Fifteen to 30% of stroke survivors are permanently disabled, which usually leads to a sedentary lifestyle and functional dependence following stroke. While it is known that hemiparetic gait elevates the energy cost of ambulatory activity by 1.5- 2 fold, how chronic stroke affects total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and dietary intake is currently unknown. Altered energy balance (expenditure ` intake) may result in impaired substrate oxidation and skeletal muscle oxidative stress. Elevated oxidative stress in skeletal muscle is associated with fatigue and decreased cardiovascular and muscular endurance. Treadmill exercise training in older, non-stroke populations improves home ambulatory activity, physical function, and metabolic profiles and has antioxidant effects in skeletal muscle. Additionally, ensuring that energy and macronutrient intake meets an individual's energy and fuel needs may result in decreases in oxidative damage. This randomized control study tests the hypothesis that treadmill rehabilitation plus nutritional modification (heart healthy diet plus adequate protein) (TM+N) versus stretching plus nutritional modification (ST+N) (nutrition control) will 1) improve energy balance and substrate oxidation, 2) reduce systemic and tissue level oxidative stress, and 3) that the respective comparison of these interventions (TM+N and ST+N) to treadmill (TM) and stretching (ST) controls from her mentor's current R01 will support the rehabilitative role of nutritional modification in stroke. We propose the following aims:
Aim 1 : To assess the effects of six months of TM+N versus ST+N on TDEE and substrate oxidation in chronic stroke survivors.
Aim 2 : To examine the effects of six months of TM+N versus ST+N on systemic and tissue oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in chronic stroke survivors.
Aim 3 : To compare the effects of TM+N and ST+N versus TM and ST alone, respectively, on energy balance and systemic and tissue oxidative stress, in chronic stroke survivors. Older (55-75 years), men and postmenopausal women (n=50) with chronic stroke (at least 6 months post stroke) with stable neurological deficits will be recruited. Subjects will be randomized to participate in six months o dietary modification (<30% of calories as fat, <10% as saturated fat, <2,400 mg sodium, 25 g/d of fiber, and 1.0-1.2 g/kg/d of lean protein) plus aerobic exercise training or dietary modificatio plus whole body stretching. Seven-day accelerometry and dietary records will be used to determine energy balance. Indirect calorimetry will be used to determine substrate oxidation during fasting and a peak and submaximal exercise bout. Blood draws and paretic and non-paretic vastus lateralis skeletal muscle biopsies will be performed to determine changes in systemic and tissue level oxidative stress content (nitrate/nitrite and thiobarbituric acid reactiv substances) and antioxidant capacity (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) following exercise rehabilitation or stretching with and without nutritional modification in chronic stroke survivors. The mentoring and training described in this CDA-2 application will greatly enhance the nominee's development into an independent investigator, while simultaneously identifying mechanisms by which aerobic exercise rehabilitation with nutritional modification can improve TDEE and reduce oxidative stress. We postulate that this study will provide evidence to improve stroke treatment, substrate utilization, and the antioxidant capacity of blood and skeletal muscle and reduce physical inactivity in Veteran stroke survivors, potentially leading to a reduction in clinical costs related to the care of Veterans with disabilit from chronic stroke.

Public Health Relevance

The research in this VA CDA-2 application will examine the effects of exercise rehabilitation with nutritional modification on total daily energy expenditure and substrate utilization in older Veteran stroke survivors. Further, it will determine mechanisms by which exercise training with nutritional modification may alter oxidative stress in older Veteran stroke survivors. This is especially relevant to Veterans' health, as physical inactivity, chronic disability, and inadequate dietary intake are highly prevalent among older Veterans and risk factors for recurrent stroke. Currently, treatment of stroke results in substantial VA health care costs. The identification of rehabilitation methods which improve energy balance, while reducing oxidative stress would have a significant impact on Veteran stroke survivors, and potentially lead to a reduction in pharmaceutical and clinical costs related to the care of Veterans with disability from chronic stroke.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Type
Veterans Administration (IK2)
Project #
5IK2RX000944-02
Application #
8825936
Study Section
Blank (RRD8)
Project Start
2014-04-01
Project End
2019-03-31
Budget Start
2015-04-01
Budget End
2016-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Baltimore VA Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
796532609
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21201
Serra, Monica C (2018) The Importance of Assessing Nutritional Status to Ensure Optimal Recovery during the Chronic Phase of Stroke. Stroke Res Treat 2018:1297846
Serra, Monica C; Landry, Alexus; Juncos, Jorge L et al. (2018) Increased odds of bladder and bowel symptoms in early Parkinson's disease. Neurourol Urodyn 37:1344-1348
Ryan, Alice S; Serra, Monica C; Goldberg, Andrew P (2018) Metabolic Benefits of Prior Weight Loss with and without Exercise on Subsequent 6-Month Weight Regain. Obesity (Silver Spring) 26:37-44
Addison, Odessa; Prior, Steven J; Kundi, Rishi et al. (2018) Sarcopenia in Peripheral Arterial Disease: Prevalence and Effect on Functional Status. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 99:623-628
Serra, Monica C; Ryan, Alice S; Ortmeyer, Heidi K et al. (2018) Resistance training reduces inflammation and fatigue and improves physical function in older breast cancer survivors. Menopause 25:211-216
Serra, Monica C; Addison, Odessa; Giffuni, Jamie et al. (2017) Physical Function Does Not Predict Care Assessment Need Score in Older Veterans. J Appl Gerontol :733464817690677
Serra, Monica C; Blumenthal, Jacob B; Addison, Odessa R et al. (2017) Effects of Weight Loss with and without Exercise on Regional Body Fat Distribution in Postmenopausal Women. Ann Nutr Metab 70:312-320
Serra, M C; Ryan, A S; Goldberg, A P (2017) Reduced LPL and subcutaneous lipid storage capacity are associated with metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women with obesity. Obes Sci Pract 3:106-114
Wappel, Stephanie; Parker, Elizabeth A; Serra, Monica et al. (2017) Assessing Nutrition Delivery in ICUs-A Difficult Problem to Digest. Crit Care Med 45:e985
Ryan, Alice S; Serra, Monica C (2016) Skeletal Muscle CAP Expression Increases after Dietary Restriction and Aerobic Training in Women with a History of Gestational Diabetes. J Gerontol Geriatr Res 5:

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