Abstract
Background
During aging, a shift of protein metabolism from muscle to splanchnic tissue contributes to increased muscle protein loss after a period of metabolic stress (eg, fasting).
Objective
To study the adaptation of protein metabolism in the whole body and tissue (ie, skeletal muscle and splanchnic area) to metabolic stress, such as short-term fasting and refeeding, in aged people.
Design and participants
We studied splanchnic and muscle protein metabolism after 38 hours of fasting and refeeding in 7 young (5 men/2 women, 24.4 ± 2.0 years) and 8 elderly individuals (6 men/2 women, 70.6 ± 3.1 years).