4); 1‐MH (a = d0, b = d3, c = d4). B) Ratios of 3‐MH/Crea and 1‐MH/Crea (one extreme value at d0 is not shown in the figure but included in the statistical analysis); 3‐MH/Crea (A = d0, B = d3, C = d4); 1‐MH/Crea (a = d0, b = d3, c = d4). C,D) Plasma concentrations of 3‐MH and 1‐MH in omnivores on d4 and in vegetarians at baseline. E,F) Ratios of 3‐MH/Crea and 1‐MH/Crea in omnivores on d4 and in vegetarians at baseline. Values are given as (means ± SD); horizontal lines represent the mean, with the box representing the 25th and 75th percentiles, the whiskers the 5th and 95th percentiles. A+B: A, a: p < 0.05. Omni, omnivores/omnivore group; Veg, vegetarians/vegetarian group.

Figure 4

Influence of a single white meat administration and a general meat‐containing diet on plasma methylhistidine concentrations and creatinine ratios in omnivores. A) Plasma concentrations of 3‐MH and 1‐MH; 3‐MH (A = d4, B = d4.1, C = d5, D = d6); 1‐MH (a = d4, b = d4.1, c = d5, d = d6). B) Ratios of 3‐MH/Crea and 1‐MH/Crea; 3‐MH/Crea (A = d4, B = d4.1, C = d5, D = d6); 1‐MH/Crea (a = d4, b = d4.1, c = d5, d = d6). C,D) Plasma concentrations of 3‐MH and 1‐MH at baseline, d5 and d13; 3‐MH (A = d0, B = d5, C = d13); 1‐MH (a = d0, b = d5, c = d13). E,F) Ratios of 3‐MH/Crea and 1‐MH/Crea at baseline, d5, and d13; 3‐MH (A = d0, B = d5, C = d13); 1‐MH (a = d0, b = d5, c = d13). Values are given as (means ± SD); horizontal lines represent the mean, with the box representing the 25th and 75th percentiles, the whiskers the 5th and 95th percentiles. A+B) repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test: BC, ACD, ABD, bcd, acd, abd, abc: p < 0.05; D+F) ac: p < 0.05.