Effects of training on glucose metabolism of gluconeogenesis-inhibited short-term-fasted rats

To evaluate the effects of endurance training on gluconeogenesis and blood glucose homeostasis, trained as well as untrained short-term-fasted rats were injected with mercaptopicolinic acid (MPA), a gluconeogenic inhibitor, or the injection vehicle. Glucose kinetics were assessed by primed-continuous venous infusion of [U-14C]- and [6-3H]glucose at rest and during submaximal exercise at 13.4 m/min on level grade. Arterial blood was sampled for the determination of blood glucose and lactate concentrations and specific activities. In resting untrained sham-injected rats, blood glucose and lactate were 7.6 +/- 0.2 and 1.3 +/- 0.1 mM, respectively; glucose rate of appearance (Ra) was 71.1 +/- 12.1 mumol.kg-1.min-1. MPA treatment lowered blood glucose, raised lactate, and decreased glucose Ra. Trained animals had significantly higher glucose Ra at rest and during exercise. At rest, trained MPA-treated rats had lower blood glucose, higher blood lactate, and similar glucose Ra and disappearance rates (Rd) than trained sham-injected animals. Exercising sham-injected untrained animals had increased blood glucose and glucose Ra compared with rest. Exercising trained sham-injected rats had increased blood glucose and glucose Ra and Rd but no change in blood lactate compared with untrained sham-injected animals. In the trained animals during exercise, MPA treatment increased blood lactate and decreased blood glucose and glucose Ra and Rd. There was no measurable glucose recycling in trained or untrained MPA-treated animals either at rest or during submaximal exercise. There was no difference in running time to exhaustion between trained and untrained MPA-treated rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Acute anemia results in an increased glucose dependence during sustained exercise

We evaluated whether acute anemia results in altered blood glucose utilization during sustained exercise at 26.8 m/min on 0% grade, which elicited approximately 60-70% maximal O2 consumption. Acute anemia was induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats by isovolumic plasma exchange transfusion. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were reduced 33% by exchange transfusion to 8.6 +/- 0.4 g/dl and 26.5 +/- 1%, respectively. Glucose kinetics were determined by primed continuous infusion of [6-3H]glucose. Rates of O2 consumption were similar during rest (pooled means 25.1 +/- 1.8 ml.kg-1.min-1) and exercise (pooled means 46.8 +/- 3.0 ml.kg-1.min-1). Resting blood glucose and lactate concentrations were not different in anemic animals (pooled means 5.1 +/- 0.2 and 0.9 +/- 0.02 mM, respectively). Exercise resulted in significantly decreased blood glucose (4.0 +/- 0.2 vs. 4.6 +/- 0.1 mM) and elevated lactate (6.1 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.3 +/- 0.5 mM) concentrations in anemic animals. Glucose turnover rates (Rt) were not different between anemic and control animals at rest and averaged 58.8 +/- 3.6 mumol.kg-1.min-1. Exercise resulted in a 30% greater increase in Rt in anemic (141.7 +/- 3.2 mumol.kg-1.min-1) than in control animals (111.2 +/- 5.2 mumol.kg-1.min-1). Metabolic clearance rates (MCR = Rt/[glucose]) were not different at rest (11.6 +/- 7.4) but were significantly greater in anemic (55.2 +/- 5.7 ml.kg-1.min-1) than in control animals (24.3 +/- 1.4 ml.kg-1.min-1) during exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Glucose metabolism in the basal state and during a two-hour glucose infusion in low insulin responders and control subjects

Glucose metabolism was studied in eight low insulin responders to glucose and eight controls using a primed-constant tracer infusion technique. The tracer was 3-3H-glucose. The former group demonstrated a lower IVGTT than the controls, although the K-values were well within the normal range. They also attained higher blood glucose levels during iv administration of high and low glucose loads. Glucose turnover studies revealed normal hepatic glucose production, normal total glucose uptake and normal metabolic clearance of glucose in the low responders as a group. The findings suggest normal sensitivity to insulin in these subjects, and imply that the low insulin response is the sole mediator of the observed lowering in IVGTT.     

Muscle accounts for glucose disposal but not blood lactate appearance during exercise after acclimatization to 4,300 m.

We hypothesized that the increased blood glucose disappearance (Rd) observed during exercise and after acclimatization to high altitude (4,300 m) could be attributed to net glucose uptake (G) by the legs and that the increased arterial lactate concentration and rate of appearance (Ra) on arrival at altitude and subsequent decrease with acclimatization were caused by changes in net muscle lactate release (L). To evaluate these hypotheses, seven healthy males [23 +/- 2 (SE) yr, 72.2 +/- 1.6 kg], on a controlled diet were studied in the postabsorptive condition at sea level, on acute exposure to 4,300 m, and after 3 wk of acclimatization to 4,300 m. Subjects received a primed-continuous infusion of [6,6-D2]glucose (Brooks et al., J. Appl. Physiol. 70: 919-927, 1991) and [3-13C]lactate (Brooks et al., J. Appl. Physiol. 71:333-341, 1991) and rested for a minimum of 90 min, followed immediately by 45 min of exercise at 101 +/- 3 W, which elicited 51.1 +/- 1% of the sea level peak O2 uptake (65 +/- 2% of both acute altitude and acclimatization peak O2 uptake). Glucose and lactate arteriovenous differences across the legs and arms and leg blood flow were measured. Leg G increased during exercise compared with rest, at altitude compared with sea level, and after acclimatization. Leg G accounted for 27-36% of Rd at rest and essentially all glucose Rd during exercise. A shunting of the blood glucose flux to active muscle during exercise at altitude is indicated. With acute altitude exposure, at 5 min of exercise L was elevated compared with sea level or after acclimatization, but from 15 to 45 min of exercise the pattern and magnitude of L from the legs varied and followed neither the pattern nor the magnitude of responses in arterial lactate concentration or Ra. Leg L accounted for 6-65% of lactate Ra at rest and 17-63% during exercise, but the percent Ra from L was not affected by altitude. Tracer-measured lactate extraction by legs accounted for 10-25% of lactate Rd at rest and 31-83% during exercise. Arms released lactate under all conditions except during exercise with acute exposure to high altitude, when the arms consumed lactate. Both active and inactive muscle beds demonstrated simultaneous lactate extraction and release. We conclude that active skeletal muscle is the predominant site of glucose disposal during exercise and at high altitude but not the sole source of blood lactate during exercise at sea level or high altitude.     

Endurance vs. strength training: comparison of cardiac structures using normal predicted values

The importance of metabolic feedback regulation vs. feedforward regulation of hepatic glucose production (HGP) during exercise was investigated in rats by infusing glucose intravenously from the onset of running. Glucose infusion equaled the average exercise-induced increase from basal to steady state in HGP found in saline-infused control rats. Rats were studied at two work loads, running at 21 (series I) or 18 m/min (series II) for 35 min. Glucose turnover was measured by means of an intravenous [3H]glucose infusion. HGP was suppressed by glucose infusion corresponding to the infused amount of glucose in both series, except for late in exercise in series I, where HGP plus infused glucose tended to exceed HGP in saline-infused rats (P less than 0.10). Muscle glycogenolysis and fat metabolism were similar in both groups in the two series. Plasma glucose was never elevated, whereas insulin was, in glucose- vs. saline-infused rats of both series. Plasma catecholamines were lower in glucose- compared with saline-infused rats in series II. In conclusion, HGP is very sensitive to metabolic feedback inhibition at low exercise intensities. Feedforward control of HGP may play a role at higher work loads (series I). Exogenously supplied glucose, in moderate amounts, may replace HGP specifically without concomitant changes in mobilization of other substrates.     

Canine postradiation plasma glucose variations

One of the observations of endotoxic or septic shock in canines is the report of concurrent hypoglycemia. Canines exposed to supralethal gamma radiation also develop acute systemic hypotension. This study was performed in order to determine if hypoglycemia develops in the canine concurrent with radiation-induced hypotension. Systemic arterial mean blood pressure (MBP) was measured via femoral arterial catheter. Blood for plasma glucose determinations was obtained from the systemic arterial circulation at the level of the abdominal aorta and from the hepatic portal vein. Plasma glucose levels were determined on a Beckman Glucose Analyzer which employs the enzymatic reaction of β-D-glucose and oxygen. Glucose levels and MBP were monitored for one hour before and for one hour after exposure to 100 Gy, whole-body, gamma radiation or sham radiation for the control animals. Concurrent with postradiation hypotension, we measured a significant decrease in plasma glucose levels in both the systemic arterial circulation and in the hepatic portal vein. Arterial glucose levels in the sham radiated animals showed a slight rise two minutes after sham radiation, falling back to pretreatment, base line levels four minutes later and remaining at that level for the remainder of the hour. Arterial levels in the radiated animals showed a sharp decline two minutes postradiation, falling even further to twenty percent below preradiation levels by one hour postradiation. Venous blood glucose levels in sham radiated animals showed an initial increase and a gradual decrease to five percent below pretreatment base line levels; while glucose levels in radiated animals showed an immediate postradiation decrease continuing to twenty percent below preradiation levels by one hour postradiation. These findings suggest impaired hepatic gluconeogenesis, resulting in postradiation hypoglycemia.     

Glucose production during exercise in humans: a-hv balance and isotopic-tracer measurements compared.

The present study compared the arteriohepatic venous (a-hv) balance technique and the tracer-dilution method for estimation of hepatic glucose production during both moderate and heavy exercise in humans. Eight healthy young men (aged 25 yr; range, 23-30 yr) performed semisupine cycling for 40 min at 50.4 +/- 1.5(SE)% maximal O(2) consumption, followed by 30 min at 69.0 +/- 2.2% maximal O(2) consumption. The splanchnic blood flow was estimated by continuous infusion of indocyanine green, and net splanchnic glucose output was calculated as the product of splanchnic blood flow and a-hv blood glucose concentration differences. Glucose appearance rate was determined by a primed, continuous infusion of [3-(3)H]glucose and was calculated by using formulas for a modified single compartment in non-steady state. Glucose production was similar whether determined by the a-hv balance technique or by the tracer-dilution method, both at rest and during moderate and intense exercise (P > 0. 05). It is concluded that, during exercise in humans, determination of hepatic glucose production can be performed equally well with the two techniques.     

Epinephrine inhibits exogenous glucose utilization in exercising horses.

This study examined the effects of preexercise glucose administration, with and without epinephrine infusion, on carbohydrate metabolism in horses during exercise. Six horses completed 60 min of treadmill exercise at 55 +/- 1% maximum O(2) uptake 1) 1 h after oral administration of glucose (2 g/kg; G trial); 2) 1 h after oral glucose and with an intravenous infusion of epinephrine (0.2 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1); GE trial) during exercise, and 3) 1 h after water only (F trial). Glucose administration (G and GE) caused hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia ( approximately 8 mM). In GE, plasma epinephrine concentrations were three- to fourfold higher than in the other trials. Compared with F, the glucose rate of appearance was approximately 50% and approximately 33% higher in G and GE, respectively, during exercise. The glucose rate of disappearance was approximately 100% higher in G than in F, but epinephrine infusion completely inhibited the increase in glucose uptake associated with glucose administration. Muscle glycogen utilization was higher in GE [349 +/- 44 mmol/kg dry muscle (dm)] than in F (218 +/- 28 mmol/kg dm) and G (201 +/- 35 mmol/kg dm). We conclude that 1) preexercise glucose augments utilization of plasma glucose in horses during moderate-intensity exercise but does not alter muscle glycogen usage and 2) increased circulating epinephrine inhibits the increase in glucose rate of disappearance associated with preexercise glucose administration and increases reliance on muscle glycogen for energy transduction.     

Increased epinephrine response and inaccurate glucoregulation in exercising athletes

Epinephrine responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia have indicated that athletes have a higher adrenal medullary secretory capacity than untrained subjects. This view was tested by an exercise protocol aiming at identical stimulation of the adrenal medulla in the two groups. Eight athletes (T) and eight controls (C) ran 7 min at 60% maximal O2 consumption (VO2max), 3 min at 100% VO2max, and 2 min at 110% VO2max. Plasma epinephrine both at rest and at identical relative work loads [110% VO2max: 8.73 +/- 1.51 (T) vs. 3.60 +/- 1.09 mmol X l-1 (C)] was higher [P less than 0.05) in T than in C. Norepinephrine, as well as heart rate, increased identically in the two groups, indicating identical sympathetic nervous activity. Lactate and glycerol were higher in T than in C after running. Glucose production peaked immediately after exercise and was higher in T than in C. Glucose disappearance increased less than glucose production and was identical in T and C. Accordingly plasma glucose increased, more in T than in C (P less than 0.01). In T glucose levels approached the renal threshold greater than 20 min postexercise. Glucose clearance increased less in T than in C during exercise and decreased postexercise to or below (T, P less than 0.05) basal levels, despite increased insulin levels. Long-term endurance training increases responsiveness of the adrenal medulla to exercise, indicating increased secretory capacity. During maximal exercise this may contribute to higher glucose production, lower clearance, more inaccurate glucoregulation, and higher lypolysis in T compared with C.     

Sensitivity of the soleus muscle to insulin in resting and exercising rats with experimental hypo- and hyper-thyroidism.

1. The effects of hypothyroidism (caused by surgical thyroidectomy followed by treatment for 1 month with propylthiouracil) and of hyperthyroidism [induced by subcutaneous administration of L-tri-iodothyronine (T3)] on glucose tolerance and skeletal-muscle sensitivity to insulin were examined in rats. Glucose tolerance was estimated during 2 h after subcutaneous glucose injection (1 g/kg body wt.). The sensitivity of the soleus muscle to insulin was studied in vitro in sedentary and acutely exercised animals. 2. Glucose tolerance was impaired in both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rats in comparison with euthyroid controls. 3. In the soleus muscle, responsiveness of the rate of lactate formation to insulin was abolished in hypothyroid rats, whereas the sensitivity of the rate of glycogen synthesis to insulin was unchanged. In hyperthyroid animals, opposite changes were found, i.e. responsiveness of the rate of glycogen synthesis was inhibited and the sensitivity of the rate of lactate production did not differ from that in control sedentary rats. 4. A single bout of exercise for 30 min potentiated the stimulatory effect of insulin on lactate formation in hyperthyroid rats and on glycogen synthesis in hypothyroid animals. 5. The data suggest that thyroid hormones exert an interactive effect with insulin in skeletal muscle. This is likely to be at the post-receptor level, inhibiting the effect of insulin on glycogen synthesis and stimulating oxidative glucose utilization.     

Spontaneous diabetes mellitus in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

Glucose tolerance tests were performed with fourteen cynomolgus monkeys. They were divided into two groups with regard to the serum glucose level at the time of routine health-examination. Nine of them had normal glucose level (below 123 mg/dl, the normal group) and the other five monkeys exhibited hyperglycemia (the abnormal group). Fifty per cent glucose solution was administered into the saphenous vein at a dose of 4 ml/head. Blood samples were taken just before and 5, 10, 20, 30, 60 and 120 minutes after the glucose administration. K-value (K = 0.693/t 1/2 X 100) as the decreasing rate of serum glucose during from 5 to 60 minutes after the administration was calculated. Average K-value for eight monkeys of the normal group was 3.12 +/- 0.48. Both immunoreactive insulin level (IRI) and C-peptide immunoreactivity (CPR) increased just after the glucose administration and began to decrease 5 to 30 minutes after the administration in all the eight animals. Remaining one animal (No. 009) of the normal group showed 1.03 in K-value. For the abnormal group, K-value averaged 0.75 +/- 0.25. IRI was slightly higher in this group than in the 8 monkeys of the normal group. Furthermore, the abnormal group did not show any definite change of a certain trend in IRI and CPR. In conclusion, the former 8 monkeys were judged to be normal in the function of pancreatic beta-cells, and the latter 5 monkeys and No. 009 monkey were judged to be suffering from type II (noninsulin dependent) diabetes mellitus at different stages of the disease.     

Gender differences in insulin action after a single bout of exercise.

Effects of a single exercise bout on insulin action were compared in men (n = 10) and women (n = 10). On an exercise day, subjects cycled for 90 min at 85% lactate threshold, whereas on a rest (control) day, they remained semirecumbent. The period of exercise, or rest, was followed by a 3-h hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (30 mU.m(-2).min(-1)) and indirect calorimetry. Glucose kinetics were measured isotopically by using an infusion of [6,6-2H2]glucose. Glucose infusion rate (GIR) during the clamp on the rest day was not different between the genders. However, GIR on the exercise day was significantly lower in men compared with women (P = 0.01). This was mainly due to a significantly lower glucose rate of disappearance in men compared with women (P = 0.05), whereas no differences were observed in the endogenous glucose rate of appearance. Nonprotein respiratory quotient (NPRQ) increased significantly during the clamp from preclamp measurements in men and women on the rest day (P < 0.01). Exercise abolished the increase in NPRQ seen during the clamp on the rest day and tended to decrease NPRQ in men. Our results indicate the following: 1) exercise abolishes the usual increase in NPRQ observed during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in both genders, 2) men exhibit relatively lower whole body insulin action in the 3-4 h after exercise compared with women, and 3) gender differences in insulin action may be explained by a lower glucose rate of disappearance in the men after acute exercise. Together, these data imply gender differences in insulin action postexercise exist in peripheral tissues and not in liver.     

Plasma glucose kinetics during prolonged exercise in trained humans when fed carbohydrate

Nine endurance-trained men exercised on a cycle ergometer at approximately 68% peak O2 uptake to the point of volitional fatigue [232 +/- 14 (SE) min] while ingesting an 8% carbohydrate solution to determine how high glucose disposal could increase under physiological conditions. Plasma glucose kinetics were measured using a primed, continuous infusion of [6,6-2H]glucose and the appearance of ingested glucose, assessed from [3-3H]glucose that had been added to the carbohydrate drink. Plasma glucose was increased (P < 0.05) after 30 min of exercise but thereafter remained at the preexercise level. Glucose appearance rate (R(a)) increased throughout exercise, reaching its peak value of 118 +/- 7 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1) at fatigue, whereas gut R(a) increased continuously during exercise, peaking at 105 +/- 10 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1) at the point of fatigue. In contrast, liver glucose output never rose above resting levels at any time during exercise. Glucose disposal (R(d)) increased throughout exercise, reaching a peak value of 118 +/- 7 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1) at fatigue. If we assume 95% oxidation of glucose R(d), estimated exogenous glucose oxidation at fatigue was 1.36 +/- 0.08 g/min. The results of this study demonstrate that glucose uptake increases continuously during prolonged, strenuous exercise when carbohydrate is ingested and does not appear to limit exercise performance.     

The effects of insulin and glucose on the induction and intracellular translocation of delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase

The administration of insulin and glucose to young Sprague-Dawley rats (125-150 g) resulted in changes in the intracellular distribution and in the turnover rates of delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS) activity in the mitochondria and the cytosol. When starved, allylisopropylacetamide (AIA)-induced rats were injected with either insulin or glucose, the percentage of the total ALAS activity found in the cytosol increased from 27% in control animals to 33-40% in insulin-treated and 50% in glucose-treated rats. Similar increases of the ALAS activity in the cytosol were observed after insulin treatment of noninduced, starved animals. Glucose administration also repressed 25-40% of the AIA induction of ALAS as previously reported; however, this effect apparently was not a result of elevated insulin levels, since there was no observed repression of AIA induction after insulin administration. The effects of insulin and glucose on the turnover rates of ALAS activity in the mitochondria and in the cytosol were investigated by observing changes in the half-lives of ALAS activity in the two intracellular compartments. Administration of both insulin and glucose resulted in an increased half-life of ALAS activity in the cytosol from 20.8 to over 100 min, while the mitochondrial half-life was not significantly changed. When insulin was given to either fed, AIA-induced or to starved, noninduced rats, the half-life of the cytosolic ALAS increased from about 14 to 40 min. In contrast to the starved, induced animals, the mitochondrial ALAS half-life in starved, noninduced animals decreased 50%. These results suggest that insulin and glucose treatment may inhibit the translocation of ALAS from the cytosol into the mitochondrial matrix.     

Contribution of the exercise-induced increment in glucose storage to the increased insulin sensitivity of endurance athletes

The present study was designed to evaluate the contribution of the exercise-induced increment in glucose storage to the increased insulin sensitivity characterizing endurance athletes. Plasma glucose and insulin were measured during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in six endurance athletes. Glucose storage and lipid oxidation during this test were also determined using indirect calorimetry. These measurements were compared to those obtained in five non-trained subjects who were tested before and during the three days following a 90-min cycle ergometer exercise performed at 69% of their VO2max. As expected, preexercise values of non-trained subjects revealed a much higher insulin response to glucose, and a lower glucose storage and lipid oxidation compared to results obtained in endurance trained individuals. Glucose tolerance was comparable in both groups. The morning following the exercise test, i.e. about 16 h after exercise, glucose storage was significantly increased in non-trained subjects to a level similar to that found in trained subjects. Surprisingly, this was accompanied by higher values of glucose during the OGTT without significant changes in insulinaemia. This impairment in glucose homeostasis was transitory since glucose tolerance had returned to control level on day 2 after exercise. At that time, the increase in glucose storage was less pronounced than in day 1. On day 3 after exercise, glucose and insulin responses to glucose were similar to preexercise values. These results indicate that the increase in glucose storage by acute exercise is not systematically associated with an improved glucose homeostasis, suggesting that other adaptive mechanisms also contribute to the improvement of insulin sensitivity in endurance athletes.     

补糖和/或刺五加对大鼠运动后骨骼肌细胞AMPK蛋白表达的影响

目的:研究补糖和刺五加对大鼠运动后骨骼肌细胞的AMP激活蛋白激酶(AMPK)蛋白表达的影响及其恢复期的时相性变化。方法:128只SD大鼠大鼠随机分为训练对照组(C组)、训练补糖组(G组)、训练补刺五加皂甙组(A组)和训练补糖补刺五加皂甙组(GA组)四大组,补糖和刺五加均在运动后0.5 h内灌胃给予。根据运动前和运动后不同时间(0 h,4 h,12 h)采样,共分为16小组(n=8)。采用Western blot方法分析骨骼肌的AMPK蛋白含量。结果:①运动后骨骼肌的AMPK蛋白表达量上调,运动后即刻最高(209.23±21.32),随后逐渐恢复;②补药显著地提高了机体在消耗糖原运动后即刻和4 h后的股四头肌AMPK蛋白含量(225.11±20.58和186.31±15.26vs195.19±13.31和157.11±16.43),运动后12 h两组间没有差异;③补糖对骨骼肌AMPK的蛋白表达量的影响没有统计学意义;④补糖同时补药可提高运动后即刻和4 h后的股四头肌AMPK蛋白含量(217.96±19.25和191.86±14.69),但是运动后12h反而低于对照组(121.89±15.23vs137.92±16.01)。结论:运动可激活骨骼肌细胞AMPK,补充刺五加皂甙可上调运动后的AMPK蛋白表达,补糖则没有影响。     

Determination of the anaerobic threshold and maximal lactate steady state speed in equines using the lactate minimum speed protocol

Maximal blood lactate steady state concentration (MLSS) and anaerobic threshold (AT) have been shown to accurately predict long distance events performance and training loads, as well, in human athletes. Horse endurance races can take up to 160 km and, in practice, coaches use the 4 mM blood lactate concentration, a human based fixed concentration to establish AT, to predict training loads to horse athletes, what can lead to misleading training loads. The lactate minimum speed (LMS) protocol that consists in an initial elevation in blood lactate level by a high intensity bout of exercise and then establishes an individual equilibrium between lactate production and catabolism during progressive submaximal efforts, has been proposed as a nonfixed lactate concentration, to measure individual AT and at the same time predicts MLSS for human long distance runners and basketball players as well. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of the LMS protocol in endurance horse athletes. Five male horses that were engaged on endurance training, for at least 1 year of regular training and competition, were used in this study. Animals were submitted to a 500 m full gallop to determine each blood lactate time to peak (LP) after these determinations, animals were submitted to a progressive 1000 m exercise, starting at 15 km h(-1) to determine LMS, and after LMS determination animals were also submitted to two 10,000 m running, first at LMS and then 10% above LMS to test MLSS accuracy. Mean LP was 8.2+/-0.7 mM at approximately 5.8+/-6.09 min, mean LMS was 20.75+/-2.06 km h(-1) and mean heart rate at LMS was 124.8+/-4.7 BPM. Blood lactate remained at rest baseline levels during 10,000 m trial at LMS, but reached a six fold significantly raise during 10% above LMS trial after 4000 and 6000 m (p<0.05) and (p<0.01) after 8000 and 10,000 m. In conclusion, our adapted LMS protocol for horse athletes proposed here seems to be a reliable method to state endurance horse athletes LT and MLSS.     

Effect of acute exercise stress in cardiac hypertrophy: I. correlation of regional blood flow and qualitative ultrastructural changes.

Ultrastructural myocardial cell changes were determined in eight miniswine after the development of pressure-overload hypertrophy induced by supra-valvular aortic constriction. Four miniswine served as control animals. Regional myocardial blood flows were measured at rest and during exercise stress with radioactive microspheres after two days and one month of aortic constriction. Exercise stress, causing the heart rate to increase to 85 percent of its maximum, was imposed twice weekly for 7 minutes on four pressure-overloaded animals and the four control animals to elicit differences between the control and experimental groups that might not occur at rest. After one month of pressure overload the swine were killed and myocardial samples were processed for electron microscopy. Ultrastructural changes similar to those in hypertrophied hearts were present throughout the left ventricular walls of the pressure-overloaded animals. Other changes consistent with ischemic injury were present in the subendocardial regions of pressure-overloaded animals subjected to exercise stress. These changes included disorganization of myofibrils, disintegration and broadening of Z-bands, swelling and aggregation of mitochondria, electron-dense deposits in mitochondria, decreased cristal density and vacuolization of mitochondria, intracellular edema, margination and clumping of nuclear chromatin, and a decrease of glycogen granules. Regional ischemia in the subendocardium of these animals was confirmed by functional studies which showed decreased regional myocardial blood flow to the subendocardium during exercise and S-T segment elevation for the first 2-10 days after inducing pressure overload. The ischemia, as shown by flow studies, during exercise stress persisted in the compensatory stage of hypertrophy although S-T segments returned to normal. Thus, the combined effect of pressure overload and exercise stress can produce focal subendocardial ischemia in the compensated, hypertrophied heart.     

Effects of hyperthermia on cerebral blood flow and metabolism during prolonged exercise in humans.

The development of hyperthermia during prolonged exercise in humans is associated with various changes in the brain, but it is not known whether the cerebral metabolism or the global cerebral blood flow (gCBF) is affected. Eight endurance-trained subjects completed two exercise bouts on a cycle ergometer. The gCBF and cerebral metabolic rates of oxygen, glucose, and lactate were determined with the Kety-Schmidt technique after 15 min of exercise when core temperature was similar across trials, and at the end of exercise, either when subjects remained normothermic (core temperature = 37.9 degrees C; control) or when severe hyperthermia had developed (core temperature = 39.5 degrees C; hyperthermia). The gCBF was similar after 15 min in the two trials, and it remained stable throughout control. In contrast, during hyperthermia gCBF decreased by 18% and was therefore lower in hyperthermia compared with control at the end of exercise (43 +/- 4 vs. 51 +/- 4 ml. 100 g(-1). min(-1); P < 0.05). Concomitant with the reduction in gCBF, there was a proportionally larger increase in the arteriovenous differences for oxygen and glucose, and the cerebral metabolic rate was therefore higher at the end of the hyperthermic trial compared with control. The hyperthermia-induced lowering of gCBF did not alter cerebral lactate release. The hyperthermia-induced reduction in exercise cerebral blood flow seems to relate to a concomitant 18% lowering of arterial carbon dioxide tension, whereas the higher cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen may be ascribed to a Q(10) (temperature) effect and/or the level of cerebral neuronal activity associated with increased exertion.     

Acute plasma volume expansion: effect on metabolism during submaximal exercise.

To examine the effect of acute plasma volume expansion (PVE) on substrate selection during exercise, seven untrained men cycled for 40 min at 72 +/- 2% peak oxygen uptake (VO(2 peak)) on two occasions. On one occasion, subjects had their plasma volume expanded by 12 +/- 2% via an intravenous infusion of the plasma substitute Haemaccel, whereas on the other occasion no such infusion took place. Muscle samples were obtained before and immediately after exercise. In addition, heart rate and pulmonary gas and venous blood samples were obtained throughout exercise. No differences in oxygen uptake or heart rate during exercise were observed between trials, whereas respiratory exchange ratio, blood glucose, and lactate were unaffected by PVE. Muscle glycogen and lactate concentrations were not different either before or after exercise. In addition, there was no difference in total carbohydrate oxidation between trials (control: 108 +/- 2 g; PVE group: 105 +/- 2 g). Plasma catecholamine levels were not affected by PVE. These data indicate that substrate metabolism during submaximal exercise in untrained men is unaltered by acute hypervolemia.