Epinephrine, glucose, and lactate infusion in exercising adrenodemedullated rats

Exhaustive endurance exercise activates brain glycogen breakdown and lactate production more than insulin-induced hypoglycemia

Brain glycogen localized in astrocytes produces lactate via cAMP signaling, which regulates memory functions and endurance capacity. Exhaustive endurance exercise with hypoglycemia decreases brain glycogen, although the mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unclear. Since insulin-induced hypoglycemia decreases brain glycogen, this study tested the hypothesis that hypoglycemia mediates exercise-induced brain glycogen decrease. To test the hypothesis, the effects of insulin- and exhaustive exercise-induced hypoglycemia on brain glycogen levels were compared using the microwave irradiation method in adult Wistar rats. The insulin challenge and exhaustive exercise induced similar levels of severe hypoglycemia. Glycogen in the hypothalamus and cerebellum decreased similarly with the insulin challenge and exhaustive exercise; however, glycogen in the cortex, hippocampus, and brainstem of the exercise group were lower compared with the insulin group. Brain lactate and cAMP levels in the hypothalamus and cerebellum increased similarly with the insulin challenge and exhaustive exercise, but those in the cortex, hippocampus, and brainstem of the exercise group were higher compared with the insulin group. Blood glucose correlated positively with brain glycogen, but the slope of regression lines was greater in the exercise group compared with the insulin group in the cortex, hippocampus, and brainstem, but not the hypothalamus and cerebellum. These findings support the hypothesis that hypoglycemia mediates the exercise-induced reduction in brain glycogen, at least in the hypothalamus and cerebellum. However, glycogen reduction during exhaustive endurance exercise in the cortex, hippocampus, and brainstem is not due to hypoglycemia alone, implicating the role of exercise-specific neuronal activity in brain glycogen decrease.

The short- and long-term effects of orally administered high-dose reduced graphene oxide nanosheets on mouse behaviors

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO), a carbon-based nanomaterial, has enormous potential in biomedical research, including in vivo cancer therapeutics. Concerns over the toxicity remain outstanding and must be investigated before clinical application. The effect of rGO exposure on animal behaviors, such as learning and memory abilities, has not been clarified. Herein, we explored the short- and long-term effects of orally administered rGO on mouse behaviors, including general locomotor activity level, balance and neuromuscular coordination, exploratory and anxiety behaviors, and learning and memory abilities using open-field, rotarod, and Morris water maze tests. Compared with mice administered buffer-dispersed mouse chow or buffer alone, mice receiving a high dose of small or large rGO nanosheets showed little change in exploratory, anxiety-like, or learning and memory behaviors, although general locomotor activity, balance, and neuromuscular coordination were initially affected, which the mechanisms (e.g. the influence of rGO exposure on the activity of superoxide dismutase in mouse serum) were discussed. The results presented in this work look to provide a deep understanding of the in vivo toxicity of rGO to animals, especially its effect on learning and memory and other behaviors.

Compartmentalized acyl-CoA metabolism in skeletal muscle regulates systemic glucose homeostasis

The impaired capacity of skeletal muscle to switch between the oxidation of fatty acid (FA) and glucose is linked to disordered metabolic homeostasis. To understand how muscle FA oxidation affects systemic glucose, we studied mice with a skeletal muscle-specific deficiency of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSL)1. ACSL1 deficiency caused a 91% loss of ACSL-specific activity and a 60-85% decrease in muscle FA oxidation. Acsl1(M-/-) mice were more insulin sensitive, and, during an overnight fast, their respiratory exchange ratio was higher, indicating greater glucose use. During endurance exercise, Acsl1(M-/-) mice ran only 48% as far as controls. At the time that Acsl1(M-/-) mice were exhausted but control mice continued to run, liver and muscle glycogen and triacylglycerol stores were similar in both genotypes; however, plasma glucose concentrations in Acsl1(M-/-) mice were ∼40 mg/dL, whereas glucose concentrations in controls were ∼90 mg/dL. Excess use of glucose and the likely use of amino acids for fuel within muscle depleted glucose reserves and diminished substrate availability for hepatic gluconeogenesis. Surprisingly, the content of muscle acyl-CoA at exhaustion was markedly elevated, indicating that acyl-CoAs synthesized by other ACSL isoforms were not available for β-oxidation. This compartmentalization of acyl-CoAs resulted in both an excessive glucose requirement and severely compromised systemic glucose homeostasis.

Brain glycogen decreases during prolonged exercise

Brain glycogen could be a critical energy source for brain activity when the glucose supply from the blood is inadequate (hypoglycaemia). Although untested, it is hypothesized that during prolonged exhaustive exercise that induces hypoglycaemia and muscular glycogen depletion, the resultant hypoglycaemia may cause a decrease in brain glycogen. Here,we tested this hypothesis and also investigated the possible involvement of brain monoamines with the reduced levels of brain glycogen. For this purpose,we exercised male Wistar rats on a treadmill for different durations (30-120 min) at moderate intensity (20 m min⁻¹) and measured their brain glycogen levels using high-power microwave irradiation (10 kW). At the end of 30 and 60 min of running, the brain glycogen levels remained unchanged from resting levels, but liver and muscle glycogen decreased. After 120 min of running, the glycogen levels decreased significantly by ∼37-60% in five discrete brain loci (the cerebellum 60%, cortex 48%, hippocampus 43%, brainstem 37% and hypothalamus 34%) compared to those of the sedentary control. The brain glycogen levels in all five regions after running were positively correlated with the respective blood and brain glucose levels. Further, in the cortex, the levels of methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), potential involved in degradation of the brain glycogen, increased during prolonged exercise and negatively correlated with the glycogen levels. These results support the hypothesis that brain glycogen could decrease with prolonged exhaustive exercise. Increased monoamines together with hypoglycaemia should be associated with the development of decreased brain glycogen, suggesting a new clue towards the understanding of central fatigue during prolonged exercise.

Brain glycogen decreases during prolonged exercise

Brain glycogen could be a critical energy source for brain activity when the glucose supply from the blood is inadequate (hypoglycaemia). Although untested, it is hypothesized that during prolonged exhaustive exercise that induces hypoglycaemia and muscular glycogen depletion, the resultant hypoglycaemia may cause a decrease in brain glycogen. Here,we tested this hypothesis and also investigated the possible involvement of brain monoamines with the reduced levels of brain glycogen. For this purpose,we exercised male Wistar rats on a treadmill for different durations (30-120 min) at moderate intensity (20 m min⁻¹) and measured their brain glycogen levels using high-power microwave irradiation (10 kW). At the end of 30 and 60 min of running, the brain glycogen levels remained unchanged from resting levels, but liver and muscle glycogen decreased. After 120 min of running, the glycogen levels decreased significantly by ∼37-60% in five discrete brain loci (the cerebellum 60%, cortex 48%, hippocampus 43%, brainstem 37% and hypothalamus 34%) compared to those of the sedentary control. The brain glycogen levels in all five regions after running were positively correlated with the respective blood and brain glucose levels. Further, in the cortex, the levels of methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), potential involved in degradation of the brain glycogen, increased during prolonged exercise and negatively correlated with the glycogen levels. These results support the hypothesis that brain glycogen could decrease with prolonged exhaustive exercise. Increased monoamines together with hypoglycaemia should be associated with the development of decreased brain glycogen, suggesting a new clue towards the understanding of central fatigue during prolonged exercise.

The effects of adrenalectomy and autonomic blockades on the exercise tachycardia in conscious rats

Heart rate (HR) during exercise is controlled by cardiac sympathetic (CSNA) and vagal (CVNA) efferent nerve activity and plasma catecholamines. To determine their relative contribution to the exercise tachycardia, we examined the effects of adrenalectomy (ADX) and autonomic blockades on the HR response during treadmill exercise for 32min in 13 conscious rats. The baseline HR was not influenced by ADX, suggesting no significant role of adrenal catecholamines on the baseline HR. Since the baseline HR was increased 61beats/min by atropine methyl nitrate (1.5mg/kg) and decreased 26beats/min by atenolol (3mg/kg), CVNA determined the baseline HR more than CSNA. ADX did not affect the immediate increase in HR at 0-12s from the exercise onset but reduced the subsequent increase in HR at 13-30s. These increases in HR at the early period of exercise were more blunted by atenolol than atropine. On the other hand, the peak tachycardia response of 99+/-8beats/min at the end of exercise, which was the same between the intact and ADX conditions, was blunted to 73% by atenolol, to 77% by atropine, and to 35% by combined atenolol and atropine, respectively. In conclusion, it is likely that the tachycardia at the beginning of dynamic exercise is predominantly determined by the cardiac autonomic nerve activity, especially by a prompt increase in CSNA, and that the hormonal mechanism due to adrenal epinephrine contributes to a further increase in HR approximately in 13s from the onset of exercise.

Plasma catecholamine and nephrine responses to brief intermittent maximal intensity exercise

Catecholamines (noradrenaline, NA; adrenaline, AD; dopamine, DA) influence the metabolic and cardiovascular responses to exercise. However, changes in catecholamine metabolism during exercise are unclear. Plasma normetanephrine (NMET), metanephrine (MET) and catecholamine responses to a laboratory-based model of games-type exercise were examined. Twelve healthy men completed a resting control trial and a trial consisting of ten 6 s cycle ergometer sprints interspersed with 30 s recovery, in randomised order. Resting and post-sprint venous blood samples were taken. Plasma NA and AD increased after each sprint but DA was unaltered. Plasma nephrines increased significantly from sprint 4 onwards with peak NMET increasing 60% to 0.76 +/- 0.19 nmol l(-1) and MET 230% to 0.37 +/- 0.16 nmol l(-1) from resting values (P < 0.05). The results demonstrate increased catecholamine metabolism via elevated catechol-O-methyl transferase activity during intermittent sprinting. The results may aid regulation of the metabolic and cardiovascular responses to exercise by maintaining tissue adrenoceptor sensitivity to circulating catecholamines.

Intense exercise has unique effects on both insulin release and its roles in glucoregulation: implications for diabetes

In intense exercise (>80% VO(2max)), unlike at lesser intensities, glucose is the exclusive muscle fuel. It must be mobilized from muscle and liver glycogen in both the fed and fasted states. Therefore, regulation of glucose production (GP) and glucose utilization (GU) have to be different from exercise at <60% VO(2max), in which it is established that the portal glucagon-to-insulin ratio causes the less than or equal to twofold increase in GP. GU is subject to complex regulation by insulin, plasma glucose, alternate substrates, other humoral factors, and muscle factors. At lower intensities, plasma glucose is constant during postabsorptive exercise and declines during postprandial exercise (and often in persons with diabetes). During such exercise, insulin secretion is inhibited by beta-cell alpha-adrenergic receptor activation. In contrast, in intense exercise, GP rises seven- to eightfold and GU rises three- to fourfold; therefore, glycemia increases and plasma insulin decreases minimally, if at all. Indeed, even an increase in insulin during alpha-blockade or during a pancreatic clamp does not prevent this response, nor does pre-exercise hyperinsulinemia due to a prior meal or glucose infusion. At exhaustion, GU initially decreases more than GP, which leads to greater hyperglycemia, requiring a substantial rise in insulin for 40--60 min to restore pre-exercise levels. Absence of this response in type 1 diabetes leads to sustained hyperglycemia, and mimicking it by intravenous infusion restores the normal response. Compelling evidence supports the conclusion that the marked catecholamine responses to intense exercise are responsible for both the GP increment (that occurs even during glucose infusion and postprandially) and the restrained increase of GU. These responses are normal in persons with type 1 diabetes, who often report exercise-induced hyperglycemia, and in whom the clinical challenge is to reproduce the recovery period hyperinsulinemia. Intense exercise in type 2 diabetes requires additional study.

Adrenaline and glycogenolysis in skeletal muscle during exercise: a study in adrenalectomised humans

The role of adrenaline in regulating muscle glycogenolysis and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) activity during exercise was examined in six adrenaline-deficient bilaterally adrenalectomised, adrenocortico-hormonal-substituted humans (Adr) and in six healthy control individuals (Con). Subjects cycled for 45 min at approximately 70% maximal pulmonary O2 uptake (VO2,max) followed by 15 min at approximately 86% VO2,max either without (-Adr and Con) or with (+Adr) adrenaline infusion that elevated plasma adrenaline levels (45 min, 4.49+/-0.69 nmol l(-1); 60 min, 12.41+/-1.80 nmol l(-1)). Muscle samples were obtained at 0, 45 and 60 min of exercise. In -Adr and Con, muscle glycogen was similar at rest (-Adr, 409+/-19 mmol (kg dry wt)(-1); Con, 453+/-24 mmol (kg dry wt)(-1)) and following exercise (-Adr, 237+/-52 mmol (kg dry wt)(-1); Con, 227+/-50 mmol (kg dry wt)(-1)). Muscle lactate, glucose-6-phosphate and glucose were similar in -Adr and Con, whereas glycogen phosphorylase (a/a + b x 100 %) and HSL (% phosphorylated) activities increased during exercise in Con only. Adrenaline infusion increased activities of phosphorylase and HSL as well as blood lactate concentrations compared with those in -Adr, but did not enhance glycogen breakdown (+Adr, glycogen following exercise: 274+/-55 mmol (kg dry wt)(-1)) in contracting muscle. The present findings demonstrate that during exercise muscle glycogenolysis can occur in the absence of adrenaline, and that adrenaline does not enhance muscle glycogenolysis in exercising adrenalectomised subjects. Although adrenaline increases the glycogen phosphorylase activity it is not essential for glycogen breakdown in contracting muscle. Finally, a novel finding is that the activity of HSL in human muscle is increased in exercising man and this is due, at least partly, to stimulation by adrenaline.

Effect of adrenaline on glucose kinetics during exercise in adrenalectomised humans

1. The role of adrenaline in regulating hepatic glucose production and muscle glucose uptake during exercise was examined in six adrenaline-deficient, bilaterally adrenalectomised humans. Six sex- and age-matched healthy individuals served as controls (CON). 2. Adrenalectomised subjects cycled for 45 min at 68 +/- 1 % maximum pulmonary O2 uptake (VO2,max), followed by 15 min at 84 +/- 2 % VO2, max without (-ADR) or with (+ADR) adrenaline infusion, which elevated plasma adrenaline levels (45 min, 4.49 +/- 0.69 nmol l-1; 60 min, 12.41 +/- 1.80 nmol l-1; means +/- s.e.m.). Glucose kinetics were measured using [3-3H]glucose. 3. Euglycaemia was maintained during exercise in CON and -ADR, whilst in +ADR plasma glucose was elevated. The exercise-induced increase in hepatic glucose production was similar in +ADR and -ADR; however, adrenaline infusion augmented the rise in hepatic glucose production early in exercise. Glucose uptake increased during exercise in +ADR and -ADR, but was lower and metabolic clearance rate was reduced in +ADR. 4. During exercise noradrenaline and glucagon concentrations increased, and insulin and cortisol concentrations decreased, but plasma levels were similar between trials. Adrenaline infusion suppressed growth hormone and elevated plasma free fatty acids, glycerol and lactate. Alanine and beta-hydroxybutyrate levels were similar between trials. 5. The results demonstrate that glucose homeostasis was maintained during exercise in adrenalectomised subjects. Adrenaline does not appear to play a major role in matching hepatic glucose production to the increase in glucose clearance. In contrast, adrenaline infusion results in a mismatch by simultaneously enhancing hepatic glucose production and inhibiting glucose clearance.

Nutrition and exercise in individuals with diabetes

Individuals with type 1 (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM]) and type 2 (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM]) diabetes should be encouraged to exercise. Although there is an absence of consistent evidence that adaptations to routine exercise improve glucose control in type 1 diabetes, there is evidence that shows improved glucose control in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Although both groups benefit from exercise, the merit and suitability of routine exercise is measured by the extent to which the advantageous adaptive effects of regular exercise surpass the risks of a sole bout of exercise. In addition, when considering acute versus routine exercise, special considerations must be given to children with diabetes and older adults at risk for insulin resistance. Finally, a greater research focus is needed on engaging in competitive and recreational sports so that children and adults with diabetes may participate safely in activities such as baseball, swimming, basketball, soccer, and hockey.

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

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

Voluntary exercise improves glycemia in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice

The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse was used to investigate the effects of voluntary wheel running exercise on blood glucose levels, glycosylated hemoglobin, and longevity in Type 1 diabetes mellitus. In Experiment 1, diabetic and normoglycemic mice exercised 5 h/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks matched with non-exercising controls. In diabetic animals a positive correlation was found between blood glucose and the number of revolutions performed (P < or = 0.02). Exercise also significantly lowered blood glucose between baseline and post-exercise in both diabetic and normoglycemic animals. In Experiment 2, mice exercised 2 h/day, 5 days/week. For the diabetic animals, glycosylated hemoglobin was lower than that of matched non-exercising diabetic animals at week 3 (11.1 +/- 0.6% vs. 15.0 +/- 1.6%, P < 0.001). Diabetic runners were able to train and significantly increased running in the first 4 weeks (P < 0.05). At the end of 9 weeks all 5 diabetic runners were alive, compared with 3 of 5 non-running diabetic animals. We conclude: (i) the NOD mouse is a useful model for the study of exercise in Type 1 diabetes, (ii) running exercise is associated with a drop in blood glucose, (iii) the amount of voluntary exercise performed correlates with blood glucose in diabetic animals, and (iv) diabetic mice will increase running distance in the first few weeks after diagnosis.

Physiological bases for the treatment of the physically active individual with diabetes

Substrate utilisation and glucose homoeostasis during exercise is controlled by the effects of precise changes in insulin, glucagon and the catecholamines. The important role these hormones play is clearly seen in people with diabetes, as the normal endocrine response is often lost. In individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), there can be an increased risk of hypoglycaemia during or after exercise or, conversely, there can be a worsening of the diabetic state if insulin deficiency is present. In contrast, it appears that people with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) can generally exercise without fear of a deleterious metabolic response. The exercise response both in healthy subjects and in those with diabetes is dependent on many factors such as age, nutritional status and the duration and intensity of exercise. Since there are so many variables which govern individual response to exercise, an exact exercise prescription for all people with diabetes cannot be made. There are many adjustments to the therapeutic regimen which an individual with IDDM can make in order to avoid hypoglycaemia during or after exercise. In general, a reduction in insulin dosage and the added ingestion and continual availability of carbohydrates are wise precautions. On the other hand, exercise should be postponed if blood glucose is greater than 2500 mg/L and ketones are present in the urine. As more is understood about the regulation of substrate metabolism during exercise, more refined therapeutic strategies can be defined. An understanding of the metabolic response to exercise is critical for generating an effective and safe training programme for all diabetic individuals who wish to be physically active.

Metabolic role of the exercise-induced increment in epinephrine in the dog

The role of the exercise-induced increment in epinephrine was studied in five adrenalectomized (ADX) and in six normal dogs (C). Experiments consisted of an 80-min equilibration period, a 40-min basal period, and a 150-min exercise period. ADX were studied with epinephrine replaced to basal levels during rest and to increased levels during exercise to simulate its normal rise (HE) and on a separate day with epinephrine maintained at basal levels throughout the study (BE). Cortisol was replaced during rest and exercise in ADX so as to simulate the levels seen in C. Glucose was infused as needed in ADX to maintain the glycemia evident during exercise in C. Glucose production (Ra) and utilization (Rd) were assessed isotopically. In C, epinephrine had risen by 95 +/- 25 pg/ml by the end of exercise. In HE, the increment in epinephrine (117 +/- 29 pg/ml) was similar to that seen in C, whereas in BE epinephrine fell by 18 +/- 9 pg/ml. Basal norepinephrine levels were 139 +/- 9, 260 +/- 25, and 313 +/- 33 pg/ml in C, HE, and BE, respectively. In response to exercise, norepinephrine increased by nearly twofold in all protocols. Basal and exercise-induced changes in plasma glucagon and insulin were similar in C and ADX. Ra increased similarly in C (5.3 +/- 0.6 mg.kg-1.min-1) and HE (4.9 +/- 0.6 mg.kg-1.min-1). In BE, Ra rose normally for the initial 90 min but then declined resulting in a rise of only 2.9 +/- 0.5 mg.kg-1.min-1 after 150 min of exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)