[Physiological significance and interpretation of plasma lactate concentration and pH in clinical exercise testing]

According to a widely accepted model, based on the theory of the anaerobic threshold (AT), the increase in plasma lactate concentration which develops after the first ventilatory threshold (VT1, considered as an AT) is due to compensation for insufficient aerobic metabolism by anaerobic glycolysis, with accumulation of lactic acid resulting in a decrease in pH. Bicarbonate is the main buffer of protons (>90%) producing non-metabolic CO2 in muscle and thus increasing the CO2 flux to the lungs. This phenomenon, along with the low pH, triggers hyperventilation. Because of this model, great importance has been placed on plasma lactate and pH. We argue that this importance is excessive and these variables should be used with caution in the interpretation of clinical exercise testing, because the model based on AT is not valid: there is no aerobic failure above VT1 and, thus, there is no evidence of an AT; the increase in plasma lactate does not reflect anaerobiosis but is the marker of the increase in the error signal needed for the stimulation of mitochondrial respiration; bicarbonate is not the main buffer during exercise (these are proteins and phosphocreatine breakdown in the muscle; hemoglobin in the blood); non-metabolic CO2 is not produced in the muscle but in the lung because of the low pH and hyperventilation (the control of which remains unknown); and the flux of CO2 to the lung does not increase at faster rate after than before VT1.

Liver glucagon receptors (GluR): effect of exercise and fasting on binding characteristics, GluR-mRNA, and GluR protein content in rats

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of acute exercise and fasting on glucagon receptor (GluR) binding characteristics, GluR-mRNA, and protein content in rat liver. Liver homogenates were prepared and plasma membranes were purified by aqueous 2-phase affinity partitioning in rats fed at rest (control) and after 180 min of swimming exercise and 24 h of fasting (7 rats/group). Saturation curve of plasma membranes incubated with [125I]-glucagon showed significant higher GluR density following exercise and fasting than in the control group (8.19±0.29 and 8.01±0.65 vs. 3.09±0.12 pmol/mg of proteins, respectively). When compared to control rats, GluR Kd was also higher following exercise and fasting (0.46±0.05 and 0.56±0.13 vs. 0.33±0.05 nM, respectively; significantly different for fasting only). Expression of GluR-mRNA and protein content were both significantly higher (~100% and ~90%, respectively) following the 24-h fast than in the control rats, but not following exercise. These results, in line with the literature showing an increased sensitivity of the liver to glucagon following exercise and fasting, indicate that an increased density of GluR on plasma membranes can be obtained by 2 complementary mechanisms: externalization of pre-existing GluR from intracellular pools operative in response to the prolonged exercise, and de novo synthesis of GluR operative only in response to fasting. The reduction in plasma insulin concentration and/or depletion of liver glycogen stores, which results from both prolonged exercise and fasting, could be involved in the control of these mechanisms.

Substrate source utilization during moderate intensity exercise with glucose ingestion in Type 1 diabetic patients

Substrate oxidation and the respective contributions of exogenous glucose, glucose released from the liver, and muscle glycogen oxidation were measured by indirect respiratory calorimetry combined with tracer technique in eight control subjects and eight diabetic patients (5 men and 3 women in both groups) of similar age, height, body mass, and maximal oxygen uptake, over a 60-min exercise period on cycle ergometer at 50.8% (SD 4.0) maximal oxygen uptake [131.0 W (SD 38.2)]. The subjects and patients ingested a breakfast (containing ∼80 g of carbohydrates) 3 h before and 30 g of glucose (labeled with 13C) 15 min before the beginning of exercise. The diabetic patients also received their usual insulin dose [Humalog = 9.1 U (SD 0.9); Humulin N = 13.9 U (SD 4.4)] immediately before the breakfast. Over the last 30 min of exercise, the oxidation of carbohydrate [1.32 g/min (SD 0.48) and 1.42 g/min (SD 0.63)] and fat [0.33 g/min (SD 0.10) and 0.30 g/min (SD 0.10)] and their contribution to the energy yield were not significantly different in the control subjects and diabetic patients. Exogenous glucose oxidation was also not significantly different in the control subjects and diabetic patients [6.3 g/30 min (SD 1.3) and 5.2 g/30 min (SD 1.6), respectively]. In contrast, the oxidation of plasma glucose and oxidation of glucose released from the liver were significantly lower in the diabetic patients than in control subjects [14.5 g/30 min (SD 4.3) and 9.3 g/30 min (SD 2.8) vs. 27.9 g/30 min (SD 13.3) and 21.6 g/30 min (SD 12.8), respectively], whereas that of muscle glycogen was significantly higher [28.1 g/30 min (SD 15.5) vs. 11.6 g/30 min (SD 8.1)]. These data indicate that, compared with control subjects, in diabetic patients fed glucose before exercise, substrate oxidation and exogenous glucose oxidation overall are similar but plasma glucose oxidation is lower; this is associated with a compensatory higher utilization of muscle glycogen.

Muscle glycogen oxidation during prolonged exercise measured with oral [13C]glucose: comparison with changes in muscle glycogen content

Plasma glucose and muscle glycogen oxidation during prolonged exercise [75-min at 48 and 76% maximal O2 uptake (V̇o2 max)] were measured in eight well-trained male subjects [V̇o2 max = 4.50 l/min (SD 0.63)] using a simplified tracer technique in which a small amount of glucose highly enriched in 13C was ingested: plasma glucose oxidation was computed from 13C/12C in plasma glucose (which was stable beginning at minute 30 and minute 15 during exercise at 48 and 76% V̇o2 max, respectively) and 13CO2 production, and muscle glycogen oxidation was estimated by subtracting plasma glucose oxidation from total carbohydrate oxidation. Consistent data from the literature suggest that this small dose of exogenous glucose does not modify muscle glycogen oxidation and has little effect, if any, on plasma glucose oxidation. The percent contributions of plasma glucose and muscle glycogen oxidation to the energy yield at 48% V̇o2 max [15.1% (SD 3.8) and 45.9% (SD 5.8)] and at 76% V̇o2 max [15.4% (SD 3.6) and 59.8% (SD 9.2)] were well in line with data previously reported for similar work loads and exercise durations using conventional tracer techniques. The significant reduction in glycogen concentration measured from pre- and postexercise vastus lateralis muscle biopsies paralleled muscle glycogen oxidation calculated using the tracer technique and was larger at 76% than at 48% V̇o2 max. However, the correlation coefficients between these two estimates of muscle glycogen utilization were not different from zero at each of the two work loads. The simplified tracer technique used in the present experiment appears to be a valid alternative approach to the traditional tracer techniques for computing plasma glucose and muscle glycogen oxidation during prolonged exercise.

[Evaluation of the analytical performances of CRP Diasys reagent on Roche Hitachi 917]

C reactive protein, the most sensible acute phase protein of inflammation and the labororatory should perform CRP testing on a continous 24 hour basis. The measurement is mainly performed by immunoturbimetry and immunonephelemetry methods available on multiparametric biochemical analyzer. In this study, we evaluated the analytical performances, precision and exactitude, of the CRP Diasys reagent on Roche Hitachi 917. The results were compared to those obtained with a CRP latex immunoassay (Roche). The reagent showed high analytical characteristics and especially a significant precision in a large range of CRP levels including low levels between 1 and 3 mg/L. Although this reagent is not considered as a high-sensitive CRP reagent, the measurement quality obtained in the 1-3 mg/L range allows an utilization as a cardiovascular risk predictor.

Substrate utilization during prolonged exercise with ingestion of 13C-glucose in acute hypobaric hypoxia (4,300 m)

Energy substrate oxidation was measured using indirect respiratory calorimetry combined with tracer technique in five healthy young male subjects, during a 80-min exercise period on ergocycle with ingestion of 140 g of (13)C-labelled glucose, in normoxia and acute hypobaric hypoxia (445 mmHg or 4,300 m), at the same relative [77% V(.-)((O)(2)(max))] and absolute workload (161+/-8 W, corresponding to 77 and 54% V(.-)((O)(2)(max)) in hypoxia and normoxia). The oxidation rate of exogenous glucose was not significantly different in the three experimental situations: 21.4+/-2.9, 20.2+/-1.2 and 17.2+/-0.6 g over the last 40 min of exercise at approximately 77 and approximately 54% V(.-)((O)(2)(max)) in normoxia and in hypoxia, respectively, providing 12.5+/-1.5, 16.8+/-1.1 and 14.9+/-1.1% of the energy yield, although ingestion of glucose during exercise resulted in a higher plasma glucose concentration in hypoxia than normoxia. The contribution of carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation to the energy yield was significantly higher in hypoxia (92.0+/-2.1%) than in normoxia for both a given absolute (75.3+/-5.2%) and relative workload (78.1+/-1.8%). This greater reliance on CHO oxidation in hypoxia was entirely due to the significantly larger contribution of endogenous glucose oxidation to the energy yield: 75.9+/-1.7% versus 66.6+/-3.3 and 55.2+/-3.7% in normoxia at the same relative and absolute workload.

Metabolic fate of a large amount of 13C-glycerol ingested during prolonged exercise

We have shown that the oxidation rate of exogenous glycerol and glucose during prolonged exercise were similar when ingested in small amounts (0.36 g/kg) (J Appl Physiol 90:1685,2001). The oxidation rate of exogenous carbohydrate increases with the amount ingested. We, thus, hypothesized that the oxidation rate of exogenous glycerol would also be larger when ingested in large amount. The study was conducted on six male subjects exercising for 120 min at 64 (2)% VO(2)max while ingesting 1 g/kg of (13)C-glycerol. Substrate oxidation was measured using indirect respiratory calorimetry corrected for protein oxidation, and from V(13)CO(2) at the mouth. The (13)C enrichment of plasma glucose was also measured in order to follow the possible conversion of (13)C-glycerol into glucose. In spite of the large amount of glycerol ingested and absorbed (plasma glycerol concentration = 8.0 (0.3) mmol/l at min 100), exogenous glycerol oxidation over the last 80 min of exercise [8.8 (1.6) g providing 4.1 (0.7)% of the energy yield] was similar to that observed when 0.36 g/kg was ingested. The comparison between the (13)C enrichment of plasma glucose and the oxidation rate of (13)C-glycerol showed that a portion of exogenous glycerol was converted into glucose before being oxidized, but also suggested that another portion could have been directly oxidized in peripheral tissues.

Metabolic response to a large starch meal after rest and exercise: comparison between men and women

BACKGROUND

Net whole-body and hepatic de novo lipogenesis could be more active in women than in men, but no comparison has been made between men and women in the two phases of the ovarian cycle after ingestion of a large carbohydrate meal.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that net whole-body de novo lipogenesis could be larger in women than men, and that glycogen and fat balance could be, respectively, lower and higher, following a large pasta meal ingested after rest or exercise.

DESIGN

The metabolic response to a pasta meal (5 g dry weight/kg body mass) was studied in six men and six women (matched for age and BMI) in the follicular and luteal phases, following rest or exercise (90 min at 50% VO(2max)). Protein, glucose, and fat oxidation, and net whole-body de novo lipogenesis were computed for 10 h following ingestion of the meal using indirect respiratory calorimetry corrected for urea excretion.

RESULTS

No net whole-body de novo lipogenesis was observed in any group in any situation (postrest and postexercise). When the meal was ingested following exercise, fat oxidation was significantly higher and glucose oxidation was significantly lower (P<0.05) than following the period of rest, and in a given experimental situation, the respective contributions of protein, fat, and glucose oxidation to the energy yield were similar in men and women in both phases of the cycle.

CONCLUSIONS

The contribution of substrate oxidation to the energy expenditure as well as fat and glycogen balance, and the effect of a previous exercise period, were similar in men and women in both phases of the cycle following ingestion of the large carbohydrate meal.

Differential metabolic fate of the carbon skeleton and amino-N of [13C]alanine and [15N]alanine ingested during prolonged exercise

The decarboxylation/oxidation and the deamination of 13C- and [15N]alanine ingested (1 g/kg or 73.7 +/- 2 g) during prolonged exercise at low workload (180 min at 53 +/- 2% maximal O2 uptake) was measured in six healthy male subjects from V13CO2 at the mouth and [15N]urea excretion in urine and sweat. Over the exercise period, 50.6 +/- 3.5 g of exogenous alanine were oxidized (68.7 +/- 4.5% of the load), providing 10.0 +/- 0.6% of the energy yield vs. 4.8 +/- 0.4, 47.6 +/- 4.3, and 37.4 +/- 4.7% for endogenous proteins, glucose, and lipids, respectively. Alanine could have been oxidized after conversion into glucose in the liver and/or directly in peripheral tissues. In contrast, only 13.0 +/- 3.2 mmol of [(15)N]urea were excreted in urine and sweat (10.6 +/- 0.4 and 2.4 +/- 0.5 mmol, respectively), corresponding to the deamination of 2.3 +/- 0.3 g of exogenous alanine (3.1 +/- 0.4% of the load). These results confirm that the metabolic fate of the carbon skeleton and the amino-N moiety of exogenous alanine ingested during prolonged exercise at low workload are markedly different. The large positive nitrogen balance (8.5 +/- 0.3 g) suggests that in this situation protein synthesis could be increased when a large amount of a single amino acid is ingested.

Use of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor to maintain glucose homoeostasis during postprandial exercise in intensively treated Type 1 diabetic subjects

AIM

We evaluated the effects of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose, on glucose homoeostasis during postprandial exercise in Type 1 diabetic subjects.

METHODS

Seven Type 1 diabetic subjects with good glycaemic control on ultralente-regular insulin were randomized in a single blind cross-over study to acarbose 100 mg or placebo taken with a mixed meal (600 kcal, 75 g carbohydrates), followed 90 min later by 30 min of exercise at 50% maximum aerobic capacity. Glucose turnover was measured by tracer (d-[6,6,2H2]glucose) methodology, and intestinal glucose absorption was quantified using carbohydrate polymers labelled with [13C]glucose.

RESULTS

Acarbose resulted in a significant decrease in the postprandial glycaemic rise (mean +/- SEM 2.9 +/- 0.6 vs. 5.0 +/- 0.7 mmol/l; P < 0.005) and in the glycaemic nadir during exercise (- 0.8 +/- 0.6 vs. 0.9 +/- 1.3 mmol/l below baseline; P < 0.05). Total glucose appearance increased similarly under the two treatments during the postprandial (27.0 vs. 27.9 micromol per kg per min) and exercise (33.9 vs. 33.5 micromol per kg per min) periods. Mean glucose absorption was significantly delayed by acarbose (7.8 vs. 10.2 micromol per kg per min; P < 0.02), but was compensated by the lack of postprandial suppression of hepatic glucose production (106% of basal hepatic glucose production vs. 81%; P < 0.006). Episodes of hypoglycaemia were no different (three vs. six).

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that, in Type 1 diabetic subjects, acarbose results in a better glycaemic profile during postprandial exercise and suggest that it could lead to a lower risk of exercise-induced hypoglycaemia due to delayed glucose absorption and less suppression of hepatic glucose production.

Metabolic response to small and large 13C-labelled pasta meals following rest or exercise in man

The metabolic response to a 150 or 400 g 13C-labelled pasta meal was studied for 8 h following rest or exercise at low or moderate workload (n 6). Following rest, the 400 g meal totally suppressed fat oxidation (v. 14.1 g following the 150 g meal) and a small amount of glucose was converted into fat (4.6 g), but fat oxidation remained high in subjects who had exercised following both the small (21.8 and 34.1 g) and large meal (14.1 and 32.3 g). Exogenous glucose oxidation was significantly higher in subjects who had remained at rest both following the small (67.6 g v. 60.4 and 51.3 g in subjects who exercised at low and moderate workloads) and large meal (152.2 v. 123.0 and 127.2 g). Endogenous glucose oxidation was similar in the three groups following the 150 g meal (42.3-58.0 g), but was significantly lower following the 400 g meal in subjects who had exercised at low workload (24.2 v. 72.2 g following rest; and was totally suppressed in those who had exercised at moderate workload. As a consequence, a larger positive glycogen balance was observed in subjects who exercised before the large meal (182.8-205.1 g v. 92.4 g following rest; Total fat oxidation calculated from 08.00 hours to 20.00 hours was similar in subjects who exercised at low and moderate workloads. These results indicate that: (1) de novo lipogenesis, which plays only a minor role for the disposal of an acute dietary carbohydrate load, is totally suppressed following exercise, even when a very large carbohydrate load is ingested; (2) the reduction in glycogen turnover as well as a preferential conversion of glucose into glycogen are responsible for the increase in glycogen stores following exercise; (3) for a similar energy expenditure, exercise at low workload for a longer period does not favour fat oxidation when the post-exercise period is taken into account.

Oxidation of [(13)C]glycerol ingested along with glucose during prolonged exercise

The respective oxidation of glycerol and glucose (0.36 g/kg each) ingested simultaneously immediately before exercise (120 min at 68 +/- 2% maximal oxygen uptake) was measured in six subjects using (13)C labeling. Indirect respiratory calorimetry corrected for protein and glycerol oxidation was used to evaluate the effect of glucose + glycerol ingestion on the oxidation of glucose and fat. Over the last 80 min of exercise, 10.0 +/- 0.8 g of exogenous glycerol were oxidized (43% of the load), while exogenous glucose oxidation was 21% higher (12.1 +/- 0.7 g or 52% of the load). However, because the energy potential of glycerol is 18% higher than that of glucose (4.57 vs. 3.87 kcal/g), the contribution of both exogenous substrates to the energy yield was similar (4.0-4.1%). Total glucose and fat oxidation were similar in the placebo (144.4 +/- 13.0 and 60.5 +/- 4.2 g, respectively) and the glucose + glycerol (135.2 +/- 12.0 and 59.4 +/- 6.5 g, respectively) trials, whereas endogenous glucose oxidation was significantly lower than in the placebo trial (123.7 +/- 11.7 vs. 144.4 +/- 13.0 g). These results indicate that exogenous glycerol can be oxidized during prolonged exercise, presumably following conversion into glucose in the liver, although direct oxidation in peripheral tissues cannot be ruled out.

Increased density of glucagon receptors in liver from endurance-trained rats

The binding properties of glucagon receptors were determined in plasma membranes isolated from liver of untrained (n = 6) and swimming endurance-trained Sprague-Dawley male rats (n = 7; 3 h/day, 5 days/wk, for 8 wk). Plasma membranes were purified from liver by aqueous two-phase affinity partitioning, and saturation kinetics were obtained by incubation of plasma membranes (10 microg of proteins/150 microl) with (125)I-labeled glucagon at concentrations ranging from 0.15 to 3.0 nM for 30 min at 30 degrees C. Saturating curve analysis indicated no difference in the affinity of glucagon receptors (0.57 +/- 0.06 and 0.77 +/- 0.09 nM in untrained and trained groups, respectively) but a significant higher glucagon receptor density in liver from untrained vs. trained rats (3.09 +/- 0.12 vs. 4.28 +/- 0.19 pmol/mg proteins). These results suggest that the reported increase in liver glucagon sensitivity in endurance-trained subjects (Drouin R, Lavoie C, Bourque J, Ducros F, Poisson D, and Chiasson J-L. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 274: E23-E28, 1998) could be partly due to an increased glucagon receptor density in response to training.

Mechanisms of increased gluconeogenesis from alanine in rat isolated hepatocytes after endurance training

This work aimed at further investigating the mechanisms by which liver gluconeogenic capacity from alanine is improved after training in rats, with an isolated hepatocyte model. Compared with controls in hepatocytes from trained rats incubated with gluconeogenic precursors (20 mM), the glucogenic flux (J(glucose)) was increased by 64% from alanine (vs. 21% for glycerol, 18% for lactate-pyruvate 10:1, and 10% for dihydroxyacetone). Maximal intracellular alanine accumulation capacity was also increased by 50%. Further experiments conducted on perifused hepatocytes showed that the putative adaptation at the level of the phosphoenolpyruvate-pyruvate cycle, which could be involved in the increased J(glucose) from lactate-pyruvate, was not involved in the increased J(glucose) from alanine after training. For alanine concentration higher than approximately 1 mM, an increased flux through alanine aminotransferase appeared responsible for the increased J(glucose). This could, in turn, depend on an increased supply of cytosolic 2-oxoglutarate because of the higher mitochondrial respiration observed in hepatocytes from trained rats and the activation of the malate-aspartate shuttle. At lower alanine concentration, the increase in J(glucose) appeared to be entirely due to the improved transport capacity.

Increase in blood bradykinin concentration after eccentric weight-training exercise in men

The purpose of this study was to verify the possible appearance in the blood of bradykinin (BK) and des-Arg(9)-bradykinin (des-Arg(9)-BK) after eccentric exercise in 13 male subjects. Eccentric exercise (5 x 10 leg presses at 120% maximal voluntary concentric contraction) resulted in muscle damage and inflammation, as suggested by the significant increase in serum creatine kinase activity (from 204 +/- 41 to 322 +/- 63 U/l 12 h postexercise) and by severe lasting pain, which also peaked at 12 h postexercise. Blood BK and des-Arg(9)-BK concentrations were measured by competitive enzyme immunoassays using highly specific polyclonal rabbit IgG. Des-Arg(9)-BK concentration was not modified (preexercise: 44 +/- 14 pmol/l; pooled postexercise: 47 +/- 4 pmol/l). In contrast, BK concentration significantly increased immediately after the exercise session (68 +/- 9 vs. 42 +/- 3 pmol/l preexercise) and returned to basal values at 12, 24, and 48 h (pooled value: 40 +/- 4 pmol/l). This observation suggests that the inflammatory process due to eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage could be mediated in part by BK.

Carbon isotope fractionation between blood and expired CO2 at rest and exercise

Carbon isotope fractionation occurs between bicarbonates and gaseous CO2. Accordingly, expired CO2 could be impoverished in 13C vs. blood CO2 (approximately 90% bicarbonates). The ratio 13C/12C in expired and blood CO2 was measured in six healthy subjects at rest and at the end of exercise (90 min; 65+/-5% VO2max), with ingestion of water (300 ml) without or with glucose (30 g) naturally or artificially enriched in 13C, in order to study a range of 13C/12C in blood (-17.5+/-0.3 to 3.4+/-0.6% delta 13C PDB-1). At rest, 13C/12C in expired CO2 was 4.7+/-0.2% delta 13C PDB-1 lower than in blood CO2. This difference was not modified in response to exercise with ingestion of water or 13C-glucose (average difference 4.6+/-0.4 % delta 13C PDB-1). Carbon isotope fractionation across the lung was approximately 30% lower than predicted from the fractionation factor between bicarbonates and gaseous CO2 (1.00674 at 37 degrees C, or a approximately 6.6% delta 13C PDB-1 difference). This is consistent with the fact that approximately 40% of expired CO2 is released from carbamates and dissolved CO2. From a methodological point of view, these results indicate that 13C/12C in expired CO2 adequately tracks 13C/12C in blood CO2 with a constant approximately 4.6 % delta 13C PDB-1 difference.

Effects of acute hypobaric hypoxia on the appearance of ingested deuterium from a deuterium oxide-labelled carbohydrate beverage in body fluids of humans during prolonged cycling exercise

To determine whether or not acute hypobaric hypoxia alters the rate of water absorption from a carbohydrate beverage ingested during exercise, six men cycled for 80 min on three randomly assigned different occasions. In one trial, exercise was performed in hypoxia (barometric pressure, P(B) = 594 hPa, altitude 4,400 m) at an exercise intensity selected to elicit 75% of the individual's maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) previously determined in such conditions. In the two other experiments, the subjects cycled in normoxia (P(B) = 992 hPa) at the same absolute and the same relative intensities as in hypoxia, which corresponded to 55% and 75%, respectively, of their VO2max determined in normoxia. The subjects consumed 400 ml of a 12.5% glucose beverage just prior to exercise, and 250 ml of the same drink at 20, 40 and 60 min from the beginning of exercise. The first drink contained 20 ml of deuterium oxide to serve as a tracer for the entry of water into body fluids. The heart rate (HR) during exercise was higher in hypoxia than in normoxia at the same absolute exercise intensity, whereas it was similar to HR measured in normoxia at the same relative exercise intensity. Both in normoxia and hypoxia, plasma noradrenaline concentrations were related to the relative exercise intensity up to 40 min of exercise. Beyond that duration, when exercise was performed at the highest absolute power in normoxia, the noradrenaline response was higher than in hypoxia at the same relative exercise intensity. No significant differences were observed among experimental conditions, either in temporal profiles of plasma D accumulation or in elimination of water ingested in sweat. Conversely, elimination in urine of the water ingested appeared to be related to the severity of exercise, either high absolute power or the same relative power combined with hypoxia. We concluded that water absorption into blood after drinking a 12.5% glucose beverage is not altered during cycling exercise in acute hypobaric hypoxia. It is suggested that the elimination of water ingested in sweat and urine may be dependent on local circulatory adjustments during exercise.

Oxidation of an oral [13C]glucose load at rest and prolonged exercise in trained and sedentary subjects

The purpose of this study was to compare the oxidation of [13C]glucose (100 g) ingested at rest or during exercise in six trained (TS) and six sedentary (SS) male subjects. The oxidation of plasma glucose was also computed from the volume of 13CO2 and 13C/12C in plasma glucose to compute the oxidation rate of glucose released from the liver and from glycogen stores in periphery (mainly muscle glycogen stores during exercise). At rest, oxidative disposal of both exogenous (8.3 +/- 0.3 vs. 6.6 +/- 0.8 g/h) and liver glucose (4.4 +/- 0.5 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.4 g/h) was higher in TS than in SS. This could contribute to the better glucose tolerance observed at rest in TS. During exercise, for the same absolute workload [140 +/- 5 W: TS = 47 +/- 2.5; SS = 68 +/- 3 %maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max)], [13C]glucose oxidation was higher in TS than in SS (39.0 +/- 2.6 vs. 33.6 +/- 1.2 g/h), whereas both liver glucose (16.8 +/- 2.4 vs. 24.0 +/- 1.8 g/h) and muscle glycogen oxidation (36.0 +/- 3.0 vs. 51.0 +/- 5.4 g/h) were lower. For the same relative workload (68 +/- 3% VO2 max: TS = 3.13 +/- 0.96; SS = 2.34 +/- 0.60 l O2/min), exogenous glucose (44.4 +/- 1.8 vs. 33.6 +/- 1.2 g/h) and muscle glycogen oxidation (73.8 +/- 7.2 vs. 51.0 +/- 5.4 g/h) were higher in TS. However, despite a higher energy expenditure in TS, liver glucose oxidation was similar in both groups (22.2 +/- 3.0 vs. 24.0 +/- 1.8 g/h). Thus exogenous glucose oxidation was selectively favored in TS during exercise, reducing both liver glucose and muscle glycogen oxidation.

Oral [13C]glucose oxidation during prolonged exercise after high- and low-carbohydrate diets

The effect of a diet either high or low in carbohydrates (CHO) on exogenous 13C-labeled glucose oxidation (200 g) during exercise (ergocycle: 120 min at 64.0 +/- 0.5% maximal oxygen uptake) was studied in six subjects. Between 40 and 80 min, exogenous glucose oxidation was significantly higher after the diet low in CHO (0.63 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.52 +/- 0.04 g/min), but this difference disappeared between 80 and 120 min (0.71 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.69 +/- 0.04 g/min). The oxidation rate of plasma glucose, computed from the volume of 13CO2 produced the 13C-to-12C ratio in plasma glucose at 80 min, and of glucose released from the liver, computed from the difference between plasma glucose and exogenous glucose oxidation, was higher after the diet low in CHO (1.68 +/- 0.26 vs. 1.41 +/- 0.17 and 1.02 +/- 0.20 vs. 0.81 +/- 0.14 g/min, respectively). In contrast the oxidation rate of glucose plus lactate from muscle glycogen (computed from the difference between total CHO oxidation and plasma glucose oxidation) was lower (0.31 +/- 0.35 vs. 1.59 +/- 0.20 g/min). After a diet low in CHO, the oxidation of exogenous glucose and of glucose released from the liver is increased and partly compensates for the reduction in muscle glycogen availability and oxidation.

Oxidation of 13C-glucose and 13C-fructose ingested as a preexercise meal: effect of carbohydrate ingestion during exercise

The oxidation of 13C-labeled glucose and fructose ingested as a preexercise meal between 180 and 90 min before exercise was measured on 6 subjects when either a placebo or sucrose was ingested during the exercise period. Labeled hexose oxidation, which occurred mainly during the first hour of exercise, was not significantly modified when sucrose was ingested, but exogenous glucose oxidation was significantly higher than exogenous fructose oxidation in both situations. The results suggest that the absorption rate of exogenous hexoses was high when exercise was initiated but diminished thereafter, and that glucose and fructose released from sucrose ingested during exercise did not compete with glucose or fructose ingested before exercise for intestinal absorption, for conversion into glucose in the liver (for fructose), or for uptake and oxidation of glucose in peripheral tissues. However, as already shown, in terms of availability for oxidation of carbohydrates provided by the preexercise meal, glucose should be favored over fructose.

Respective oxidation of 13C-labeled lactate and glucose ingested simultaneously during exercise

The purpose of this experiment was to measure, by using 13C labeling, the oxidation rate of exogenous lactate (25 g, as Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ salts) and glucose (75 g) ingested simultaneously (in 1,000 ml of water) during prolonged exercise (120 min, 65 +/- 3% maximum oxygen uptake in 6 male subjects). The percentage of exogenous glucose and lactate oxidized were similar (48 +/-3 vs. 45 +/- 5%, respectively). However, because of the small amount of oral lactate that could be tolerated without gastrointestinal discomfort, the amount of exogenous lactate oxidized was much smaller than that of exogenous glucose (11.1 +/- 0.5 vs. 36.3 +/- 1.3 g, respectively) and contributed to only 2.6 +/- 0.4% of the energy yield (vs. 8.4 +/- 1.9% for exogenous glucose). The cumulative amount of exogenous glucose and lactate oxidized was similar to that observed when 100 g of [13C]glucose were ingested (47.3 +/- 1.8 vs. 50.9 +/- 1.2 g, respectively). When [13C]glucose was ingested, changes in the plasma glucose 13C/12C ratio indicated that between 39 and 61% of plasma glucose derived from exogenous glucose. On the other hand, the plasma glucose 13C/12C ratio remained unchanged when [13C]lactate was ingested, suggesting no prior conversion into glucose before oxidation.

Selective hypoglycemia in the liver induces adrenomedullary counterregulatory response

The present study was designed to investigate adrenal medullary responses to a selective regional hypoglycemia in the liver of dogs with hepatic cross-perfusion. The liver of recipient dogs (Rc) was perfused with vena caval and aortic blood of donor dogs (Dn) through the portal vein and hepatic artery, respectively. Total hepatic venous blood of Rc was returned to Dn through the left jugular vein. Upon the cross-perfusion, glucose (Glc, 5%) was infused at an average rate of 3.5 +/- 0.2 mg.kg-1.min-1 (n = 12) in Rc to compensate the loss of hepatic Glc delivery into the systemic circulation. Insulin (5.0 IU/kg i.v.) was administered to Dn followed by infusion with an average rate of 0.95 +/- 0.17 IU kg-1.min-1 (n = 6), and this served as the hepatic hypoglycemic group. Saline was similarly administered to Dn, which served as the normoglycemic control group. In the hepatic hypoglycemic group, aortic and vena caval Glc levels in Dn, which represent Glc concentrations entering the liver of Rc, decreased from 129.9 +/- 7.1 and 122.5 +/- 7.8 to 44.6 +/- 6.1 and 38.0 +/- 5.9 mg/dl (P < 0.05) 45 min after insulin administration, respectively. During this regional hepatic hypoglycemia in Rc, the systemic glycemia being kept within a normal range, adrenal epinephrine and norepinephrine output increased from 245.5 +/- 55.8 and 39.1 +/- 9.9 to 618.9 +/- 180.4 and 134.3 +/- 52.7 ng/min (P < 0.05), respectively. By contrast, aortic Glc and insulin levels in Dn of the normoglycemic control group remained unchanged, as did adrenal epinephrine and norepinephrine output in Rc. The results indicate that the regional hepatic hypoglycemia can significantly increase adrenal catecholamine secretion even during systemic (central) normoglycemia. The study suggests that the hepatoadrenal Glc counter-regulatory reflex may be functionally implicated in insulin-induced hypoglycemia.

Effects of psychological and physiological challenges on heart rate, T-wave amplitude, and pulse-transit time

The reactive sensitivities of T-wave amplitude (TWA), pulse-transit time (PTT) and heart rate (HR) were examined in response to psychological, physiological, and combined challenges. In one experiment, 20 subjects performed 1-min arithmetic and combined arithmetic-with-cycling tasks, with HR and TWA being measured. The former showed significant reactive sensitivity, but TWA attenuation reached significance only in the combined challenge situation. In another experiment, 18 males performed 1 min arithmetic tasks, before, during, and following sustained low and moderate intensity cycling. Pulse-transit time was also gauged in this second study. The results showed that HR increased reliably to all challenges, TWA attenuated in response to the arithmetic task both at rest and during exercise, but displayed the paradoxical augmentation to sustained exercise, and PTT decreased significantly to exercise, but it did not decrease reliably to the arithmetic task in any of the conditions. These results suggest that the time course (tonic versus phasic) of the challenge, rather than its psychological or physiological nature, may be the determinant factor in TWA reversal.

Lack of effect of NaCl and/or metoclopramide on exogenous (13C)-glucose oxidation during exercise

The purpose of this study was to compare the oxidation rate of ingested glucose during prolonged exercise, without and with the addition of sodium to the solution. The effect of metoclopramide, a drug which favors gastric emptying, was also investigated since gastric emptying could be a factor limiting the bioavailability of ingested glucose. Six subjects performed four bouts of exercise of 2 hours each at 64 +/- 4% VO2max on a cycle ergometer during which they ingested 100 g of glucose enriched with 13C, without (trials 1 and 3) and with (trials 2 and 4) addition of 25 mmol.l(-1) of NaCl. The glucose solution was ingested in four equal volumes (175 ml containing 25 g of glucose) at 0, 30, 60 and 90 min of the exercise period. For the trials 3 and 4, the subjects were given 10 mg of metoclopramide orally 60 min before the beginning of exercise. The VO2, VCO2 and heart rate were similar in response to exercise between the four trials. No significant difference was observed between trials for the oxidation rates of ingested glucose during the first as well as the second hour of exercise. Over the 120 min of exercise, the amounts of exogenous glucose oxidized were 52.0 +/- 9.6, 54.3 +/- 10.9, 52.7 +/- 12.3 and 53.3 +/- 10.4 grams for trials 1 to 4, respectively. The contribution of exogenous glucose oxidation to the energy yield represented 13.0 +/- 1.8% without and 13.2 +/- 1.9% with addition of NaCl. The amounts of endogenous carbohydrate and fat oxidized were also similar in the four trials. These results suggest that neither the addition of NaCl to glucose solutions nor the ingestion of metoclopramide increases the contribution of the oxidation of ingested glucose to the total energy yield during prolonged exercise.

Hepatic denervation reduces adrenal catecholamine secretion during insulin-induced hypoglycemia

The present study was designed to investigate the functional implication of hepatic afferent nerves in controlling adrenal medullary counterregulatory response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in anesthetized dogs subjected to an acute surgical denervation of the liver. Aortic glucose concentration decreased similarly in the groups of dogs with hepatic denervation (n = 8) and sham denervation (n = 8) reaching a glucose nadir 30 min after insulin injection (0.15 IU/kg i.v.) from a control value of 89.46 +/- 3.15 and 88.91 +/- 2.86 mg/dl to 52.92 +/- 3.27 and 48.80 +/- 4.18 mg/dl (P < 0.05), respectively. The catecholamine output from the adrenal glands in the sham group significantly increased (P < 0.05), reaching a maximum level 45 min after insulin injection from a control value for epinephrine of 86.35 +/- 26.65 ng/min and for norepinephrine of 32.14 +/- 11.68 ng/min to 659.03 +/- 269.39 and 181.21 +/- 63.03 ng/min, respectively. By contrast, however, adrenal catecholamine output increased only slightly in the hepatic-denervated group during insulin-induced hypoglycemia, from 148.37 +/- 95.29 and 52.06 +/- 28.05 ng/min to 210.49 +/- 96.09 and 79.61 +/- 26.11 ng/min for epinephrine and norepinephrine, respectively, the difference being statistically nonsignificant compared with the corresponding preinjection control value. The maximum net response of adrenal epinephrine and norepinephrine output observed in dogs with hepatic denervation was significantly attenuated by approximately 90 and 82% of the values obtained from the sham group, respectively. In a separate series of experiments, aortic immunoreactive insulin and glucagon concentrations were measured and found to be similar between hepatic-denervated and sham-denervated groups after insulin-induced hypoglycemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood pressure and heart rate reactivity to mental strain in adolescent judo athletes

This exploratory investigation examined the association between maximal aerobic power (VO2max) and blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) reactivity to mental challenge. Adolescent male judo athletes (n = 20) performed a 2-min mental arithmetic. Heart rate was recorded before, during, and after the arithmetic, and BP was recorded before and after the mental challenge. Blood pressure in the immediate stress-recovery period was not related to VO2max, but subjects having a higher maximal aerobic power showed faster HR recovery from mental stress than those having a lower VO2max. Subjects who showed earlier peak HR responses, during the stress episode, demonstrated lower average HR reactivity than subjects who attained the maximal HR response later in the stress period. The relationship between the interval to reach peak HR and the magnitude of reactivity deserves further attention. However, at present these findings should be viewed as tentative because of the uniqueness and size of the sample.

Mental challenge elicits "additional" increases in heart rate during low and moderate intensity cycling

The combined effects of exercise and mental challenge on heart rate (HR) and T-wave amplitude (TWA) were studied. Twenty male students cycled at low (40% of their relative maximal HR reserve (MHRR), for 15 min) and medium (60% MHRR, for 10 min) intensity exercise workloads. Subjects performed a series of mental arithmetic problems for one minute each time: two min before cycling, 10 min into low intensity cycling, 10 min into medium intensity cycling, and two and 20 min, respectively, after cycling. During both exercise workloads, the mental arithmetic elicited significant additional increases in HR. Although TWA decreased in response to mental arithmetic at rest, no changes in TWA were observed in response to mental task during exercise. However, TWA increased significantly following the mental challenge. These results suggest that even a mild mental challenge is capable of inducing further changes in the autonomic response during low and moderate exercise.

Effect of changes in myocardial epinephrine stores on plasma norepinephrine gradient across the dog heart

Plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentration ([NE]) gradient across the heart was measured under electrical stimulation of the left stellate ganglion (LSG; 4 Hz, 4 V, 2 ms pulse width, 1 min) in control (Ctrl) and in adrenalectomized (Adrx) dogs, without and with a 10-min epinephrine (Epi) infusion (92 ng.kg-1.min-1), which partly restored myocardial Epi stores in Adrx dogs (2.9 +/- 0.7 ng/g vs. 6.4 +/- 0.7 ng/g in Ctrl dogs) and slightly increased tissue Epi stores in Ctrl dogs (10.5 +/- 1.3 pg/g). Compared with Ctrl dogs (1,069 +/- 172 pg/ml), the [NE] gradient across the heart under stimulation of the LSG was not modified 1 wk after bilateral adrenalectomy (1,190 +/- 122 pg/ml) or after Epi infusion in Ctrl (1,134 +/- 276 pg/ml) and Adrx (1,259 +/- 279 pg/ml) dogs. The beta 2-antagonist ICI-118,551 significantly reduced the stimulation-induced [NE] gradient across the heart in Ctrl dogs (621 +/- 190 and 603 +/- 86 pg/ml without and with a 10-min Epi infusion, respectively) but not in Adrx dogs deprived of tissue Epi (1,345 +/- 345 pg/ml). Partial repletion of myocardial Epi stores in Adrx dogs restored the effect of ICI-118,551 on the stimulation-induced [NE] gradient (776 +/- 121 pg/ml). These results provide direct support of the hypothesis that tissue Epi, which originates from the adrenal medulla and which is released locally along with NE, is the endogenous agonist for presynaptic beta 2-receptors and potentiates NE release.

Effect of metabolic rate on the oxidation of ingested glucose and fructose during exercise

The purpose of the present study was to describe the relationship between the metabolic rate (W.kg-1 b.m.) and the oxidation rate (mg.kg-1.min-1) of exogenous glucose and fructose during prolonged exercise in 18 healthy active male volunteers (VO2max = 43-71 ml.kg-1.min-1). Each subject performed three 120-min exercises at 60% VO2max (8.5-15.0 W.kg-1.min-1) on cycle ergometer while ingesting water only or 1.33 g.k-1 (97 +/- 9 g; mean +/- SE) of 13C-glucose or 13C-fructose in water (7%). The oxidation rate of exogenous glucose and fructose increased linearly with increasing metabolic rate (r = 0.71 and 0.70, respectively, p < 0.05), the amount of exogenous glucose oxidized being significantly higher than the amount of fructose oxidized (56.1 +/- 14.2 vs 35.7 +/- 9.2 g, respectively). The respective contributions of exogenous glucose and fructose oxidation to the energy yield remain remarkably similar over the range of metabolic rate studied (14.0 +/- 2.1 and 8.9 +/- 1.6%). These observations suggest that the rate of absorption of glucose and fructose and the rate of conversion of fructose into glucose by the liver are not limiting factors for their oxidation, which could simply follow the oxidation rate of circulating glucose. From a practical point of view, these results confirm that fructose is a less efficient energy supplement than exogenous glucose for any metabolic rate sustained.

Respective oxidation of exogenous glucose and fructose given in the same drink during exercise

We computed the respective amounts of exogenous glucose (G) and fructose (F), which are oxidized during exercise when ingested simultaneously, with the use of 13C labeling. Six subjects exercised for 2 h at 60.7 +/- 2.9% of maximal O2 uptake on a cycle ergometer while ingesting 50 or 100 g of G or F or a mixture of 50 g each of G and F in 500 ml of water. The amount of exogenous G oxidized increased from 37.8 +/- 2.2 to 58.3 +/- 8.1 g when the total amount ingested increased from 50 to 100 g. The amount of F oxidized was significantly lower (32.2 +/- 1.2 and 45.8 +/- 2.6 g for the 50 and 100 g ingested, respectively). When 50 g each of G and F were simultaneously ingested in the same drink, the amounts oxidized (39.5 +/- 4.8 and 34.1 +/- 1.5 g, respectively) were similar to those observed when 50 g of G or F were ingested separately. The cumulative amount of exogenous hexoses oxidized (73.6 +/- 6.6 g) was 21% larger than when 100 g of G were ingested. This finding could be due to the fact that the routes for absorption and metabolism of exogenous G and F are at least partly different, resulting in less competition for oxidation when a mixture of these two hexoses is ingested than when an isocaloric amount of G is ingested. From a practical point of view, these data may provide experimental support for using mixtures of carbohydrates in the energy supplements for endurance athletes.

Plasma lactate concentration increases as a parabola with delay during ramp exercise

This study presents an elementary model of a system which relates plasma lactate concentration ([La-]) during ramp exercise to its rate of accumulation (Rc) within its extramuscular distribution space (S). Under the parsimonious assumptions that Rc increases linearly with time (t) with a kinetic delay (delta), and that the volume of S is constant, it is shown that plasma [La-] increases as a parabola with the kinetic delay delta when t increases. This elementary system model describes changes in plasma [La-] observed in five healthy young subjects during ramp exercise on the cycle ergometer (1 W every 2 s) with great accuracy (r > 0.99) with very small residuals (average value less than 0.01 mmol.l-1), randomly distributed around the fitting curves. The delay between the beginning of exercise and the onset of increase in Rc could be due to the fact that at the corresponding work rates: (1) rate of lactate appearance (Ra), which is equal to the rate of lactate disappearance (Rd), is not modified from rest, since the exercising muscles work in fully aerobic conditions (hypothesis of the anaerobic threshold); or (2) the increase in Ra is associated with a similar increase in Rd. An alternate or complementary hypothesis is that, during ramp exercise, plasma [La-] could reflect metabolic events within the muscles, with a significant delay.

Atrial natriuretic peptide release from the ventricles in response to exercise in dogs with atrioventricular block

The purpose of this study was to examine atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion at rest and in response to moderate treadmill exercise (10 min, 4 km/h, 26% slope) in control dogs (n = 17) and in dogs (n = 14) with complete atrioventricular block produced by electrocauterization of the His bundle. Atrial rates were similar in both groups (103 +/- 13 vs. 102 +/- 9 beats/min at rest and 162 +/- 10 vs. 160 +/- 17 beats/min at exercise in control dogs and in dogs with atrioventricular block, respectively; mean +/- SE), but ventricular rate was markedly lower in dogs with atrioventricular block (47 +/- 9 and 61 +/- 10 beats/min at rest and exercise, respectively). The lower ventricular rate was associated with an increased cardiac preload, as evidenced by the higher right atrial pressure in dogs with atrioventricular block at rest (2.2 +/- 1.4 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.9 mmHg; p < 0.05) and exercise (7.6 +/- 3.1 vs. 4.2 +/- 1.7 mmHg; p < 0.05). Arterial plasma ANP concentrations were markedly higher at rest (151 +/- 21 vs. 36 +/- 10 pg/mL; p < 0.05) and exercise (353 +/- 31 vs. 72 +/- 17 pg/mL; p < 0.05) in dogs with atrioventricular block. This observation supports the hypothesis that atrial wall stretching is a major stimulus for ANP release at rest and exercise. Ventricular release of ANP could also contribute to the higher plasma ANP concentrations observed both at rest and during exercise in dogs with complete atrioventricular block. Indeed, a large ANP concentration gradient was measured between the aorta and the distal part of the coronary sinus in these dogs at rest (227 +/- 55 pg/mL) and exercise (240 +/- 57 pg/mL) but not in control dogs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Exercise-induced increase of plasma lactate is abolished by a pre-exercise epinephrine infusion

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a higher than normal epinephrine content in skeletal muscles, on metabolic and hormonal adjustments during a subsequent exercise. Four groups of 10 rats were studied: two control groups, one at rest and one after an exercise leading to exhaustion on a treadmill (28 m.min-1, 8% grade) and two epinephrine-infused groups (EI), one at rest and one after the same type of exercise. Epinephrine-infused rats (EI) received an infusion of epinephrine (5 nM.kg.min-1, i.v.) for 20 minutes, and were rested 20 minutes before the start of the exercise or rest period. In the soleus muscle, epinephrine content was shown to be multiplied by 15 and 8 times the control values, respectively following 20 and 60 min after the end of the infusion. Control rats received a corresponding volume of sterile saline with the same schedule. The exercise lasted 49 +/- 14 vs 54 +/- 6 minutes respectively for EI and control rats (not significant). At rest, plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, plasma free fatty acids, glycerol, glucose and lactate as well as the glycogen content of the liver, the soleus, gastrocnemius lateralis and superficial vastus lateralis muscles were not different between saline and epinephrine-infused rats. Immediately after exercise, plasma lactate concentration was not increased after exercise in EI vs (2.26 +/- 0.39 vs 4.53 +/- 0.73 mM). One possible explanation of this observation is that re-released epinephrine might induce a vasodilation in the splanchnic or the skeletal muscle vascular beds and thus favors lactate clearance during exercise.

Effect of increases in myocardial epinephrine content on epinephrine release from the dog heart

The effect of short-term (10 min) and prolonged (180 min) epinephrine (E) infusion (92.5 ng.kg-1.min-1) on E content of the myocardium and on the subsequent release of E from the heart during stimulation of the left stellate ganglion (4 and 10 Hz, 4 V, 2 ms, 1 min) was studied in anesthetized dogs. The E content in the free wall of the left ventricle significantly increased 1.7- and 4.2-fold following short-term and prolonged E infusion, respectively, compared with a control group infused with saline. Tissue norepinephrine (NE) content was not modified by E infusion. The plasma E concentration gradient across the heart indicated a significant release of E during electrical stimulation of the left stellate ganglion, which was related to the amount of E stored in the tissue (e.g., control, 126 +/- 60; 10-min infusion, 279 +/- 105; 180-min infusion, 1487 +/- 287 pg.mL-1; at 10 Hz). NE release from the heart also tended to increase with the amount of E stored in the myocardium and released upon electrical stimulation of the left stellate ganglion, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. These results provide further direct evidence that blood-borne E can be taken up and stored in sympathetic nerve endings and can be released as a cotransmitter with NE. Locally released E could favor NE release.

Exogenous 13C glucose oxidation during exercise: North American vs Western European studies

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the well-documented changes in background 13C enrichment of expired CO2 observed in response to exercise and carbohydrate ingestion, in subjects living on a North American diet, are not present in subjects living on a Western European diet. The experimental protocol used by Pirnay et al. in 1977 and by Krzentowski et al. in 1984 in subjects living on a Western European diet (4 h of exercise on a treadmill at approximately 50% VO2max with ingestion of 100 g of glucose in 400 ml of water) was duplicated as closely as possible in six subjects living on a North American diet. The actual amounts of exogenous glucose oxidized, computed with a high artificial 13C enrichment of glucose (+189.7/1000 delta 13C PDB-1) which allows one to neglect the 1-2/1000 delta changes in 13C background, were [mean (SEM)] 54.7 (5.4) and 84.2 (3.4) g over 2 h and 4 h of exercise, respectively. These values compare well with data computed by Pirnay et al. [56.6 (13.1) and 94.9 (4.2) g] and by Krzentowski et al. [55.0 (6.2) and 88.0 (4.5) g] using a natural enrichment of glucose (-11.21 and -10.63/1000 delta 13C PDB-1, respectively) assuming no change in 13C background in their Western European subjects. Under the same assumption and using a natural enrichment of glucose (-11.30/1000 delta 13C PDB-1) the oxidation of exogenous glucose was overestimated by 30-40% in our North American subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Method for computing the oxidation of two 13C-substrates ingested simultaneously during exercise

This study presents a method for computing the respective amounts of two simultaneously ingested exogenous substrates (A and B) that are oxidized during a period of prolonged exercise by use of 13C labeling. This method is based on the observation that the total volume of 13CO2 produced (V13CO2tot) is the sum of 1) V13CO2 arising from the oxidation of endogenous substrates (V13CO2endo), 2) V13CO2 arising from the oxidation of substrate A (V13CO2A), and 3) V13CO2 arising from the oxidation of substrate B (V13CO2B). The equation, V13CO2tot = V13CO2endo+V13CO2A+V13CO2B, with three unknowns, can be solved from the results of three experiments conducted under the same conditions but with at least two values for the isotopic composition of A and B. This method has been used on five healthy male subjects to compute the amounts of glucose and fructose oxidized when a mixture of 15 g of glucose and 15 g of fructose is ingested (in 300 ml of water) over 60 min of cycle ergometer exercise at 65% of maximal O2 uptake. Results from three experiments indicated that 9.8 +/- 3.1 and 5.7 +/- 2.1 g of glucose and fructose, respectively, were oxidized. The total amount of exogenous carbohydrates oxidized (15.5 +/- 4.3 g) is in agreement with the oxidation rates of exogenous glucose computed in similar conditions when 30 g of glucose were ingested (13 g; Péronnet et al. Med. Sci. Sports Exercise 25: 297-302, 1993). The difference between the oxidation rates of exogenous glucose and fructose is also in line with data from the literature.

Presynaptic effects of epinephrine on norepinephrine release from cardiac sympathetic nerves in dogs

The possible functional role of tissue epinephrine in the modulation of norepinephrine release from cardiac sympathetic nerve endings in anesthetized dog was investigated. Observations were carried out under control conditions and after a short- (10 min) and long-term (180 min) epinephrine infusion (92 ng.kg-1.min-1). An increase in the stimulation-induced release of norepinephrine after intravenous administration of a selective beta 2-agonist (fenoterol, 0.5 micrograms/kg) indicated the presence of the beta 2-facilitatory mechanism. Furthermore, the facilitatory effect of fenoterol was inhibited by intravenous administration of a selective beta 2-antagonist (ICI 118551, 1 mg/kg). Short-term epinephrine infusion did not facilitate the stimulation-induced release of norepinephrine, when tissue epinephrine content in the left ventricle was increased 1.5-fold, without, as well as with, alpha 2-blockade (yohimbine, 0.3 mg/kg). However, stimulation-induced release of norepinephrine from the myocardium was significantly potentiated in animals in which tissue epinephrine in the left ventricle was greatly increased (5.6-fold) by a prolonged infusion of epinephrine (180 min). It is concluded that a facilitatory mechanism mediated by presynaptic beta 2-adrenoceptors is present in cardiac sympathetic nerve endings of the dog. Some of our observations support the hypothesis that this mechanism may be influenced by locally released epinephrine and, thus, by tissue epinephrine content.

Oxidation of ethanol at rest and during prolonged exercise in men

The purpose of this study was to measure the oxidation of ethanol at rest and during prolonged moderate exercise with use of 13C labeling. Five healthy young males (22.4 +/- 2.7 yr; maximal O2 uptake = 56 +/- 6.6 ml.kg-1.min-1) performed three exercises (68.4 +/- 6.7% maximal O2 uptake; 90 min) on a cycle ergometer with ingestion of 0.4 (trial A) and 0.8 (trial B) g/kg body wt of [13C]ethanol (diluted in 770 +/- 72 ml of water) or water only (trial C). The subjects were also studied during a 90-min rest period after the ingestion of 0.8 g/kg body wt of [13C]ethanol (trial D). At rest, over the 90-min observation period, only 2.1 +/- 0.3 g of the 61.6 +/- 5.7 g of ethanol ingested were oxidized, providing 11.1 +/- 1.9% of the total energy expenditure. Over the 90 min of exercise, the amounts of ethanol oxidized were similar in trials A (9.5 +/- 2.0 g) and B (8.5 +/- 2.5 g). The contribution of ethanol represented 5.2 +/- 1.0% of the total energy expenditure, which is much lower than that previously reported for exogenous carbohydrates (8-18%) or medium-chain free fatty acids (7-14%). The small contribution of ethanol to energy metabolism did not significantly modify endogenous substrate oxidation.

Psychophysiological profiles in response to various challenges during recovery from acute aerobic exercise

Cardiovascular and sympathetic profiles in response to a series of physical and mental challenges were examined during recovery from an acute bout of aerobic exercise performed at 60% VO2,max for 30 min. 9 healthy men were tested on two occasions, once under an experimental (exercise) and once under a control (video watching) condition, in a counter-balanced order, one week apart. Although no differences in blood pressure were found in the two conditions, heart rate and plasma catecholamine concentrations were higher in the exercise than in the control session. These findings were partly attributed to elevated physiological levels 'carried over' from exercise. State anxiety and anger-hostility, however, were lower in the post-experimental period than in the pre-experimental period. The results are discussed in terms of their relevance to exercise and stress psychophysiology.

Effect of plasma prolactin on sweat rate and sweat composition during exercise in men

We investigated the role of the exercise-induced elevation of plasma prolactin (PRL) concentration on sweat rate and composition during prolonged exercise in men. Two groups of healthy young males (20-26 yr old) showing a high (high responders; n = 8) or a low (low responders; n = 7) response of plasma PRL concentration to exercise were studied during a 60-min period of exercise on a cycle ergometer (65% maximum O2 consumption) in warm conditions (26.2 +/- 0.1 degrees C; 57 +/- 1% relative humidity), 1 h after receiving 1.25 mg bromocriptine (BRC) per os or a placebo. In high responders, administration of BRC totally abolished the threefold increase in plasma PRL observed in response to exercise with placebo [placebo, 10 +/- 2 (rest) and 30 +/- 2 micrograms/l (exercise); BRC, 9 +/- 1 (rest) and 8 +/- 1 microgram/l (exercise)]. The latter was associated with a significant decrease in sweat rate (2.7 +/- 0.5 to 1.9 +/- 0.3 microliter.cm-2.min-1) and a significant increase in sweat Na+ concentration (57 +/- 7 to 68 +/- 5 mmol/l). BRC also reduced the small response in plasma PRL concentration observed in low responders [placebo, 10 +/- 1 (rest) and 15 +/- 1 microgram/l (exercise); BRC, 9 +/- 1 (rest) and 7 +/- 1 microgram/l (exercise)], but this was not associated with any change in sweat rate (2.2 +/- 0.2 to 1.9 +/- 0.3 microliter.cm-2.min-1) or in sweat Na+ concentration (63 +/- 10 to 64 +/- 9 mmol/l).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of two methods for computing exogenous substrate oxidation using 13C-labeling

With 13C stable isotope as tracer, the purposes of this study were to measure the oxidation rates of exogenous glucose by using two computation procedures that take into account changes in isotopic composition of CO2 arising from oxidation of endogenous substrates (Rendo) and compare these results with studies using 14C-glucose. Two different low levels of 13C-enrichment were used in the first procedure, while a very high level of enrichment was used in the second one. Each of the eight subjects completed four exercises (68 +/- 5% VO2max; 90 min) on cycle ergometer, at 7-d intervals. After 30 min of exercise, the subjects ingested in a single bolus of 30 g of 13C-glucose, dissolved in 300 ml of water, enriched at three different levels (trials A and B = -10.9 and +2.5; trial C = +291.9/1000 delta 13C-PDB-1), or water only. The metabolic and endocrine state at rest and its response to exercise with or without glucose ingestion were similar in the four trials, with the exception of FFA and glycerol, which were blunted by the ingestion of glucose. As expected, Rendo significantly increased from rest (-22.7 +/- 0.7/1000 delta 13C-PDB-1) to the beginning of exercise without glucose ingestion (-21.2 +/- 0.5/1000 delta 13C-PDB-1). The amounts of exogenous glucose oxidized over the last hour of exercise and computed from trials A and B and from trial C were 14.9 +/- 4.4 and 13.0 +/- 4.2 g, representing 7.4 and 6.3% of the total energy requirement, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Metabolic availability of oral glucose during exercise: a reassessment

The purpose of this study was to reassess the metabolic availability of oral glucose during prolonged exercise in man, using 13C-labeling and a computation procedure (J Appl Physiol 69:1047-1052, 1990) that correctly takes into account changes in isotopic composition of CO2 arising from oxidation of endogenous substrates (Rendo). These changes are due to glucose ingestion associated with exercise. Each of the seven subjects completed three 2-hour periods of exercise at 67% maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) on an ergocycle, with ingestion of water (1,000 mL) or 60 g (in 1,000 mL water) of 13C-labeled glucose at two levels of enrichment (13C/12C = 1.11482% and 1.13303%). As expected, Rendo significantly increased from rest to exercise with water ingestion (1.09888% +/- .00196% to 1.09970% +/- .00175%) and with glucose ingestion (1.10002% +/- .00159%) due to changes in the respective contributions of endogenous carbohydrates and fat to energy requirements as assessed by the respiratory exchange ratio (RER). When changes in Rendo were taken into account, the estimated amount of exogenous glucose oxidized was 38.8 +/- 10.3 g. Much higher values were found when Rendo at rest or during exercise with water ingestion were used in the computation (42.3 +/- 10.3 to 65.1 +/- 20.5 g) according to the commonly used method. Examination of data in the literature indicates that the reported oxidation rate of exogenous glucose (g/min) is significantly related to oxygen consumption (VO2) (L/min; r = .592) and that exogenous glucose contributes approximately 14% to 17% to the energy requirement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute administration of bromocriptine abolishes the hyperprolactinemic response induced by submaximal exercise in man

The effective control of hypophysial prolactin (PRL) secretion with a pharmacological agent is a prerequisite for the investigation of the role of hyperprolactinemia observed during exercise. Using bromocriptine, a potent inhibitor of PRL secretion, this study established the proper experimental conditions whereby any significant increase in plasma PRL level can be prevented and basal circulating levels maintained during physical exercise. On three occasions at weekly intervals, 15 male adults, separated into two groups, exercised on an ergocycle (40 min at 65% VO2max) either 1 or 3 h after ingesting either placebo or 1.25 or 2.50 mg of bromocriptine mesylate (Parlodel; Sandoz Canada Inc., Dorval, Qué.). Under all conditions, the plasma PRL elevation observed during exercise after placebo was prevented by the administration of bromocriptine. Resting plasma PRL levels were maintained when exercise was performed 1 h after bromocriptine ingestion, but were significantly reduced when exercise was performed 3 h after administration of either bromocriptine dosages. Considering the primary and secondary effects observed, 1.25 mg of bromocriptine administered 1 h before exercise provides suitable experimental conditions to investigate the role of the increase in plasma PRL during physical exercise.

Exogenous substrate oxidation during exercise: studies using isotopic labelling

This presentation summarizes the experimental data on the oxidation of exogenous substrates using isotopic labelling: glucose, fructose, maltodextrins, glucose polymers, starch and FFA. The two main determining factors for the oxidation of exogenous substrates are in this order: power output and amount of ingested substrates. The largest oxidation of exogenous substrate is observed for glucose, maltodextrins, Polycose, and starch. For exercises of one hour duration or more, the average rate of oxidation of these compounds can reach up to 0.5 g/min, which agrees with the indirect estimation of Coyle et al. Fructose is oxidized at a lower rate, except when it is taken before the exercise period. FFA are only oxidized to a small extent.