Nutritional Influences on Skeletal Muscle and Muscular Disease

Nutritional Influences on Skeletal Muscle and Muscular Disease
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2021 Apr;37(1):139-175.
Authors
Kristine L Urschel 1 , Erica C McKenzie 2
Affiliations

1 Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, 612 W.P. Garrigus Building, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
2 Department of Clinical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, 227 Magruder Hall, 700 Southwest 30th Street, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. Electronic address: klurschel@uky.edu.

Abstract

Skeletal muscle comprises 40% to 55% of mature body weight in horses, and its mass is determined largely by rates of muscle protein synthesis. In order to support exercise, appropriate energy sources are essential: glucose can support both anaerobic and aerobic exercise, whereas fat can only be metabolized aerobically. Following exercise, ingestion of nonfiber carbohydrates and protein can aid muscle growth and recovery. Muscle glycogen replenishment is slow in horses, regardless of dietary interventions. Several heritable muscle disorders, including type 1 and 2 polysaccharide storage myopathy and recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis, can be managed in part by restricting dietary nonstructural carbohydrate intake.

Keywords: Exercise; Growth; Muscle disorders; Skeletal muscle.