Loss of abdominal fat and metabolic response to exercise training in obese women

Numerous studies have shown that a high accumulation of abdominal fat is associated with metabolic complications and with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. The present study examined the effects of changes in body fatness and in the level of abdominal fat on metabolic variables in a sample of 13 obese premenopausal women, aged 38.8 +/- 5.3 (SD) yr. Women exercised for 90 min at approximately 55% of maximal aerobic power (VO2 max) four to five times a week for a period of 14 mo. The training program induced a significant increase in VO2 max and a mean reduction in body fat mass of 4.6 kg (P less than 0.01), with no change in fat-free mass. Measurement of adipose tissue areas by computed tomography indicated a greater loss of abdominal fat compared with midthigh adipose tissue (P less than 0.05). The training program also produced significant reductions in the insulinogenic index measured during an oral glucose tolerance test and in plasma cholesterol (Chol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-Chol, and apolipoprotein (apo) B levels (P less than 0.05). Training also significantly increased plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-apo A-I and HDL2-Chol levels and decreased plasma HDL3-Chol concentration (P less than 0.05). Whereas no change in postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity was noted, a significant decrease in postheparin plasma hepatic triglyceride lipase activity was observed after training (P less than 0.005). Metabolic responses were not correlated with changes in VO2 max but were significantly correlated with the reduction in body fat mass and/or with the loss of deep abdominal fat.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Thermogenic and hormonal responses to palatable protein and carbohydrate rich food

Simultaneous variations of oxygen consumption, and plasma insulin and norepinephrine were measured during the postprandial cephalic and gastrointestinal phases of feeding in six human subjects following the ingestion of various nutrients. On alternative days the subjects were given foods (1280 kjoules) either rich in carbohydrates (sugar pie) or in proteins (fish). Both nutrients produced an initial (0-40 min) enhanced thermogenesis and an early (2 min) cephalic insulin release. During that period, elevations of plasma norepinephrine were also observed with pie feeding at 10 and 30 min and at 10 min with fish. Palatability ratings indicated that both food items were equally tasting. During the gastrointestinal phase (40 to 120 min) the variations of these same parameters including glucagon seem to be explained by the content in carbohydrates and proteins in the food rather than by its palatability. Indeed during that period the protein meal was more thermogenic and the carbohydrate meal induced the expected insulin secretion. These results suggest that the palatability of the food is responsible for the early cephalic increase in postprandial thermogenesis, and for the insulin and norepinephrine release. During the subsequent gastrointestinal phase the increased thermogenesis is related to the composition of the food which exerts its action by the biochemical processes involved in the disposal of the absorbed nutrients.

Beta-adrenoceptor adenylate cyclase system adaptation to physical training in rat ventricular tissue

The beta-adrenergic receptor adenylate cyclase system of ventricular tissue was evaluated in a group of rats submitted to a progressive 10-wk running program on a treadmill and compared with that in a group of rats maintained sedentary during the same period. Adequate training was confirmed by a 46% increase in the gastrocnemius isocitrate dehydrogenase activity in the trained group [1.50 +/- 0.04 vs. 1.03 +/- 0.06 (SE) pmol.g-1.min-1; P less than 0.01). Binding studies with [125I]iodocyanopindolol showed a 13% reduction in the density of beta-adrenergic receptors in trained rats (42.6 +/- 2.1 vs. 49.0 +/- 2.1 fmol/mg; P less than 0.05) without any significant modification in the dissociation constant. The amount of [125I]iodocyanopindolol bound to beta-adrenoceptors in the high-affinity state was reduced by 16.6% in trained rats (12.5 +/- 0.9 vs. 15.0 +/- 0.5 fmol/mg; P less than 0.05) without any significant changes for those in the low-affinity state, indicating a decrease in the coupling between the beta-adrenergic receptors and the guanine stimulatory binding protein. Furthermore, although the basal and sodium fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were similar in the two groups of rats, the response of adenylate cyclase maximally stimulated by 10(-5) M isoproterenol was reduced by 16% in trained rats (29.7 +/- 1.4 vs. 35.3 +/- 1.3 pmol.mg-1.min-1; P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of physical training on ventricular beta-adrenergic receptor adenylate cyclase system of diabetic rats

This study was designed to assess the effect of physical training on the ventricular beta-adrenergic receptor adenylate cyclase system of diabetic rats. Mild diabetes mellitus was induced by an intravenous (IV) injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg). Rats were randomized into a group submitted to a progressive 10-week running program on a treadmill, while another group was kept sedentary. A group of sedentary nondiabetic rats was used as normal controls. Results showed a similar reduction in the density of beta-adrenergic receptors in sedentary diabetic (P less than .05) and trained diabetic rats (P less than .01) compared with controls, without any significant alteration in the dissociation constant. The basal and the sodium fluoride-stimulated maximal adenylate cyclase activities were similar in the three groups. However, the maximal response of adenylate cyclase to isoproterenol was significantly reduced in the two diabetic groups compared with controls (P less than .01). The decrease in adenylate cyclase response to isoproterenol observed in the diabetic groups appeared to be associated with a reduction in the total number of beta-adrenergic receptors and more specifically in those existing in the high-affinity state. On the other hand, the hyperglycemia and hyperglucagonemia present in sedentary diabetic rats was improved by training. These data suggest that the beneficial effects observed in response to training in experimental diabetes are not associated with changes in beta-adrenergic receptor adenylate cyclase system on membranes from ventricular tissue.

Validation of the polyethylene glycol precipitation technique for the characterization of rat ventricular beta-adrenoceptors

The use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to separate [125I]cyanopindolol bound to rat ventricular membranes from free ligand in the characterization of beta-adrenoceptors was compared with the more frequently utilized filtration technique through GF/F glass-fiber filters. The results obtained in tissue from 14 rats demonstrated the following: (i) no significant difference between the two methods for the density of beta-adrenoceptors in ventricular tissue (PEG: 30.9 +/- 1.5 vs GF/F: 28.6 +/- 2.0 fmol/mg of protein); (ii) no significant difference for the dissociation constant (PEG: 70.7 +/- 5.3 vs GF/F: 57.7 +/- 7.7 pM); (iii) similar values for the Hill coefficient (PEG: 0.996 +/- 0.004 vs GF/F: 0.988 +/- .016); (iv) a significant difference for the relationship of bound/free vs bound, expressed as r2 (PEG: 0.82 +/- 0.03 vs GF/F: 0.74 +/- 0.03 P less than 0.05). The apparently greater accuracy of the PEG method over the filtration technique is probably explained by a lower degree of nonspecific binding observed with this method than with the filtration technique. In conclusion, the PEG precipitation method is an interesting and accurate alternative to the more standard filtration technique in ventricular beta-adrenoceptor characterization.

Counterregulatory response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in trained and nontrained humans

The aim of the present series of experiments was to investigate the hormonal counterregulatory response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in trained and nontrained healthy individuals. Five endurance athletes and six controls were administered intravenous insulin infusion at a rate of 0.15 U/kg/h until plasma glucose reached 50 mg/dL. The mean duration of the infusion in the trained and nontrained subjects corresponded to 18.6 and 26.3 minutes (P less than .01), suggesting that the former were characterized by an increased insulin sensitivity. Plasma glucose levels were similar in the two groups at the end of the insulin infusion, as well as during the postinfusion recovery period. Forty-five minutes after the end of the infusion, plasma glucose levels were not significantly different from the preinfusion levels in the two groups. During this period of glycemia recovery, the increases in plasma glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and growth hormone were at least 50% lower in the trained than in the nontrained subjects. The increase in heart rate and oxygen uptake during the same period of time was significantly higher in the trained subjects. To determine whether this reduced hormonal response to hypoglycemia was due to reduced insulin levels or to an increased sensitivity to counterregulatory hormones, we investigated the effect of epinephrine on plasma glucose in two other groups of trained and nontrained subjects. In response to a constant epinephrine infusion of 0.01 or 0.1 micrograms/kg fat-free mass (FFM)/min, plasma glucose levels increased similarly in the two groups. In conclusion, these results indicate that trained subjects are characterized by a normal recovery from hypoglycemia despite a reduced response of counterregulatory factors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Physical training of moderate intensity improves survival rate of diabetic rats submitted to experimental myocardial infarction

The present study was designed to compare the effect of three programs of exercise of different intensity on the survival rate of normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats (60 mg/kg) submitted to acute experimental myocardial infarction. The animals were trained progressively on a treadmill once a day, five days per week for eight weeks at a 10 degree incline according to one of the following treadmill running programs: light (30 mins/day at 20 m/min), moderate (30 mins/day at 25 m/min) or heavy (60 mins/day at 25 m/min). Myocardial infarction was produced by left coronary artery ligation under ether anesthesia three days after the last bout of exercise. Successful ligation was demonstrated by elevated plasma creatine kinase MB isoenzyme levels 4 h later or by dye injection in rats with early death. In sedentary diabetic rats (n = 33), the early survival rate was decreased in comparison to sedentary controls (n = 22), although statistical significance was not reached, (30 versus 45%; P = 0.1952 by Fisher's exact test). These values were not significantly modified by light or heavy training in control (light n = 18, 61%; heavy n = 25, 56%) nor in diabetic animals (light n = 28, 32%; heavy n = 23, 39%). While the survival rate was not altered by moderate exercise in control animals (n = 26, 62%), it was greatly improved in diabetic rats (n = 23, 64%, P = 0.0108 versus sedentary diabetics). These data suggest that it is possible to improve the early survival rate of diabetic rats submitted to experimental myocardial infarction by a previous training program at a moderate level of exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abdominal fat cell lipolysis, body fat distribution, and metabolic variables in premenopausal women

It is well established that abdominal obesity is related to numerous metabolic abnormalities and that this correlation represents a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease and related mortality. In the present study the relationships among the regional distribution of body fat, selected metabolic variables, and abdominal adipose cell lipolysis were investigated in 30 premenopausal women, 34 +/- 8 yr (mean +/- SD) of age, with body mass indices ranging from 17-45 kg/m2. Basal as well as epinephrine- and isoproterenol-stimulated lipolyses were positively correlated with fasting plasma insulin and triglyceride levels (0.48 less than r less than 0.64; 0.05 greater than P less than 0.0005 and 0.46 less than r less than 0.60; 0.05 greater than P less than 0.005, respectively) and with the insulin area measured during an oral glucose tolerance test (0.49 less than r less than 0.67; 0.005 greater than P less than 0.0005). With the exception of epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis, these correlations remained significant when lipolysis was corrected for cell surface area. Basal and maximal epinephrine- and isoproterenol-induced lipolyses were also negatively related to plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (-0.52 less than r less than -0.36; 0.05 greater than P less than 0.005). However, these relationships were no longer significant after control for fat cell surface. The associations between abdominal lipolysis and fat distribution did not remain significant when data were adjusted for total adiposity. Taken together, these results support the notion that variations in abdominal adipocyte lipolysis 1) depend more on total body fatness than on fat distribution, and 2) may be involved in the metabolic complications associated with abdominal obesity, particularly those pertaining to plasma insulin and triglyceride metabolism.

Lidocaine improves survival rate in diabetic rats submitted to acute left coronary artery ligation

This study was designed to evaluate whether the decreased early survival rate of diabetic rats submitted to acute experimental myocardial infarction can be improved by pretreatment with lidocaine. Male Wistar rats (+/- 210 g) were rendered diabetic with i.v. injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg), and only those presenting 1 week later a tail-blood glucose value between 250-400 mg/dl were retained in the protocol. Eleven weeks after induction of diabetes, a bolus of lidocaine (2 mg/kg) was administered i.v. about 6 min prior to ligation of the left coronary artery under ether anesthesia in control (n = 54) and diabetic (n = 48) rats; similar studies were conducted in 53 control and 55 diabetic rats without lidocaine pretreatment. Adequate occlusion was confirmed by an elevation of plasma CK-MB levels 4 h later or by a toluidine blue injection technique in rats which died earlier. Rats were followed over 48 h and comparison in the survival rate in each group established with the Fisher's exact test. Early survival rate (measured after 20 min) was significantly decreased in diabetic rats (27% vs 45%; p = 0.04). This was greatly improved by lidocaine pretreatment in diabetic (60% vs 27%; p = 0.0013), but not in control animals (50% vs 45%; p = 0.348). Furthermore, the beneficial effect of prophylactic lidocaine observed early after coronary ligation in diabetic rats was maintained throughout the period of observation (48 h). These data suggest that the prophylactic use of lidocaine is able to reverse the increased incidence of sudden death following experimental myocardial infarction in chronically diabetic rats.

Regional distribution of body fat, plasma lipoproteins, and cardiovascular disease

Several epidemiological studies have reported that the regional distribution of body fat is a significant and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related mortality. Although these associations are well established, the causal mechanisms are not fully understood. Numerous studies have, however, shown that specific topographic features of adipose tissue are associated with metabolic complications that are considered as risk factors for CVD such as insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance and type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and changes in the concentration of plasma lipids and lipoproteins. The present article summarizes the evidence on the metabolic correlates of body fat distribution. Potential mechanisms for the association between body fat distribution, metabolic complications, and CVD are reviewed, with an emphasis on plasma lipoprotein levels and plasma lipid transport. From the evidence available, it seems likely that subjects with visceral obesity represent the subgroup of obese individuals with the highest risk for CVD. Although body fat distribution is now considered as a more significant risk factor for CVD and related death rate than obesity per se, further research is clearly needed to identify the determinants of body fat distribution and the causal mechanisms involved in the metabolic alterations. It appears certain, however, that an altered plasma lipid transport is a significant component of the relation between body fat distribution and CVD.

Beneficial effect of exercise training on cardiac long-chain acylcarnitine levels in diabetic rats

Long-chain acylcarnitines are markedly elevated in the diabetic rat heart. This could be associated with the increased rate of fatty acid metabolism in this tissue seen in the diabetic animal. The effect of exercise training on this carnitine derivative in the diabetic rat, however, has received little attention. We therefore examined the effect of exercise training on this derivative as well as other carnitine esters in hearts of diabetic rats. Four groups of male Wistar rats were used: sedentary-control (SC), trained-control (TC), sedentary-diabetic (SD), and trained-diabetic (TD). Diabetes was induced by the I.V. injection of streptozotocin at the dose of 50 mg/kg. Training was performed on a motor-driven treadmill according to a 10-week program. Sixty hours after the last bout of exercise, the rats were killed by decapitation and the hearts were quickly excised and placed in liquid nitrogen for measurement of total carnitine and its acyl derivatives. SD and TD had significantly lower levels of total (p less than 0.001) and free carnitine (p less than 0.01) compared to the respective control groups. Exercise had no effect on total and free carnitine levels in both control and diabetic groups. Short-chain acylcarnitine levels were neither altered by training nor diabetes. Heart tissue levels of long-chain acylcarnitine were increased (p less than 0.01) in SD compared to SC. However, exercise training resulted in a significant (p less than 0.05) reduction in long-chain acylcarnitines in diabetic rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Correlates of plasma very-low-density lipoprotein concentration and composition in premenopausal women

Potential correlates of plasma very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentration and composition were studied in a sample of 75 premenopausal women. Fasting plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels, as well as plasma glucose and insulin levels in the fasting state and during an oral glucose tolerance test, displayed significant positive correlations with plasma triglyceride (TG) and VLDL-TG levels (P less than .005). Plasma post-heparin lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, measured in a subsample of 31 women from the original sample, was negatively correlated with plasma TG, VLDL-cholesterol (CHOL), VLDL-TG, and VLDL-apolipoprotein (apo) B concentrations (.005 greater than P less than .05). Multivariate analyses showed that, after LPL was considered, the insulin area was the only other metabolic variable studied that was significantly correlated with VLDL-apo B concentration, whereas fasting FFA levels were significantly correlated with plasma TG and VLDL-TG levels. ANOVA revealed that plasma VLDL-CHOL, VLDL-TG, and VLDL-apo B levels were not associated with the glucose area, but were significantly associated with the insulin area (P less than .005). When the effect of insulin area was controlled for, the plasma FFA levels did not contribute significantly to the variance in VLDL-CHOL and VLDL-apo B, but showed an independent effect on VLDL-TG levels (P less than .05). Finally, stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that once the variance explained by plasma LPL activity and by the insulin area was considered, no other metabolic variable could account for the variation in VLDL-CHOL and VLDL-apo B levels, whereas fasting FFA levels explained a further 5% of the VLDL-TG variance and one third of the variance observed in the VLDL-TG/apo B ratio.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The response to long-term overfeeding in identical twins

We undertook this study to determine whether there are differences in the responses of different persons to long-term overfeeding and to assess the possibility that genotypes are involved in such differences. After a two-week base-line period, 12 pairs of young adult male monozygotic twins were overfed by 4.2 MJ (1000 kcal) per day, 6 days a week, for a total of 84 days during a 100-day period. The total excess amount each man consumed was 353 MJ (84,000 kcal). During overfeeding, individual changes in body composition and topography of fat deposition varied considerably. The mean weight gain was 8.1 kg, but the range was 4.3 to 13.3 kg. The similarity within each pair in the response to overfeeding was significant (P less than 0.05) with respect to body weight, percentage of fat, fat mass, and estimated subcutaneous fat, with about three times more variance among pairs than within pairs (r approximately 0.5). After adjustment for the gains in fat mass, the within-pair similarity was particularly evident with respect to the changes in regional fat distribution and amount of abdominal visceral fat (P less than 0.01), with about six times as much variance among pairs as within pairs (r approximately 0.7). We conclude that the most likely explanation for the intrapair similarity in the adaptation to long-term overfeeding and for the variations in weight gain and fat distribution among the pairs of twins is that genetic factors are involved. These may govern the tendency to store energy as either fat or lean tissue and the various determinants of the resting expenditure of energy.

Beneficial effect of exercise training on cardiac long-chain acylcarnitine levels in diabetic rats

Long-chain acylcarnitines are markedly elevated in the diabetic rat heart. This could be associated with the increased rate of fatty acid metabolism in this tissue seen in the diabetic animal. The effect of exercise training on this carnitine derivative in the diabetic rat, however, has received very little attention. We therefore examined the effect of exercise training on this derivative as well as other carnitine esters in hearts of diabetic rats. Four groups of male Wistar rats were used: sedentary-control (SC), trained-control (TC), sedentary-diabetic (SD), and trained-diabetic (TD). Diabetes was induced by the I.V. injection of streptozotocin at the dose of 50 mg/kg. Training was performed on a motor-driven treadmill according to a ten-week program. 60 hr after the last bout of exercise, the rats were killed by decapitation and the hearts were quickly excised and placed in liquid nitrogen for measurement of total carnitine and its acyl derivatives. SD and TD had significantly lower levels of total (p less than 0.001) and free carnitine (p less than 0.01) compared to the respective control groups. Exercise had no effect on total and free carnitine levels in both control and diabetic groups. Short-chain acylcarnitine levels were neither altered by training nor diabetes. Heart tissue levels of long-chain acylcarnitine were increased (p less than 0.01) in SD compared to SC. However, exercise training resulted in a significant (p less than 0.05) reduction in long-chain acylcarnitines in diabetic rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Altered plasma free carnitine response to exercise in type 1 diabetic subjects

The plasma carnitine response to prolonged exercise in 12 postprandial insulin-dependent diabetics was compared with that of eight normal controls. The diabetics reduced their morning dose of intermediate acting insulin and regular insulin to two-thirds and one-half, respectively. Insulin was injected subcutaneously into the abdominal wall. Exercise was performed on a treadmill for 90 min at 60% VO2 max. Respiratory exchange ratios (RER) decreased significantly (p less than 0.0001) during exercise in both the control and diabetic group. However, RER values were higher (p less than 0.05) in the diabetic group during most of the exercise period, corresponding to a significantly (p less than 0.05) lower proportion of the energy utilized from the oxidation of fat. In the diabetic group, mean plasma glucose at rest was 278 +/- 26 mg/dl, and decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) to 107 +/- 12 mg/dl after 90 min of exercise. In the control group, mean resting plasma glucose was 78 +/- 6 mg/dl, and dropped (p less than 0.05) to 67 +/- 3 mg/dl at 30 min of exercise. Thereafter, it showed no change. Mean resting plasma free insulin in the control group was lower compared to the diabetic group (10.2 +/- 2.0 vs 23.5 +/- 2.0 microU/ml, p less than 0.001). During exercise, insulin levels decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) in the control group while there was no change in the diabetic group. In both control and diabetic groups, percent basal total carnitine increased significantly (p less than 0.01) throughout exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Associations between regional body fat distribution, fasting plasma free fatty acid levels and glucose tolerance in premenopausal women

The associations between total adiposity, body fat distribution measured by computed tomography (CT) and estimated by the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), regional fat cell morphology, fasting plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels and glucose tolerance were studied in a sample of 37 premenopausal women aged 35.3 +/- 4.6 years (mean +/- s.d.). Body fat mass, CT-derived abdominal and femoral fat areas, as well as the abdominal fat cell weight were all significantly associated with fasting plasma FFA levels (0.34 less than r less than 0.49, 0.005 less than P less than 0.05), and with the glucose and insulin areas during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (0.36 less than r less than 0.70, 0.0001 less than P less than 0.05). No associations were found between the WHR, the femoral fat cell weight and fasting plasma FFA levels or glucose area during the OGTT. However, the WHR and the femoral fat cell weight were positively associated with insulin area. Plasma FFA levels were positively correlated with the glucose area during the OGTT, whereas no association was found between plasma FFA levels and the insulin area. Covariance analysis indicated that this effect of plasma FFA levels on the magnitude of glucose response to OGTT was independent from that of total adiposity or regional body fat distribution variables. These results emphasize the importance of plasma FFA levels as a correlate of glucose tolerance and suggest that the associations previously reported between obesity, regional body fat distribution, fat cell size and glucose tolerance are, at least partly, mediated by variations in plasma FFA levels.

Long-term exercise training with constant energy intake. 2: Effect on glucose metabolism and resting energy expenditure

The effect of exercise training on glucose and insulin metabolism as well as on resting energy expenditure was investigated in five young men (mean BMI = 27.5 +/- 2.9 (s.d)). Subjects performed cycle-ergometer exercise 6 days/week over a 100 day period and the quantity of daily exercise was calculated to induce a 4.2 MJ/day surplus in energy expenditure during the days of training. As expected, significant weight and fat losses were observed in response to the training program. Exercise training induced a significant reduction in fasting levels and in the responses of insulin to a 4.2 MJ meal or an oral glucose load. Most of the training effects were noted after only 25 days of training. However, a significant decrease in plasma C-peptide concentrations during the oral glucose tolerance test was observed only at the end of the exercise program whereas essentially no change occurred during the first 25 days of training. The resting metabolic rate (RMR) and the thermic effect of food (TEF) were not significantly modified by training. Results show that the reduction in plasma insulin induced by training occurred earlier than that for C-peptide. Moreover, the absence of change in RMR in the presence of a substantial weight loss may represent a beneficial effect of training in comparison to the documented effect of diet-induced weight loss on RMR.

Long-term exercise training with constant energy intake. 1: Effect on body composition and selected metabolic variables

The effects of long-term negative energy balance generated by exercise while maintaining a constant energy intake were studied in five healthy young males (25 +/- 3 years; mean +/- s.d.). After 2 weeks of monitoring to determine habitual energy intake, they were subjected to a 100-day experimental period during which they exercised on a cycle ergometer, 6 days a week, twice a day at 55 per cent of VO2 max. The daily energy deficit was 4.2 MJ for a total of 353 MJ for the duration of the treatment. Body weight decreased from 86.7 to 78.7 kg (P less than 0.001). More than 80 per cent of the weight loss was accounted for by the reductions in fat mass. Fat-free mass did not change significantly. The data suggest that subcutaneous fat was lost about evenly from the trunk and from the limbs as estimated from skinfolds. Cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to submaximal work loads indicate that the low intensity exercise regimen was capable of inducing some of the known adaptations of exercise training such as a decrease in plasma insulin and norepinephrine concentrations during exercise, reductions in heart rate, pulmonary ventilation and blood lactate concentration at a given exercise intensity, and an increase in skeletal muscle oxidative capacity. The energy cost of sitting and standing was not decreased in spite of the loss in body mass. However, the energy cost of submaximal cycling and walking exercises was reduced considerably. These results clearly demonstrate that it is quite possible to lose fat while preserving fat-free mass through regular prolonged exercise of moderate intensity if energy intake is kept constant at baseline level. They also emphasize the importance of the individual differences in response to negative energy balance.

Long-term exercise training with constant energy intake. 3: Effects on plasma lipoprotein levels

The composition and concentration of plasma lipoproteins were studied in five young men (mean BMI = 27.5 +/- 2.9 (s.d.] before, during (after 25 and 50 days of training), and after the completion of a 100 day exercise training program that induced daily 4.2 MJ calorie deficit. Along with reductions in body weight (from 86.7 +/- 20.0 to 78.7 +/- 17.1 kg, P less than 0.01) and in fat mass (from 17.0 +/- 9.7 to 10.4 +/- 7.4 kg, P less than 0.01), the exercise training program induced numerous changes in plasma lipoprotein levels. Plasma total cholesterol level fell significantly after 25 days of training (P less than 0.05) and remained significantly reduced at the end of the training experiment (P less than 0.05). This reduction in total plasma cholesterol was accompanied by reductions in plasma apoprotein (apo) B, LDL-cholesterol and LDL-apo B levels (P less than 0.05). There were trends for reductions in plasma triglyceride and VLDL components that were significant only for VLDL-triglycerides (P less than 0.05). Plasma HDL-cholesterol levels increased significantly only at the end of the training program (P less than 0.01). This increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol was not accompanied by an increase in plasma apo A-I levels suggesting that exercise training produced an increase in HDL cholesterol content rather than an increase in HDL particle number. Ratios of HDL-cholesterol/cholesterol (P less than 0.01) and apo A-I/apo B (P less than 0.05) were significantly increased by exercise training, suggesting a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. These results indicate that a reduction in fat mass solely induced by aerobic exercise training has substantial beneficial effects on plasma lipoprotein levels.

Effect of exogenous insulin on plasma free carnitine levels during exercise in normal man

Preliminary data from our laboratory have shown that the decrease in plasma free carnitine levels normally found during prolonged exercise is blunted in type 1 diabetic man. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that this might be due to the sustained peripheral hyperinsulinemia seen during exercise in diabetics treated by subcutaneous insulin. Ten male subjects underwent 90 min of cycle ergometry at 60% of their maximal oxygen uptake capacity on two occasions, one with and the other without a constant 0.13 mU.kg-1.min-1 i.v. insulin infusion. Blood samples were taken at rest, during exercise, and after exercise for measurement of plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, free fatty acids, and carnitine. Plasma glucose dropped significantly (p less than 0.01) from basal during both infusions, but values at 30, 45, and 60 min of exercise were lower (p less than 0.05) during insulin infusion compared with the saline infusion. Exercise produced a significant (p less than 0.01) fall in plasma insulin in both infusions. However, from 30 to 90 min of exercise, the plateau insulin level was higher during the insulin infusion compared with the saline infusion (91.4 +/- 3.0 vs. 32.9 +/- 3.0 pmol/L; p less than 0.001). Plasma C-peptide decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) during exercise and recovery in both infusions, but values between infusions were not significantly different. Plasma free fatty acids increased significantly (p less than 0.01) at 90 min of exercise during the saline infusion, while during the insulin infusion this was noted during recovery only.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Relation of high plasma triglyceride levels associated with obesity and regional adipose tissue distribution to plasma lipoprotein-lipid composition in premenopausal women

Abdominal obesity is associated with high plasma triglyceride (TG) and with low plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (CHOL) levels. As plasma TG and HDL-CHOL are negatively correlated, the associations between obesity, the regional distribution of body fat, plasma TG levels, and plasma lipoprotein concentration and composition were studied in a sample of 76 premenopausal women (52 obese and 24 non-obese). Obese women had significantly higher plasma levels of VLDL-TG, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-CHOL, LDL-TG, LDL-apolipoprotein (apo) B and reduced HDL-CHOL levels compared to non-obese controls (p less than 0.01). However, plasma concentrations of HDL-apo A-I and HDL-TG were not different between obese and non-obese women. Partial correlation analyses revealed that both fat mass and abdominal fat accumulation significantly contributed to VLDL-TG and HDL-CHOL variances. After control for body fat mass, the waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR) remained significantly correlated with plasma LDL-apo B levels and with the LDL-apo B/LDL-CHOL ratio (0.01 greater than p less than 0.05). Body fat mass was, however, associated with TG enrichment of LDL (p less than 0.01). After control for WHR, body fat mass showed no significant association with plasma HDL-TG levels, whereas the WHR was positively correlated with HDL-TG levels (p less than 0.05). Partial correlation analyses indicated that adjustment for fat mass or for the WHR failed to eliminate the associations between plasma VLDL-TG levels and lipoprotein lipid composition. This study emphasizes the importance of plasma VLDL-TG level as a correlate of plasma LDL and HDL lipid composition in abdominal obesity.

Computed tomography-measured trunk fat and plasma lipoprotein levels in nonobese women

The associations between total adiposity, adipose tissue distribution measured by computed axial tomography (CAT), regional variation in fat cell size, and plasma lipoprotein levels were studied in a sample of 22 premenopausal healthy nonobese women aged 34.6 +/- 3.1 years (mean +/- SD) (% body fat, 27.8 +/- 5.8). In these nonobese women, no associations were found between total adiposity, adipose tissue distribution, and plasma triglyceride or very-low-density lipoprotein levels. However, total adiposity (as reflected by the body density-derived fat mass and by the adipose tissue volume measured by CAT), as well as the total trunk fat areas (measured at the abdominal and thoracic levels) were positively correlated with plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (.05 greater than P less than .01) and LDL apolipoprotein (apo) B (.05 greater than P less than .0005) levels. Because of these associations with LDL-C and LDL apo B levels, these body fatness indicators were negatively correlated with the HDL-cholesterol/LDL-cholesterol and HDL-apo A-I/LDL-apo B ratios. However, few significant associations were observed between the proportion of abdominal fat estimated by the waist/hip circumference ratio (WHR) and the lipoprotein-lipid profile (r = .45 and r = .44, P less than .05 with HDL triglyceride (TG) and LDL-apo B/LDL-cholesterol ratio, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of hepatic-triglyceride lipase activity in the association between intra-abdominal fat and plasma HDL cholesterol in obese women

Intra-abdominal fat content is an important variable in the association between regional body fat distribution and plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. In the present study, we report on the role of plasma postheparin lipases as well as abdominal and femoral adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activities in the association between body fat distribution and plasma lipoprotein levels. Postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hepatic-triglyceride lipase (H-TGL), abdominal and femoral adipose tissue (AT)-LPL activities and plasma lipoprotein levels were measured after an overnight fast in a sample of 16 obese women (ages 36.0 +/- 6.1 years [mean +/- SD], percent body fat 46% +/- 6%). Computed axial tomography was used to assess body fat distribution. Plasma postheparin LPL activity was neither correlated with total adiposity nor with the level of intra-abdominal fat. Intra-abdominal fat deposition was, however, positively correlated with H-TGL activity (r = 0.66, p less than 0.005). Furthermore, covariance analysis showed that the association between intra-abdominal fat and H-TGL was independent from total adiposity. Plasma postheparin LPL and abdominal AT-LPL activities showed no significant correlation with plasma lipoprotein levels, whereas femoral AT-LPL activity was positively correlated with the HDL2 cholesterol/HDL3 cholesterol ratio (r = 0.51, p less than 0.05). H-TGL activity was, however, negatively correlated with HDL2 cholesterol (r = -0.60, p less than 0.05), but not with HDL3 cholesterol (r = -0.28, NS). These results suggest that the high H-TGL activity in obese women with excess deep abdominal fat could be responsible for the reduction in plasma HDL2 cholesterol levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Genetic effect in resting and exercise metabolic rates

Two studies dealing with the contribution of the genotype in individual differences for resting metabolic rate (RMR), thermic effect of a 4.2 MJ carbohydrate meal (TEM), and energy cost of submaximal exercise are reported. The genetic effect for RMR and TEM was studied in 31 pairs of parent-child, 21 pairs of dizygotic (DZ) twins, and 37 pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins, whereas the heritability of the energy cost of submaximal exercise was determined from data on 22 pairs of DZ twins and 31 pairs of MZ twins. The heritability of RMR reached approximately 40% of the variance remaining after adjustment for age, gender, and fat-free mass, (FFM). The genetic effect for TEM was equivalent to at least 40% to 50% of the variation in the energy expended during four hours after the meal test. A highly significant genetic effect was found for fasting plasma glucose (greater than .72), but the results for fasting plasma insulin are unclear. No significant genetic variance was seen for the glucose and insulin response to the carbohydrate meal. Finally, heritability for the metabolic rate during cycle exercise was high (greater than or equal to .46) at low power output, but it became nonsignificant when the energy cost reached about 6 times the RMR.

Adipose tissue distribution and plasma lipoprotein levels in obese women. Importance of intra-abdominal fat

Prospective studies have shown that excess abdominal fat is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and related death. We used computed axial tomography (CAT) to assess the association between deep and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue and plasma lipoprotein levels in a sample of 52 premenopausal obese women aged 35.7 +/- 5.5 years (mean +/- SD). Whereas the plasma lipoprotein concentration were not significantly correlated with fat mass, the data obtained by CAT indicated that the absolute amount of deep abdominal fat was negatively correlated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-CHOL) levels (r = -0.35, p less than 0.01), as well as with HDL-CHOL/low density lipoprotein (LDL)-CHOL, HDL-apoprotein-(apo) A-I/LDL-apo B, and HDL2-CHOL/HDL3-CHOL ratios (-0.32 less than or equal to r less than or equal to -0.40, 0.05 greater than p less than 0.01). Adipose tissue deposition at the mid-thigh region determined by CAT did not show any significant relationship with plasma lipoprotein levels. When subgroups of women with comparable ages and adiposity but with high and low intra-abdominal fat accumulation were compared, women with a high accumulation of intra-abdominal fat displayed significantly lower HDL-CHOL (p less than 0.001), HDL2-CHOL (p less than 0.001), HDL3-CHOL (p less than 0.01), and HDL-apo A-I (p less than 0.05) levels, as well as reduced HDL-CHOL/LDL-CHOL (p less than 0.01), HDL-apo A-I/LDL-apo B (p less than 0.05), and HDL2-CHOL/HDL3-CHOL ratios (p less than 0.05) in comparison with obese women with low accumulations of intra-abdominal fat.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of deep abdominal fat in the association between regional adipose tissue distribution and glucose tolerance in obese women

Computed tomography (CT) was used to study the association between adipose tissue localization and glucose tolerance in a sample of 52 premenopausal obese women aged 35.7 +/- 5.5 yr (mean +/- SD) and with a body fat of 45.9 +/- 5.5%. Body-fat mass and the body mass index (BMI) were significantly correlated with plasma glucose, insulin, and connecting peptide (C-peptide) areas after glucose (75 g) ingestion (.40 less than or equal to r less than or equal to .51, P less than .01). Trunk-fat accumulation and the size of fat cells in the abdomen displayed highly significant correlations with postglucose insulin levels. The C-peptide area was also positively correlated with abdominal fat cell size (r = .76, P less than .01) and was more closely associated with the sum of trunk skin folds (r = .59, P less than .001) than with the extremity skin folds (r = .29, P less than .05). Subcutaneous and deep-abdominal-fat areas measured by CT displayed comparable associations with the plasma insulin area (r = .44 and .49, respectively; P less than .001) but marked differences in the associations with glucose tolerance. Indeed, subcutaneous abdominal fat was not significantly correlated with the glucose area, whereas deep abdominal fat showed a significant correlation (r = .57, P less than .001) with the glucose area. Midthigh fat deposition measured by CT was not, however, correlated with plasma glucose, insulin, or C-peptide areas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Assessment of adipose tissue distribution by computed axial tomography in obese women: association with body density and anthropometric measurements

1. Abdominal obesity is associated with numerous metabolic complications. Deep abdominal adipose tissue is critical in the association between the level of abdominal obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. 2. Adipose tissue localization was assessed by computed axial tomography (CAT), and its association with body density and anthropometric measurements was investigated in a sample of fifty-one obese women (percentage body fat 45.9 (SD 5.6)) aged 35.7 (SD 5.5) years. The CAT scans were performed at three levels: lower chest, abdomen and mid-thigh. 3. The total adipose tissue volume computed from these three scans was highly correlated with body fat mass (r 0.94, P less than 0.001). The proportion of deep abdominal fat as measured by the ratio of deep: total adipose tissue areas at the abdominal level was not significantly correlated with body fat mass, but it was moderately associated with the ratio of waist: hip circumferences (WHR) (r 0.49, P less than 0.001). The absolute amount of deep abdominal fat was, however, significantly correlated with body fat mass (r 0.72, P less than 0.001). 4. The subscapular (r 0.38) and the abdominal (r 0.38) skinfolds were the only two skinfolds that were significantly associated with the proportion of deep abdominal fat (P less than 0.01). These skinfolds were also those which showed the highest correlation with the absolute amount of deep abdominal fat (r 0.65, P less than 0.001, for both skinfolds). 5. A three-site CAT-scan procedure can be used for the estimation of body fat mass in premenopausal obese women. 6. In these obese women, there was no significant association between total adiposity and the proportion of deep adipose tissue at the abdominal level. 7. In premenopausal obese women, the absolute amount of deep abdominal fat can be predicted from anthropometric measurements with more accuracy than the relative amount of deep abdominal fat.

Metabolic characteristics of postobese individuals

The metabolic characteristics of nine postobese and six lean control male individuals were investigated to identify factors potentially associated with the predisposition to become obese. The postobese subjects had been maintaining their body weight stable for at least six months following a 24.8 kg mean weight loss. Body weight, fat mass and fat-free mass were comparable to values of the control subjects. Data obtained in postobese and control subjects were also compared to those of seven obese male individuals whose mean body weight was comparable to the body weight of postobese subjects before they initiated their weight-reducing program. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in the obese than in the two other groups. Thermic effect of food and participation in physical activities were similar in the three groups of subjects. Daily energy intake tended to be higher in control subjects but not to a statistically significant extent. However, energy intake above RMR was statistically higher in control subjects than in the two other groups. As expected, fasting and postprandial plasma glucose and insulin were substantially higher in obese than in postobese and control subjects. Moreover, fasting and postprandial hyperglucagonemia was observed in both obese and postobese subjects, suggesting that weight loss did not normalize plasma glucagon levels as was the case for glucose and insulin. From an energetic standpoint, results of the present study suggest that people predisposed to obesity may be characterized by reduced energy needs over resting metabolic rate, a phenomenon that would not be explained by a reduced physical activity level.

The effect of prior exercise and caffeine ingestion on metabolic rate and hormones in young adult males

The purposes of this study were to examine (a) the effects of acute exercise on metabolic rate 24 and 48 h postexercise and (b) the interaction of acute exercise and the thermic effect of caffeine on metabolic rate and hormonal changes during the late postexercise recovery period. In six young males, who were regular consumers of caffeine, resting energy expenditure was measured before and after caffeine (5 mg.kg-1) and placebo ingestion under the following conditions: (i) control (e.g., no prior exercise), (ii) 24 h postexercise, and (iii) 48 h postexercise. Blood samples were drawn for plasma glucose, insulin, glycerol, free fatty acids, catecholamines, and thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and free thyroxine). Results showed that acute exercise did not exert a detectable effect on resting metabolic rate in the late postexercise recovery period, that is, resting metabolic rate was similar among the conditions of control (1.17 +/- 0.12 kcal.min-1), 24 h postexercise (1.16 +/- 0.12), and 48 h postexercise (1.16 +/- 0.11). Caffeine ingestion increased metabolic rate (approximately 7%), but the thermic effect was not different among the experimental conditions. Plasma insulin and norepinephrine were lower after caffeine ingestion, whereas an increase in plasma free fatty acids was noted. Other hormones and substrates did not change significantly in response to caffeine ingestion. Furthermore, the hormonal and substrate milieu was not significantly different 24 and 48 h postexercise when compared with the control condition. Our results support the view that acute exercise does not alter the resting metabolic rate in the late postexercise recovery period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Diminished hypotensive response to isoproterenol in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

1. The cardiovascular reactivity of streptozotocin-diabetic rats has been evaluated with isoproterenol (ISO), a strong beta-adrenergic agonist able to produce, at large dose, myocardial infarction. 2. In the basal state, diabetic rats presented significantly lower heart rate (P less than 0.001), a decreased systolic (P less than 0.05) and an unaltered diastolic blood pressure compared to non-diabetics. 3. Following ISO stimulation, the chronotropic response was similar in both groups of rats, while the fall in systolic and diastolic pressure was markedly reduced compared to those of non-diabetic rats (P less than 0.001). 4. These results suggest that the vasodilation capacity of diabetic rats is diminished.

Transient increase in basal insulin levels in severely diabetic rats submitted to physical training

Physical training improves glucose homeostasis in rats with experimental diabetes mellitus. The present study has been designed to ascertain if this beneficial effect is maintained or lost after a few days of inactivity. Male Wistar rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg) and those presenting one week later a blood glucose value between 250 and 400 mg/dl were retained in the protocol and randomly assigned to a sedentary (n = 18) or trained group (n = 23). An I.V. glucose tolerance test (0.5 g/kg) was performed in previously cannulated rats 64 h (trained rats; n = 15) or 12 days (detrained rats, n = 8) after the last bout of exercise. In comparison with results obtained in their sedentary counterparts (419 +/- 15 mg/dl), basal glucose levels were significantly lower in trained (362 +/- 20; p less than 0.05), but not in detrained rats (429 +/- 15; NS). Similar differences in plasma glucose levels were observed after glucose loading, even though the glucose disappearance rate constant was not significantly improved by training. Furthermore, basal insulin levels were significantly higher (p less than 0.01) in trained than in sedentary rats (20 +/- 3 vs 12 +/- 2 microU/ml) but such a difference had disappeared in detrained rats (9 +/- 2 microU/ml). These results indicate that the training-induced improvement in glucose homeostasis of diabetic rats is a transient phenomenon which is associated with an increase in circulating insulin levels. This suggests that the beneficial effect of training is not due solely to enhanced insulin sensitivity.

Exercise training improves early survival rate in diabetic rats submitted to acute coronary artery ligation

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the decreased early survival rate of diabetic rats submitted to acute experimental myocardial infarction could be improved by a previous training program. Male Wistar rats (+/- 200 g) were rendered diabetic with the i.v. injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg) but only those presenting one week later a tail-blood glucose value between 250-400 mg/dl were retained in the protocol. Diabetic and control rats were either kept sedentary or submitted to a progressive 10-week program of treadmill running. The left coronary artery was then ligated under ether anesthesia. Adequate occlusion was confirmed by an elevation of plasma CK-MB levels four hours later or by a toluidine blue injection technique in rats which died earlier. Since the first 20 minutes after such a procedure represents a most critical period for sudden death, the early survival rate was calculated for each group of rats and significance in differences was established with the Fisher's test. While the 27% early survival rate observed in sedentary diabetics was significantly lower (p = 0.02) than the 49% found in sedentary controls, this was completely alleviated by previous training in diabetic animals (50%; p = 0.018 vs sedentary diabetics and 0.623 vs sedentary controls). This beneficial effect of training was not found in nondiabetic animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Heredity and changes in plasma lipids and lipoproteins after short-term exercise training in men

The aims of this controlled experiment were to investigate the effects of short-term aerobic exercise training on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and the role of heredity in determining the individual variation observed in the lipoprotein-lipid response. Six pairs of male monozygotic (MZ) twins were subjected to an exercise training program that induced a 22,000 kcal energy deficit after 22 consecutive days of training. This program significantly reduced body weight, percent body fat, and subcutaneous fat and significantly increased maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) (p less than 0.005). The plasma insulin response to an oral glucose challenge was markedly reduced after training (p less than 0.001). Plasma triglyceride concentration decreased and the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-CHOL)/CHOL ratio increased with training (p less than 0.05). Subjects also displayed substantial individual variation in their response to exercise training, but the changes in plasma CHOL, apolipoprotein (apo) B low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CHOL), HDL-CHOL, and the HDL-CHOL/CHOL ratio tended to be similar within MZ twin pairs (0.67 less than or equal to ri less than or equal to 0.92; 0.05 greater than p less than 0.0001) thus indicating a significant effect of heredity on the sensitivity of plasma lipids and lipoproteins to exercise training.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of a three-day interruption of exercise-training on resting metabolic rate and glucose-induced thermogenesis in training individuals

Exercise-training has been shown to influence resting components of energy expenditure in lean and obese individuals. Moreover, experimental data suggest that the effect of training on these components could represent an acute effect of exercise. In this regard, the present study was undertaken to determine whether resting metabolic rate (RMR) and glucose-induced thermogenesis (GIT) could be modified depending on the delay elapsing between the last exercise session of a training program and calorimetric measurements. Eight trained individuals were tested 16 h after a 90-min exercise bout and following a 3-day interruption of training. A significant decrease in RMR (-6.6 percent, P less than 0.05) was observed in response to exercise cessation. On the other hand, an increased GIT was noted following the 3-day rest period and this effect was also statistically significant. These results show that short-term interruption of training can affect substantially RMR and GIT in trained individuals, indicating that the time elapsing since the last exercise session must be taken into account in the interpretation of the effects of physical training on both these parameters.

Effects of fenfluramine in hypertriglyceridemic obese subjects

Forty-four hyperlipidemic obese subjects, selected because of their refractoriness towards diet-therapy, participated voluntarily in a 12-week double-blind study comparing the effects of a long-acting fenfluramine (Ponderal Pacaps) to those of a placebo. In spite of no dietetic intervention, a significant 3-kg weight loss (P less than 0.001) was observed in the fenfluramine-treated group, accompanied by a significant improvement of most atherogenic parameters of plasma lipoproteins. Fenfluramine-induced weight loss produced decrease in total cholesterol (P less than 0.05), total triglycerides (P less than 0.05), LDL cholesterol (P less than 0.05), total apoprotein B (P less than 0.005) and LDL apoprotein B (P less than 0.001). An apoprotein B LDL depletion seemed to occur, as suggested by the reduction of LDL cholesterol/apoprotein B ratio (P less than 0.001). Total plasma apoprotein A did not change but the total apoprotein B/total apoprotein A ratio decreased significantly (P less than 0.005). Moreover, fenfluramine increased both HDL phospholipid (P less than 0.005) and HDL cholesterol (P less than 0.05) resulting in a fall of the atherogenic LDL-cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (P less than 0.001) as well as an elevation of the anti-atherogenic HDL cholesterol/LDL + VLDL cholesterol ratio (P less than 0.001). The placebo group demonstrated some improvement in lipid blood parameters without weight loss, indicating a possible qualitative amelioration of nutritional habits. Thus, fenfluramine reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease in hyperlipidemic obese individuals not responding to behavioral intervention.

Genotype-influenced changes in serum HDL cholesterol after short-term overfeeding in man: association with plasma insulin and triglyceride levels

Six pairs of male monozygotic (MZ) twins were submitted to a 22-day overfeeding period during which they ingested a daily surplus of 1,000 kcal above their individual daily energy needs in the form of a mixed diet. Serum lipids, lipoproteins, and apoprotein A and B concentrations were measured before and after the overfeeding period. Percentage of body fat, fasting plasma glucose, and insulin levels as well as plasma glucose and insulin concentrations after a glucose challenge were also measured before and after overfeeding. Results showed that before overfeeding, MZ twins exhibited a significant intrapair resemblance for total serum cholesterol (CHOL), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and for the high density lipoprotein-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio (HDL-C/CHOL) (8.2 less than or equal to F ratios less than or equal to 32.7, P less than .01). The overfeeding experiment induced significant increases only in serum CHOL (P less than .01) and in serum LDL-C (P less than .05). However, although mean group values of serum TG, HDL-C, and HDL-C/CHOL ratio were not significantly modified by overfeeding, there were large interindividual variations in the response of these variables to the experiment. Results suggest that changes in serum TG, HDL-C, and in the HDL-C/CHOL ratio were significantly associated with the genotype of the subjects as a significant intrapair resemblance in the response to overfeeding was observed for these variables (0.69 less than or equal to r less than or equal to .85, P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute diabetes mellitus does not impair survival rate in rats submitted to left coronary artery ligation

This study was designed to assess whether the acute metabolic disturbances associated with diabetes mellitus of three-days duration could influence the survival of rats submitted to experimental myocardial infarction. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) in male Wistar rats and three days later left coronary artery ligation was performed in both control (n = 34) and diabetic (n = 31) animals. Diabetic rats had significant alterations in plasma levels of glucose (424 +/- 6 vs 143 +/- 3 mg/dL; p less than 0.001), insulin (10 +/- 1 vs 32 +/- 2 microU/mL; p less than 0.001) and free carnitine (37 +/- 2 vs 52 +/- 2 microM; p less than 0.001). There was no significant difference in the survival rate of diabetic animals, either early after coronary artery ligation (32 vs 42% at 20 min; p greater than 0.1) or later (21 vs 25% at 1 week; p greater than 0.1). This suggests that the increased mortality rate found in diabetic subjects suffering from myocardial infarction is due to some long-term changes associated with chronic diabetes mellitus rather than to the acute metabolic disturbances present at the time of this event.

Is the response of plasma glucose and insulin to short-term exercise-training genetically determined?

Six male monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs participated in the present study which was undertaken to assess the contribution of heredity to changes in plasma glucose and insulin in response to exercise-training. This group was submitted to a vigorous ergocycle exercise program inducing a surplus in energy expenditure of 1000 kcal/day over habitual energy expenditure during 22 consecutive days. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT, 75 g glucose) was performed before and about 16 hours after the experimental period. Fasting plasma glucose as well as its increase over basal level (delta area) during OGTT were not modified by exercise-training (p greater than 0.05), although a marked reduction in insulin was observed, both in the fasting state and during the OGTT (p less than 0.01). To assess the extent to which heredity influenced the response to the treatment, i.e. the genotype-training interaction, within and between MZ twin pairs means of squares were calculated. A significant intrapair resemblance in the response to exercise-training was observed for fasting insulin and delta insulin area/delta glucose area ratio during OGTT, but not for delta insulin area. These results provide some indications about a possible role of the genotype on the sensitivity to reduce plasma insulin in response to exercise-training. However, this hypothesis needs to be substantiated by other experimental data with control over the genotype of subjects.

Heredity and overfeeding-induced changes in submaximal exercise VO2

The present study investigated the role of heredity in determining changes in the energy cost of submaximal exercise in response to short-term overfeeding. Six pairs of monozygotic twins were subjected to a 1,000 kcal/day surplus for 22 days with careful experimental controls over food intake and physical activities. O2 consumption (VO2) was measured during a submaximal treadmill exercise test 165 min postprandially before and the morning after the overfeeding protocol. As expected, overfeeding induced significant increases in body weight and fat mass. No significant increase in mean exercise VO2 was observed after overfeeding. However, the interindividual variation in overfeeding-induced changes in exercise VO2 was large and not randomly distributed. When comparing intrapair variance for changes in exercise VO2 to interpair variance, a moderate to high within-pair resemblance in response, i.e., a genotype-overfeeding interaction, was observed. Changes in exercise VO2 were positively correlated with those in postexercise levels of blood catecholamines, particularly epinephrine. A negative correlation was found between changes in exercise VO2 and body fat gain. These results are consistent with the concept of a role for the sympathoadrenal system in the regulation of adaptive thermogenesis and the predisposition to store fat. Moreover, these data suggest that the sensitivity to adapt in exercise energy expenditure after overfeeding is inherited to a significant extent.

The role of body fat in insulin sensitivity of endurance athletes

The purpose of the study was to assess the role of adiposity in the enhanced insulin sensitivity observed in endurance athletes (EA). An oral glucose tolerance test (75 g glucose) was administered to nine EA and to 23 sedentary subjects (SS). Two different strategies were used to investigate the problem. First, body composition indicators and Vo2max were correlated with the delta insulin and delta glucose areas measured for 180 minutes following glucose ingestion. These correlation analyses were performed for the two groups combined (n = 32). No significant correlations were observed between either fat weight or percent body fat versus delta insulin, delta glucose or delta glucose/delta insulin areas. Moreover, no significant correlation was observed between the several subcutaneous fat indicators and delta insulin, delta glucose and delta glucose/delta insulin areas. The second strategy consisted of comparing EA to SS when percent body fat difference was eliminated. This was achieved by two different methods, first by covariance analysis and second by comparing subsamples of trained and non-trained subjects paired with respect to percent body fat. These two comparisons revealed that even when adiposity was equal between the groups, a significantly greater insulin sensitivity was observed in the EA group (p less than 0.01). The present results suggest that adiposity is not the determining factor for the increased insulin sensitivity of trained subjects.

Heredity and changes in hormones and metabolic rates with short-term training

The purpose of this experiment was to assess the effects of a 22-day training program on resting metabolic rate (RMR), thermic effect of a meal (TEM), and associated hormonal changes. Six pairs of male monozygotic twins were submitted to a 22-day ergocycle exercise program designed to induce a deficit in energy balance of 4.2 MJ per day. RMR and TEM after a 4.2-MJ meal challenge were measured before and after training. Results indicated that RMR and TEM did not change significantly, although a large variation in response between twin pairs was observed. Moreover, training reduced (P less than 0.05) basal and postprandial insulin response, plasma thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and FT4 (P less than 0.05). Absolute changes in RMR and TEM exhibited significant within-pair resemblance in response, with intraclass correlations reaching r = 0.81 (P less than 0.05) and r = 0.72 (P less than 0.05), respectively. Changes in T4 and FT4 also exhibited moderate within-pair resemblance (0.42 less than or equal to r less than or equal to 0.71). These results suggest that short-term exercise training does not modify RMR and TEM but can significantly decrease plasma levels of insulin and thyroid hormones. Moreover, the similarity of response within twin pairs suggests that heredity plays a role in determining RMR, TEM, and thyroid hormone adaptation to exercise training generating a negative energy balance.

Increased mortality rate in diabetic rats submitted to acute experimental myocardial infarction

Diabetes mellitus is well known to increase the death rate after acute myocardial infarction in humans. The mechanisms of this adverse effect of diabetes, however, remain unknown. In the present study an animal model was developed in which the influence of diabetes on the survival rate after acute myocardial infarction could be studied in more detail. Male Wistar rats were rendered diabetic with streptozotocin (45 mg X kg-1 intravenously) and kept in the study if one week later their tail blood glucose concentration was between 13.9 and 22.2 mmol X litre-1 after a four hour fast. Ten weeks later they underwent acute left coronary artery ligation. In comparison with control rats (n = 30), diabetic rats (n = 32) had a higher mortality in the first 20 minutes after acute coronary artery ligation (78% vs 53%; p less than 0.05 by chi 2 test). Creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme activity tended to increase less in surviving diabetic rats than in their non-diabetic counterparts. Moreover, blood samples collected a few minutes before the surgical procedure showed that diabetic rats dying within the first 20 minutes (n = 25) had higher mean (SEM) plasma glucose concentrations (26.9(0.5) vs 23.4(1.2) mmol X litre-1; p less than 0.01) and lower mean(SEM) plasma insulin concentrations (20(1) vs 26(2) mU X litre-1; p less than 0.05) than those (n = 7) that survived that critical period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Genotype dependency of the thermic effect of a meal and associated hormonal changes following short-term overfeeding

The purpose of this experiment was to assess the effects of short-term overfeeding (mixed diet) on the thermic effect of a meal (TEM) and associated hormonal changes and to investigate the role of the genotype in the observed changes. Six pairs of male sedentary monozygotic (MZ) twins consumed an extra 1,000 kcal per day over their individual level of energy expenditure while maintaining a sedentary existence. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and TEM following a 4.2 MJ meal challenge was measured before and after 22 days of overfeeding. RMR did not change significantly (7% elevation) in response to the positive caloric stimulus, whereas significant increases (P less than 0.01) in TEM were observed. Moreover, postprandial insulin and glucose responses were not modified. Overfeeding did not significantly alter catecholamine levels but induced significant elevations in plasma levels of T3 and T4 (P less than 0.05). Changes in RMR exhibited moderate but nonsignificant within twin pair resemblance in response whereas significant within pair resemblance was noted in the magnitude of TEM changes induced by overfeeding (P less than 0.05). Hormonal responses exhibited a weaker genotype dependency. These results suggest that short-term overfeeding can induce an elevation in TEM with accompanying increases in T3 and T4. Large individual response variation in metabolic and hormonal measures were observed. The similarity of response within twin pairs suggests that sensitivity to change in TEM induced by short-term overfeeding is genetically influenced.

Effect of physical training on norepinephrine turnover in tissues of normal and diabetic rats

This study was designed to examine the influence of physical training on the norepinephrine turnover rate in heart, pancreas, liver, and gastrocnemius muscles of normal and diabetic male rats at rest. Diabetes was induced with the IV injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg) and physical training was done on a treadmill according to a ten-week program. Norepinephrine turnover rate of tissues was estimated by following over time the decay in the specific activity of norepinephrine after a single IV bolus of tritiated norepinephrine (30 microCi/kg). Plasma glucose, insulin, and glucagon levels were also measured at the time of death. Although training caused a reduction in the plasma glucose values of diabetic rats, no changes in norepinephrine turnover rate were observed after the conditioning program. On the other hand, diabetes was associated with a significant 30% to 40% decrease in the pancreatic norepinephrine turnover rate. It is concluded that the beneficial effects of physical training on diabetes mellitus cannot be explained by adaptive changes in the sympathetic nervous system activity and that further work will be necessary to elucidate the mechanism whereby streptozotocin diabetes diminishes the pancreatic norepinephrine turnover.

Diminished glucagon response to epinephrine in physically trained diabetic rats

The effect of physical training on glucose, insulin, and glucagon response to epinephrine was assessed in normal and diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were injected with streptozocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg) and those presenting 1 wk later a blood glucose value between 250 and 400 mg/dl were retained in the protocol and randomly assigned to a sedentary or trained group. Similar studies were conducted in control animals. Physical training was done on a treadmill according to a 10-wk program. Epinephrine (0.75 microgram/kg/min) was infused intravenously (i.v.) in previously cannulated rats for 1 h and arterial blood samples obtained at 15-min intervals for glucose, insulin, and glucagon measurements. Pancreatic insulin and glucagon content was also determined. Basal glucose levels were significantly lower in trained than in sedentary diabetic rats (P less than 0.01). The hyperglycemic response to epinephrine was diminished by 19% and 23% in trained control and diabetic animals, respectively, with a faster return to baseline after stopping epinephrine infusion in both trained groups. Although in nondiabetic rats this could be related to some diminution in the suppressive effect of epinephrine on insulin secretion, this was not the case in diabetic animals. Moreover, while training did not modify epinephrine-induced glucagon response in control rats, the twofold greater (P less than 0.01) glucagon response observed in sedentary diabetic rats was restored to normal in trained diabetic rats. After stopping epinephrine infusion, glucagon levels dropped below the baseline in both groups of trained rats but not in their sedentary counterparts. These effects of training on glucagon response could not be explained by changes in pancreatic glucagon content.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on insulin binding parameters in adult rat testis

Insulin binding parameters have been measured in testicular membranes of streptozotocin diabetic male rats. Insulin binding decrease was ascribed to the well-known depressing effect of diabetes mellitus on circulating luteinizing hormone (LH). Because both LH and insulin receptors are modulated by pituitary LH and because of their reduction in testes of diabetic rats, we conclude that Leydig cell dysfunction is a secondary disorder associated with this complex metabolic condition.

Hyperglycemic effect of high doses of dobutamine in the rat: studies of insulin and glucagon secretion

The influence of dobutamine on glucoregulation has been assessed in the rat during and after an intravenous infusion given at the following doses: 0, 0.1, 1.0, 10, 100, and 1000 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1. Plasma glucose, insulin, and glucagon levels were measured at 15-min intervals in unanesthetized previously cannulated rats. Basal glucose levels were preserved with the less than or equal to 10 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1 doses. At the greater than or equal to 100 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1 doses, a marked hyperglycemic effect was observed, partly attributable to some inhibitory effect of dobutamine on glucose-induced insulin secretion and to its stimulatory effect on glucagon secretion. Such data suggest that dobutamine may disturb the normal glucose homeostasis, particularly in situations of deficient insulin reserve.