Hemodynamic and metabolic responses to exercise after adrenoceptor blockade in humans

The effects of acute alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockade with prazosin, beta 1-adrenoceptor blockade with atenolol, and nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blockade with propranolol were compared in a placebo-controlled crossover study of the hemodynamic and metabolic responses to acute exercise 2 h after prolonged prior exercise to induce skeletal muscle glycogen depletion, enhancing the dependence on hepatic glucose output and circulating free fatty acids (FFA). Plasma catecholamines were higher during exercise after, as opposed to before, glycogen depletion and were elevated further by all three drugs. Propranolol failed to produce a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and elevated diastolic blood pressure. Atenolol reduced systolic blood pressure and did not change diastolic blood pressure. Both beta-blockers reduced FFA levels, but only propranolol lowered plasma glucose relative to placebo during exercise after glycogen depletion. In contrast, prazosin reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressures and resulted in elevated FFA and glucose levels. The results indicate important differences in the hemodynamic effects of beta 1-selective vs. nonselective beta-blockade during exercise after skeletal muscle glycogen depletion. Furthermore they confirm the importance of beta 2-mediated hepatic glucose production in maintaining plasma glucose levels during exercise. Acute alpha 1-blockade with prazosin induces reflex elevation of catecholamines, which in the absence of blockade of hepatic beta 2-receptors produces elevation of plasma glucose. The results suggest there is little role for alpha 1-mediated hepatic glucose production during exercise in humans.     

Effects of beta 1- vs. beta 1 + beta 2-blockade on exercise endurance and muscle metabolism in humans

The effects of beta-blockade on muscle utilization of glycogen and triglycerides, as well as potassium metabolism, were studied in eight healthy male subjects performing long-duration exercise to exhaustion. Subjects were studied after treatment with either placebo (PLAC), beta 1-selective (atenolol, 100 mg/day, AT), or nonselective beta-blockade (nadolol, 80 mg/day, NAD) each for 1 wk according to a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. NAD and AT caused identical decreases in exercise heart rates, but endurance (71 +/- 8 min with PLAC) decreased significantly more with NAD (-33 +/- 4%) than with AT (-14 +/- 6%). Muscle glycogen breakdown, taking exercise time into account, was unaffected by treatment. In contrast, muscle triglyceride utilization was completely blocked by NAD whereas it was unchanged with AT as compared to PLAC. Adipose tissue lipolysis was inhibited to a similar extent by the two beta-blockers. Serum potassium increased to higher levels at exhaustion and muscle potassium decreased to lower levels with NAD than with AT or PLAC. These results suggest that decreased utilization of muscle triglycerides combined with lack of an enhanced glycogenolysis to compensate as well as alterations in potassium metabolism contribute to the decreased exercise capacity with nonselective beta-blockade compared with beta 1-selective blockade.     

Beta-blockade reduces tidal volume during heavy exercise in trained and untrained men

The effects of beta-blockade on tidal volume (VT), breath cycle timing, and respiratory drive were evaluated in 14 endurance-trained [maximum O2 uptake (VO2max) approximately 65 ml X kg-1 X min-1] and 14 untrained (VO2max approximately 50 ml X kg-1 X min-1) male subjects at 45, 60, and 75% of unblocked VO2max and at VO2max. Propranolol (PROP, 80 mg twice daily), atenolol (ATEN, 100 mg once a day) and placebo (PLAC) were administered in a randomized double-blind design. In both subject groups both drugs attenuated the increases in VT associated with increasing work rate. CO2 production (VCO2) was not changed by either drug during submaximal exercise but was reduced in both subject groups by both drugs during maximal exercise. The relationship between minute ventilation (VE) and VCO2 was unaltered by either drug in both subject groups due to increases in breathing frequency. In trained subjects VT was reduced during maximal exercise from 2.58 l/breath on PLAC to 2.21 l/breath on PROP and to 2.44 l/breath on ATEN. In untrained subjects VT at maximal exercise was reduced from 2.30 l/breath on PLAC to 1.99 on PROP and 2.12 on ATEN. These observations indicate that 1) since VE vs. VCO2 was not altered by beta-adrenergic blockade, the changes in VT and f did not result from a general blunting of the ventilatory response to exercise during beta-adrenergic blockade; and 2) blockade of beta 1- and beta 2-receptors with PROP caused larger reductions in VT compared with blockade of beta 1-receptors only (ATEN), suggesting that beta 2-mediated bronchodilation plays a role in the VT response to heavy exercise.     

The effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on leg blood flow with repeated maximal contractions of the triceps surae muscle group in man

The effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on torque output and leg blood flow was examined in seven healthy young men during repeated maximal isometric voluntary contractions of the triceps surae muscle group. Exercise was performed in either a bent- or straight-leg position during each of four drug treatments: placebo, propranolol, metoprolol, oxprenolol. Contractions were sustained for 5 s with 5 s relaxation for a total of 10 min followed by a 10-min recovery. Leg blood flow was measured during the 5 s relaxation separating contractions using strain gauge plethysmography. Torque output decreased during the 10-min contractions with no differences between the four drug treatments. Leg blood flow was lower with beta-blockade during the initial stages of exercise and recovery in the bent-leg position but no differences were observed after 3 min exercise or recovery. Leg blood flow in the straight-leg position was not different between any of the four drug treatments, but it was significantly less than in bent-leg exercise. The lower blood flows during the initial stages of exercise in the beta-blocked conditions probably reflect a slowing of the central cardiovascular response because of beta 1-receptor blockade of the heart rather than on the beta 2-receptors effects on peripheral vascular resistance. It is concluded that local vasodilator substances released from the working muscle may play a more important role than beta 2-receptor stimulation of smooth muscle in skeletal muscle resistance vessels in regulating local muscle blood flow during maximal exercise of the triceps surae muscle group.     

Relation between pharmacodynamic and anthropometric parameters during ergometry at rest and after repeated intake of metoprolol in healthy volunteers: results of a pilot study

Metoprolol is a widely used beta1-selective beta-blocker in hypertension and tachycardia. The influence on vital signs at rest and during ergometry (exercise heart rate or blood pressure, effect areas above baseline) was investigated in a pilot study with 18 healthy volunteers (mean age 29.1 years) by means of multiple and pairwise correlation analysis. At rest, the difference between predose and day 5 values were not associated with anthropometric characteristics. During ergometry for weight and height significant negative correlations were found corresponding to marked beta-values in the multiple regression models. Therefore heart rate decreases less markedly in slim persons which should be taken into consideration in exercise tests during metoprolol intake.     

Beta-receptor-mediated increase in venous return in humans

To assess the involvement of beta 1- and beta 2-receptors in the regulation of venous return in humans, changes in left ventricular end-diastolic (LVED) dimension were determined during beta-receptor stimulation either by exogenous catecholamines or by increased endogenous sympathetic activity after hydralazine, after placebo and during nonselective versus beta 1-selective blockade. Taking changes in heart rate and LV emptying into account, the three beta-agonists (isoproterenol, terbutaline, and epinephrine) as well as hydralazine increased venous return as inferred from LVED dimension. After hydralazine, nonselective and beta 1-selective blockade were equally effective in blunting the increases in venous return, in heart rate, and in positive inotropic response. Beta 1-Selective blockade did not affect the increase in heart rate caused by epinephrine and partially inhibited the positive inotropic effect and the increase in venous return. Nonselective blockade not only blocked the increase in venous return owing to epinephrine but actually led to a decrease, as evidenced by a decrease in LVED dimension despite the marked bradycardia and high afterload with this combination. The present findings in healthy humans indicate that stimulation of both beta 1- and beta 2-receptors increases venous return, heart rate, and myocardial contractility. Beta 1-Receptors appear to predominate in the response to neuronal sympathetic activity.     

Exercise capacity, energy metabolism, and beta-adrenoceptor blockade. Comparison between a beta 1-selective and a non-selective beta blocker

The effects of beta 1 and beta 1/2 blockade on exercise capacity were studied in 9 healthy normotensive subjects. Progressive maximal bicycle ergometer tests, followed by an endurance test at 80% of maximal work load, were performed during randomized, double-blind 3 day treatment periods with placebo, atenolol (beta 1) and oxprenolol (beta 1/2). The reduction of maximal work capacity (ca. 10%) was similar with atenolol and oxprenolol, despite a more pronounced maximal heart rate reduction with atenolol (from 175 +/- 2 to 132 +/- 3 beats.min-1) than with oxprenolol (to 138 +/- 2 beats.min-1). Exercise time during the endurance test was reduced from 36 +/- 4 min with placebo to 27 +/- 3 min with atenolol (p less than 0.05) and 24 +/- 3 min with oxprenolol (p less than 0.01) (atenolol vs. oxprenolol: p less than 0.05). During the endurance test, plasma glycerol and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations were reduced with both atenolol and oxprenolol. The glycerol reduction was more pronounced with oxprenolol than with atenolol, plasma NEFA concentrations being similar. Plasma glucose and lactate concentrations were reduced by oxprenolol but not with atenolol. These data show that submaximal exercise capacity at work loads representing similar relative exercise intensities is reduced during non-selective and beta 1-selective beta blockade. This reduction may be related to the effects of beta 1 blockade on energy metabolism, with possibly an additional effect of beta 2 blockade.     

Metabolic and hormonal response to physical exercise during beta 1-selective and non-selective beta-blockade

The effects of a beta 1-selective (metoprolol, 150 mg per day) and a non-selective beta-blocking agent (propranolol, 120 mg per day) on metabolic and hormonal responses to physical exercise (a 30 min bicycle ergometer test) were investigated against placebo in seven healthy male volunteers with a double blind cross-over design. The blood glucose level remained unchanged during placebo, it tended to increase during metoprolol, whereas it decreased during propranolol. Both metoprolol and propranolol counteracted the exercise-induced increase in plasma free fatty acids and caused a slight decrease in muscle glycogenolysis. The increase in blood lactate concentration during exercise was not influenced by beta-blockade. The secretion of glucagon and cortisol was not modified significantly by beta-blockade, whereas the growth hormone response to exercise was promoted equally by both beta-blocking agents. It has been assumed previously that, during treatment with beta-blocking agents, diminished hepatic gluconeogenesis, caused by the lack of lactate or free fatty acids, may result in a decline in blood glucose levels. The present results indicate that an inhibition of beta 2-mediated hepatic glycogenolysis by propranolol may also influence blood glucose homeostasis during exercise.     

Comparison of atenolol and propranolol during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia.

The effects of atenolol, a new beta1-blocking drug, on pulse rate, sweating, and blood glucose levels during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia were studied in a double-blind crossover trial in eight normal subjects using placebo and propranolol as reference agents. The intensity of induced hypoglycaemia was identical for atenolol, propranolol, and placebo. Propranolol prolonged hypoglycaemia, but atenolol did not. Atenolol may therefore be safe for use in patients receiving insulin.     

Carbohydrate ingestion does not alter skeletal muscle AMPK signaling during exercise in humans

There is evidence that increasing carbohydrate (CHO) availability during exercise by raising preexercise muscle glycogen levels attenuates the activation of AMPKalpha2 during exercise in humans. Similarly, increasing glucose levels decreases AMPKalpha2 activity in rat skeletal muscle in vitro. We examined the effect of CHO ingestion on skeletal muscle AMPK signaling during exercise in nine active male subjects who completed two 120-min bouts of cycling exercise at 65 +/- 1% V(O2 peak). In a randomized, counterbalanced order, subjects ingested either an 8% CHO solution or a placebo solution during exercise. Compared with the placebo trial, CHO ingestion significantly (P < 0.05) increased plasma glucose levels and tracer-determined glucose disappearance. Exercise-induced increases in muscle-calculated free AMP (17.7- vs. 11.8-fold), muscle lactate (3.3- vs. 1.8-fold), and plasma epinephrine were reduced by CHO ingestion. However, the exercise-induced increases in skeletal muscle AMPKalpha2 activity, AMPKalpha2 Thr(172) phosphorylation and acetyl-CoA Ser(222) phosphorylation, were essentially identical in the two trials. These findings indicate that AMPK activation in skeletal muscle during exercise in humans is not sensitive to changes in plasma glucose levels in the normal range. Furthermore, the rise in plasma epinephrine levels in response to exercise was greatly suppressed by CHO ingestion without altering AMPK signaling, raising the possibility that epinephrine does not directly control AMPK activity during muscle contraction under these conditions in vivo.     

Metabolic and hormonal responses to exhaustive supramaximal running with and without beta-adrenergic blockade

The metabolic and hormonal responses to exhaustive short-term supramaximal exercise were studied in 10 male physical education students. The exercise task was a single bout of running on the treadmill at 22 km X h-1 and 7.5% slope. It was performed with single oral doses of 100 mg Bupranolol (non-selective beta-blockade), 100 mg Metoprolol (beta-1-selective blockade), and placebo. Arterialized capillary and venous blood were sampled until 30 min post exercise. Time to exhaustion was 52.0 +/- 2.6, 47.6 +/- 2.0, and 46.0 +/- 1.9 s in the control, Metroprolol, and Bupranolol experiments. At cessation of exercise, adrenaline and noradrenaline were grossly elevated in all three conditions. Lactate and glucose increased markedly, this being accompanied by increasing insulin in the control and Metoprolol, but not the Bupranolol trials. Glycerol increased moderately, while FFA were depressed. Growth hormone showed a delayed increase at 15 and 30 min post exercise. Cortisol was unaffected by exercise. beta-blockade reduced the increases of lactate, glucose, glycerol, insulin, and growth hormone, exaggerated the depression of FFA and had no effect on cortisol. The results demonstrate that the strong sympatho-adrenal response to exercise of this nature is a major determinant of the increase of glucose at cessation of exercise. The hyperglycemia in concert with beta-2-adrenergic stimulation leads to elevation of insulin. Furthermore, lipolysis is controlled by beta-adrenergic stimulation. The delayed increase of growth hormone seems to be triggered by the declining glucose level during recovery.     

亮氨酸对抗阻运动引起的骨骼肌损伤和疼痛的保护作用

为了考察亮氨酸对抗阻运动引起的骨骼肌损伤和疼痛的影响,本研究通过建立抗阻运动骨骼肌损伤动物模型来考察亮氨酸对骨骼肌的保护作用,通过伊文氏蓝染色(evans blue stain,EBD)和苏木精和伊红染色(hematoxylin and eosin staining,HE)评价大鼠骨骼肌病理改变。发现亮氨酸给药明显减弱了大鼠骨骼肌损伤。此外,本研究选择60名健康男性进行一次最大重复负荷(one-repetition maximum,1RM)测试和骨骼肌损伤诱导实验。受试者分别口服安慰剂和3种剂量(50 mg/kg·bw,100 mg/kg·bw和200 mg/kg·bw)的亮氨酸混悬液,采用视觉模拟评分法(visual analog scoring,VAS)评价肌肉酸痛程度,并检测了受试者血清CK-MM、Mb、GSH-Px、CAT、SOD、MDA、IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α水平。研究发现各组间相同时间段内的深蹲1RM值均无显著差异(p>0.05)。抗阻运动后48 h和72 h时,不同剂量亮氨酸组受试者的VAS评分均显著低于安慰剂组,并且随着亮氨酸剂量的升高,受试者的VAS评分呈现降低趋势。运动72 h后,不同剂量亮氨酸组的CK-MM和Mb水平均显著低于安慰剂组;不同剂量亮氨酸组的GSH-Px、CAT和SOD水平均高于安慰剂组,而MDA水平低于安慰剂组;不同剂量亮氨酸组的IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α水平均显著低于安慰剂组。说明补充亮氨酸能够以剂量依赖性方式降低抗阻运动引起的骨骼肌损伤和疼痛,其机制与抑制氧化应激损伤和减弱炎症反应有关。然而,补充亮氨酸短期内并不会提高受试者的肌肉功能。     

Propranolol does not impair exercise oxygen uptake in normal men at high altitude

Decreased maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) and stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system have been previously shown to occur at high altitude. We hypothesized that tachycardia mediated by beta-adrenergic stimulation acted to defend VO2max at high altitude. Propranolol treatment beginning before high-altitude (4,300 m) ascent reduced heart rate during maximal and submaximal exercise in six healthy men treated with propranolol (80 mg three times daily) compared with five healthy subjects receiving placebo (lactose). Compared with sea-level values, the VO2max fell on day 2 at high altitude, but the magnitude of fall was similar in the placebo and propranolol treatment groups (26 +/- 6 vs. 32 +/- 5%, P = NS) and VO2max remained similar at high altitude in both groups once treatment was discontinued. During 30 min of submaximal (80% of VO2max) exercise, propranolol-treated subjects maintained O2 uptake levels that were as large as those in placebo subjects. The maintenance of maximal or submaximal levels of O2 uptake in propranolol-treated subjects at 4,300 m could not be attributed to increased minute ventilation, arterial O2 saturation, or hemoglobin concentration. Rather, it appeared that propranolol-treated subjects maintained O2 uptake by transporting a greater proportion of the O2 uptake with each heartbeat. Thus, contrary to our hypothesis, beta-adrenergic blockade did not impair maximal or submaximal O2 uptake at high altitude due perhaps to compensatory mechanisms acting to maintain stroke volume and cardiac output.     

Effects of combined inhibition of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, nitric oxide, and prostaglandins on hyperemia during moderate exercise.

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels have been suggested to contribute to coronary and skeletal muscle vasodilation during exercise, either alone or interacting in a parallel or redundant process with nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins (PGs), and adenosine. We tested the hypothesis that KATP channels, alone or in combination with NO and PGs, regulate exercise hyperemia in forearm muscle. Eighteen healthy young adults performed 20 min of moderate dynamic forearm exercise, with forearm blood flow (FBF) measured via Doppler ultrasound. After steady-state FBF was achieved for 5 min (saline control), the KATP inhibitor glibenclamide (Glib) was infused into the brachial artery for 5 min (10 microg.dl(-1).min(-1)), followed by saline infusion during the final 10 min of exercise (n = 9). Exercise increased FBF from 71 +/- 11 to 239 +/- 24 ml/min, and FBF was not altered by 5 min of Glib. Systemic plasma Glib levels were above the therapeutic range, and Glib increased insulin levels by approximately 50%, whereas blood glucose was unchanged (88 +/- 2 vs. 90 +/- 2 mg/dl). In nine additional subjects, Glib was followed by combined infusion of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) plus ketorolac (to inhibit NO and PGs, respectively). As above, Glib had no effect on FBF but addition of L-NAME + ketorolac (i.e., triple blockade) reduced FBF by approximately 15% below steady-state exercise levels in seven of nine subjects. Interestingly, triple blockade in two subjects caused FBF to transiently and dramatically decrease. This was followed by an acute recovery of flow above steady-state exercise values. We conclude 1) opening of KATP channels is not obligatory for forearm exercise hyperemia, and 2) triple blockade of NO, PGs, and KATP channels does not reduce hyperemia more than the inhibition of NO and PGs in most subjects. However, some subjects are sensitive to triple blockade, but they are able to restore FBF acutely during exercise. Future studies are required to determine the nature of these compensatory mechanisms in the affected individuals.     

Effect of beta-adrenoceptor blockade on thermoregulation during prolonged exercise

The effect of clinically used equipotent doses of nonselective (beta 1/beta 2; propranolol) and selective (beta 1; atenolol) beta-adrenoceptor blockers on thermoregulation was studied during prolonged exercise in the heat. Oral propranolol (160 mg/day), atenolol (100 mg/day) or matching placebo were taken for 6 days each by 11 healthy young adult caucasian males. Subjects participated in 2 h of block-stepping at a work rate of 54 W in an environmental chamber with a temperature of 33.2 +/- 0.3 degree C dry bulb and 31.7 /+- 0.3 degree C wet bulb, 2 h after ingestion of the final dose of each drug. Both active agents produced similar marked (P less than 0.001) increases in subjective perception of effort, the mechanism of which was not immediately evident from changes in serum electrolytes, blood glucose, blood lactate, or ventilatory parameters. Propranolol did, however, cause a greater rise in serum K+ than placebo (P less than 0.02) and atenolol (P = NS) after exercise. Although rectal and mean skin temperatures were insignificantly altered by beta-adrenoceptor blockade, an increased total sweat production was noted with propranolol (P less than 0.01 vs. placebo) and to a lesser degree atenolol (P = NS vs. placebo) therapy. Analysis of the time course of sweat production showed the propranolol-mediated enhancement of sweating to ensue largely during the initial hour of block-stepping and to be transient in nature. The scientific and clinical implications of this observation will be dependent upon the precise underlying mechanism, a factor not identified by the present study.     

Daily consumption of tea catechins improves aerobic capacity in healthy male adults: a randomized double-blind,placebo-controlled,crossover trial

Our previous studies demonstrated that dietary supplementation with tea catechins combined with exercise improved endurance capacity in mice. This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of daily tea catechin consumption on aerobic capacity in humans. Sixteen Japanese non-athlete male subjects (aged 25–47 years) took 500 mL of a test beverage with or without tea catechins (570 mg) daily for 8 weeks and attended a training program twice a week. Aerobic capacity was evaluated by indirect calorimetry and near-infrared spectroscopy during graded cycle exercise. Catechin beverage consumption was associated with a significantly higher ventilation threshold during exercise and a higher recovery rate of oxygenated hemoglobin and myoglobin levels after graded cycle exercise when compared to subjects receiving the placebo beverage. These results indicate that daily consumption of tea catechins increases aerobic capacity when combined with semiweekly light exercise, which may be due to increased skeletal muscle aerobic capacity.     

Gene expression profiles and protein balance in skeletal muscle of burned children after beta-adrenergic blockade

Propranolol, a nonselective beta-blocker, has been shown effective in hypermetabolic burn patients by decreasing cardiac work, protein catabolism, and lipolysis. This study investigates the effect of propranolol on gene and protein expression changes in skeletal muscle of burned children by use of high-density oligonucleotide arrays to establish the genetic profiles and stable isotope technique to quantitate protein synthesis. Thirty-seven children (mean age 9.7 +/- 1.1 yr) were randomized into groups to receive placebo (n = 23) or propranolol (n = 14) titrated to reduce heart rate by 15%. Children had >40% total body surface area burns (mean 43 +/- 5.6%). Protein net balance was determined by stable-isotope infusion technique. Total RNA from muscle biopsies was isolated, labeled, and cRNA hybridized to the HG-U95Av2 Affymetrix array. Mean net balance of protein synthesis and breakdown was -14.3 +/- 12.9 nmol. min-1. 100 ml leg volume-1 for placebo and +69.3 +/- 34.9 nmol. min-1. 100 ml leg volume-1 in the propranolol-treated children (P = 0.012). Comparison of 12,000 genes in burned children receiving placebo showed increased expression of two genes with time, whereas children receiving propranolol showed increased expression of nine genes with a decrease in five genes. We conclude that burned children receiving propranolol showed a significant upregulation in genes involved in muscle metabolism and downregulation of an important enzyme involved in gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance compared with burned children receiving placebo. The upregulation of genes involved in muscle metabolism correlates well with the increase in net protein balance across the leg.     

Tocopherol mobilization during dynamic exercise after beta-adrenergic blockade.

This study addresses the question of whether tocopherol mobilization during exercise could be explained by a lipolysis effect. Nine healthy male subjects were submitted to dynamic exercise of graded intensity (45, 60, 75% VO2max) on a cycle ergometer after ingestion of either a placebo or 40 mg propranolol as beta-blocker. Plasma tocopherol concentration increased toward a peak value reached during or at the end of exercise. The magnitude of this increase did not differ in the two experimental conditions while plasma free fatty acids concentration was lowered under beta-adrenergic blockade by propranolol. From these results, we conclude that tocopherol mobilization during dynamic exercise does not depend on lipolysis.     

Effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on VO2 kinetics during pseudorandom binary sequence exercise

The effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on the dynamic response characteristics of oxygen uptake (VO2) was examined in seven healthy men. Cycle ergometer exercise consisted of a pseudorandom binary sequence (PRBS) with 15 units per sequence, each unit lasting 15 s, for a total period of 225 s. Work rate was either 25 W or 125 W. Six identical sequences were performed continuously in a single exercise test. Each subject was studied on three occasions after 48 h treatment of placebo (CON); a nonselective beta-blocker, propranolol (PROP); and a beta 1-selective blocker, metoprolol (MET). VO2 was measured breath-by-breath. The data were analyzed in the frequency domain by Fourier analysis to yield amplitude and phase shift coefficients for the relationship between the input work rate and output VO2. Time domain analysis was performed on the cross-correlational analysis of VO2 (output).work rate (input) to determine the total lag time. The amplitude of the VO2.W-1 relationship was lower (P less than 0.0022) and the phase shift was greater (P less than 0.0039) with beta-blockade compared to CON; no differences were found between PROP and MET. The total lag time was longer (P less than 0.0053) in PROP (34.3 +/- 2.2 s) and MET (34.4 +/- 1.6 s) compared to CON (29.8 +/- 1.3 s). These data indicate that beta-adrenergic blockade causes a significant slowing of kinetics of the O2 transport system as determined by both frequency and time domain analysis. In addition, the PRBS exercise test is a sensitive indicator of change in function of the O2 transport system.     

Nitric oxide and prostaglandins influence local skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise in humans: coupling between local substrate uptake and blood flow

Synergic action of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins (PG) in the regulation of muscle blood flow during exercise has been demonstrated. In the present study, we investigated whether these vasodilators also regulate local blood flow, flow heterogeneity, and glucose uptake within the exercising skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle blood flow was measured in seven healthy young men using near-infrared spectroscopy and indocyanine green and muscle glucose uptake using positron emission tomography and 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-[(18)F]glucose without and with local blockade of NO and PG at rest and during one-legged dynamic knee-extension exercise. Local blockade was produced by infusing nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and indomethacin directly in the muscle via a microdialysis catheter. Blood flow and glucose uptake were measured in the region of blockade and in two additional regions of vastus lateralis muscle 1 and 4 cm away from the infusion of blockers. Local blockade during exercise at 25 and 40 watts significantly decreased blood flow in the infusion region and in the region 1 cm away from the site of infusion but not in the region 4 cm away. During exercise, muscle glucose uptake did not show any regional differences in response to blockade. These results show that NO and PG synergistically contribute to the local regulation of blood flow in skeletal muscle independently of muscle glucose uptake in healthy young men. Thus these vasodilators can play a role in regulating microvascular blood flow in localized regions of vastus lateralis muscle but do not influence regional glucose uptake. The findings suggest that local substrate uptake in skeletal muscle can be regulated independently of regional changes in blood flow.