Investigating the effects of an oral fructose challenge on hepatic ATP reserves in healthy volunteers: A (31)P MRS study.
Impaired homeostasis of hepatic ATP has been associated with NAFLD. An intravenous fructose infusion has been shown to be an effective challenge to monitor the depletion and subsequent recovery of hepatic ATP reserves using (31)P MRS.



The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an oral rather than intravenous fructose challenge on hepatic ATP reserves in healthy subjects.



Self-reported healthy males were recruited. Following an overnight fast, baseline liver glycogen and lipid levels were measured using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS). Immediately after consuming a 500 ml 75 g fructose drink (1275 kJ) subjects were scanned continuously for 90 min to acquire dynamic (31)P MRS measurements of liver ATP reserves.



A significant effect on ATP reserves was observed across the time course (P < 0.05). Mean ATP levels reached a minimum at 50 min which was markedly lower than baseline (80 ± 17% baseline, P < 0.05). Subsequently, mean values tended to rise but did not reach statistical significance above minimum. The time to minimum ATP levels across subjects was negatively correlated with BMI (R(2) = 0.74, P < 0.005). Rates of ATP recovery were not significantly correlated with BMI or liver fat levels, but were negatively correlated with baseline glycogen levels (R(2) = 0.7, P < 0.05).



Depletion of ATP reserves can be measured non-invasively following an oral fructose challenge using (31)P MRS. BMI is the best predictor of postprandial ATP homeostasis following fructose consumption.
Sir Peter Manfield Imaging Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. Electronic address: stephen.bawden@nottingham.ac.uk.
S J
SJ
Bawden
Sir Peter Manfield Imaging Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
M C
MC
Stephenson
Unilever Discover, Unilever, Colworth, UK.
E
E
Ciampi
Unilever Discover, Unilever, Colworth, UK.
K
K
Hunter
NIHR Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
L
L
Marciani
School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
I A
IA
Macdonald
NIHR Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
G P
GP
Aithal
Sir Peter Manfield Imaging Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
P G
PG
Morris
Sir Peter Manfield Imaging Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
P A
PA
Gowland
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D000073417:Dietary Sugars / Q000009:adverse effects; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D008112:Liver Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D050177:Overweight / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010759:Phosphorus Isotopes; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
D000073417:Dietary Sugars; D008112:Liver Glycogen; D010759:Phosphorus Isotopes; D005632:Fructose; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate
31P MRS; ATP; Fructose infusion; Liver; NAFLD; Oral challenge