Postprandial triacylglycerol uptake in the legs is increased during exercise and post-exercise recovery

Six young, healthy male subjects were each studied in two experiments: (1) during resting conditions before and for 360 min after a meal (54% of energy as carbohydrate, 30% of energy as lipid, and 16% of energy as protein) comprising 25% of their total daily energy intake (M-->R); and (2) while exercising on a cycle ergometer for 60 min at 50% of the peak oxygen consumption commencing 60 min after the meal (M-->E) and then for another 240 min. Regional metabolism was measured by Fick's Principle in a leg and in the splanchnic tissue. The combination of food intake and exercise led to increased plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) uptake and clearance in the exercising legs immediately and for at least 4 h post-exercise, while food intake per se did not change leg plasma TAG uptake or clearance for up to 6 h. It is hypothesized that the effect of exercise on leg plasma TAG metabolism is a result of capillary recruitment leading to exposure of the plasma lipoprotein particles to a larger amount of active LPL. In spite of the increased TAG uptake in the exercising legs the arterial plasma TAG concentration had a tendency to increase faster during exercise after a meal than during rest, but it also decreased faster implying that the total lipaemic response was the same whether exercise was performed or not. The amount of lipid taken up in the legs was higher than could be accounted for by whole body lipid oxidation during post-exercise recovery, indicating accumulation of lipid in skeletal muscle in this period. Neither food intake alone nor the combination of food and exercise affected the splanchnic net balance of TAG. Finally, there is an additive effect of exercise and food intake on splanchnic net glucose balance.

The combined effects of exercise and food intake on adipose tissue and splanchnic metabolism

Seven young, healthy male subjects were each studied in two separate experiments. (1) Subjects exercised for 60 min at 55% of peak oxygen consumption in the fasted state ending 30 min before a meal (60% of energy as carbohydrate, and 20% of energy as lipid and protein each) comprising 25% of the total daily energy intake, and were then studied for another 150 min postprandially during rest (E-->M). (2) One hour after a similar meal, subjects exercised for 60 min and were then studied for another 180 min postexercise during rest (M-->E). Regional adipose tissue and splanchnic tissue metabolism were measured by Fick's Principle. Food intake before exercise reduced whole-body lipid combustion during exercise to about 50% of the combustion rate found during exercise in the fasted state. The increase in subcutaneous, abdominal adipose tissue lipolysis during exercise was not influenced by preexercise food intake, while the fatty acid mobilization was increased by only 1.5-fold during postprandial exercise compared to a fourfold increase during exercise in the fasted state. During exercise, catecholamine concentrations increased similarly in the fasted and the postprandial state, while the insulin concentration was twofold higher postprandially. These results indicate that the increase in catecholamine concentrations during exercise is a more important determinant of the adipose tissue lipolytic rate than the decrease in insulin concentration. Furthermore, food intake either 30 min after or 1 h before exercise prevents the postexercise increase in adipose tissue glycerol and fatty acid release which normally takes place in fasting subjects at least up to 2.5 h postprandially. Postprandial exercise led to a faster increase in postprandial lipaemia. This could not be accounted for by changes in the regional splanchnic tissue or adipose tissue triacylglycerol metabolism. Exercise was able to increase hepatic glucose production irrespective of food intake before exercise. It is concluded that exercise performed in the fasted state shortly before a meal leads to a more favourable lipid metabolism during and after exercise than exercise performed shortly after a meal.

The effect of exercise on regional adipose tissue and splanchnic lipid metabolism in overweight type 2 diabetic subjects

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

To test the hypothesis that adipose tissue lipolysis is enhanced in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, we examined the effect of exercise on regional adipose tissue lipolysis and fatty acid mobilisation and measured the acute effects of exercise on the co-ordination of adipose tissue and splanchnic lipid metabolism.

METHODS

Abdominal, subcutaneous adipose tissue and splanchnic lipid metabolism were studied by conducting measurements of arterio-venous concentrations and regional blood flow in six overweight Type 2 diabetic subjects before, during and after exercise.

RESULTS

Exercise induced an increase in adipose tissue lipolysis and fatty acid release. However, the increase in adipose tissue blood flow was small, limiting fatty acid mobilisation from this tissue. Some of the fatty acids were released in excess in the post-exercise phase. The splanchnic fatty acid uptake was unchanged during the experiment but splanchnic ketogenesis increased in the post-exercise phase. The arterial glucose concentration decreased during exercise and continued to decrease afterwards, indicating an imbalance between splanchnic glucose production and whole-body glucose utilisation.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Regional subcutaneous, abdominal adipose tissue lipolysis is no higher in patients with Type 2 diabetes than in young, healthy subjects. Exercise stimulates adipose tissue lipolysis, but due to an insufficient increase in blood flow, a high fraction of the fatty acids liberated by lipolysis cannot be released to the blood. Splanchnic glucose release is smaller than whole-body glucose utilisation during exercise and post-exercise recovery.

Insulin action on rates of muscle protein synthesis following eccentric, muscle-damaging contractions

The purpose of this study was to determine whether eccentric, muscle-damaging contractions affect insulin action on muscle protein synthesis. Male Wistar rats (n = 28) were anaesthetized either once or twice separated by 7 days' rest, and one limb was electrically stimulated to contract eccentrically, while the contralateral limb served as a non-stimulated control. Twenty-four and 48 h after contractions, rates of protein synthesis were assessed in soleus and red or white gastrocnemius muscles during a hindlimb perfusion with or without insulin (20 000 microU mL(-1)). Rates of protein synthesis were not different in non-stimulated muscle, with or without insulin (P > 0.05). In red or white gastrocnemius without insulin, rates of protein synthesis were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) 24 and 48 h after a single session and 48 h after a double session of muscle contractions. However, protein synthesis was normalized with insulin 24 and 48 h after contractions in red, and 48 h after contractions in white gastrocnemius. In soleus muscle, protein synthesis was impaired only 48 h after the second session, but partially restored by insulin (P < 0.05). These results indicate that muscle becomes more sensitive to insulin action on rates of protein synthesis after muscle-damaging contractions.

In vivo human lipolytic activity in preperitoneal and subdivisions of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue

We studied eight normal-weight male subjects to examine whether the lipolytic rate of deep subcutaneous and preperitoneal adipose tissues differs from that of superficial abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue. The lipolytic rates in the superficial anterior and deep posterior subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissues and in the preperitoneal adipose tissue in the round ligament were measured by microdialysis and (133)Xe washout under basal, postabsorptive conditions and during intravenous epinephrine infusion (0.15 nmol. kg(-1). min(-1)). Both in the basal state and during epinephrine stimulation, the superficial subcutaneous adipose tissue had higher interstitial glycerol concentrations than the two other depots. Similarly, the calculated glycerol outputs from the superficial depot were significantly higher than those from the deep subcutaneous and the preperitoneal depots. Thus, it is concluded that the lipolytic rate of the superficial subcutaneous adipose tissue on the anterior abdominal wall is higher than that of the deep subcutaneous adipose tissue on the posterior abdominal wall and that of the preperitoneal adipose tissue in the round ligament.

The effect of exercise training on hormone-sensitive lipase in rat intra-abdominal adipose tissue and muscle

1. Adrenaline-stimulated lipolysis in adipose tissue may increase with training. The rate-limiting step in adipose tissue lipolysis is catalysed by the enzyme hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). We studied the effect of exercise training on the activity of the total and the activated form of HSL, referred to as HSL (DG) and HSL (TG), respectively, and on the concentration of HSL protein in retroperitoneal (RE) and mesenteric (ME) adipose tissue, and in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles in rats. 2. Rats (weighing 96 +/- 1 g, mean +/- S.E.M.) were either swim trained (T, 18 weeks, n = 12) or sedentary (S, n = 12). Then RE and ME adipose tissue and the EDL and soleus muscles were incubated for 20 min with 4.4 microM adrenaline. 3. HSL enzyme activities in adipose tissue were higher in T compared with S rats. Furthermore, in RE adipose tissue, training also doubled HSL protein concentration (P < 0.05). In ME adipose tissue, the HSL protein levels did not differ significantly between T and S rats. In muscle, HSL (TG) activity as well as HSL (TG)/HSL (DG) were lower in T rats, whereas HSL (DG) activity did not differ between groups. Furthermore, HSL protein concentration in muscle did not differ between T and S rats (P > 0.05). 4. In conclusion, training increased the amount of HSL and the sensitivity of HSL to stimulation by adrenaline in intra-abdominal adipose tissue, the extent of the change differing between anatomical locations. In contrast, in skeletal muscle the amount of HSL was unchanged and its sensitivity to stimulation by adrenaline reduced after training.

Role of the sympathoadrenergic system in adipose tissue metabolism during exercise in humans

1. The relative roles of sympathetic nerve activity and circulating catecholamines for adipose tissue lipolysis during exercise are not known. 2. Seven paraplegic spinal cord injured (SCI, injury level T3-T5) and seven healthy control subjects were studied by microdialysis and (133)xenon washout in clavicular (Cl) and in umbilical (Um) (sympathetically decentralized in SCI) subcutaneous adipose tissue during 1 h of arm cycling exercise at approximately 60 % of the peak rate of oxygen uptake. 3. During exercise, adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) and interstitial glycerol, lactate and noradrenaline concentrations increased significantly in both groups. Plasma catecholamine levels increased significantly less with exercise in SCI than in healthy subjects. The exercise-induced increase in interstitial glycerol concentration in subcutaneous adipose tissue was significantly lower in SCI compared with healthy subjects (SCI: 25 +/- 12 % (Cl), 36 +/- 20 % (Um); healthy: 60 +/- 17 % (Cl), 147 +/- 45 % (Um)) and the increase in ATBF was significantly lower (Cl) or similar (Um) in SCI compared with healthy subjects (SCI: 1.2 +/- 0.3 ml (100 g)(-1) min(-1) (Cl), 1.0 +/- 0.3 ml (100 g)(-1) min(-1) (Um); healthy: 2.8 +/- 0.7 ml (100 g)(-1) min(-1) (Cl), 0.6 +/- 0.3 ml (100 g)(-1) min(-1) (Um)). Accordingly, in both adipose tissues lipolysis increased less in SCI compared with healthy subjects, indicating that circulating catecholamines are important for the exercise-induced increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue lipolysis. In SCI subjects, the exercise-induced increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue lipolysis was not lower in decentralized than in sympathetically innervated adipose tissue. During exercise the interstitial noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations were lower in SCI compared with healthy subjects (P < 0.05) and always lower than arterial plasma catecholamine concentrations (P < 0.05). 4. It is concluded that circulating catecholamines are important for the exercise-induced increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue lipolysis while sympathetic nerve activity is not.

Effect of exercise training on in vivo lipolysis in intra-abdominal adipose tissue in rats

Intra-abdominal obesity is associated with cardiovascular disease and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and physical training has been suggested to alleviate these conditions. We compared epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis in vivo in three intra-abdominal adipose tissues (ATs: retroperitoneal, parametrial, and mesenteric) and in subcutaneous AT, and we also studied the effect of physical training. Moreover, we studied the effect of physical training on epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis in muscle in vivo. Female rats were either swim trained (15 wk, n = 8) or sedentary (n = 7). Under anesthesia, a two-stage intravenous epinephrine infusion (60 min of 80 and 200 ng. kg(-1). min(-1), respectively) was carried out, and local interstitial glycerol concentration was measured by the microdialysis technique. Blood flow was measured by microspheres. Training increased blood flow in all ATs [on average: 73 +/- 12 (trained) vs. 14 +/- 4 (sedentary) ml. 100 g(-1). min(-1), P < 0. 05]; nevertheless, epinephrine-stimulated interstitial glycerol concentrations were increased or unchanged. Interstitial glycerol concentration was higher in intra-abdominal than in subcutaneous AT in both trained and sedentary rats. In skeletal muscle, interstitial glycerol concentration and blood flow did not differ between trained and sedentary rats. In conclusion, in vivo lipolysis is higher both in the basal state and during epinephrine-stimulation in intra-abdominal than in subcutaneous AT, and training may be beneficial in alleviating intra-abdominal obesity by enhancing lipolysis in intra-abdominal fat depots.

Effect of exercise training on in vivo insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in intra-abdominal adipose tissue in rats

Intra-abdominal obesity may be crucial in the pathogenesis of the insulin-resistance syndrome, and training may alleviate this condition. We compared insulin-mediated glucose uptake in vivo in three intra-abdominal adipose tissues (ATs; retroperitoneal, parametrial, and mesenteric) and in subcutaneous AT and also studied the effect of training. Rats were either swim trained (15 wk, n = 9) or sedentary (n = 16). While the rats were under anesthesia, a hyperinsulinemic ( approximately 900 pM), euglycemic clamp was carried out and local glucose uptake was measured by both the 2-deoxy-D-[(3)H]glucose and microdialysis techniques. Blood flow was measured by microspheres. Upon insulin stimulation, blood flow generally decreased in AT. Flow was higher in mesenteric tissue than in other ATs, whereas insulin-mediated glucose uptake did not differ between ATs. Training doubled the glucose infusion rate during hyperinsulinemia, in part, reflecting an effect in muscle. During hyperinsulinemia, interstitial glucose concentrations were lower, glucose uptake per 100 g of tissue was higher in AT in trained compared with sedentary rats, and training influenced glucose uptake identically in all ATs. In conclusion, differences between ATs in insulin sensitivity with respect to glucose uptake do not explain that insulin resistance is associated with intra-abdominal rather than subcutaneous obesity. Furthermore, training may be beneficial by enhancing insulin sensitivity in intra-abdominal fat depots.

Estimation of rat muscle blood flow by microdialysis probes perfused with ethanol, [14C]ethanol, and 3H2O

We used the perfused rat hindquarter to evaluate whether the microdialysis ethanol technique can be used to qualitatively estimate nutritive skeletal muscle blood flow. Four microdialysis probes were inserted in different hindlimb muscles in each of 16 rats. Hindquarters were perfused at blood flow rates ranging from 0 to 21 ml. 100 g-1. min-1. The microdialysis probes were perfused at 2 microliter/min with perfusate containing ethanol, [14C]ethanol, and 3H2O. Within and between experiments outflow-to-inflow ratios (o/i) generally varied inversely with blood flow. When a low flow or no flow was maintained in hindquarters, o/i ratios first increased with time (for at least 60 min) and then leveled off. The long time constant impaired detection of rapid oscillations in blood flow, especially at low blood flow rates. Contractions per se apparently decreased o/i ratios independent of blood flow. Ethanol and [14C]ethanol o/i ratios did not differ. 3H2O o/i paralleled ethanol and [14C]ethanol o/i ratios but it was significantly lower. In conclusion, differences in skeletal muscle blood flow can be detected by the microdialysis technique. However, the slow changes in o/i, in particular at low blood flow rates, limit the usefulness of the technique for measuring dynamic changes in blood flow; caution must also be exerted during muscle contractions. 3H2O and [14C]ethanol are good alternatives to ethanol in the determination of blood flow by microdialysis.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) expression and regulation in skeletal muscle

Because the enzymatic regulation of muscle triglyceride metabolism is poorly understood we explored the character and activation of neutral lipase in muscle. Western blotting of isolated rat muscle fibers demonstrated expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). In incubated soleus muscle epinephrine increased neutral lipase activity by beta-adrenergic mechanisms involving cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). The increase was paralleled by an increase in glycogen phosphorylase activity and could be abolished by antiserum against HSL. Electrical stimulation caused a transient increase in activity of both neutral lipase and glycogen phosphorylase. The increase in lipase activity during contractions was not influenced by sympathectomy or propranolol. Training diminished the epinephrine induced lipase activation in muscle but enhanced the activation as well as the overall concentration of lipase in adipose tissue. In agreement with the in vitro findings, in adrenalectomized patients an increase in muscle neutral lipase activity was found at the end of prolonged exercise only if epinephrine was infused. In accordance with feedforward regulation of substrate mobilization in exercise, our studies have shown that HSL is present in skeletal muscle cells and is stimulated in parallel with glycogen phosphorylase by both epinephrine and contractions. HSL adapts differently to training in muscle compared with adipose tissue.