Effect of ultra-endurance exercise on left ventricular performance and plasma cytokines in healthy trained men

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ultra-endurance exercise on left ventricular (LV) performance and plasma concentration of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-18 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as well as to examine the relationships between exercise-induced changes in plasma cytokines and those in echocardiographic indices of LV function in ultra-marathon runners. Nine healthy trained men (mean age 30±1.0 years) participated in a 100-km ultra-marathon. Heart rate, blood pressure, ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), ratio of early (E) to late (A) mitral inflow peak velocities (E/A), ratio of early (E’) to late (A’) diastolic mitral annulus peak velocities (E’/A’) and E-wave deceleration time (DT) were obtained by echocardiography before, immediately after and in the 90th minute of the recovery period. Blood samples were taken before each echocardiographic evaluation. The ultra-endurance exercise caused significant increases in plasma IL-6, IL-10, IL-18 and TNF-α. Echocardiography revealed significant decreases in both E and the E/A ratio immediately after exercise, without any significant changes in EF, FS, DT or the E/E’ ratio. At the 90th minute of the recovery period, plasma TNF-α and the E/A ratio did not differ significantly from the pre-exercise values, whereas FS was significantly lower than before and immediately after exercise. The increases in plasma TNF-α correlated with changes in FS (r=0.73) and DT (r=-0.73). It is concluded that ultra-endurance exercise causes alterations in LV diastolic function. The present data suggest that TNF-α might be involved in this effect.

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Cdc34 and ubiquitin ligase Skp1-cullin-F-box ligase (SCF) interact through multiple conformations

In the ubiquitin-proteasome system, protein substrates are degraded via covalent modification by a polyubiquitin chain. The polyubiquitin chain must be assembled rapidly in cells, because a chain of at least four ubiquitins is required to signal for degradation, and chain-editing enzymes in the cell may cleave premature polyubiquitin chains before achieving this critical length. The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Cdc34 and ubiquitin ligase SCF are capable of building polyubiquitin chains onto protein substrates both rapidly and processively; this may be explained at least in part by the atypically fast rate of Cdc34 and SCF association. This rapid association has been attributed to electrostatic interactions between the acidic C-terminal tail of Cdc34 and a feature on SCF called the basic canyon. However, the structural aspects of the Cdc34-SCF interaction and how they permit rapid complex formation remain elusive. Here, we use protein cross-linking to demonstrate that the Cdc34-SCF interaction occurs in multiple conformations, where several residues from the Cdc34 acidic tail are capable of contacting a broad region of the SCF basic canyon. Similar patterns of cross-linking are also observed between Cdc34 and the Cul1 paralog Cul2, implicating the same mechanism for the Cdc34-SCF interaction in other members of the cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases. We discuss how these results can explain the rapid association of Cdc34 and SCF.

E2 enzyme inhibition by stabilization of a low-affinity interface with ubiquitin

Weak protein interactions between ubiquitin and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) enzymes that mediate its covalent attachment to substrates serve to position ubiquitin for optimal catalytic transfer. We show that a small-molecule inhibitor of the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Cdc34A, called CC0651, acts by trapping a weak interaction between ubiquitin and the E2 donor ubiquitin-binding site. A structure of the ternary CC0651-Cdc34A-ubiquitin complex reveals that the inhibitor engages a composite binding pocket formed from Cdc34A and ubiquitin. CC0651 also suppresses the spontaneous hydrolysis rate of the Cdc34A-ubiquitin thioester without decreasing the interaction between Cdc34A and the RING domain subunit of the E3 enzyme. Stabilization of the numerous other weak interactions between ubiquitin and UPS enzymes by small molecules may be a feasible strategy to selectively inhibit different UPS activities.

Multimodal mechanism of action for the Cdc34 acidic loop: a case study for why ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes have loops and tails

Together with ubiquitin ligases (E3), ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2) are charged with the essential task of synthesizing ubiquitin chains onto protein substrates. Some 75% of the known E2s in the human proteome contain unique insertions in their primary sequences, yet it is largely unclear what effect these insertions impart on the ubiquitination reaction. Cdc34 is an important E2 with prominent roles in cell cycle regulation and signal transduction. The amino acid sequence of Cdc34 contains an insertion distal to the active site that is absent in most other E2s, yet this acidic loop (named for its four invariably conserved acidic residues) is critical for Cdc34 function both in vitro and in vivo. Here we have investigated how the acidic loop in human Cdc34 promotes ubiquitination, identifying two key molecular events during which the acidic loop exerts its influence. First, the acidic loop promotes the interaction between Cdc34 and its ubiquitin ligase partner, SCF. Second, two glutamic acid residues located on the distal side of the loop collaborate with an invariably conserved histidine on the proximal side of the loop to suppress the pKa of an ionizing species on ubiquitin or Cdc34 which greatly contributes to Cdc34 catalysis. These results demonstrate that insertions can guide E2s to their physiologically relevant ubiquitin ligases as well as provide essential modalities that promote catalysis.

Disruption of uridine homeostasis links liver pyrimidine metabolism to lipid accumulation

We report in this study an intrinsic link between pyrimidine metabolism and liver lipid accumulation utilizing a uridine phosphorylase 1 transgenic mouse model UPase1-TG. Hepatic microvesicular steatosis is induced by disruption of uridine homeostasis through transgenic overexpression of UPase1, an enzyme of the pyrimidine catabolism and salvage pathway. Microvesicular steatosis is also induced by the inhibition of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), an enzyme of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. Interestingly, uridine supplementation completely suppresses microvesicular steatosis in both scenarios. The effective concentration (EC(50)) for uridine to suppress microvesicular steatosis is approximately 20 µM in primary hepatocytes of UPase1-TG mice. We find that uridine does not have any effect on in vitro DHODH enzymatic activity. On the other hand, uridine supplementation alters the liver NAD(+)/NADH and NADP(+)/NADPH ratios and the acetylation profile of metabolic, oxidation-reduction, and antioxidation enzymes. Protein acetylation is emerging as a key regulatory mechanism for cellular metabolism. Therefore, we propose that uridine suppresses fatty liver by modulating the liver protein acetylation profile. Our findings reveal a novel link between uridine homeostasis, pyrimidine metabolism, and liver lipid metabolism.

Label-free evaluation of hepatic microvesicular steatosis with multimodal coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy

Hepatic microvesicular steatosis is a hallmark of drug-induced hepatotoxicity and early-stage fatty liver disease. Current histopathology techniques are inadequate for the clinical evaluation of hepatic microvesicular steatosis. In this paper, we explore the use of multimodal coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy for the detection and characterization of hepatic microvesicular steatosis. We show that CARS microscopy is more sensitive than Oil Red O histology for the detection of microvesicular steatosis. Computer-assisted analysis of liver lipid level based on CARS signal intensity is consistent with triglyceride measurement using a standard biochemical assay. Most importantly, in a single measurement procedure on unprocessed and unstained liver tissues, multimodal CARS imaging provides a wealth of critical information including the detection of microvesicular steatosis and quantitation of liver lipid content, number and size of lipid droplets, and lipid unsaturation and packing order of lipid droplets. Such information can only be assessed by multiple different methods on processed and stained liver tissues or tissue extracts using current standard analytical techniques. Multimodal CARS microscopy also permits label-free identification of lipid-rich non-parenchymal cells. In addition, label-free and non-perturbative CARS imaging allow rapid screening of mitochondrial toxins-induced microvesicular steatosis in primary hepatocyte cultures. With its sensitivity and versatility, multimodal CARS microscopy should be a powerful tool for the clinical evaluation of hepatic microvesicular steatosis.

Differential expression of uridine phosphorylase in tumors contributes to an improved fluoropyrimidine therapeutic activity

Abrogation of uridine phosphorylase (UPase) leads to abnormalities in pyrimidine metabolism and host protection against 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) toxicity. We elucidated the effects on the metabolism and antitumor efficacy of 5-FU and capecitabine (N(4)-pentyloxycarbonyl-5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine) in our UPase knockout (UPase(-/-)) model. Treatment with 5-FU (85 mg/kg) or capecitabine (1,000 mg/kg) five days a week for four weeks caused severe toxicity and structural damage to the intestines of wild-type (WT) mice, but not in UPase(-/-) animals. Capecitabine treatment resulted in a 70% decrease in blood cell counts of WT animals, with only a marginal effect in UPase(-/-) mice. UPase expressing colon 38 tumors implanted in UPase(-/-) mice revealed an improved therapeutic efficacy when treated with 5-FU and capecitabine because of the higher maximum tolerated dose for fluoropyrimidines achievable in UPase(-/-) mice. (19)F-MRS evaluation of capecitabine metabolism in tumors revealed similar activation of the prodrug in UPase(-/-) mice compared with WT. In WT mice, approximately 60% of capecitabine was transformed over three hours into its active metabolites, whereas 80% was transformed in tumors implanted in UPase(-/-) mice. In UPase(-/-) mice, prolonged retention of 5'dFUR allowed a proportional increase in tumor tissue. The similar presence of fluorinated catabolic species confirms that dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity was not altered in UPase(-/-) mice. Overall, these results indicate the importance of UPase in the activation of fluoropyrimidines, the effect of uridine in protecting normal tissues, and the role for tumor-specific modulation of the phosphorolytic activity in 5-FU or capecitabine-based chemotherapy.

A novel structural mechanism for redox regulation of uridine phosphorylase 2 activity

Uridine phosphorylase (UPP) catalyzes the reversible conversion of uridine to uracil and ribose-1-phosphate and plays an important pharmacological role in activating fluoropyrimidine nucleoside chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine. Most vertebrate animals, including humans, possess two homologs of this enzyme (UPP1 & UPP2), of which UPP1 has been more thoroughly studied and is better characterized. Here, we report two crystallographic structures of human UPP2 (hUPP2) in distinctly active and inactive conformations. These structures reveal that a conditional intramolecular disulfide bridge can form within the protein that dislocates a critical phosphate-coordinating arginine residue (R100) away from the active site, disabling the enzyme. In vitro activity measurements on both recombinant hUPP2 and native mouse UPP2 confirm the redox sensitivity of this enzyme, in contrast to UPP1. Sequence analysis shows that this feature is conserved among UPP2 homologs and lacking in all UPP1 proteins due to the absence of a necessary cysteine residue. The state of the disulfide bridge has further structural consequences for one face of the enzyme that suggest UPP2 may have additional functions in sensing and initiating cellular responses to oxidative stress. The molecular details surrounding these dynamic aspects of hUPP2 structure and regulation provide new insights as to how novel inhibitors of this protein may be developed with improved specificity and affinity. As uridine is emerging as a promising protective compound in neuro-degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, understanding the regulatory mechanisms underlying UPP control of uridine concentration is key to improving clinical outcomes in these illnesses.

Cardiovascular and hormonal responses to static handgrip in young and older healthy men

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of age on cardiovascular changes and plasma concentrations of adrenomedullin (ADM), catecholamines, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and plasma renin activity (PRA) in healthy men. A total of 15 young (21 ± 0.3 years) and 15 older (64 ± 0.7 years) healthy men performed two 3-min bouts of static handgrip at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction, alternately with each hand without any break between the bouts. During exercise heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), stroke volume (SV) and pre-ejection period (PEP) and left ventricle ejection time (LVET) were measured. Blood samples were taken before exercise, at the end of both exercise bouts and in the fifth minute of the recovery period. The handgrip-induced increases in HR and cardiac output were significantly smaller in older than in young men (p < 0.01). SV decreased only in older men (p < 0.001). There were no differences between groups in BP increases. The baseline plasma ADM and catecholamines were higher in older man compared to young subjects. Handgrip caused increases in plasma ADM, ET-1 and PRA only in older men (p < 0.05). The increases in plasma ADM correlated positively with those of noradrenaline (NA), PRA, ET-1 and LVET and negatively with changes in total peripheral resistance (TPR), SV, PEP and PEP/LVET ratio. The increases in plasma ET-1 correlated positively with those of NA, PRA, TPR, mean BP and SV. These results revealed that ADM, ET-1 and angiotensin II can contribute to maintain vascular tone during static exercise in older but not in younger men.

Activation of Stat1, IRF-1, and NF-kappaB is required for the induction of uridine phosphorylase by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma

Uridine phosphorylase (UPase) has been shown to be induced in various human and murine tumors and could potentially serve as a specific target for the modulation of tumor-selectivity of fluoropyrimidines. However, the signaling mechanisms underlying the regulation of UPase gene expression have not been determined. In this study, we investigated the effects of IFN-gamma on the regulation of TNF-alpha-induced UPase activity and have uncovered the molecular mechanisms of this potentiation, utilizing murine EMT6 breast cancer cells. Our data has shown that IFN-gamma can significantly increase UPase mRNA expression and the enzymatic activity induced by TNF-alpha in a dose-dependent manner, resulting in an enhanced sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 5'-Deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'DFUR). We have previously shown that TNF-alpha activates NF-kappaB through increased translocation of NF-kappaB p65 from the cytoplasm into the nuclei. Exposure to IFN-gamma mainly affects nuclear IRF-1 and STAT1 in EMT6, but inhibits NF-kappaB p65 activity, indicating that the cooperative stimulation was the result of the independent activation of NF-kappaB, STAT1 and IRF-1 transcriptional factors through binding to their unique sites in the UPase promoter. Notably, the activation of NF-kappaB and STAT1 in human breast tissues is consistent with UPase activity; signifying their role in the up-regulation of the UPase gene expression in human tumors.

Abstract 52: Overexpression of uridine phosphorylase 2 (UPP2) in tissues of uridine phosphorylase (UPP1) knock-out mice

Uridine phosphorylase (UPase) and thymidine phosphorylase (TPase) play critical roles in the metabolism of pyrimidines and their analogs used in cancer chemotherapy. These enzymes catalyze the reversible conversion of uridine, deoxyuridine and thymidine to the corresponding free bases and ribose or deoxyribose-1-phosphate. Uridine phosphorylase activity, in particular, has been reported to be elevated in breast cancers, colorectal cancer, oral squamous carcinomas, melanoma tissue, and lung adenocarcinomas when compared with adjacent normal tissues. Recently, a novel pyrimidine phosphorylase has been identified, called UPase-2. In human tissues, UPase-2 is predominantly expressed in kidney tissue, while in mouse tissue it is predominately expressed in the liver. Our recent studies have indicated that the UPase-2 isoform is overexpressed in UPase-1 knockout mice we have recently developed. A 37kDa (predicted MW of UPase-2) protein is overrepresented in liver lysate of UPase-/- mice after western blot analysis using a uridine phosphorylase polyclonal antibody. Real time RT-PCR analysis using UPase-2 specific primers shows a 4-fold increase in liver UPase-2 expression in UPase-/- mice compared to wild type mice. We also observed an increase in the expression of this enzyme in kidney and brain tissues; however, the enzymatic activity was below the limit of detection. No detectable mRNA levels were observed in spleen, lung or heart tissues. Interestingly, UPase-2 mRNA expression in wild-type and UPase-/- liver tissue decreased to 32% and 8% respectively after mice were fed diets containing 0.5% fenofibrate for 15 hours, however, UPase-1 mRNA expression increased 3.8-fold in the livers of wild-type mice. Fenofibrate, a ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, is used to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, calling into question the role of UPase in lipid metabolism. Both the physiological role of UPase-2 in nucleoside metabolism and the homeostatic regulation of UPase-1 and UPase-2 in liver are presently unclear. To address this question, we plan to study this newly developed animal model to characterize UPase-2 contribution to pyrimidine and fluoropyrimidine metabolism, and the regulatory mechanisms affecting its expression and function.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 52.

Metabolic and hormonal responses to body carbohydrate store depletion followed by high or low carbohydrate meal in sedentary and physically active subjects

The study was designed to determine metabolic and hormonal responses to acute modification of body carbohydrate stores by exercise and subsequent meals and to find out whether the responses depend on the training status of subjects. Nine sedentary students and 10 endurance athletes took part in four experimental sessions. During control session, after overnight fast oxygen uptake and CO2 production were measured and blood glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), insulin (I), leptin (L), growth hormone (GH), testosterone (T), catecholamines, ACTH and cortisol were determined. The remaining sessions were preceded by 1.5 h exercise at 70% HRmax in the evening followed by 12-16 hrs fast till morning when subjects ate either high-carbohydrate (H-CHO) or low-carbohydrate (L-CHO) meal or fasted. Respiratory gases and blood samples were collected before and 2 hours after meal. In glycogen depleted subjects respiratory quotient (RQ), I, norepinephrine (NE) and L decreased, whilst other variables were unaltered. Changes in I and NE were greater in athletes than in sedentary subjects. After H-CHO RQ, blood glucose, I and NE increased and FFA, GH and T decreased. The latter effect was greater in athletes than in untrained subjects. After L-CHO, RQ was at the fasting level and FFA increased only in sedentary group. In both groups I increased and GH and T decreased. Neither meal affected L concentration. In conclusion, hormonal and metabolic changes observed after depleting carbohydrate stores resemble those occurring during starvation. Composition of the ingested meal affects postprandial metabolism, which additionally depends on the subjects' training status.

Integration of the thiol redox status with cytokine response to physical training in professional basketball players

The present study was designed to evaluate the plasma markers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity and cytokines, and their relationship with thiol redox status of basketball players during training. Sixteen professional players of the Polish Basketball Extraleague participated in the study. The study was performed during the preparatory period and the play-off round. Markers of ROS activity (lipid peroxidation TBARS, protein carbonylation PC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) demonstrated regularity over time, i.e. TBARS, PC and GSH were elevated at the beginning and decreased at the end of training periods. Oxidized glutathione (GSSG) was not affected by exercise training. Thiol redox status (GSH(total)-2GSSG/GSSG) correlated with TBARS and PC in both training periods. The level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was increased and positively correlated with thiol redox (r=0.423) in the preparatory period, whereas tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) was increased and inversely correlated with thiol redox (r= 0.509) in the play-off round. The present study showed significant shifts in markers of ROS activity, thiol redox status and inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNFalpha) following professional sport training as well as correlation between changes in thiol redox and cytokine response.

Influence of body carbohydrate store modification on catecholamine and lactate responses to graded exercise in sedentary and physically active subjects

Aim of this study was to elucidate the influence of carbohydrate store modification on exercise capacity and catecholamine thresholds. Nine sedentary students and 10 endurance athletes volunteered for the study consisting of four sessions in one-week intervals. During control session (C) subjects performed graded exercise till exhaustion with workload increasing by 50 Watts every 3 min after an overnight fast. Blood lactate and catecholamines were determined at rest, after each workload and at exhaustion. In the evening preceding each of the remaining three sessions subjects performed glycogen reducing exercise lasting 1.5 hrs at 70% HRmax. Till next morning they did not eat any meal but drank water. Two hours before exercise subjects were given either a high-carbohydrate (H-CHO) or a low-carbohydrate (L-CHO) meal of approx. 1000 kcal or remained fasted (F). Depletion of carbohydrate stores enhanced contribution of fat-derived energy substrates at submaximal workloads, but did not influence either maximal oxygen consumption, workload and lactate concentration or lactate threshold. Low carbohydrate availability resulted in elevated concentration of catecholamines only in untrained subjects. Ingestion of a meal either high or low in carbohydrates diminished those changes. Catecholamine thresholds were similar in all sessions and higher in athletes' group.

Early effects of short-term endurance training on hormonal responses to graded exercise

Twelve male, sedentary volunteers (22.0 +/-) were submitted to three weeks of a bicycle ergometer training, consisting of 45 min exercise (at 70% VO2max), 4 times in the first week and 3 times in the next 2 weeks. They performed four incremental exercise tests with the power output increased by 50 W every 3 min until volitional exhaustion: two before training (C1 and C2), and after one (T1) and three (T3) weeks of training. Before and after each load the plasma noradrenaline (NA), adrenaline (A) and blood lactate (LA) concentrations were determined in venous blood samples as well as plasma growth hormone (HGH) and cortisol concentrations before and at the end of exercise. A decrease in NA concentration was found already after 1 week of training at power output of 100 W (p<0.01) and 200 W (p<0.05). Similar decline was maintained after 3 weeks of training. No significant training-induced differences in plasma A concentration were found, however, the thresholds for both catecholamines were significantly shifted towards higher values after 3 weeks of training. One week of training caused a decrease in the pre-exercise (p<0.01), as well as post-exercise (p<0.05) plasma cortisol and HGH concentrations. It was concluded that endurance training induced a decrease in HGH, cortisol and NA concentration already after one week of training. A decline of pre-exercise plasma HGH and cortisol levels with time of experiment may, in part, indicate familiarization to exercise protocol.

Repair of triplex-directed DNA alkylation by nucleotide excision repair

Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) are being investigated as highly specific DNA binding agents to inhibit the expression of clinically relevant genes. So far, they have been shown to inhibit transcription from the HER-2/neu gene in vitro, whereas their use in vivo has been studied to a limited extent. This study uses a TFO-chlorambucil (chl) conjugate capable of forming site-specific covalent guanine adducts within the HER-2/neu promoter. We demonstrate that nucleotide excision repair (NER) represents a mechanism of cellular resistance to TFO-directed DNA alkylation. In vitro repair assays demonstrate that triplex-directed chl-guanine adducts are substrates for repair by NER competent cell extracts but not XP12BE cell extracts deficient in NER. The degree of repair is estimated by a ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction with a pre-formed triplex in a plasmid transfected into repair competent cells, indicating that approximately 25% of the guanine adducts are removed after 24 h. These data indicate that guanine adducts from TFO-directed alkylation are a substrate for NER and that DNA repair is a significant barrier to the intracellular persistence of target gene binding by TFOs.

Relationship between EMG blood lactate, and plasma catecholamine thresholds during graded exercise in men

The aim of this study was to follow up the electromyographic activity (EMG) of dynamically working muscles with simultaneous determinations of blood lactate and plasma catecholamine concentrations during progressive exercise. Twenty eight male soccer players aged 20.6 +/- 0.8 yrs performed incremental bicycle ergometer exercise test. The test consisted of 3-min stages exercise separated by 1-min rest intervals. Work load at each stage increased by 50 W until volitional exhaustion. The root mean square (rms)-EMG activity of the rectus femoris and soleus muscles were recorded continuously during exercise. Venous blood samples were taken after each exercise stage for determination of blood lactate (LA). Additionally in seven subjects adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA) concentrations were determined. The EMG activity increased negligibly during exercise of low to moderate intensities revealing an abrupt rise at the load corresponding to thresholds of blood lactate and plasma catecholamine accumulation (LA-T, A-T, NA-T). Close correlations (P < 0.001) were found between blood LA concentration and EMG derived from rectus f. (r = 0.72) and soleus (r = 0.68) muscles. The mean threshold exercise intensities for m. rectus f. and m. soleus EMG (176 +/- 9 W and 172 +/- 9 W, respectively) did not differ significantly from lactate (164 +/- 7 W), noradrenaline (178 +/- 6 W) and adrenaline (180 +/- 5 W) thresholds, all of them detected by log-log transformation. The results indicate that threshold character of EMG changes in dynamically working muscles reflects to some extend the patterns of blood lactate and plasma catecholamine changes during incremental exercise.

Threshold increases in plasma growth hormone in relation to plasma catecholamine and blood lactate concentrations during progressive exercise in endurance-trained athletes

Plasma human growth hormone ([HGH]), adrenaline ([A]), noradrenaline ([NA]) and blood lactate ([La-](b)) concentrations were measured during progressive, multistage exercise on a cycle ergometer in 12 endurance-trained athletes [aged 32.0 (SEM 2.0) years]. Exercise intensities (3 min each) were increased by 50 W until the subjects felt exhausted. Venous blood samples were taken after each intensity. The [HGH] and catecholamine concentrations increased negligibly during exercise of low to moderate intensities revealing an abrupt rise at the load corresponding to the lactate threshold ([La-]-T). Close correlations (P <0.001) were found between [La-]b and plasma [HGH] (r = 0.64), [A] (r = 0.71) and [NA] (r = 0.81). The mean threshold exercise intensities for [HGH], [A] and [NA], detected by log-log transformation, [154 (SEM 19) W, 162 (SEM 15) W and 160 (SEM 17) W, respectively] were not significantly different from the [La-]-T [161 (SEM 12) W]. The results indicated that the threshold rise in plasma [HGH] followed the patterns of plasma catecholamine and blood lactate accumulation during progressive exercise in the endurance-trained athletes.

Effect of phosphate supplementation on metabolic and neuroendocrine responses to exercise and oral glucose load in obese women during weight reduction

Thirty six obese women (BMI 29.5 to 44.0 kg m-2, aged 27 to 45 yrs) participated in the 4- week weight reducing program. All of them have prescribed low fat diet of approx. 4.2 MJ (1000 kcal per day) with high viscous fibre capsules as a basic supplement. In addition 18 women (group 1) received Redusan mineral tablets containing mainly calcium and potassium phosphates while the remaining subjects (group 2) were given Placebo instead of mineral tablets. Before energy restriction and after 4 weeks on the diet, half of the women from each group performed 30 min--bicycle ergometer exercise (30-50 W; HR approx. 110 beats.min-1). The remaining subjects were submitted to oral glucose (75 g) tolerance test (OGTT). Weight loss during energy restriction was not affected by phosphate supplementation (4.6 +/- 0.4 and 5.2 +/- 0.5 kg in group 1 and 2, respectively). Phosphates caused a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the resting metabolic rate (RMR). Net energy cost of work, resting and post-exercise blood glucose, lactate, plasma FFA, adrenalin, cortisol, growth hormone, insulin and testosterone did not differ between the groups receiving phosphates and placebo while respiratory exchange ratio was slightly higher (p < 0.05), and the plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration lower (p < 0.05) than without phosphate supplementation. Post-exercise plasma noradrenaline was significantly lowered after 4 weeks of energy restriction in group 2 (on Placebo). Neither blood glucose, plasma insulin and noradrenaline responses to oral glucose ingestion nor the glucose induced thermogenesis were significantly affected by phosphate supplementation, whilst blood pressure increases following glucose load were reduced (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study confirmed a potential usefulness of phosphate supplementation during energy restriction in obese patients due to its effect on resting metabolic rate. The results did not, however, reveal any major alterations in the metabolic and hormonal responses to exercise or to glucose ingestion in comparison with placebo treatment.

Thermal effect of glucose in women with normal carbohydrate tolerance: relationship to body mass index, blood insulin and noradrenaline

Relationships between energy expenditure, body mass index (BMI), blood glucose (BG) responses to glucose ingestion were studied in 35 women aged 22-55 yrs with normal carbohydrate tolerance. In 13 of them plasma insulin (IRI) and catecholamine concentrations were also determined. Thirty seven per cent of patients did not respond to glucose load with an increased energy expenditure. In the remaining women the average thermogenic effect amounted to approx. 10% of their initial metabolic rate. A significant negative correlation (r = -0.415, n = 35, P(0.02) was found between BMI and the overall thermal effect of glucose (sigma TEG) calculated as a sum of the post-glucose energy expenditure measured every 15 min during 2 h minus the baseline value. Neither the fasting nor the post glucose BG concentrations correlated with sigma TEG. Significant correlations were ascertained between sigma TEG and the fasting IRI (r = -0.568), the sigma post-glucose IRI (r = -0.723), the ratio of sigma BG/sigma IRI (r = 0.845) and the post-glucose plasma noradrenaline concentration (r = 0.837).

IN CONCLUSION

in women with normal carbohydrate tolerance the thermogenic effect of glucose depends to a large extent on insulin sensitivity and the glucose-induced activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Ion-osmotic hyperthermia during exercise in dogs

The influence of intravenous infusions of various concentrations of NaCl solutions on temperature regulation was investigated in dogs at rest and during moderate exercise for 1 h on a treadmill. Infusion of hypertonic solutions either before and during exercise resulted in elevated (P less than 0.05) plasma Na+ and osmotic concentrations and produced higher equilibrium levels (P less than 0.05) of rectal temperature (Tre) during exercise (prehypertonic 40.9 degrees C vs. no infusion 40.4 degrees C; hypertonic 40.8 degrees C vs. isotonic infusion 40.4 degrees C), but not at rest. Increasing the [Na+] and osmotic concentrations above 170 meq/liter and 325 mosmol/kg, respectively, resulted in no additional increase in exercise Tre. Water consumption during exercise decreased (P less than 0.05) plasma [Na+], osmolality, and the equilibrium level of Tre to control levels. There was no effect of changes in plasma volume (PV) of +/- 8% on the time course, equilibrium level, or change in Tre during exercise. At the end of exercise, there were moderate correlations (P less than 0.01) between Tre and [Na+] (r = 0.51) and Tre and osmoti (r = 0.52) concentrations. It was concluded that a) the exercise Tre responses of the dog respond quantitatively like man to elevated plasma [Na+] and osmolality, b) the Tre levels are not influenced by changes in PV, and c) water intake significantly reduces the ion-osmotic hyperthermia.

Thyroid hormone-induced changes in body temperature and metabolism during exercise in dogs

Changes in serum total thyroxine concentration (TT4) and the effects of thyroxine (T4) and 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) injection on plasma free fatty acid (FFA) level and rectal temperature (Tre) responses were measured in six dogs at rest and during 1 h of submaximal treadmill exercise. At rest there were no increases in FFA level or Tre up to 72 h after thyroid hormone treatment. During exercise, 5 h after a single T4 injection (0.1 mg/kg), there was a) a significant increase in TT4, although the resting level was markedly elevated, and b) a significant increase in FFA concentration and Tre above control values. Seventy-two hours after T4 injection there was a similar increase in TT4 during exercise and both FFA and Tre levels were greater than 5-h values. The elevated Tre was not associated with increased plasma Na+, K+, or osmotic concentrations. Compared with T4 data, T3 injection (0.1 mg/kg) resulted in greater increases in FFA level and Tre during exercise; two animals reached 43.1 degrees C. There were no significant differences in the respiratory exchange ratio (R) or O2 uptake between the control and T3 experiments. It was concluded that thyroid hormones markedly enhance FFA mobilization and elevated Tre during exercise, but not a rest. The hyperthermic response appears to be due to an increase in the level of regulated body temperature rather than to a depression of heat dissipation.