Excess Branched-Chain Amino Acids Suppress Mitochondrial Function and Biogenic Signaling but Not Mitochondrial Dynamics in a Myotube Model of Skeletal Muscle Insulin Resistance

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are correlated with severity of insulin resistance, which may partially result from mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction is also common during insulin resistance and is regulated in part by altered mitochondrial fusion and fission (mitochondrial dynamics). To assess the effect of BCAA on mitochondrial dynamics during insulin resistance, the present study examined the effect of BCAA on mitochondrial function and indicators of mitochondrial dynamics in a myotube model of insulin resistance. C2C12 myotubes were treated with stock DMEM or DMEM with additional BCAA at 0.2 mM, 2 mM, or 20 mM to achieve a continuum of concentrations ranging from physiologically attainable to supraphysiological (BCAA overload) both with and without hyperinsulinemia-mediated insulin resistance. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure gene and protein expression of targets associated with mitochondrial dynamics. Mitochondrial function was assessed by oxygen consumption, and mitochondrial content was measured using mitochondrial-specific staining. Insulin resistance reduced mitochondrial function, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha mRNA, and citrate synthase expression mRNA, but not protein expression. Excess BCAA at 20 mM also independently reduced mitochondrial function in insulin-sensitive cells. BCAA did not alter indicators of mitochondrial dynamics at the mRNA or protein level, while insulin resistance reduced mitochondrial fission protein 1 mRNA, but not protein expression. Collectively, BCAA at excessively high levels or coupled with insulin resistances reduce mitochondrial function and content but do not appear to alter mitochondrial dynamics under the tested conditions.