Antioxidant enzyme response to selenium deficiency in rat myocardium

Influences of dietary selenium (Se) deficiency, physical training and an acute bout of exercise on myocardial antioxidant enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation and related biochemical properties were investigated in post-weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats. An experimental group was fed a diet containing less than 0.01 mg Se/kg and had free access to distilled water (Se-D), whereas control rats were supplemented with 0.5 mg Se/l in drinking water (Se-A). Se deficiency depleted heart mitochondrial and cytosolic Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity to 24 and 3%, respectively, of those in Se-A rats. Heart mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD) activity was 24% higher (p less than 0.05) in Se-D than in Se-A rats. Cytosolic (copper-zinc) SOD and catalase activities were not altered, whereas glutathione S-transferase activity was significantly decreased in Se-D (p less than 0.01). Myocardial antioxidant enzyme activities were not affected by either training or an acute exercise bout. Heart lipid peroxidation and activities of several enzymes in substrate metabolism were also unaffected by Se or exercise. It is concluded that rat heart has sufficient reserve of antioxidant enzyme capacity in coping with oxidative stress imposed by Se deficiency or exercise. The adaptation of Mn SOD may reveal its potential role in myocardial antioxidant defense.

Dehydroepiandrosterone and a beta-agonist, energy transducers, alter antioxidant enzyme systems: influence of chronic training and acute exercise in rats

We examined the influence of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a beta-agonist, and exercise training on enzymes that detoxify toxic oxygen species. Feeding 0.4% DHEA decreased hepatic cytosolic (c) selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPX), (-26%, P less than 0.0001) and increased hepatic mitochondrial (m) Mn superoxide dismutase (SOD), (+38%, P less than 0.001). DHEA decreased myocardial c-GPX (-21%, P less than 0.05) when compared to a beta-agonist (beta A; L644969 Merck and Co.) fed at 5 ppm but neither differed from the Control (C). In contrast, the beta A increased hepatic m-GPX (+25%, P less than 0.05). In skeletal muscle, DHEA and beta A decreased muscle c-GPX by 20 and 12%, respectively (P less than 0.0009). DHEA increased both muscle (+20%, P less than 0.01) and myocardial (+20%, P less than 0.05) c-glutathione S-transferase (GST) over beta A (+20%, P less than 0.01) but neither was significantly different from C. Similar to DHEA, chronic training (Tr) (1 h/day, 5 days/week at 27 m/min, 15% grade on treadmill) decreased hepatic c-GPX (-16%, P less than 0.003). Tr elevates muscle c-GPX (+36%, P less than 0.05) in C. Tr increased myocardial c-GPX by 28% in the beta A-treated rats, whereas Tr decreased myocardial c-GPX by 22% in the C (P less than 0.05, interaction). One hour of acute exercise (Ex) (70% VO2 max relative work load) decreased hepatic homogenate catalase (-12%, P less than 0.02) and increased hepatic m-Mn SOD (+28%, P less than 0.03). Ex decreased myocardial c-GST (P less than 0.05) only in the DHEA-treated rats. DHEA and Tr may improve efficiency of oxygen utilization at the tissue level with lower antioxidant enzyme activity in liver and locally protective up-regulation in muscle. beta A stresses oxygen utilization systems and liver responds by up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes. The increase in myocardial c-GPX activity in the beta A-treated group may be a protective effect against indirect catecholamine-induced myocardial necrosis which results from free radical generation.

Enzymatic down regulation with exercise in rat skeletal muscle

Maximal activities of rat skeletal muscle mitochondrial citrate synthase (CS), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as well as several other mitochondrial enzymes involved in various metabolic functions were significantly suppressed after a single bout of acute or exhaustive treadmill running. This enzymatic "down regulation" was maintained 24 and 48 h post exhaustion, especially in the untrained rats. Neither muscle cytosolic nor hepatic enzymes exhibited down regulation after exercise. Proteolysis was increased with exercise as assessed by the clearance of [3H]leucine previously incorporated into the proteins of the rats. Decreased CS, MDH, and ALT activities correlated with a significant loss of mitochondrial total protein sulfhydryl (r = 0.67, 0.68, 0.59, respectively, P less than 0.001) in untrained rats and both CS and MDH could be partially restored by incubation with dithiothreitol. Endurance-tested untrained and trained rats had significantly higher glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity in both muscle mitochondria and cytosol which correlated significantly with endurance time (r = 0.70 and 0.74, respectively). It is concluded that enzymatic down regulation is not caused by proteolysis alone; i.e., peroxides and oxygen free radicals produced in prolonged exercise may alter the intramitochondrial redox state by oxidizing free thiols that may be required at active sites of these enzymes. Training may enhance the ability of the muscle to resist the toxic oxygen species by increasing GPX activity.

Antioxidant enzyme systems in rat liver and skeletal muscle. Influences of selenium deficiency, chronic training, and acute exercise

The influences of selenium deficiency (Se-D), chronic training, and an acute bout of exercise on hepatic and skeletal muscle antioxidant enzymes, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), as well as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and tissue lipid peroxidation, were investigated in post-weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats. Se-D per se depleted GPX in both liver and skeletal muscle but had no effect on SOD or catalase activity. One hour of treadmill running (20 m/min, 0% grade and 27 m/min, 15% grade for untrained and trained rats, respectively) significantly elevated hepatic catalase and cytosolic SOD activity; more prominent activations were found in the Se-D or untrained rats, whereas skeletal muscle antioxidant enzymes were little affected. Ten weeks of training (1 h/day, 5 days/week at 27 m/min, 15% grade) increased hepatic mitochondrial SOD by 23% (P less than 0.05) in Se-D rats. Both hepatic mitochondrial and cytosolic GPX were decreased by training whereas GPX was increased twofold in skeletal muscle mitochondria. Se-independent GPX was elevated by training only in the skeletal muscle mitochondria of Se-D rats. Lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde formation) was increased by an acute bout of exercise in hepatic mitochondria of the untrained rats and in skeletal muscle mitochondria of the Se-D rats. These data indicate that antioxidant enzymes in liver and skeletal muscle are capable of adapting to selenium deficiency and exercise to minimize oxidative injury caused by free radicals.

Effects of beta 1- and beta 1 + beta 2-antagonists on training-induced myocardial hypertrophy and enzyme adaptation

The effects of beta 1- and beta 1 + beta 2-antagonists on the myocardial adaptation to exercise training were investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats randomly divided into trained (treadmill, 1 hr/day, 5 days/week for 10 weeks at 27 m/min, 15% grade) without drug (TC), sedentary without drug (SC), trained treated with atenolol (TA) (10 mg/kg body wt, i.p.), trained treated with propranolol (TP, 30 mg/kg body wt, i.p.), and sedentary propranolol. Doses of both beta-antagonists were titrated to decrease the exercise heart rate by 25% compared to the controls. The heart weight and heart/body weight ratio were significantly greater in TC (1.28 +/- 0.07 g (P less than 0.01); 296 +/- 12 mg/100 g body wt (P less than 0.05) respectively) than in SC (1.09 +/- 0.04 g and 268 +/- 11 mg/100 g body wt), or in TP and TA. Myocardial mitochondrial protein was unchanged by training or beta-blockade. Citrate synthase and beta-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase activities were not altered. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity was increased in SP compared to SC. Training increased hexokinase activity only in TC (5.22 +/- 0.12 vs 4.26 +/- 0.23 mumol/min/g wet wt, P less than 0.01). Lactate dehydrogenase activity increased significantly (P less than 0.01) in both TC (383 +/- 14 mumol/min/g wet wt) and TA (372 +/- 14 mumol/min/g wet wt) compared to SC (276 +/- 14 mumol/min/g wet wt), but not in TP versus SP. These data indicate that (1) beta-adrenergic blockade prevents training-induced cardiac hypertrophy; (2) beta-antagonists have little effect on the myocardial oxidative capacity; and (3) while the training induction of myocardial hexokinase is inhibited by both beta 1- and beta 1 + beta 2-antagonists, myocardium may increase its ability to utilize lactate during exercise with training despite beta 1-blockade.

Amino acid metabolism during exercise in trained rats: the potential role of carnitine in the metabolic fate of branched-chain amino acids

The influence of endurance training and an acute bout of exercise on plasma concentrations of free amino acids and the intermediates of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism were investigated in the rat. Training did not affect the plasma amino acid levels in the resting state. Plasma concentrations of alanine (Ala), aspartic acid (Asp), asparagine (Asn), arginine (Arg), histidine (His), isoleucine (Ile), leucine (Leu), lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), phenylalanine (Phe), proline (Pro), serine (Ser), threonine (Thr), and valine (Val) were significantly lower, whereas glutamate (Glu), glycine (Gly), ornithine (Orn), tryptophan (Trp), tyrosine (Tyr), creatinine, urea, and ammonia levels were unchanged, after one hour of treadmill running in the trained rats. Plasma concentration of glutamine (Glu), the branched-chain keto acids (BCKA) and short-chain acyl carnitines were elevated with exercise. Ratios of plasma BCAA/BCKA were dramatically lowered by exercise in the trained rats. A decrease in plasma-free carnitine levels was also observed. These data suggest that amino acid metabolism is enhanced by exercise even in the trained state. BCAA may only be partially metabolized within muscle and some of their carbon skeletons are released into the circulation in forms of BCKA and short-chain acyl carnitines.

Chronic exercise training alters kinetic properties of rat skeletal muscle and myocardial lactate dehydrogenase

10 weeks of treadmill running dramatically altered the kinetic properties of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) in skeletal muscle and myocardium in the rat. These changes, including Vmax, Km and optimal concentrations for pyruvate and lactate, indicate that exercise training induces the formation of H-isozyme in skeletal muscle and M-isozyme in the heart and represent metabolic adaptations of these tissues to chronic aerobic exercise.

Studies on prolonged spermatozoa survival in chiroptera. III. Preliminary data on carnitine

High epididymal levels of free carnitine during hibernation may have a role in extended sperm survival in bats. Accessory gland carnitine may further enhance the survival of ejaculated spermatozoa. The role of carnitine, if any, in uterine sperm storage, is as yet more obscure.

Effects of acute moderate-intensity exercise on carnitine metabolism in men and women

The purpose of this investigation was to describe the dynamics of carnitine metabolism during an acute episode of exercise. Twenty-eight subjects (14 male; 14 female) exercised for 40 min on a bicycle ergometer at 55% of their maximal aerobic capacities. Blood samples were obtained at rest, 10, 20, 30, and 40 min of exercise, and 15-min postexercise. Muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis were performed before and after exercise. Results demonstrated that the percent of acylated plasma carnitine increased significantly (P less than 0.05) across all subjects from 17.3% at rest to 22.3% by 40 min of exercise and continued to increase to 22.8% 15-min postexercise. Total muscle carnitine levels fell significantly (P less than 0.001) across all subjects from 4.21 (1.27) (means +/- SD) mumol/g wet weight at rest to 3.29 (1.27) mumol/g wet weight after exercise. Well-trained males and females had almost identical levels of muscle carnitine [4.35(1.86) and 4.34 (0.64) mumol/g wet weight, respectively]. These levels were somewhat higher but not significantly higher than their moderately trained counterparts [3.86(1.34) and 4.28(1.18) males and females, respectively]. Carnitine palmitoyl transferase (E.C. 2.3.1.21) activity also declined significantly (P less than 0.05) across all subjects after exercise. This study is the first to demonstrate a potential loss of acylated carnitine forms from muscle to plasma during acute exercise, possibly reflecting an increase in carnitine turnover. Alterations in carnitine status may represent another metabolic adaptation to chronic exercise training.

Total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol changes during acute, moderate-intensity exercise in men and women

Chronic endurance exercise training has been associated with decreased levels of total cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol. To our knowledge rapid changes in cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol during acute exercise have not been described under controlled conditions. We studied 28 subjects (14 males and 14 females) during bicycle exercise for 40 min at a work intensity of 55% of their maximal oxygen consumption. Total and HDL-cholesterol levels were measured (and LDL-cholesterol calculated) at rest, 10, 20, 30, and 40 min of exercise, and 15 min postexercise. There was a significant (p less than 0.001) increase in HDL-cholesterol levels at 10 min of exercise (58.8 +/- 13.9 mg/dl, mean +/- SD) above rest (53.1 +/- 13.4 mg/dl) for all subjects. This increase persisted (p less than 0.001) at all time points throughout the exercise session, but declined by 15 min postexercise. There was a small, insignificant decline in LDL-cholesterol. It is concluded that apparent favorable changes in lipoprotein patterns occur acutely, and are sustained during short-term, moderate intensity exercise. Analyses of these changes appears necessary if the biochemical mechanisms which underlie these metabolic alterations are to be elucidated.

Sex steroid regulation of urinary excretion of carnitine in rats

The concentration of acid soluble carnitine was determined in several body tissues and fluids in rats under various conditions of sex steroid regulation. Intact female rats had significantly greater liver carnitine concentrations and urinary excretion rates, and lower blood plasma and heart carnitine concentrations than intact male rats. Ovariectomy increased blood plasma carnitine concentrations (P less than 0.01) and the excretion of carnitine in the urine (P less than 0.05). The administration of either estradiol or testosterone to ovariectomized rats did not alter blood plasma concentrations or urinary excretion of carnitine. Orchidectomized rats had similar blood plasma carnitine concentrations when compared to intact males but excreted significantly (P less than 0.01) greater quantities of carnitine in their urine. Administration of testosterone to orchidectomized rats reduced (P less than 0.01), whereas estradiol stimulated (P less than 0.05) the excretion rate of carnitine in the urine; however, blood plasma carnitine concentrations were not affected by these hormones. These data suggest that a major site for modulation of body carnitine concentration in the male resides in the control of kidney excretion by androgens. Liver, heart and skeletal muscle carnitine concentrations were not altered by the administration of either estradiol or testosterone to orchidectomized or ovariectomized rats.

Sulfhydryl group quantitation of hepatoma and liver microsomal fractions

The relationship of sulfhydryl and disulfide groups to protein synthesis in normal and rapidly growing tissues was investigated by quantitation of sulfhydryl groups in endoplasmic reticulum and polyribosomes of normal liver and hepatomas. Stripping by ethylenediaminetetraacetate and potassium chloride of normal liver smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum reduced by 15 percent and increased 30 percent, respectively, the sulfhydryl groups available for carboxamidemethylation by iodoacetamide. This could reflect the removal of ribosomes from rough endoplasmic reticulum with the subsequent exposure of sulfhydryl groups. Exposed sulfhydryl groups of normal mature female rat liver smooth endoplasmic reticulum were decreased to a similar degree by the stripping procedure with ethylenediaminetetra-acetate and potassium chloride when quantitated by either iodoacetamide or 4,4'-dithiodipyridine. This was not the case in young male and female rats, where the stripping procedure failed to decrease the exposed sulfhydryl groups of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. An increase in the quantity of exposed sulfhydryl groups of normal young and mature rat liver rough endoplasmic reticulum after stripping by ethylenediaminetetraacetate and potassium chloride was observed with iodoacetamide. However, when 4,4'-dithiodipyridine was used, no change could be detected. The hypothesis that smooth endoplasmic reticulum arises by degranulation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in vivo is not supported by our sulfhydryl group quantitation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and in vitro degranulated rough endoplasmic reticulum. A negative correlation between exposed sulfhydryl groups on the polyribosomes and the rate of growth of normal liver and of Morris hepatomas 6 and 38B suggests that the conformation of the free polyribosomal proteins could be a control factor for the rate of protein synthesis. Faster growing hepatomas also have greater quantities of sulfhydryls and disulfides.

Regulation of glucose synthesis in hormone-sensitive isolated rat hepatocytes

A simplified procedure was developed for isolation of intact, hormone-sensitive liver cells in a high and reproducible yield. These cells produce glucose from various precursors at rates comparable to those achieved in isolated perfused liver. Glucagon enhanced glucose synthesis from pyruvate, dihydroxyacetone, fructose, or xylitol more effectively at low than at high substrate concentration. At high pyruvate concentrations (>2 mM), glucagon or adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (0.1 mM) exerts a curious inhibition of gluconeogenesis that can be reverted to stimulation on addition of ethanol. It is suggested that glucagon and cyclic AMP inhibit pyruvate dehydrogenase and thus limit the supply of reducing equivalents needed for glucose formation. Supporting evidence for hormonal control of pyruvate dehydrogenase in isolated liver cells is provided by the fact that glucagon decreases and insulin increases decarboxylation of [1-(14)C]pyruvate. Calcium salts (1.3 mM) enhance glucose formation from pyruvate but greatly enhance the inhibition exerted by the divalent cationophore, A23187. Inhibition by glucagon of glucose synthesis from pyruvate is additive with the effects of A23187 + Ca(++). However, with dihydroxyacetone as substrate, glucagon partially reverses the inhibition exerted by A23187 + Ca(++). The results are consistent with glucagon effecting an inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase and a stimulation of hexosediphosphatase activities.

Binding of rat liver and hepatoma polyribosomes to stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum in vitro. Biological or an artifact?

Exposed thiol groups do not appear to be related to the binding of (32)P-labelled polyribosomes to stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum in vitro. Treating stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum with GSSG did not diminish binding of polyribosomes, suggesting that binding in vitro has no correlation with the inhibition of protein synthesis in vitro reported by Kosower et al. (1971). Thiol reagents, which are known to dissociate ribosomes, did not significantly decrease binding of (32)P-labelled polyribosomes to stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum. Denaturing the protein of (32)P-labelled polyribosomes or stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum of liver or hepatoma with heat, trichloroacetic acid, or HClO(4) did not alter the binding in vitro. Therefore, the practice of measuring the binding of (32)P-labelled polyribosomes to stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum in vitro (Shires et al., 1971b) is an unsuitable indicator of biological significance in the intact cell.

Glucagon-stimulated phosphorylation of mitochondrial and lysosomal membranes of rat liver in vivo

The pancreatic hormone, glucagon, stimulates the net uptake of inorganic (32)P in vivo into rat liver and its incorporation into proteins of microsomes, mitochondrial membranes, and lysosomes. Incorporation into cytosolic proteins was enhanced only slightly by glucagon. More than 95% of the protein-bound phosphate is present as phosphoserine. Both the radioactivity and the total amount of protein-bound phosphate are increased after injection of glucagon. Glucagon treatment enhanced (32)P incorporation into the alcohol-ether soluble lipids of mitochondria but did not alter the relative distribution of (32)P in various phospholipid species.