Effects of L-carnitine loading on the aerobic and anaerobic performance of endurance athletes

L-Carnitine (L-C), a well known physiological carrier across the inner mitochondrial membrane of activated long chain fatty acids and acceptor of acyl groups from acyl-CoA, has been recently synthesised industrially. This has made it possible to study the effects of L-C loading (4 g X d(-1) by mouth over a period of 2 weeks) on the aerobic and anaerobic performance of 6 long distance competitive walkers. As a result of the treatment: 1) mean total, free and esterified serum L-C both at rest and shortly after completing a 120 min walk at about 65% of the individual maximal aerobic power (VO2max) were significantly increased; 2) VO2max increased 6%, from 54.5 +/- 3.7 (S.D.) to 57.8 +/- 4.7 m1O2 X kg(-1) X min(-1) (P less than 0.02); 3) blood lactate concentration (Lab) as a consequence of short bouts repeated exercise (series of 10, 15 and 20 jumps off both feet on a force platform) was unchanged; 4) heart rate, pulmonary ventilation, oxygen consumption, and respiratory quotient in the same conditions as for 1) were unchanged. It is concluded that, in trained athletes, as a consequence of L-C loading VO2max is slightly but significantly raised, probably as a result of an activation of substrate flow through the TCA cycle, whereas the lipid contribution to metabolism in prolonged submaximal exercise remains unchanged.     

Muscle metabolic profile and oxygen transport capacity as determinants of aerobic and anaerobic thresholds

Aerobic and anaerobic thresholds determined by different methods in repeated exercise tests were correlated with cardiorespiratory variables and variables of muscle metabolic profile in 33 men aged 20-50 years. Aerobic threshold was determined from blood lactate, ventilation, and respiratory gas exchange by two methods (AerT1 and AerT2) and anaerobic threshold from venous lactate (AnTLa), from ventilation and gas exchange (AnTr) and by using the criterion of 4 mmol.1(-1) of venous lactate (AnT4mmol). In addition to ordinary correlative analyses, applications of LISREL models were used. The 8 explanatory variables chosen for the regression analyses were height, relative heart volume, relative diffusing capacity of the lung, muscle fiber composition, citrate synthase (CS) and succinate dehydrogenase activities, the lactate dehydrogenase--CS ratio, and age. They explained 58% of the variation in AerT1, 73.5% that of AerT2, 71% that of AnTr, 74.5% that of AnTLa, and 67.5% that of AnT4mmol.AerT and AnT alone explained 77% of the variation in each other. Both AerT and AnT were determined mainly by a muscle metabolic profile, with the CS activity of vastus lateralis as the strongest determinant. The factor 'submaximal endurance' which was measured with AerT and AnT seemed to be slightly more closely connected to 'muscle metabolic profile' than was 'maximal aerobic power' (= VO2max), but both also correlated strongly with each other (r = 0.92).     

The effects of chronic aerobic and anaerobic exercises n lymphocyte subgroups

Exercise is the strongest stress to which the body is ever exposed. The body responds to this stress through a set of physiological changes in its metabolic, hormonal and immunological systems. In this study, responses of the immune system to the long-term aerobic and anaerobic exercises have been investigated. Twenty-four sedentary male university students and officers participated in this study. Subjects were divided into two groups, each consisting of twelve people. Group-1 (age: 25.67 +/- 3.79 years, height: 174.83 +/- 5.15 cm, body mass: 72.17 +/- 8.05 kg) and Group-2 (age: 24.83 +/- 2.89 years, height: 175.3 +/- 6.68 cm, body mass: 70.67 +/- 6.15 kg). After physical examinations of the two groups, resting ECG, respiratory function tests and metabolic tests with the use of the breath by breath method were completed, and anerobic heart rates at the threshold level were determined. The first group was subjected to exercise using Monark ergometry cycles at a heart rate 10% below the threshold level for 8 weeks, 3 days a week, 30 min a day. The second group exercised at a heart rate 10% above the threshold level for 8 weeks, 3 days a week, 20 min a day. Heart rates were checked with the Polar Test during exercises. Pre-exercise (Ep) venous blood samples were taken from each group before their 1st and 24th exercises. Hb (gr), Hct (%), erythrocyte (x10(6)/microl), leukocyte (x10(6)/microl), leukocyte subpopulations (neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, basophil %) and thrombocyte (x10(6)/microl) values were determined. CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD56 values were determined by Flow Cytometry method using monoclonal antibodies. The chronic effects of exercise were examined through a comparison of Ep blood samples at the 1st exercise with Ep blood samples at the 24th exercise. While the increase in the total leukocyte number was significant (p<0.05) in the first group, increase in the second group was found to be non-significant. When percentiles of leukocyte subpopulations were taken into consideration, changes in the first and second group were found to be non-significant. When lymphocyte subgroups were examined; in the first group a decrease in CD3 and CD4 percentiles to 7% and 12%, respectively (p<0.05) and a 65% increase (p<0.01) in the CD56 value were observed. In the second group a decrease in CD3 and CD4 percentiles to 13% and 17%, respectively (p<0.05) and a 73% increase (p<0.01) in the CD56 value were observed. The Sample-t Test and The Wilcoxon Test were used for statistical analysis.     

Assessment of aerobic and anaerobic capacity of athletes in treadmill running tests.

The criteria of max VO2 and max O2D which are traditionally used in studying aerobic and anaerobic work capacity, have the different dimensions. While max VO2 is an index of the power of aerobic energy output, max O2D assesses the capacity of anaerobic sources. For a comprehensive assessment of physical working capacity of athletes, both aerobic and anaerobic capabilities should be represented in three dimensions, i.e. in indexes of power, capacity and efficiency. Experimental procedures have been developed for assessing these three parameters in treadmill running tests. It is proposed to assess anaerobic power by measuring excess CO2, concurrently with determination of max VO2. Maximal aerobic capacity is established as the product of max VO2 by the time of max VO2 maintenance determined in a special test with running at critical speed. The erogmetric criteria derived on the basis of the tests proposed, may be used for systematization of various physical work loads.     

Study on anaerobic and aerobic degradation of different non-ionic surfactants

Six alcohol ethoxylates (C5E2, C6E4, C7E4, C8E2, C8E4, C10E4) and two fatty acid esters were tested at lab-scale for degradation in anaerobic and aerobic conditions and oxygen uptake rate (OUR). Anaerobic removal of C5E2, C6E4 and C7E4 improved with increasing number of ethoxy groups (E) and decreasing length of the alkyl chain (C). Their aerobic removal was also great but lower than the anaerobic values. C8E2, C8E4 and C10E4 were adsorbed on sludge but not degraded in anaerobic conditions, while they were efficiently removed under aerobiosis. The fatty acid esters were removed to a level between the two alcohol ethoxylates groups in both anaerobiosis and aerobiosis. The measured OUR confirmed the different behaviours of the three groups of compounds.     

Association of regulatory genes polymorphisms with aerobic and anaerobic performance of athletes

The aim of study was to investigate an allelic distribution of PPARA (G/C polymorphism), PPARG (Pro/Ala), PPARD (+294T/C) and PGCIA (Gly482Ser) genes in rowers (n=205) and controls (n=659), and to find correlation between genotypes and physiological parameters. Genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Physiological parameters were evaluated by PM 3 Rower Ergometer and MetaMax 3B Gas Analyzer. The frequencies ofPPARA G (90.1% vs. 83.6%) and PPARG Ala (23.1% vs. 16.2%) alleles in elite athletes, and of PPARD C (19.1% vs. 10.5%) and PGC1A Gly (75.4% vs. 66.5%) alleles in sub-elite athletes were significantly higher than in controls. Moreover, PPARA G (when oxygen pulse was measured) and PGC 1A Gly (when maximal aerobic power and anaerobic threshold (%) of VO2max were measured) alleles were associated with high values of aerobic performance. Thus, PPARA G, PPARG Ala, PPARD C and PGCIA Gly alleles can be considered as genetic markers associated with enhanced physical performance.     

Neuromuscular, anaerobic, and aerobic performance characteristics of elite power athletes

Various aspects of neuromuscular, anaerobic, and aerobic performance capacity were investigated in four powerlifters, seven bodybuilders, and three wrestlers with a history of specific training for several years. The data (means +/- SD) showed that the three subject groups possessed similar values for maximal isometric force per unit bodyweight (50.7 +/- 9.6, 49.3 +/- 4.1, and 49.3 +/- 10.9 N/kg, respectively). However, significant (P less than 0.05) differences were observed in the times for isometric force production, so that e.g., times to produce a 30% force level were shorter for the wrestlers and bodybuilders (28.3 +/- 3.1 and 26.4 +/- 6.6 ms) than that (53.3 +/- 23.7 ms) for the powerlifters. Utilization of elastic energy by the wrestlers was significantly (P less than 0.05) better than that of the other two subject groups, as judged from differences between the counter-movement and squat jumps at 0, 40, and 100 kg's loads. No differences were observed between the groups in anaerobic power in a 1-min maximal test, but the values for VO2 max were higher (P less than 0.05) among the wrestlers and bodybuilders (57.8 +/- 6.6 and 50.8 +/- 6.8 ml X kg-1 X min-1) as compared to the powerlifters (41.9 +/- 7.2 ml X kg-1 X min-1). Within the limitations of the subject sample, no differences of a statistical significancy were observed between the groups in fibre distribution, fibre areas, or the area ratio of fast (FT) and slow (ST) twitch fibres in vastus lateralis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Vaccination activity of live influenza vaccine in different seasons of the year

Reactogenicity, immunogenicity and viability of the vaccine virus were studied during vaccination of adults with live allantoic influenza vaccines of the types A (H1N1), A (H3N2) and B in different seasons of the year. Seasonal oscillations of reactogenicity of the vaccines (minimum in summer, maximum in winter) were demonstrated. A decrease in the re-isolation rate of vaccine viruses and in their content in the secretions of the upper respiratory passages was observed in summer. Seasonal oscillations of immunogenicity of the commercial live allantoic influenza vaccine with a marked reduction in its activity in summer were established. The administration of moderately attenuated influenza vaccine viruses in summer results in the production of antibodies up to the level observed in other seasons of the year. Theoretical problems and practical aspects of seasonal oscillations of vaccination activity of live influenza vaccines were studied in connection with the necessity of investigation new vaccine strains in varying seasons of the year.     

Comparative effect of different aerobic pretreatments on the kinetics and macroenergetic parameters of anaerobic digestion of olive mill wastewater in continuous mode

A comparative kinetic study was carried out on the anaerobic digestion of olive mill wastewater (OMW) and OMW that was previously fermented with Geotrichum candidum, Azotobacter chroococcum and Aspergillus terreus. The reactors used were continuously fed and contained sepiolite as support for the mediating bacteria. A kinetic model for multicomponent substrate removal by anaerobic digestion has been used. The model is based on the linear removal concept which is a special case of the broader Monod equation. The second-order kinetic constant, k _{2( s )}, was found to be influenced by the pretreatment carried out, and was 4.2, 4.0 and 2.5 times higher for Aspergillus, Azotobacter and Geotrichum-pretreated OMWs than that obtained in the anaerobic digestion of untreated OMW. This was significant at 95% confidence level. This behaviour is believed to be due to the lower levels of phenolic compounds and biotoxicity present in the pretreated OMWs. In fact, the kinetic constant increased when the phenolic compound content and biotoxicity of the pretreated OMWs decreased. In addition, the macroenergetic parameters of the anaerobic digestion of OMW, i.e. the specific rate of substrate uptake for cell maintenance, m, and the yield coefficient for the biomass, Y, decreased by a factor of 2.4, 3.6 and 5.1 and increased by a factor of 1.9, 2.2 and 2.4 respectively, for the OMWs previously treated with Geotrichum candidum, Azotobacter chroococcum and Aspergillus terreus in relation to the observed values for the untreated OMW.     

The use of molecular genetic methods for prognosis of aerobic and anaerobic performance in athletes

The distribution of genotypes and alleles of ACE (I/D polymorphism), ACTN3 (R577X), NOS3 (5/4), UCP2 (Ala55Val), and UCP3 (-55C/T) genes, as well as the correlation between the genotype and physiological parameters, was studied in rowers (n = 230) and in a control group (n = 855). The genotypes were determined by analyzing restriction fragment length polymorphism. Physiological parameters were determined with a PM 3 rowing ergometer and a MetaMax 3B gas analyzer. The frequency of the ACE II genotype was significantly higher in elite rowers (n = 107) than in the control subjects. The frequency of the ACTN3 XX genotype, unfavorable for development of speed and strength qualities, was twofold lower in all rowers than in the control subjects. The frequencies of the ACE I, ACTN3 R, UCP2 Val, and UCP3 T alleles increased in the athletes along with an increase in skill, which suggested natural sports selection. In addition, ACE I, NOS3 5, UCP2 Val, and UCP3 T alleles correlated with a high aerobic performance. Thus, the ACE I, NOS3 5, UCP2 Val, and UCP3 T alleles may be regarded as genetic markers associated with enhanced aerobic performance and may be included in a diagnostic system for prognosis of human physical performance.     

Interaction of H+ and K+ transport systems in E. coli growing under anaerobic and aerobic conditions

The interaction of H+-ATPase complex F1 X F0 with the Trk system of K+ accumulation in E. coli grown quasi-anaerobically in pepton media with glucose (anaerobia) and aerobically in the salt medium with succinate (aerobia) treated with cyanide was studied. The ratio of H+ fluxes via F1 X F0 and K+ fluxes via the Trk system is stable and equals 2 in anaerobia and is changed from 0.5 to 5.0 in aerobia treated with cyanide in response to pH variation, K+ activity and temperature variations. Q10 is about 2.8 both for F1 X F0 and the Trk system in anaerobia, but 2.4 and 1.0 respectively in aerobia. K+ distribution in anaerobia reaches high values, K+ equilibrium potential is much higher than the measured membrane potential. K+ distribution in aerobia is smaller, which is in conformity with the measured membrane potential. Structural association of F1 X F0 and the Trk system with the formation of H+--K+-pump is assumed to take place in anaerobia, and separate operation of these systems occurs in aerobia, transfer of K+ via Trk system being energized by the electric field on the membrane.     

Significance of the contribution of aerobic and anaerobic components to several distance running performances in female athletes

To assess the most important determinant for successful distance running (800 m, 1500 m and 3000 m events) in female athletes, measurements of several anaerobic indices were made (peak power, mean power) using the Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT), and aerobic indices such as oxygen uptake (VO2) or running velocity (v) at lactate threshold (LT), VO2 or v at onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA), running economy (RE), and maximal oxygen uptake were determined using the incremental treadmill test. The RE was represented by a VO2 value measured at 240 m.min-1 of a standard treadmill velocity. A stepwise multiple regression analysis (SAS stepwise procedure) combined the best features of forward inclusion and backward elimination to determine the most important factors in predicting the performance of running these distances as dependent variables. The stepwise procedure showed that the blood lactate variables such as LT and/or OBLA are highly correlated with, and contributed to predicting performance running 800 m-3000 m, whereas the anaerobic component was related only to running 800 m. In conclusion, blood lactate variables account for a large part of the variation in distance running performance in female as in male runners. The component of the anaerobic system which can be measured by the WAnT was shown to contribute to performance in running 800 m, but not in longer distances.     

Paragonimus westermani possesses aerobic and anaerobic mitochondria in different tissues,adapting to fluctuating oxygen tension in microaerobic habitats

We previously showed that adult Paragonimus westermani, the causative agent of paragonimiasis and whose habitat is the host lung, possesses both aerobic and anaerobic respiratory chains, i.e., cyanide-sensitive succinate oxidase and NADH-fumarate reductase systems, in isolated mitochondria (Takamiya et al., 1994). This finding raises the intriguing question as to whether adult Paragonimus worms possess two different populations of mitochondria, one having an aerobic succinate oxidase system and the other an anaerobic fumarate reductase system, or whether the worms possess a single population of mitochondria possessing both respiratory chains (i.e., mixed-functional mitochondria). Staining of trematode tissues for cytochrome c oxidase activity showed three types of mitochondrial populations: small, strongly stained mitochondria with many cristae, localised in the tegument and tegumental cells; and two larger parenchymal cell mitochondria, one with developed cristae and the other with few cristae. The tegumental and parenchymal mitochondria could be separated by isopycnic density-gradient centrifugation and showed different morphological characteristics and respiratory activities, with low-density tegumental mitochondria having cytochrome c oxidase activity and high-density parenchymal mitochondria having fumarate reductase activity. These results indicate that Paragonimus worms possess three different populations of mitochondria, which are distributed throughout trematode tissues and function facultatively, rather than having mixed-functional mitochondria.     

Effects of oxygen on aerobic solid-state biodegradation kinetics

Oxygen is a critical control variable for composting and other solid-state biodegradation processes. In this study we examined the effect of varying oxygen concentrations (1%, 4%, and 21% O2 (v/v)) on biodegradation kinetics under different substrate (sewage sludge and synthetic food waste), temperature (35, 45, 55, and 65 degrees C), and moisture (36-60% H2O) conditions. Three forms of a saturation or Monod-type model and one form of an exponential model were evaluated against data from extensive experiments under carefully controlled environmental conditions. The exponential model performed well at temperatures from 35 to 55 degrees C but had problems at higher temperatures. The Monod-type models yielded the best fit based on R2 values. Multiple linear regression was used to express the oxygen half-saturation coefficient as a function of temperature and moisture. For a modified one-parameter saturation model the half-saturation coefficient varied from -0.67% to 1.74% v/v O2 under the range of conditions typical of composting systems. While the positive correlation of biodegradation rate with oxygen concentration reported by previous researchers held true for temperatures below 55 degrees C, an inverse relationship was found at 65 degrees C. Although this study did not directly examine anaerobic conditions, the results under microaerophilic conditions suggest oxygen may not offer kinetic advantages for extreme thermophilic biodegradation processes.     

Coexistence of aerobic chemotrophic and anaerobic phototrophic sulfur bacteria under oxygen limitation

Abstract: The aerobic chemotrophic sulfur bacterium Thiobacillus thioparus T5 and the anaerobic phototrophic sulfur bacterium Thiocapsa roseopersicina M1 were co-cultured in continuously illuminated chemostats at a dilution rate of 0.05 h⁻¹. Sulfide was the only externally supplied electron donor, and oxygen and carbon dioxide served as electron acceptor and carbon source, respectively. Steady states were obtained with oxygen supplies ranging from non-limiting amounts (1.6 mol O₂ per mol sulfide, resulting in sulfide limitation) to severe limitation (0.65 mol O₂ per mol sulfide). Under sulfide limitation Thiocapsa was competitively excluded by Thiobacillus and washed out. Oxygen/sulfide ratios between 0.65 and 1.6 resulted in stable coexistence. It could be deduced that virtually all sulfide was oxidized by Thiobacillus . The present experiments showed that Thiocapsa is able to grow phototrophically on the partially oxidized products of Thiobacillus . In pure Thiobacillus cultures in steady state extracellular zerovalent sulfur accumulated, in contrast to mixed cultures. This suggests that a soluble form of sulfur at the oxidation state of elemental sulfur is formed by Thiobacillus as intermediate. As a result, under oxygen limitation colorless sulfur bacteria and purple sulfur bacteria do not competitively exclude each other but can coexist. It was shown that its ability to use partially oxidized sulfur compounds, formed under oxygen limiting conditions by Thiobacillus , helps explain the bloom formation of Thiocapsa in marine microbial mats.