Men Have Greater Basal Skeletal Muscle Ampk Phosphorylation Than Women

Abstract

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a central role in the regulation of cellular metabolism. It is activated when the energy charge of the cell is low. Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) is a downstream target for AMPK wich produces its phosphorylation and inhibition, leading to reduced malonyl-coenzyme A and increased fatty acid transport into the mitochondria. Since women have greater leptin levels and higher capacity to oxide fat during exercise we hypothesized that women will have greater basal skeletal muscle AMPK and ACC phosphorylation compared to men.