Reduced Skeletal Muscle Capillarization and Glucose Intolerance

Objective: Reduced capillarization in hemiparetic skeletal muscle of chronic stroke patients can limit insulin, glucose, and oxygen supply to muscle, thereby contributing to impaired glucose metabolism and cardiovascular deconditioning. We hypothesized that compared to sedentary controls, stroke subjects have reduced skeletal muscle capillarization that is associated with glucose intolerance and reduced peak oxygen consumption (Vo2peak). Methods: Twelve chronic stroke subjects (ages, 62.1±2.8 years), and matched sedentary controls with impaired (n=12) or normal (n=12) glucose tolerance underwent oral glucose tolerance tests, exercise tests, and vastus lateralis biopsies. Results: Stroke subjects had lower capillarization in hemiparetic muscle than in nonparetic muscle and normal glucose tolerant controls (∼22 and ∼28%, respectively; P