Effect of cold acclimation on antioxidant status in cold acclimated skaters

We investigated whether cold acclimation leads to increased activity of the antioxidant defense enzymes and muscle injury. Comparisons were between short track skaters (n=6) and inline skaters (n=6) during rest and at submaximal cycling (65% VO2max) in cold (ambient temperature: 5+/-1 degrees C, relative humidity: 41+/-8%) and warm conditions (ambient temperature: 21+/-1 degrees C, relative humidity: 35+/-5%), during 60 min, respectively, and during the recovery phase. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx), reduced glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric substance acid (TBARS), serum creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), plasma myoglobin (Mb) and cortisol were determined. Activities of CAT and GSHpx and the level of GSH and TBARS in erythrocyte and the level of LDH in serum were elevated in cold acclimated subjects. We suggested that the compensatory increase in antioxidative defense enzymes resulting from long-term cold exposure may reflect the elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and muscle injury at this environment acclimation.     

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND LEUKOCYTE SUBSET RESPONSES TO EXERCISE AND COLD EXPOSURE IN COLD-ACCLIMATIZED SKATERS

We investigated physiological responses and changes in circulating immune cells following exercise in cold and thermoneutral conditions. Participants were short track skaters (n=9) who were acclimatized to cold conditions, and inline skaters (n=10) who were not acclimatized. All skaters were young, and skating at a recreational level three days per week for at least one year. Using a cross-over design, study variables were measured during 60 min of submaximal cycling (65% V.O₂max) in cold (ambient temperature: 5±1°C, relative humidity: 41±9%) and thermoneutral conditions (ambient temperature: 21±1°C, relative humidity: 35±5%). Heart rate, blood lactate and tympanic temperature were measured at rest, during exercise and recovery. Plasma cortisol, calprotectin and circulating blood cell numbers were measured before and after 60 min of cold or thermoneutral conditions, and during recovery from exercise. Heart rate was lower in both groups during exercise in cold versus thermoneutral conditions (P<0.05). The increase in total leukocytes during recovery was primarily due to an increase in neutrophils in both groups. The cold-acclimatized group activated neutrophils after exercise in cold exposure, whereas the non-acclimatized group activated lymphocyte and cortisol after exercise in cold exposure. Lymphocyte subsets significantly changed in both groups over time during recovery as compared to rest. Immediately after exercise in both groups, CD16+ and CD69+ cells were elevated compared to rest or before exercise in both conditions. Acclimatization to exercise in the cold does not appear to influence exercise-induced immune changes in cold conditions, with the possible exception of neutrophils, lymphocytes and cortisol concentration.     

Intramyocellular lipid content is increased after exercise in nonexercising human skeletal muscle.

Intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) content has been reported to decrease after prolonged submaximal exercise in active muscle and, therefore, seems to form an important local substrate source. Because exercise leads to a substantial increase in plasma free fatty acid (FFA) availability with a concomitant increase in FFA uptake by muscle tissue, we aimed to investigate potential differences in the net changes in IMCL content between contracting and noncontracting skeletal muscle after prolonged endurance exercise. IMCL content was quantified by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in eight trained cyclists before and after a 3-h cycling protocol (55% maximal energy output) in the exercising vastus lateralis and the nonexercising biceps brachii muscle. Blood samples were taken before and after exercise to determine plasma FFA, glycerol, and triglyceride concentrations, and substrate oxidation was measured with indirect calorimetry. Prolonged endurance exercise resulted in a 20.4 +/- 2.8% (P < 0.001) decrease in IMCL content in the vastus lateralis muscle. In contrast, we observed a substantial (37.9 +/- 9.7%; P < 0.01) increase in IMCL content in the less active biceps brachii muscle. Plasma FFA and glycerol concentrations were substantially increased after exercise (from 85 +/- 6 to 1450 +/- 55 and 57 +/- 11 to 474 +/- 54 microM, respectively; P < 0.001), whereas plasma triglyceride concentrations were decreased (from 1498 +/- 39 to 703 +/- 7 microM; P < 0.001). IMCL is an important substrate source during prolonged moderate-intensity exercise and is substantially decreased in the active vastus lateralis muscle. However, prolonged endurance exercise with its concomitant increase in plasma FFA concentration results in a net increase in IMCL content in less active muscle.     

Effects of hydration state and resistance exercise on markers of muscle damage

It is well established that resistance exercise can damage muscle tissue, but the combined effects of hypohydration and resistance exercise on muscle damage are unclear. Two common circulating markers of muscle damage, myoglobin (Mb) and creatine kinase (CK) may be attenuated by fluid ingestion post-exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine the combined effect of resistance exercise and hydration state on muscle damage. Seven healthy resistance-trained males (age = 23 +/- 4 years; body mass = 87.8 +/- 6.8 kg; body fat = 11.5 +/- 5.2%) completed 3 identical resistance exercise bouts (6 sets of up to 10 repetitions of the back squat) in different hydration states: euhydrated (HY0), hypohydrated approximately 2.5% body mass (HY2.5), and hypohydrated approximately 5.0% body mass (HY5). Subjects achieved desired hydration states via controlled water deprivation, exercise-heat stress, and fluid intake. Both Mb and CK were measured during euhydrated rest (PRE). Mb was also measured immediately post-exercise, 1 hour (+1H) and 2 hours (+2H) post-exercise; CK was measured at 24 and 48 hours post-exercise. Body mass decreased 0.2 +/- 0.4%, 2.4 +/- 0.4%, and 4.8 +/- 0.4% during HY0, HY2.5, and HY5, respectively. Mb concentrations increased significantly (effect size >or=1, p < 0.05) from PRE (2.6 +/- 1.1, 3.5 +/- 2.8, and 3.2 +/- 1.6 nmol x L(-1)) to +1H (5.3 +/- 3.4, 6.8 +/- 3.2, and 7.6 +/- 2.8 nmol x L(-1)), and +2H (5.5 +/- 3.8, 6.2 +/- 3.0, and 7.2 +/- 3.0 nmol x L(-1)) for HY0, HY2.5, and HY5, respectively, but were not significantly different between trials. CK concentrations remained within the normal resting range at all time points. Thus, hypohydration did not enhance muscle damage following the resistance exercise challenge. Despite these results, athletes are encouraged to commence exercise in a euhydrated state to maximize endogenous hormonal, mechanical, and metabolic benefits.     

Endurance training has little effect on active muscle free fatty acid, lipoprotein cholesterol, or triglyceride net balances

We evaluated the hypothesis that net leg total FFA, LDL-C, and TG uptake and HDL-C release during moderate-intensity cycling exercise would be increased following endurance training. Eight sedentary men (26 +/- 1 yr, 77.4 +/- 3.7 kg) were studied in the postprandial state during 90 min of rest and 60 min of exercise twice before (45% and 65% V(O2 peak)) and twice after 9 wk of endurance training (55% and 65% posttraining V(O2 peak)). Measurements across an exercising leg were taken to be a surrogate for active skeletal muscle. To determine limb lipid exchange, femoral arterial and venous blood samples drawn simultaneously at rest and during exercise were analyzed for total and individual FFA (e.g., palmitate, oleate), LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG concentrations, and limb blood flow was determined by thermodilution. The transition from rest to exercise resulted in a shift from net leg total FFA release (-44 +/- 16 micromol/min) to uptake (193 +/- 49 micromol/min) that was unaffected by either exercise intensity or endurance training. The relative net leg release and uptake of individual FFA closely resembled their relative abundances in the plasma with approximately 21 and 41% of net leg total FFA uptake during exercise accounted for by palmitate and oleate, respectively. Endurance training resulted in significant changes in arterial concentrations of HDL-C (49 +/- 5 vs. 52 +/- 5 mg/dl, pre vs. post) and LDL-C (82 +/- 9 vs. 76 +/- 9 mg/dl, pre vs. post), but there was no net TG or LDL-C uptake or HDL-C release across the resting or active leg before or after endurance training. In conclusion, endurance training favorably affects blood lipoprotein profiles, even in young, healthy normolipidemic men, but muscle contractions per se have little effect on net leg LDL-C, or TG uptake or HDL-C release during moderate-intensity cycling exercise. Therefore, the favorable effects of physical activity on the lipid profiles of young, healthy normolipidemic men in the postprandial state are not attributable to changes in HDL-C or LDL-C exchange across active skeletal muscle.     

Pulmonary function in normal subjects following exercise at cold ambient temperatures

We measured pulmonary function in 12 healthy volunteers before and at 5-min intervals for 30 min following treadmill exercise of 30 min duration performed under control (20 degrees C) and cold (-11 degrees C) ambient temperatures. Post-run changes in forced vital capacity (FVC), residual volume (RV) and peak expiratory flow rate were similar between the two temperature conditions. FVC decreased slightly but significantly 5 min post-run (-0.25 +/- 0.20 l and -0.21 +/- 0.20 l, for control and cold conditions respectively) and returned to baseline by 30 min. RV increased significantly post-exercise (+0.07 +/- 0.09 l and +0.14 +/- 0.1 l, control and cold respectively) and remained elevated for 30 min. Forced expired volume in 1 s was not significantly different following either run. Post-exercise, maximum mid-expiratory flow rate and flows at 50% and 25% of vital capacity were not significantly different between warm and cold conditions. These data suggest that changes in lung volumes following exercise under cold ambient conditions are similar to changes seen following warm exercise of similar duration. In non-asthmatics, moderate exertion under cold ambient conditions does not appear to cause clinically significant decreases in expiratory flow rates as compared to similar exertion under warm conditions.     

Significant intramyocellular lipid use during prolonged cycling in endurance-trained males as assessed by three different methodologies

Intramyocellular triacylglycerol (IMTG) has been suggested to represent an important substrate source during exercise. In the present study, IMTG utilization during exercise is assessed through the use of various methodologies. In addition, we identified differences in the use of intramyocellular lipids deposited in the immediate subsarcolemmal (SS) area and those stored in the more central region of the fiber. Contemporary stable isotope technology was applied in combination with muscle tissue sampling before and immediately after 3 h of moderate-intensity cycling exercise (62 +/- 2% Vo(2 max)) in eight well-trained male cyclists. Continuous infusions with [U-13C]palmitate and [6,6-(2)H2]glucose were applied to quantify plasma free fatty acid (FFA) and glucose oxidation rates and to estimate whole body IMTG and glycogen use. Both immunohistochemical analyses of oil red O (ORO)-stained muscle cross sections and biochemical triacylglycerol (TG) extraction were performed to assess muscle lipid content. During exercise, plasma FFA, muscle (and/or lipoprotein)-derived TG, plasma glucose, and muscle glycogen oxidation contributed 24 +/- 2, 22 +/- 3, 11 +/- 1, and 43 +/- 3% to total energy expenditure, respectively. In accordance, a significant net decline in muscle lipid content was observed following exercise as assessed by ORO staining (67 +/- 8%) and biochemical TG extraction (49 +/- 8%), and a positive correlation was observed between methods (r = 0.56; P < 0.05). Lipid depots located in the SS area were utilized to a greater extent than the more centrally located depots. This is the first study to show significant use of IMTG as a substrate source during exercise in healthy males via the concurrent implementation of three major methodologies. In addition, this study shows differences in resting subcellular intramyocellular lipid deposit distribution and in the subsequent net use of these deposits during exercise.     

The effect of exercise in cool, control and hot environments on cardioprotective HSP70 induction

A number of environmental and metabolic stimuli rapidly induce the expression of several highly conserved proteins such as heat shock proteins (HSPs) or stress proteins. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a single bout of submaximal exercise in varying ambient temperatures on cardiac and skeletal muscle. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly placed in one of three ambient temperature groups; control (23 degrees C), hot (41 degrees C) and cool (11 degrees C). Each exercise bout consisted of treadmill running at 17 m/min and 0% grade. Tissue HSP70 levels for all groups were determined using analysis of variance in two factorial design (2 x 3). Baseline rectal temperature was similar for all three groups. In the control and hot temperature groups, final rectal temperatures differed from the baseline values (p<.05). The rectal temperature from the control/exercise group were 38.5+/-0.3 degrees C at rest and 39.8+/-0.3 degrees C at exhaustion, the hot/exercise group were 38.4+/-0.3 degrees C at rest and 41.2+/-0.9 degrees C at exhaustion and the cool/exercise group were 38.2+/-0.3 degrees C at rest and 38.5+/-0.2 degrees C at exhaustion. The running time was 102.0+/-39.5 min at the control/exercise group, 44.1+/-18.0 min at the hot/exercise group, and 55.4+/-11.9 min at the cool/exercise group. The level of soleus, cardiac and extensor digitorium longus (EDL) HSP70 in cool temperature does not change during a single bout of submaximal exercise. Whereas a single bout of submaximal exercise in hot and control ambient temperatures increases HSP70 accumulation in locomotor muscles, such as the soleus and cardiac, but not in the EDL tissue. This study shows that the changes of HSP70 level induced by a single bout of submaximal exercise at various ambient temperatures (control, hot and cool) depend on the rectal temperature.     

Metabolic and hormonal responses to prolonged physical exercise in dogs after a single fat-enriched meal

Metabolic and hormonal responses to prolonged treadmill exercise in dogs fed a fat-enriched meal 4 h prior to the exercise were compared to those measured 4 h after a mixed meal or in the postabsorptive state. Ingestion of the fat-enriched meal caused significant elevations in the resting values of plasma triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), and glycerol concentrations. A reduction of the plasma TG concentration (from 1.6 +/- 0.2 to 1.1 +/- 0.10 mmol X l-1, P less than 0.005) occurred only in dogs exercising after the fat-enriched meal. No significant changes in this variable were noted in dogs fed a mixed meal, whilst in the postabsorptive state exercise caused an increase in the plasma TG level (from 0.42 +/- 0.03 to 0.99 +/- 0.11 mmol X l-1, P less than 0.01). The exercise-induced elevations in plasma FFA and glycerol concentrations were the highest in the dogs given the fat-enriched meal. Plasma glycerol during exercise correlated with the initial values of circulating TG (r = 0.73). The plasma FFA-glycerol ratio, at the end of exercise was lowest in the dogs taking the fat-enriched meal (1.39 +/- 0.19), suggesting an increased utilization of FFA in comparison with that in the postabsorptive state (3.27 +/- 0.37) or after a mixed meal (2.88 +/- 0.55). Basal serum insulin (IRI) concentrations were similarly enhanced in dogs fed fat-enriched and mixed meals, and they were reduced to control values within 60 min of exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of high fat provision on muscle PDH activation and malonyl-CoA content in moderate exercise.

This study examined the effects of elevated free fatty acid (FFA) provision on the regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity and malonyl-CoA (M-CoA) content in human skeletal muscle during moderate-intensity exercise. Seven men rested for 30 min and cycled for 10 min at 40% and 10 min at 65% of maximal O(2) uptake while being infused with either Intralipid and heparin (Int) or saline (control). Muscle biopsies were taken at 0, 1 (rest-to-exercise transition), 10, and 20 min. Exercise plasma FFA were elevated (0.99 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.33 +/- 0.03 mM), and the respiratory exchange ratio was reduced during Int (0.87 +/- 0.02) vs. control (0.91 +/- 0.01). PDH activation was lower during Int at 1 min (1.33 +/- 0.19 vs. 2.07 +/- 0.14 mmol. min(-1). kg(-1) wet muscle) and throughout exercise. Muscle pyruvate was reduced during Int at rest [0.17 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.25 +/- 0.03 mmol/kg dry muscle (dm)] but increased above control during exercise. NADH was higher during Int vs. control at rest and 1 min of exercise (0.122 +/- 0.016 vs. 0.102 +/- 0.005 and 0.182 +/- 0.016 vs. 0.150 +/- 0.016 mmol/kg dm), but not at 10 and 20 min. M-CoA was lower during Int vs. control at rest and 20 min of exercise (1.12 +/- 0.22 vs. 1.43 +/- 0.17 and 1.33 +/- 0.16 vs. 1.84 +/- 0.17 micromol/kg dm). The reduced PDH activation with elevated FFA during the rest-to-exercise transition was related to higher mitochondrial NADH at rest and 1 min of exercise and lower muscle pyruvate at rest. The decreased M-CoA may have increased fat oxidation during exercise with elevated FFA by reducing carnitine palmitoyltransferase I inhibition and increasing mitochondrial FFA transport.     

Influence of moderate cold exposure on blood lactate during incremental exercise.

This study examined the effect of exposure of the whole body to moderate cold on blood lactate produced during incremental exercise. Nine subjects were tested in a climatic chamber, the room temperature being controlled either at 30 degrees C or at 10 degrees C. The protocol consisted of exercise increasing in intensity in 35 W increments every 3 min until exhaustion. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured during the last minute of each exercise intensity. Blood samples were collected at rest and at exhaustion for the measurement of blood glucose, free fatty acid (FFA), noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) concentrations and, during the last 15 s of each exercise intensity, for the determination of blood lactate concentration [la-]b. The VO2 was identical under both environments. At 10 degrees C, as compared to 30 degrees C, the lactate anaerobic threshold (Than,la-) occurred at an exercise intensity 15 W higher and [la-]b was lower for submaximal intensities above the Than,la-. Regardless of ambient temperature, glycaemia, A and NA concentrations were higher at exhaustion while FFA was unchanged. At exhaustion the NA concentration was greater at 10 degrees C [15.60 (SEM 3.15) nmol.l-1] than at 30 degrees C [8.64 (SEM 2.37) nmol.l-1]. We concluded that exposure to moderate cold influences the blood lactate produced during incremental exercise. These results suggested that vasoconstriction was partly responsible for the lower [la-]b observed for submaximal high intensities during severe cold exposure.     

Serum creatine kinase activity following repeated bouts of isometric exercise with different muscle groups

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the muscle mass involved in exercise and post-exercise serum creatine kinase (CK) elevation. Twelve untrained college-aged men completed three isometric exercises: one arm flexion (OAF), two arm flexion (TAF) and one leg knee extension (OLE). These exercises were balanced over subjects and days and separated by two week intervals. Each exercise consisted of 40 maximal isometric concentrations lasting for 10 s with a 20 s rest between contractions. Relative increases in serum CK for OAF, TAF, and OLE were 181 +/- 70% (SD), 222 +/- 69% and 297 +/- 67%, respectively. An ANOVA using a latin square design for analysis of carry over effects showed that these CK increases were not significantly different (p greater than 0.05). However, the increase in serum CK following the first exercise (379 +/- 90%), regardless of what it was (OAF, TAF, or OLE), was significantly greater (p less than 0.05) than those following bouts 2 and 3 (155 +/- 29%; 167 +/- 54%). Regression analysis indicated that post-exercise serum CK elevation was not related to the amount of muscle mass involved in the exercise (r = 0.30, p greater than 0.05) nor to muscle tension developed (r = 0.28, p greater than 0.05). We conclude that post-exercise serum CK elevation is not necessarily related to the muscle mass involved in the exercise. Because each exercise involved the use of different muscle groups, factors outside the exercising muscle may contribute to post-exercise serum enzyme activity.     

Muscle metabolism during exercise in the heat in unacclimatized and acclimatized humans

The effect of heat acclimatization on aerobic exercise tolerance in the heat and on subsequent sprint exercise performance was investigated. Before (UN) and after (ACC) 8 days of heat acclimatization, 10 male subjects performed a heat-exercise test (HET) consisting of 6 h of intermittent submaximal [50% of the maximal O2 uptake] exercise in the heat (39.7 degrees C dB, 31.0% relative humidity). A 45-s maximal cycle ride was performed before (sprint 1) and after (sprint 2) each HET. Mean muscle glycogen use during the HET was lower following acclimatization [ACC = 28.6 +/- 6.4 (SE) and UN = 57.4 +/- 5.1 mmol/kg; P less than 0.05]. No differences were noted between the UN and ACC trials with respect to blood glucose, lactate (LA), or respiratory exchange ratio. During the UN trial only, total work output during sprint 2 was reduced compared with sprint 1 (24.01 +/- 0.80 vs. 21.56 +/- 1.18 kJ; P less than 0.05). This reduction in sprint performance was associated with an attenuated fall in muscle pH following sprint 2 (6.86 vs. 6.67, P less than 0.05) and a reduced accumulation of LA in the blood. These data indicate that heat acclimatization produced a shift in fuel selection during submaximal exercise in the heat. The observed sparing of muscle glycogen may be associated with the enhanced ability to perform highly intense exercise following prolonged exertion in the heat.     

Relation of heart rate to percent VO2 peak during submaximal exercise in the heat.

We tested the hypothesis that elevation in heart rate (HR) during submaximal exercise in the heat is related, in part, to increased percentage of maximal O(2) uptake (%Vo(2 max)) utilized due to reduced maximal O(2) uptake (Vo(2 max)) measured after exercise under the same thermal conditions. Peak O(2) uptake (Vo(2 peak)), O(2) uptake, and HR during submaximal exercise were measured in 22 male and female runners under four environmental conditions designed to manipulate HR during submaximal exercise and Vo(2 peak). The conditions involved walking for 20 min at approximately 33% of control Vo(2 max) in 25, 35, 40, and 45 degrees C followed immediately by measurement of Vo(2 peak) in the same thermal environment. Vo(2 peak) decreased progressively (3.77 +/- 0.19, 3.61 +/- 0.18, 3.44 +/- 0.17, and 3.13 +/- 0.16 l/min) and HR at the end of the submaximal exercise increased progressively (107 +/- 2, 112 +/- 2, 120 +/- 2, and 137 +/- 2 beats/min) with increasing ambient temperature (T(a)). HR and %Vo(2 peak) increased in an identical fashion with increasing T(a). We conclude that elevation in HR during submaximal exercise in the heat is related, in part, to the increase in %Vo(2 peak) utilized, which is caused by reduced Vo(2 peak) measured during exercise in the heat. At high T(a), the dissociation of HR from %Vo(2 peak) measured after sustained submaximal exercise is less than if Vo(2 max) is assumed to be unchanged during exercise in the heat.     

The effects of estrogen on indices of skeletal muscle tissue damage after eccentric exercise in postmenopausal women

This study examined if estrogen (E) usage (in the form of hormone replacement therapy [HRT]) has a protective effect on skeletal muscle damage in postmenopausal women. Nine postmenopausal women (age 55.2 +/- 9.9 [mean +/- SD]) performed two exercise sessions at 70% of their maximal heart rate on HRT (E-HI) and without HRT (E-LO; following a 28-45 day HRT washout). All subjects followed a condition order of E-HI then E-LO with at least 42 days between exercise sessions. Serum creatine kinase (CK), perceived delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and maximal quadriceps isometric force (MIF) were taken pre-exercise, 24, 48 and 72-hr post exercise. E-HI and E-LO conditions produced a rise in CK (p < 0.001) after exercise; but CK after E-HI was greater than in E-LO (p < 0.001) at 24 hours and at 48 hours. DOMS was significantly elevated at 24, 48, and 72-hr post each exercise session (p < 0.05). The greatest peak DOMS score occurred during the E-HI condition. MIF was similarly reduced after each exercise session (p < 0.05). These results suggest elevated E does not offer a protective effect to skeletal muscle; however, design limitations (i.e., condition order) confound the present data. Interestingly, an association between peak-CK during the E-LO condition and the number of washout days (r = +0.707, p < 0.05) between conditions existed. This suggests a longer washout period may be necessary to elucidate the actual E effects on skeletal muscle. These findings suggest that more work correcting for the present design limitations is warranted on this topic.     

Fatty acid kinetics and carbohydrate metabolism during electrical exercise in spinal cord-injured humans

Motor center activity and reflexes from contracting muscle have been shown to be important for mobilization of free fatty acids (FFA) during exercise. We studied FFA metabolism in the absence of these mechanisms: during involuntary, electrically induced leg cycling in individuals with complete spinal cord injury (SCI). Healthy subjects performing voluntary cycling served as controls (C). Ten SCI (level of injury: C5-T7) and six C exercised for 30 min at comparable oxygen uptake rates (approximately 1 l/min), and [1-14C]palmitate was infused continuously to estimate FFA turnover. From femoral arteriovenous differences, blood flow, muscle biopsies, and indirect calorimetry, leg substrate balances as well as concentrations of intramuscular substrates were determined. Leg oxygen uptake was similar in the two groups during exercise. In SCI, but not in C, plasma FFA and FFA appearance rate fell during exercise, and plasma glycerol increased less than in C (P < 0.05). Fractional uptake of FFA across the working legs decreased from rest to exercise in all individuals (P < 0.05) but was always lower in SCI than in C (P < 0.05). From rest to exercise, leg FFA uptake increased less in SCI than in C subjects (14 +/- 3 to 57 +/- 20 vs. 41 +/- 13 to 170 +/- 57 micromol x min(-1) x leg(-1); P < 0.05). Muscle glycogen breakdown, leg glucose uptake, carbohydrate oxidation, and lactate release were higher (P < 0.05) in SCI than in C during exercise. Counterregulatory hormonal changes were more pronounced in SCI vs. C, whereas insulin decreased only in C. In conclusion, FFA mobilization, delivery, and fractional uptake are lower and muscle glycogen breakdown and glucose uptake are higher in SCI patients during electrically induced leg exercise compared with healthy subjects performing voluntary exercise. Apparently, blood-borne mechanisms are not sufficient to elicit a normal increase in fatty acid mobilization during exercise. Furthermore, in exercising muscle, FFA delivery enhances FFA uptake and inhibits carbohydrate metabolism, while carbohydrate metabolism inhibits FFA uptake.     

Tracheal vascular and smooth muscle responses to air temperature and humidity in dogs

Twenty-five dogs were anesthetized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated. Their cranial tracheal arteries were perfused bilaterally with blood at constant flow, and the perfusion pressures (Patr) were measured. Tracheal smooth muscle function was assessed by recording changes in external diameter (delta Dtr). The perfused segment of the trachea was exposed to air at a constant unidirectional airflow of 25 l/min. Group 1 (n = 6) was exposed to cold dry air, ambient room air, and hot dry and hot humid air, each for 10 min with exposures starting from zero flow. The tracheal vascular responses to all four conditions were small vasodilations (delta Patr from -2 to -6%) followed by recovery or small vasoconstrictions. In group 2 (n = 19), exposures to cold dry and hot humid air were preceded and followed by body-temperature fully humidified air. Cold dry air caused a sustained vasodilation (delta Patr -9.0 +/- 1.1%), and hot humid air usually caused a biphasic response: a vasoconstriction (delta Patr 4.4 +/- 1.0%) followed by a vasodilation (delta Patr -5.7 +/- 1.9%). The warm humid air after cold dry air or hot humid air caused a further vasodilation, which lasted a short time after cold dry air (delta Patr -3.7 +/- 0.4%) but greater than 10 min after hot humid air (delta Patr -13.8 +/- 1.4%). In both groups, all exposures that cooled the trachea (cold dry air, ambient room air, and hot dry air) caused smooth muscle contraction, and hot humid air that warmed the trachea caused relaxation.     

Skeletal muscle phosphocreatine recovery in exercise-trained humans is dependent on O2 availability.

In skeletal muscle, phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery from submaximal exercise has become a reliable and accepted measure of muscle oxidative capacity. During exercise, O2 availability plays a role in determining maximal oxidative metabolism, but the relationship between O2 availability and oxidative metabolism measured by 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) during recovery from exercise has never been studied. We used 31P-MRS to study exercising human gastrocnemius muscle under conditions of varied fractions of inspired O2 (FIO2) to test the hypothesis that varied O2 availability modulates PCr recovery from submaximal exercise. Six male subjects performed three bouts of 5-min steady-state submaximal plantar flexion exercise followed by 5 min of recovery in a 1.5-T magnet while breathing three different FIO2 concentrations (0.10, 0. 21, and 1.00). Under each FIO2 treatment, the PCr recovery time constants were significantly different, being longer in hypoxia [33. 5 +/- 4.1 s (SE)] and shorter in hyperoxia (20.0 +/- 1.8 s) than in normoxia (25.0 +/- 2.7 s) (P 相似文献   

Cardiac triacylglycerol content and lipase activity during recovery from exercise

Female rats swam for 2-h to determine the temporal relationship between triglyceride (TG) repletion and TG lipase activity in the heart during recovery from exercise. Immediately after the exercise, plasma free fatty acids (FFA) had increased from a resting value of 0.44 +/- 0.04 to 0.84 +/- 0.04 mM. Heart TG concentration was reduced 75%, whereas the glycogen level was decreased 34% below control. TG lipase activity was elevated 33% above control activity. One hour after the end of the exercise, lipolytic activity was still 26% above control and did not return to the resting level until the 4th h of recovery. The cardiac TG concentration was back to control levels by the 2nd h after the swim. Plasma FFA concentrations remained elevated during the first 4 h of recovery and were back to the control level by h 8. Cardiac glycogen was "supercompensated" during recovery h 1 and 2 and returned to the preexercise level by h 4. These data indicate that TG is being synthesized in the heart while lipolytic enzyme activity is elevated above control levels. This points out that the rate of TG synthesis is in excess of the hydrolysis. Since plasma FFA concentrations are elevated during periods of augmented TG synthesis, substrate availability, namely plasma FFA, may play a key role in regulating the size of the intracellular TG pool.     

Regulation of exercise carbohydrate metabolism by estrogen and progesterone in women

To assess the roles of endogenous estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) in regulating exercise carbohydrate use, we used pharmacological suppression and replacement to create three distinct hormonal environments: baseline (B), with E2 and P4 low; estrogen only (E), with E2 high and P4 low; and estrogen/progesterone (E + P), with E2 and P4 high. Blood glucose uptake (R(d)), total carbohydrate oxidation (CHO(ox)), and estimated muscle glycogen utilization (EMGU) were assessed during 60 min of submaximal exercise by use of stable isotope dilution and indirect calorimetry in eight eumenorrheic women. Compared with B (1.26 +/- 0.04 g/min) and E + P (1.27 +/- 0.04 g/min), CHO(ox) was lower with E (1.05 +/- 0.02 g/min). Glucose R(d) tended to be lower with E and E + P relative to B. EMGU was 25% lower with E than with B or E + P. Plasma free fatty acids (FFA) were inversely related to EMGU (r(2) = 0.49). The data suggest that estrogen lowers CHO(ox) by reducing EMGU and glucose R(d). Progesterone increases EMGU but not glucose R(d). The opposing actions of E(2) and P(4) on EMGU may be mediated by their impact on FFA availability or vice versa.