The Core is equipped with two IRMS (Optima and Delta-V) for measurement of enrichment of deuterium and oxygen-18 in biological samples. Stable isotope dilution and metabolism can be used to assess body composition and free-living energy expenditure.

Two open-circuit metabolic monitors are available for assessment of resting energy expenditure (REE) and substrate oxidation (fat, carbohydrate) (Vmax ENCORE 29N Systems, SensorMedics Corporation, Yorba Linda, CA).

Room indirect calorimetry is used for evaluation of 24-h energy metabolism. The calorimeter has a gross volume of 17,500 liters (3.4m long, 2.1m wide, and 2.6m high). It is equipped with a fold-out bed, desk, chair, refrigerator, toilet, sink, television, video player, telephone, and airlock for the passage of food and materials in and out of the room. Data can be collected for sleeping energy expenditure, resting energy expenditure, physical activity-related energy expenditure, and diet-induced thermogenesis. Activity is monitored by a short-range, precision microwave motion detector.

The PeaPod can analyze body composition in infants aged 0-6 months.

The portable PeaPod® (LMI) consists of a two-chamber plethysmograph. Infant body volume and density are used to calculate body composition. The test requires ~30 minutes.

DXA for determination of total and regional body composition

The Core houses two iDXA instruments (GE-Lunar Radiation Corp. Madison, WI) for assessment of total and regional body composition. The new CoreScan software includes an estimate of visceral fat that is produced by subtracting measured subcutaneous abdominal fat from measured total abdominal fat. Bone density of the spine and hip also can be assessed. Whole-body scans require ~10-15 min. Additional hip or spine scans require re-positioning and re-scanning.

MRI results showing thigh muscle and adipose tissue MRI scanning is conducted on clinical scanners in the Departments of Radiology and Cardiology at UAB. The Department of Radiology offers MRI scans on a Philips 1.5 Tesla Ingenia Omega HP; Cardiology uses a Philips Intera 3 Tesla scanner (Philips Medical Systems, Best, The Netherlands). Scanning is not offered as a NORC Core service; rather, each investigator makes his/her own arrangements with the appropriate departmental personnel, and arranges for faculty in Radiology/Cardiology to provide assistance with determining appropriate acquisition parameters. The Core provides scan analysis, and assistance with making necessary contacts.

The XCT 3000® (Stratec, Germany) is a fully automated X-ray system for the determination of bone density and muscle composition. The pQCT offers an alternative to computed tomography (CT) and MRI for investigators who do not wish to, or cannot accommodate, the time constraints, expense, subject burden, or radiation exposure associated with CT or MRI. Study participants insert either the distal forearm (radius) or the lower leg (tibia) into the instrument. Scan time differs per location, but is typically 3 min.

The TrueOne 2400 is a computerized, integrated metabolic measurement system for cardiopulmonary stress testing, indirect calorimetry, and maximal O2 consumption measurement.

The Lode Corival ergometer has a digital interface and can be controlled easily by the Parvo Medics TrueOne for obtaining timely, accurate measurements.The workload is adjustable in a range of 7 to 1000 watts.

The ActiGraph wGT3X-BT captures and records high resolution raw acceleration data, which is converted into a variety of objective activity and sleep measures.

The HYP-123 hypoxicator can assist in boosting the body’s oxygen transport systems through enhanced ventilation, naturally increased EPO production and increased mitochondrial efficiency.

Produced by Hypertension Diagnostics, this equipment uses non-invasive radial artery pulse wave analysis for measurement of arterial elasticity.

Our treadmills sync with the TrueOne 2400 for timely, accurate measurements.