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Biomedical subjects

H Kuipers

Publications and source records attributed to H Kuipers.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Modulation of glycogen metabolism of rat skeletal muscles by endurance training and testosterone treatment.

The effects of training and/or testosterone treatment on glycogen content and the activities of glycogen synthase, glycogen phosphorylase, and fructose-6-phosphate kinase were studied in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles of intact adult female rats. One group of rats remained sedentary, whereas another group was trained for 7 weeks. Thereafter, both the sedentary and trained rats were subdivided into two control and four testosterone-treated subgroups. Testosterone was administered by a silastic implant. Training was continued for 2 weeks. On the final day of the experiment rats from one trained control and one trained testosterone-treated subgroup ran for 60 min submaximally. Upon testosterone treatment of sedentary rats the glycogen concentration was not changed. However, in the soleus, but not in the EDL, the glycogen content was increased by training (P < 0.05) which could, at least partly, be explained by a decrease in activity of active glycogen phosphorylase (P < 0.05). In the EDL of trained rats testosterone treatment increased glycogen content significantly by both an increase in activity of active glycogen synthase and a decrease in activity of active glycogen phosphorylase (P < 0.05). In the EDL and soleus of testosterone-treated animals from the exercised subgroup a significant sparing of glycogen was observed, which could be explained by an increase in activity of active glycogen synthase and, in the soleus, could also be explained by a concerted decrease in active glycogen phosphorylase (P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

A physiological/psychological indicator of over-reaching during intensive training.

Many indicators of over-reaching and over-training have been proposed, using both physiological and psychological techniques. Field testing of athletes has led us to believe that a decrease in the ratio of blood lactate concentration to ratings of perceived exertion indicates a fatigued and/or over-reached state following intensive training. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to test the hypothesis that a decrease in the ratio of blood lactate concentration to ratings of perceived exertion would indicate an over-reached state. Seven well-trained male cyclists performed two weeks each of: normal (moderate) training, overtraining and recovery. During each time period an incremental exercise test was performed to maximal effort with blood lactate concentration (HLa) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) obtained for each workload. All seven subjects became over-reached during the two week period of intensive interval training. The ratio of HLa:RPE (multiplied by 100) decreased with all workloads following both one (mean decrease 29.1 +/- 3.0%) and two (mean decrease 48.7 +/- 2.5%) weeks of overtraining. However, only the decrease at the maximal workload was statistically significant. Examining the individual data revealed that at maximal workload all seven subjects had HLa:RPE ratios of less than 100 when over-reached. The ease and speed at which the HLa:RPE ratio can be determined may make it useful for coaches and athletes in monitoring intensive exercise training and recovery.

Adult↗

Functional and morphological adaptations following four weeks of knee immobilization.

Immobilization of the knee as part of the treatment in bone or joint lesions leads to atrophy and consequently loss of functionally. In patients this atrophy and loss of functionality is difficult to quantify because of interfering symptoms and missing baseline data. In the present study structural and functional changes in thigh muscles were examined in eight healthy volunteers of whom one leg was immobilized in a cast for four weeks. Quadriceps cross-sectional area determined with computed tomography was 21% +/- 7% diminished after four weeks immobilization (p < 0.05). Muscle biopsies from the musculus vastus lateralis revealed an 16% decreased fiber diameter (p < 0.05) and no significant shift in fiber types. Isokinetic strength measurements of knee extensors and flexors demonstrated a fall in peak torque of 53% +/- 9% and 26% +/- 13% at an angular velocity of 60 deg.s-1 (p < 0.01). Aerobic power in one-leg-cycling exercise was not significantly affected, but isokinetic quadriceps endurance work decreased from 9.1 kJ to 5.6 kJ (p < 0.05). Despite the fall in quadriceps performance the subjects had only minor functional complaints for a few days. It is concluded that immobilization of the knee is an important factor in the development of thigh muscle atrophy in patients and should therefore be diminished as much as possible.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

A short cycle ergometer test to predict maximal workload and maximal oxygen uptake.

In order to develop a short cycle ergometer test for the prediction of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and maximal work load (Wmax) oxygen uptake, workload and heart rate data were collected in 22 subjects. In the first test the subjects cycled at two submaximal stages of 3 min each whereafter the workload was quickly (within 4 min) increased to a supramaximal level to attain the maximal heart rate. A second graded cycle test was used to compare observed Wmax and VO2max with estimated Wmax and VO2max. The means of the estimated Wmax and observed Wmax were 364.9 (SD +/- 42.4) watts and 368.8 (SD +/- 40.2) watts, respectively and the mean estimation error was -1.0% (range -7.1% to 4.4%). For 82% of the subjects the estimation error was within +/- 5%. The means of the estimated VO2max and observed VO2max were 4.49 (SD +/- 0.45) l.min-1 and 4.59 (SD +/- 0.41) l.min-1, respectively. The mean estimation error was -2.1% (range -13.8% to 5.1%). For 68% of the subjects the estimation error was within +/- 5%. It is concluded that for trained athletes the short test (8-10 min) is accurate for the estimation of Wmax and VO2max by measuring two submaximal heart rates and maximal heart rate and making use of the linear relationship between heart rate, workload and oxygen uptake.

Adult↗

Muscle ultrastructure after strength training with placebo or anabolic steroid.

The influence of strength training on muscle fiber area, capillary ultrastructure, and capillary supply was studied in experienced male bodybuilders taking either anabolic steroids or a placebo. During 8 weeks, 13 subjects received a weekly injection of either placebo or nandrolone decanoate (starting dose 200 mg, followed by 100 mg weekly), in a double-blind, counterbalanced design. Before and after 8 weeks a needle biopsy was taken from the vastus lateralis muscle for studying morphometric characteristics of fibers and ultrastructure and morphometric characteristics of capillaries. The fiber cross-sectional area increased significantly only after steroid treatment. Capillary ultrastructure and capillary supply were not changed after the training period. In none of the measured parameters was any difference found between placebo and steroid treatment.

Adult↗

Quantitative and spatial aspects of degenerative changes in rat soleus muscle after exercise of different durations.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of exercise duration on the amount of histological change (degeneration and cellular response), the number of affected muscle fibres, the segment over which muscle fibres were affected and the spatial distribution of affected muscle fibres in the rat soleus muscle after submaximal uphill running. Male Wistar rats ran on a treadmill (10 degrees incline, 1840 m/h) for 1.5 or 2.5 h. Three days postexercise the left and right soleus muscles were removed. Serial transverse sections were cut from proximal to distal, so that individual fibres could be followed over their entire length. Histological changes were quantified morphologically. With increasing exercise duration, an increase in the histological changes was found, as were a greater number of affected fibres and an increase in the mean length over which fibres were affected. Beside occasional minor clustering, affected fibres were distributed randomly throughout the muscle.

Animals↗

High energy phosphates and related compounds, glycogen levels and histology in the rat tibialis anterior muscle after forced lengthening and isometric exercise.

Eccentric exercise may elicit damage to the contractile elements. This primary damage is followed by secondary changes, consisting of histological changes and changes in glycogen and energy metabolism. The mechanism underlying changes in glycogen homeostasis and energy metabolism is not well established. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between changes in adenine and guanine nucleotides, inosine monophosphate (IMP), creatine phosphate, glycogen content and histology in the rat tibialis anterior (TA) muscle after forced lengthening or isometric exercise. The right muscles were either forcibly lengthened or isometrically exercised, while the contralateral muscles served as non-exercised controls. The exercised muscles were dissected 0, 6 and 24 h post-exercise and the contents of adenine and guanine nucleotides, IMP, creatine phosphate, and glycogen determined. In addition, histological changes were assessed. Immediately after both types of exercise increases in tissue IMP levels were found. Irrespective of the type of exercise, glycogen content was decreased immediately post-exercise, but restored 6 h post-exercise. Twenty-four hours later a second decline in glycogen content was found after both types of exercise. In forcibly lengthened muscles ATP content was decreased 24 h post-exercise. In isometrically exercised muscles ATP was not decreased at any time. Gross structural changes were found in all forcibly lengthened muscles (9-12% of TA muscle volume). In isometrically exercised muscles structural changes were minor (up to 0.1% of muscle volume), were found only immediately post-exercise and in only 4 out of 18 muscles. It is concluded that forced lengthening results in decreased ATP levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenine Nucleotides↗

A new approach for the determination of ventilatory and lactate thresholds.

In order to determine the ventilatory threshold (VT) and the lactate threshold (LT) in a reliable way, a new method is proposed and compared with conventional methods. The new method consists of calculating the point that yields the maximal distance from a curve representing ventilatory and metabolic variables as a function of oxygen uptake (VO2) to the line formed by the two end points of the curve (Dmax method). Male cyclists (n = 8) performed two incremental exercise tests a week apart. Ventilatory/metabolic variables were measured and blood was sampled for later lactate measurement during each workload and immediately after exercise. No statistical differences were observed in the threshold values (expressed as absolute oxygen uptake; VO2) determined by the Dmax method and the conventional linear regression method (according to O2 equivalent; EqO2) and venous blood at the onset of blood lactate (OBLA), while VT assessed with the conventional linear method (according to the slope of CO2 output; Vslope) yielded significantly lower threshold values. Similar results were obtained from the reproducibility test. Thus, the Dmax method appears to be an objective and reliable method for threshold determination, which can be applied to various ventilatory or metabolic variables yet yield similar results. The results also showed that breathing frequency can be used to determine VT.

Adolescent↗

Physiological changes in male competitive cyclists after two weeks of intensified training.

To study the physiological response to heavy training, seven male competitive cyclists intensified their normal training program for two weeks (IIT) in order to achieve a state of short-term overtraining. The subjects underwent a graded cycle ergometer test to exhaustion, an outdoor 8.5 km time trial and a computerized test to study reaction time and visual perception, before, during and after the two weeks of intensified training and after two weeks of recovery. Furthermore subjects kept a daily log in the form of a questionnaire. After two weeks of IIT all subjects showed symptoms of overtraining: the general state of well being declined as indicated by the questionnaire while performances on time trial (mean +/- SEM: 830 +/- 14 sec-871 +/- 19 sec), contests and maximal power output (mean +/- SEM: 336 7 watt-310 +/- 5 watt) declined significantly. Maximal (mean +/- SEM 11.8 +/- 1.1 mmol.l-1-5.9 +/- 0.5 mmol.l-1) and submaximal lactate values were significantly lowered during ergometer test after the IIT, while the workload at the 4 mmol point increased significantly (mean +/- SEM 234 +/- 10 watt-267 +/- 13 watt). Sleeping heart rate increased significantly (mean +/- SEM 49.5 +/- 9.3 BPM-54.3 +/- 8.8 BPM). Maximal heart rate (mean +/- SEM 185 +/- 3 BPM-178 +/- 2 BPM, mean heart rate during the time trial (mean +/- SEM 178 +/- 2 BPM-169 +/- 2 BPM) and VO2max (mean +/- SEM 4801 +/- 121 ml.min-1-4409 +/- 101 ml.min-1) were all significantly lowered by the IIT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Influence of anabolic steroids on body composition, blood pressure, lipid profile and liver functions in body builders.

The effects of anabolic steroids on body composition, blood pressure, lipid profile and liver functions were studied in male body builders who received a weekly i.m. injection of nandrolone-decanoate (100 mg) or placebo for 8 weeks in a double blind way. In addition, 5 body builders received the same dosage of nandrolone-decanoate or placebo, in a double blind cross-over design during two 8-week periods, interspersed by 12 weeks. Anabolic steroids induced a 25-27% decrease in HDL-cholesterol, which was virtually reversed 6 weeks after cessation of drug use. In the SAD group an increase in diastolic blood pressure was observed, which returned to pre-anabolic values approximately 6 weeks after cessation of drug administration. No deleterious effects of anabolic drugs on plasma activity of liver enzymes were found. Increases in lean body mass were found in all groups, though the increase in the subjects who received anabolic steroids was superior to that in the placebo-treated subjects. The increase in lean body mass suggests increases in muscle mass.

Adult↗

Carbohydrate supplementation, glycogen depletion, and amino acid metabolism during exercise.

Eight highly trained cyclists were studied during exercise after glycogen depletion (test A) and during carbohydrate (CHO) loading (test B). In test B subjects were able to complete 2 h of exercise at 70-75% maximal workload (Wmax), whereas the initial intensity of 70% Wmax had to be reduced to 50% in test A. Plasma ammonia increased more rapidly, and plasma alanine, glutamate, and glutamine were lower in test A. Exercise caused a 3.6-fold increase in the proportion of active branched-chain 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase (BC) complex in muscle in test A. No activation occurred in test B. There was an inverse correlation between the activity of the BC complex and the glycogen content of the postexercise biopsies. Exercise did not cause changes in the muscle content of ATP, ADP, AMP, IMP, hypoxanthine, and lactate. It is concluded that CHO loading abolishes increases in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) oxidation during exercise and that part of the ammonia production during prolonged exercise originates from deamination of amino acids. The data appear to confirm the hypothesis (A.J. M. Wagenmakers, J.H. Coakley, and R.H.T. Edwards. Int. J. Sports Med. 11: S101-S113, 1990) that acceleration of the BCAA aminotransferase reaction may drain the tricarboxylic acid cycle and that glycogen is a carbon chain precursor of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates and glutamine.

3-Methyl-2-Oxobutanoate Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide)↗

Relationship between exercise-induced muscle damage and enzyme release in rats.

The relationship between the amount of exercise-induced muscle damage and the release of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LD) was studied. Gender differences in enzyme release and histological damage were also studied. Serial pre- and postexercise blood samples were drawn from untrained male and female catheterized Wistar rats that ran 1.5 or 2.5 h on a treadmill (incline 10 degrees). Three days postexercise, muscle damage was quantified morphometrically in five different hindlimb and forearm muscles. The 1.5 and 2.5 h of exercise elicited histological damage only in the soleus muscle. Significant plasma CK, AST, and LD elevations were found immediately postexercise both in male and female rats. However, the enzyme release was significantly greater in males than in females. Part of this could be explained by differences in clearance rates between males and females. No gender difference in amount of histological damage was found. The actual volume of histological muscle damage was significantly less than the calculated muscle damage based on enzyme release. An increase in the exercise duration from 1.5 to 2.5 h resulted in a disproportional increase in both histological muscle damage and muscle enzyme release. From the present study it is concluded that muscle enzyme release is not clearly reflected in histological muscle damage.

Animals↗

Vessel wall properties of large arteries in trained and sedentary subjects.

Vessel wall properties (distensibility coefficient and cross-sectional compliance) of the elastic common carotid artery (CCA) and the muscular femoral (FA) and brachial (BA) arteries were studied with a dedicated ultrasound system in 15 trained male cyclists and 15 healthy sedentary males matched for age, height, and weight. Simultaneously, arm blood pressure was measured with a Dinamap and heart rate and stroke index were measured with bioimpedance electrocardiography. Heart rate at rest was significantly lower and stroke index significantly higher in the trained subjects. Blood pressure and pulse pressure did not differ. Vessel wall properties and diameter of CCA showed no differences between the groups. Diameter of FA was significantly greater (p less than 0.05) in cyclists and cross-sectional compliance (CC) tended to be higher. Distensibility coefficient (DC) was not different. Diameter of BA was not different in the two groups. CC of BA was significantly higher in the cyclists (p less than 0.02), DC was 22% higher (p greater than 0.09). These results suggest that this type of endurance training might cause structural adaptation of FA and a more general decrease in muscle tone of muscular arteries.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Exercise-induced swelling of rat soleus muscle: its relationship with intramuscular pressure.

Exercise-induced tissue swelling and its possible consequence for tissue pressure were studied in rat soleus muscle. Rats ran for 75 min on a belt with a 10 degree positive incline. Wet weights of cryofixed soleus muscles were increased at 3 (16%), 6 (28%), 9 (16%), and 24 (16%) h after running compared with those of nonexercised controls. The transient increase in muscle wet weight correlated in time with an increase in muscle volume. Muscle fiber swelling accounted for most of the muscle swelling in absolute terms because of the large proportion (approximately 90%) of the muscle volume composed of fibers, but swelling of the interstitium was about twofold larger than fiber swelling per unit area. Muscle fiber degeneration was most frequently found at the end of the observation period, i.e., 24 h after running. The muscle swelling was not associated with an increase in intramuscular pressure. During the postexercise measuring period (18 min to 24 h after exercise), intramuscular pressures of exercised rats (1.3 +/- 0.3 mm Hg) did not differ significantly from control values (1.0 +/- 0.2 mm Hg). These findings indicate that increased intramuscular pressure is not responsible for the muscle fiber degeneration found in rat soleus muscle 24 h after endurance running.

Animals↗

Metabolic changes induced by sustained exhaustive cycling and diet manipulation.

Thirteen highly trained subjects were studied concerning the effect of consuming a normal carbohydrate-rich diet (N) on energy exchange, substrate metabolism, and performance. Six of these subjects performed the same protocol receiving N supplemented with a high-maltodextrin, low-fructose beverage (Mf). The studies were performed in random order. The subjects performed 2 days of sustained exhausting cycling, preceded and followed by a standardized resting day, in a respiration chamber, allowing continuous gas analysis, weighed food and fluid intake procedures, collection of excretes, and drawing of blood samples at 7:00 AM, 12:00 AM (halfway exercise) and 3:00 PM at exhaustion. Muscle biopsies were taken prior to, 45 min after, and 24 h after exercise (energy expenditure 25.2-26.6 MJ.day-1). The results showed that while consuming a normal diet, the cyclists developed a negative energy balance (-9 MJ.day-1) and regulated their hormone levels in such a way that fat oxidation and protein breakdown were increased and CHO oxidation became depressed. When supplemented with Mf, the subjects showed increased blood glucose, insulin and decreased glucagon levels. Fat metabolism was significantly depressed as indicated by the levels of blood fatty acids, glycerol, and ketones. A significant glycogen sparing, as well as supercompensation within 24 h of recovery, was observed after Mf supplementation. The normal CHO-rich diet, available ad libitum, was insufficient to fully restore glycogen within 24 h. The changes in substrate availability and glycogen depletion were accompanied by a significant performance improvement, 126% when cycling a final 90% Wmax bout, when supplemented with Mf compared with N.

Adult↗

Glycogen synthesis during exercise and rest with carbohydrate feeding in males and females.

Since it has been demonstrated that endurance-trained cyclists are able to synthesize glycogen during mild exercise, glycogen synthesis was investigated in non-endurance-trained males and females as well. Seven males and nine females exercised on a cycle ergometer to deplete muscle glycogen. After the exhaustive exercise and taking a muscle biopsy, the males either exercised 2.5 h at 40% of maximal work load (trial A) or rested for 2.5 h (trial B). In both trials the subjects drank a 25% maltodextrin-fructose solution. After 2.5 h of exercise or rest, a second muscle biopsy was taken for determination of glycogen and for histochemistry (ATPase and PAS). In the females glycogen synthesis was only studied during 2.5 h rest, after prior glycogen depletion. In the male subjects, during mild exercise with carbohydrate feeding muscle glycogen did not increase. During rest muscle glycogen increased in the males from 123 +/- 49 mmol/kg DW at exhaustion to 229 +/- 70 mmol/kg DW (P less than 0.001), resulting in a net increase of 42 mmol/kg DW/h. Glycogen synthesis during rest occurred both in type I and type II fibers. In the females, during 2.5 h of rest, muscle glycogen increased from 130 +/- 56 mmol/kg DW at exhaustion to 224 +/- 51 mmol/kg DW, resulting in a net increase of 37 mmol/kg DW/h. The results demonstrate that glycogen synthesis during mild exercise does not occur in non-endurance-trained athletes, whereas in the resting state glycogen synthesis in non-endurance-trained males is not different from endurance-trained cyclists. In addition, glycogen synthesis during rest is similar in males and females.

Adult↗

Effect of training and 15-, 25-, and 42-km contests on the skeletal muscle content of adenine and guanine nucleotides, creatine phosphate, and glycogen.

Thirty-four nonathletic volunteers (23 males and 11 females) were subjected to a training program aimed at completing a marathon run within 18-20 months after the onset of training. During the course of the training the content of ATP, creatine phosphate, GTP, GDP, NAD+, purine bases, and glycogen in biopsyspecimens of m. vastus lateralis increased. No major gender differences were observed. The tissue content of adenine and guanine nucleotides such as ATP, ADP, AMP, GTP, and GDP did not change when measured within 6 h after a 15-, 25-, or 42-km contest. During 9 days after the 42-km contest the muscle content of the adenine nucleotides showed a slight, but significant decrease. Glycogen levels were found to be decreased to 90%, 60%, and 62% of their pre-contest values after the 15-, 25-, and 42-km contests, respectively. Nine days after the expenditures supranormal levels were only measured following the 15-km contest. The tissue content of glycogen returned to pre-contest levels after the 25- and 42-km races. The present findings indicate that, from a biochemical point of view, expenditures such as 15-, 25-, and 42-km contests are very well tolerated by the m. vastus lateralis in recreative runners subjected to a training with a maximal duration of 18-20 months.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Structural and ultrastructural changes in skeletal muscle associated with long-distance training and running.

The histological and ultrastructural features of 21 males and 8 females were monitored during an 18- to 20-month training period, during which the training distance was gradually increased. The training period was divided into three periods of 6, 5, and 7 months, respectively. The first, second, and third periods were concluded with a 15-, 25-, 42-km road race, respectively. The competitive distance always exceeded the maximal distance covered in any previous training session. Percutaneous biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle 5 days before each contest as well as 0.5-6 h post-contest and 8-9 days post-contest. No shift in fiber type was observed during the training period from the 15-km contest until the 42-km contest nor were any changes in fiber diameter observed. Histological examination demonstrated a gradual increase in degenerative changes during the training period, which occurred in type I as well as in type II fibers. Ultrastructural examination revealed irregular Z-lines and hypercontraction immediately after exercise. No damage to the sarcolemma was detected. The number of degenerative changes after each contest was not higher than before each race. It is concluded that long-distance running is associated with transient minor pathological changes in skeletal muscle, which are related to the total distance covered per week rather than the intensity of the exercise.

Adaptation, Physiological↗