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Plasma adrenocorticotropin and cortisol responses to submaximal and exhaustive exercise.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels were compared before and after submaximal and exhaustive isotonic exercise in six normally active college students (3 men and 3 women). Each subject participated in three experiments conducted at the same morning hour. Venous plasma was obtained before and immediately after 20-min runs at 65 and 80% of maximal O2 consumption (VO2 max) and after a run of gradually increasing work intensity which resulted in exhaustion (100% VO2 max) in 12.6 +/- 1.3 min. ACTH (mean +/- SE) was 48 +/- 15, 57 +/- 12, and 61 +/- 11 pg/ml before the 65, 80, and 100% VO2 max runs, and increased to 61 +/- 15 (NS), 128 +/- 18 (P less than 0.05), and 292 +/- 72 (P less than 0.05) pg/ml, respectively. Plasma glucose, growth hormone, cortisol, and lactic acid concentrations increased in a similar fashion. Cortisol and ACTH levels were significantly correlated at the higher levels of exertion: r = 0.18 (NS) for the 65% VO2 max run, r = 0.65 (P less than 0.05) for the 80% VO2 max run, and r = 0.64 (P less than 0.05) for the run to exhaustion. Both the change in ACTH with exercise and its postrun concentration were significantly related to the change in plasma lactic acid (r = 0.65, P less than 0.05) and the postrun plasma lactic acid (r = 0.64, P less than 0.05). We conclude that exercise-induced increases in plasma ACTH and their correlation with circulating cortisol depend on the intensity of isotonic exercise. Our observations also suggest that plasma lactic acid may influence ACTH release during exercise.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Effect of exercise on epinephrine turnover in trained and untrained male subjects.

The kinetics underlying plasma epinephrine concentrations were studied. Six athletes (T) and six sedentary males (C) were given intravenous infusions of 3H-labeled epinephrine, after which arterial blood was drawn. They rested sitting and bicycled continuously to exhaustion (60 min at 125 W, 60 min at 160 W, 40 min at 200 W, and 240 W to the end). Work time was 154 +/- 13 (SE) (T) and 75 +/- 6 (C) min. At rest, epinephrine clearance was identical [28.4 +/- 1.3 (T) vs. 29.2 +/- 1.8 (C) ml . kg-1 . min-1], but plasma concentration [1.42 +/- 0.27 (T) vs. 0.71 +/- 0.16 (C) nmol . l-1] and, accordingly, secretion [2.9 +/- 0.7 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.4 nmol . min-1] were higher (P less than 0.05) in T than C subjects. Epinephrine clearance was closely related to relative work load, decreasing from 15% above the basal level at 30% of maximal O2 uptake (VO2 max) to 22% below at 76% of VO2 max. Epinephrine concentrations increased much more with work intensity than could be accounted for by changes in clearance and were, at exhaustion, higher (P less than 0.05) in T (7.2 +/- 1.6) than in C (2.5 +/- 0.7 nmol . l-1) subjects despite similar glucose, heart rate, and hematocrit values. At a given load, epinephrine clearance rapidly became constant, whereas concentration increased continuously. Forearm extraction of epinephrine invalidated use of blood from a cubital vein or a hand vein arterialized by hot water in turnover measurements. During exercise, changes in epinephrine concentrations reflect changes in secretion rather than in clearance. Training may increase adrenal medullary secretory capacity.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Effect of duration of exercise on excess postexercise O2 consumption.

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of exercise duration on the time course and magnitude of excess postexercise O2 consumption (EPOC). Six healthy male subjects exercised on separate days for 80, 40, and 20 min at 70% of maximal O2 consumption on a cycle ergometer. A control experiment without exercise was performed. O2 uptake, respiratory exchange ratio (R), and rectal temperature were monitored while the subjects rested in bed 24 h postexercise. An increase in O2 uptake lasting 12 h was observed for all exercise durations, but no increase was seen after 24 h. The magnitude of 12-h EPOC was proportional to exercise duration and equaled 14.4 +/- 1.2, 6.8 +/- 1.7, and 5.1 +/- 1.2% after 80, 40, and 20 min of exercise, respectively. On the average, 12-h EPOC equaled 15.2 +/- 2.0% of total exercise O2 consumption (EOC). There was no difference in EPOC:EOC for different exercise durations. A linear decrease with exercise duration was observed in R between 2 and 24 h postexercise. No change was observed in recovery rectal temperature. It is concluded that EPOC increases linearly with exercise duration at a work intensity of 70% of maximal O2 consumption.

Adult↗

Effect of increased central blood volume with water immersion on plasma catecholamines during exercise.

To examine the influence of an increase in central blood volume with head-out water immersion (WI) on the sympathoadrenal response to graded dynamic exercise, nine healthy men underwent upright leg cycle exercise on land and with WI. Plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations were used as indexes of overall sympathoadrenal activity. Oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and plasma concentrations of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and lactate were determined at work loads corresponding to approximately 40, 60, 80, and 100% peak VO2. Peak VO2 did not differ on land and with WI. Plasma norepinephrine concentration was reduced (P less than 0.05) at 80 and 100% peak VO2 with WI and on land, respectively. Plasma epinephrine and lactate concentrations were similar on land and with WI at the three submaximal work stages, but both were reduced (P less than 0.05) at peak exertion with WI. Heart rate was lower (P less than 0.05) at the three highest work intensities with WI. These results suggest that the central shift in blood volume with WI reduces the sympathoadrenal response to high-intensity dynamic exercise.

Adrenal Glands↗

Cardiovascular regulation during head-out water immersion exercise.

Head-out water immersion is known to increase cardiac filling pressure and volume in humans at rest. The purpose of the present study was to assess whether these alterations persist during dynamic exercise. Ten men performed upright cycling exercise on land and in water to the suprasternal notch at work loads corresponding to 40, 60, 80, and 100% maximal O2 consumption (VO2max). A Swan-Ganz catheter was used to measure right atrial pressure (PAP), pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), and cardiac index (CI). Left ventricular end-diastolic (LVED) and end-systolic (LVES) volume indexes were assessed with echocardiography. VO2max did not differ between land and water. RAP, PAP, CI, stroke index, and LVED and LVES volume indexes were significantly greater (P less than 0.05) during exercise in water than on land. Stroke index did not change significantly from rest to exercise in water but increased (P less than 0.05) on land. Arterial systolic blood pressure did not differ between land and water at rest or during exercise. Heart rates were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) in water only during the two highest work intensities. The results indicate that indexes of cardiac preload are greater during exercise in water than on land.

Adult↗

Autonomic regulation of subsidiary atrial pacemakers during exercise.

Cardiac responses to graded treadmill exercise were compared in conscious dogs before and after excision of the sinoatrial node (SAN) and adjacent tissue along the sulcus terminalis. The chronotropic and dromotropic responses to dynamic exercise were compared with and without selective muscarinic (atropine) and/or beta-adrenergic (timolol) blockade. With the SAN intact, cardiac acceleration was prompt during onset of exercise and in proportion to work intensity. Immediately after SAN excision (1-7 days), pacemaker activity exhibited marked instability in rate and pacemaker location, with rapid shifts between atrial and junctional foci. Soon thereafter (1-2 wk), subsidiary atrial pacemakers (SAPs) assumed the primary pacemaker function. Although the SAP foci demonstrated stable heart rates and atrioventricular (AV) intervals at rest and during exercise, heart rates at rest and during steady-state exercise were reduced 34% from corresponding levels in the SAN-intact state, both with and without selective autonomic blockade. For control of dromotropic function, animals with SAP foci showed pronounced shortening in AV interval in conjunction with exercise that was further exacerbated by pretreatment with atropine. Eight weeks after excision of the primary SAN pacemakers, direct electrophysiological mapping localized the SAP foci to either the inferior right atrium along the sulcus terminalis or the dorsal cranial right atrium (in or near Bachmann's bundle). Animals with SAPs localized to the inferior right atrium had a more marked suppression in heart rate with a corresponding greater decrease in AV interval during exercise than dogs with SAP foci identified within the dorsal cranial right atrium.

Animals↗

Uteroplacental blood flow at rest and during exercise in late-gestation conscious rats.

The present studies were conducted to achieve three specific aims. First, techniques and procedures were developed to allow tissue and organ blood flow measurements by radioactive microsphere methodology in the conscious female rat. Second, technical aspects of the methodology were evaluated with emphasis on potential uteroplacental shunting of microspheres in the late-gestational period. Third, the above techniques and procedures were utilized to assess uteroplacental blood flow at rest and during exercise in conscious pregnant rats during the late stages of gestation, i.e., days 15, 19, and 22 of pregnancy. Results established the validity of tracer blood flow technical assumptions, and no significant increase in arteriovenous shunting of 15-microns microspheres either as pregnancy progressed or during superimposed exercise in near-term pregnant animals was detected. During the stages of pregnancy studied, cardiac output was enhanced approximately 20% near term. Marked and progressive increases in uterine blood flow were noted both in milliliters per minute and as percentage of cardiac output. Preferential placental perfusion during late-stage gestation was indicated by increased tissue flow (7 +/- 1, 84 +/- 12, 232 +/- 32 ml.min-1 x 100 g-1), increased percent cardiac output (1.7 +/- 0.1, 5.1 +/- 0.7, 11.0 +/- 1.7% cardiac output), and increased percent uterine blood flow (10 +/- 1, 59 +/- 3, 87 +/- 2% uterine flow) at days 15, 19, and 22 of gestation, respectively. Progressive maternal body weight increase during gestation enhanced exercise work intensity, as shown by heart rate and cardiac output at the end of 30 min of treadmill running at 8.5 m/min, 0% incline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Transient changes in muscle high-energy phosphates during moderate exercise.

The purpose of this study was to use 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to examine changes in wrist flexor muscle metabolism during the transitions from rest to steady-state exercise (on-transient) and back to rest (off-transient). Five healthy young males (mean age 25 +/- 2 yr) performed a series of square-wave exercise tests, each consisting of 5 min of moderate-intensity work followed by a 5-min recovery period. The subjects repeated this protocol six times, and each individual's results were pooled before analysis. ATP and intracellular pH did not change significantly during exercise or recovery. Phosphocreatine (PCr) declined progressively at the onset of exercise, reaching a plateau after approximately 2 min. A reciprocal increase in Pi occurred during the onset of exercise. During the recovery period PCr was resynthesized, whereas Pi returned to resting levels. The data were plotted as a function of time and fit with both first- and second-order exponential growth or decay models; however, the second-order model did not significantly improve the fit of the data. Time constants for the first-order model of the on- and off-transient responses for both PCr and Pi were approximately 30 s. These values are nearly identical to the time constants for oxygen consumption during submaximal exercise that have been reported previously by several authors. The results of this study show that the metabolism of muscle PCr during steady-state exercise and recovery can be accurately described by a monoexponential model and, further, suggest that a first-order proportionality exists between metabolic substrate utilization and oxygen consumption.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Phosphocreatine hydrolysis during submaximal exercise: the effect of FIO2.

There is evidence that the concentration of the high-energy phosphate metabolites may be altered during steady-state submaximal exercise by the breathing of different fractions of inspired O2 (FIO2). Whereas it has been suggested that these changes may be the result of differences in time taken to achieve steady-state O2 uptake (V(O2)) at different FIO2 values, we postulated that they are due to a direct effect of O2 tension. We used 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy during constant-load, steady-state submaximal exercise to determine 1) whether changes in high-energy phosphates do occur at the same V(O2) with varied FIO2 and 2) that these changes are not due to differences in V(O2) onset kinetics. Six male subjects performed steady-state submaximal plantar flexion exercise [7.2 +/- 0.6 (SE) W] for 10 min while lying supine in a 1.5-T clinical scanner. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy data were collected continuously for 2 min before exercise, 10 min during exercise, and 6 min during recovery. Subjects performed three different exercise bouts at constant load with the FIO2 switched after 5 min of the 10-min exercise bout. The three exercise treatments were 1) FIO2 of 0.1 switched to 0.21, 2) FIO2 of 0.1 switched to 1.00, and 3) FIO2 of 1.00 switched to 0.1. For all three treatments, the FIO2 switch significantly (P </= 0.05) altered phosphocreatine: 1) 55.5 +/- 4.8 to 67.8 +/- 4.9% (%rest); 2) 59.0 +/- 4.3 to 72.3 +/- 5.1%; and 3) 72.6 +/- 3.1 to 64.2 +/- 3.4%, respectively. There were no significant differences in intracellular pH for the three treatments. The results demonstrate that the differences in phosphocreatine concentration with varied FIO2 are not the result of different V(O2) onset kinetics, as this was eliminated by the experimental design. These data also demonstrate that changes in intracellular oxygenation, at the same work intensity, result in significant changes in cell homeostasis and thereby suggest a role for metabolic control by O2 even during submaximal exercise.

Adult↗

Intracellular PO(2) decreases with increasing stimulation frequency in contracting single Xenopus muscle fibers.

There is currently some controversy regarding the manner in which skeletal muscle intracellular PO(2) changes with work intensity. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between intracellular PO(2) and stimulation frequency in intact, isolated, single skeletal muscle fibers. Single, living muscle fibers (n = 7) were microdissected from the lumbrical muscles of Xenopus and injected with the oxygen-sensitive probe palladium-meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (0.5 mM). Fibers were mounted with platinum clips to a force transducer in a chamber, which was continuously perfused with Ringer solution (pH = 7.0) at a PO(2) of approximately 30 Torr. Fibers were then stimulated sequentially for 3 min, followed by a 3-min rest, at each of five contraction frequencies (0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.33, and 0.5 Hz), in a random order, using tetanic contractions. Resting intracellular PO(2) averaged 31.2 +/- 0.9 Torr. During steady-state stimulation, intracellular PO(2) declined to 21.2 +/- 2.3, 17.1 +/- 2.4, 15.3 +/- 1.9, 9.8 +/- 2.0, and 5.8 +/- 1.4 Torr for 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.33, and 0.5-Hz stimulation, respectively. Significant fatigue, as defined by a decrease in force to <50% of the initial force, occurred only at the highest (0.5 Hz) stimulation frequency in five of the cells and at 0.33 Hz in the other two. Regression analysis demonstrated that there was a significant (P < 0.0001, r = 0.82) negative correlation between intracellular PO(2) and contraction frequency in these isolated, single cells. The linear decrease in intracellular PO(2) with stimulation frequency, and thus energy demand, suggests that a fall in intracellular PO(2) correlates with increased oxygen uptake in these single contracting cells.

Analysis of Variance↗

[Influence of regular exercise on erythrocyte catalase activity in adolescents with Down syndrome].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Individuals with Down syndrome have been generally described as having high levels of oxidative stress. In order to improve their redox metabolism, the present study was undertaken to ascertain the influence of regular exercise in erythrocyte catalase activity in this population. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: 31 male adolescents with Down syndrome--mean age (standard deviation): 16.1 (1.1) years--performed a 12-week training program with 3 days/week, consisting of warm up (15 min), followed by a main part (20-35 min) at a work intensity of 60-75% of peak heart rate (HRmax = 194.5 - [0.56 age]) and by a cool-down period (10 min). 7 adolescents with trisomy 21 age, sex and body mass index-matched were used as controls. Beutler's method was used to determine catalase activity in the supernatant of erythrocyte hemolysates. RESULTS: When compared to baseline values, catalase activity was not increased significantly--1,607.0 (231) U/gHb vs 1,663.2 (280) U/gHb; (p = 0.151)- after a 12-week training program. No significant differences were found in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Regular exercise did not increase significantly catalase activity. Further studies are required in order to highlight potential benefits of regular exercise in redox metabolism of Down syndrome individuals.

Adolescent↗

Specificities of monoclonal antibodies against the complement C3d split product.

The only specific method at present for the quantification of the complement split product C3d, the double-decker rocket immunoelectrophoretic assay, is work intensive and expensive. We investigated the possibilities for developing an ELISA for the direct quantification of C3d in plasma. Available antibodies were examined for their specificity for C3 and its degradation products by the PAGE immunoblotting method. None of the antibodies were specific for C3d, as cross-reactivities against C3 and/or C3b and C3bi were demonstrable.

Animals↗

Superiority of treadmill walking exercise versus strength training for patients with peripheral arterial disease. Implications for the mechanism of the training response.

BACKGROUND: In patients with intermittent claudication, a supervised walking exercise program increases peak exercise performance and community-based functional status. Patients with peripheral arterial disease also have muscle weakness in the affected extremity that may contribute to the walking impairment. However, the potential benefits of training modalities other than walking exercise, such as strength training, have not been critically evaluated in this patient population. The present study tested the hypothesis that a strength training program would be as effective as treadmill walking exercise and that combinations of strengthening and walking exercise would be more effective than either alone in improving exercise performance. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients with disabling claudication were randomized to 12 weeks of supervised walking exercise on a treadmill (3 h/wk at a work intensity sufficient to produce claudication), strength training (3 h/wk of resistive training of five muscle groups of each leg), or a nonexercising control group. Graded treadmill testing was performed to maximally tolerated claudication pain to define changes in peak exercise performance. After 12 weeks, patients in the treadmill training program had a 74 +/- 58% increase in peak walking time as well as improvements in peak oxygen consumption (VO2) and the onset of claudication pain. Patients in the strength-trained group had a 36 +/- 48% increase in peak walking time but no change in peak VO2 or claudication onset time. Control subjects had no changes in any of these measures over the 12-week period. After the first 12 weeks, patients in the initial walking exercise group continued for 12 more weeks of supervised treadmill training. This resulted in an additional 49 +/- 53% increase in peak walking time (total of 128 +/- 99% increase over the 24 weeks). After the initial 12 weeks, patients in the strength-trained group began 12 weeks of supervised treadmill training, and patients in the control group participated in a 12-week combined program of strengthening and treadmill walking exercise. The combined strength and treadmill training program and treadmill training after 12 weeks of strength training resulted in increases in peak exercise performance similar to those observed with 12 weeks of treadmill training alone. CONCLUSIONS: A supervised treadmill walking exercise program is an effective means to improve exercise performance in patients with intermittent claudication, with continued improvement over 24 weeks of training. In contrast, 12 weeks of strength training was less effective than 12 weeks of supervised treadmill walking exercise. Finally, strength training, whether sequential or concomitant, did not augment the response to a walking exercise program.

Aged↗

Gene therapy for restenosis: getting nearer the heart of the matter.

Intensive work over the past decade has been directed to the study of vascular gene transfer as an approach to the unresolved problem of restenosis. This effort has resulted in a significant foundation of knowledge relative to the activities of potentially therapeutic gene products as well as the capabilities and limitations of vector systems and mechanical delivery modalities available for effecting the vascular expression of these gene products. In several instances, significant progress has been made by experiments highlighting unexpected difficulties and the need for more comprehensive understanding. It is thus now possible to clearly define and address specific challenges that must be overcome in order to make feasible progress from the preclinical to the clinical arena. The key challenges at present appear to include the evolution of clinically practical delivery methods that meet the kinetic requirements of achieving efficient gene transduction and the availability of vectors that maximize efficiency while minimizing undesirable host responses. Emerging data suggest that approaches to solving each of these issues may have recently been developed. Basic research evaluating these new delivery mechanisms and molecular vectors is essential to establish their true potential for use in the clinical arena.

Animals↗

Effect of hypoxia and carbon monoxide on muscle oxygenation during exercise.

We used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to test the hypothesis that reducing oxygen availability during exercise would affect the rate of muscle oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb) desaturation when performing work above the lactic acidosis threshold (LAT), but not below it. Seven healthy men each performed two constant work intensities (60%LAT and the LAT plus 40% of the difference between the LAT and VO2max [40%delta]) four times under the following conditions: (1) 10 min air; (2) 5 min 15%O2 + 5 min air; (3) 5 min air + 5 min 15%O2; (4) 5 min after carbon monoxide (CO) loading to increase the carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) saturation to 15%. During each test, cardiorespiratory parameters and muscle oxygenation measured with NIRS were continuously monitored. Forearm venous blood lactate was measured every 2 to 3 min. Hypoxia and CO accelerated muscle deoxygenation only for exercise above the LAT; for exercise below the LAT, neither progressive deoxygenation nor lactate accumulation occurred after initital, rapid muscle deoxygenation. The rate of decrease in muscle oxygenation between 3 to 5 min of exercise correlated with the increase in VO2 (r = 0.61, p < 0.01) and blood lactate (r = 0.70, p < 0.01) over the same period. These results support the hypothesis that progressive muscle deoxygenation occurs above the LAT and that the rate of deoxygenation is sensitive to oxygen delivery.

Adult↗

Measurement of breathlessness during exercise in asthmatics. Predictor variables, reliability, and responsiveness.

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictor variables for breathlessness and to investigate the criteria of reliability and responsiveness for measuring breathlessness during progressive, incremental exercise on the cycle ergometer. We studied a heterogeneous group of patients with stable asthma (mean +/- SEM age, 46 +/- 4 yr) for four visits at weekly intervals. Predictor variables were determined at the first visit. Nine independent physiologic variables were obtained at each minute during exercise; the Borg rating of breathlessness (range 0 to 10) was used as the dependent variable. The regression model relating the physiologic parameters to the Borg rating of breathlessness was highly significant (model F = 43.4; p = 0.0001). Backward elimination selected the strongest predictors of the Borg rating: peak inspiratory flow (VI); tidal volume (VT)/FVC; frequency of respiration (f); and peak inspiratory mouth pressures (Pm). These four variables explained 63% of the variance in the rating of dyspnea. Each of the four variables exhibited a linear relationship with the Borg rating. Test-retest reliability was assessed by comparing results at the first and second visits. Individual slopes (except for VT/FVC) and intercepts for the four predictor variables versus Borg ratings were highly reliable. The slope for work intensity (watts) and Borg ratings, but not the intercept, was highly reliable. Responsiveness was evaluated by randomly administering inhaled methacholine or inhaled metaproterenol, alternately, at the third and fourth visits to induce acute changes in lung function before exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Substrate turnover during prolonged exercise in man. Splanchnic and leg metabolism of glucose, free fatty acids, and amino acids.

Arterial concentrations and substrate exchange across the leg and splanchnic vascular beds were determined for glucose, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, individual acidic and neutral amino acids, and free fatty acids (FFA) in six subjects at rest and during 4 h of exercise at approximately 30% of maximal oxygen uptake. FFA turnover and regional exchange were evaluated using (14)C-labeled oleic acid. The arterial glucose concentration was constant for the first 40 min of exercise, but fell progressively thereafter to levels 30% below basal. The arterial insulin level decreased continuously, while the arterial glucagon concentration had risen fivefold after 4 h of exercise. Uptake of glucose and FFA by the legs was markedly augmented during exercise, the increase in FFA uptake being a consequence of augmented arterial levels rather than increased fractional extraction. As exercise was continued beyond 40 min, the relative contribution of FFA to total oxygen metabolism rose progressively to 62%. In contrast, the contribution from glucose fell from 40% to 30% between 90 and 240 min. Leg output of alanine increased as exercise progressed. Splanchnic glucose production, which rose 100% above basal levels and remained so throughout exercise, exceeded glucose uptake by the legs for the first 40 min but thereafter failed to keep pace with peripheral glucose utilization. Total estimated splanchnic glucose output was 75 g in 4 h, sufficient to deplete approximately 75% of liver glycogen stores. Splanchnic uptake of gluconeogenic precursors (lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, alanine) had increased 2- to 10-fold after 4 h of exercise, and was sufficient to account for 45% of glucose release at 4 h as compared to 20-25% at rest and at 40 min of exercise. In the case of alanine and lactate, the increase in precursor uptake was a consequence of a rise in splanchnic fractional extraction. It is concluded that during prolonged exercise at a low work intensity (a) blood glucose levels fall because hepatic glucose output fails to keep up with augmented glucose utilization by the exercising legs; (b) a large portion of hepatic glycogen stores is mobilized and an increasing fraction of the splanchnic glucose output is derived from gluconeogenesis; (c) blood-borne substrates in the form of glucose and FFA account for a major part of leg muscle metabolism, the relative contribution from FFA increasing progressively; and (d) augmented secretion of glucagon may play an important role in the metabolic adaptation to prolonged exercise by its stimulatory influence on hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.

Abdomen↗

Splanchnic and peripheral glucose and lactate metabolism during and after prolonged arm exercise.

Splanchnic and peripheral exchange of glucose and gluconeogenic substrates was examined in 12 healthy subjects during 2 h of arm or leg exercise on a bicycle ergometer and during a 40-min postexercise recovery period. The work intensity corresponded to 30% of the maximal pulmonary oxygen uptake. The regional exchange of substrates was evaluated using catheter technique and indicator dilution methods for blood flow measurements. Our findings indicate that prolonged arm exercise as compared with exercise with the legs results in a greater increase in heart rate (25-40%) and a more marked reduction in splanchnic blood flow (10-30%) as well as higher arterial concentrations of lactate, free fatty acids, and catecholamines. The respiratory exchange ratio was consistently higher with arm exercise. In addition, arm exercise results in a greater fractional extraction and utilization of glucose by exercising muscle as well as a greater hepatic gluconeogenesis from lactate and glycerol. During recovery from prolonged arm exercise, leg muscle becomes an important site of lactate release to the splanchnic bed, despite a lack of net glucose uptake by the leg. Simultaneously, arm muscle shows an increase in glucose uptake in the absence of a net release of lactate. These coincident but discordant processes in the leg and arm during recovery suggest the occurrence of a redistribution of muscle glycogen from previously resting (leg) muscle to previously exercising (arm) muscle.

Adult↗