Combining FT-IR spectroscopy and multivariate analysis for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the cell wall composition changes during apples development

The aim of this work was to quantitatively and qualitatively determine the composition of the cell wall material from apples during development by means of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The FT-IR region of 1500-800 cm(-1), containing characteristic bands for galacturonic acid, hemicellulose and cellulose, was examined using principal component analysis (PCA), k-means clustering and partial least squares (PLS). The samples were differentiated by development stage and cultivar using PCA and k-means clustering. PLS calibration models for galacturonic acid, hemicellulose and cellulose content from FT-IR spectra were developed and validated with the reference data. PLS models were tested using the root-mean-square errors of cross-validation for contents of galacturonic acid, hemicellulose and cellulose which was 8.30 mg/g, 4.08% and 1.74%, respectively. It was proven that FT-IR spectroscopy combined with chemometric methods has potential for fast and reliable determination of the main constituents of fruit cell walls.

Early effects of short-term endurance training on hormonal responses to graded exercise

Twelve male, sedentary volunteers (22.0 +/-) were submitted to three weeks of a bicycle ergometer training, consisting of 45 min exercise (at 70% VO2max), 4 times in the first week and 3 times in the next 2 weeks. They performed four incremental exercise tests with the power output increased by 50 W every 3 min until volitional exhaustion: two before training (C1 and C2), and after one (T1) and three (T3) weeks of training. Before and after each load the plasma noradrenaline (NA), adrenaline (A) and blood lactate (LA) concentrations were determined in venous blood samples as well as plasma growth hormone (HGH) and cortisol concentrations before and at the end of exercise. A decrease in NA concentration was found already after 1 week of training at power output of 100 W (p<0.01) and 200 W (p<0.05). Similar decline was maintained after 3 weeks of training. No significant training-induced differences in plasma A concentration were found, however, the thresholds for both catecholamines were significantly shifted towards higher values after 3 weeks of training. One week of training caused a decrease in the pre-exercise (p<0.01), as well as post-exercise (p<0.05) plasma cortisol and HGH concentrations. It was concluded that endurance training induced a decrease in HGH, cortisol and NA concentration already after one week of training. A decline of pre-exercise plasma HGH and cortisol levels with time of experiment may, in part, indicate familiarization to exercise protocol.

Plasma adrenomedullin response to maximal exercise in healthy subjects

The aim of the study was to find out whether maximal exercise performed by healthy young men influences plasma adrenomedullin concentration (ADM) and is the peptide level related to the cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal changes induced by exercise. Ten subjects (age 24+/-1.0 yr) participated in the study. They performed graded bicycle ergometer exercise until exhaustion. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured throughout the test. Before and at the end of exercise venous blood samples were taken for [ADM], noradrenaline [NA], adrenaline [A], growth hormone [hGH], cortisol and lactate [LA] determination. Plasma [ADM] decreased during exercise from 1.71+/-0.09 to 1.53+/-0.10 pmol x l(-1) (p<0.01). This was accompanied by increases in plasma catecholamines and [hGH], while plasma cortisol level did not change. Positive correlation was found between the exercise-induced decreases in plasma ADM and diastolic BP. Blood [LA], systolic and mean BP at the end of exercise correlated negatively with plasma [ADM]. No significant interrelationships were found between plasma ADM, catecholamines or the other hormones measured. The present data suggests, that maximal exercise inhibits ADM secretion in young healthy men. Metabolic acidosis and a decrease in peripheral resistance might be involved in this effect.

Early effects of short-term aerobic training. Physiological responses to graded exercise

AIM

The aim of this study was to find out how early the moderate training effects appear and to check the hypothesis that familiarization with exercise protocol may contribute to an early physiological responses to training in previously sedentary subjects.

METHODS

Twelve male, sedentary volunteers (22.0+/-0.7 yrs) were submitted to 3 weeks of a bicycle ergometer training, consisting of 45 min of exercise (at 70% VO(2)max), 3-4 times a week. The subjects performed 4 incremental exercise tests until volitional exhaustion: 2 before training (C1 and C2), and then after 1 (T1) and 3 (T3) weeks of training. During exercise HR, VO(2), electrical activity (EMG) of rectus femoris, biceps femoris, soleus and trapezius muscles were recorded and blood samples were taken for blood lactate (LA) determination.

RESULTS

Already after 1 week of training HR decreased (p<0.05) with a further decline after 3 weeks the training (p<0.01). Maximal work load after 3 weeks of training increased to 277+/-10.4 W vs 250+/-9.5 W (p<0.05), VO(2)max achieved higher values than in C1 and C2 tests (p<0.05) and LA and EMG thresholds were elevated (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

A decrease in the resting and submaximal heart rate is the earliest effect of increased physical activity. Familiarization to exercise protocol decreased EMG of biceps femoris and soleus muscles during exercise, but did not influence that of rectus femoris muscle the most engaged during cycling.

Effect of static handgrip on plasma adrenomedullin concentration in patients with heart failure and in healthy subjects

Adrenomedullin (ADM) release is enhanced in pheochromocytoma, chronic heart failure (HF), hypertension and renal diseases. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that ADM secretion increases also in response to acute stimuli, such as static effort and to compare plasma ADM response to this stimulus in patients with chronic HF and healthy persons. Eight male HF patients (II/III class NYHA) and eight healthy subjects (C) performed two 3-min bouts of static handgrip at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction, alternately with each hand without any break between the bouts. At the end of both exercise bouts and in 5 min of the recovery period, plasma ADM and catecholamines were determined. In addition, heart rate, blood pressure, and stroke volume (SV) were measured. The baseline plasma ADM and noradrenaline levels were higher, whilst plasma adrenaline and SV were lower in HF patients than in C group. The 1st exercise bout caused an increase in plasma ADM from 3.32 +/- 0.57 to 4.98 +/- 0.59 pmol l(-1) (p<0.01) in C and from 6.88 +/- 0.58 to 7.80 +/- 0.43 pmol x l(-1) (p<0.02) in HF patients. The 2nd exercise bout did not produce further elevation in plasma ADM and during recovery the hormone concentration declined to pre-exercise or lower values. There were no differences between groups in exercise-induced increases in plasma ADM. Plasma ADM correlated with SV (r = -0.419) and with noradrenaline concentrations (r = 0.427). It is concluded that static exercise causes the short-lasting increase in plasma ADM concentration which is similar in healthy subjects and in patients with mild heart failure.

Influence of caffeine, cold and exercise on multiple choice reaction time

RATIONALE

The effects of caffeine on psychomotor performance have been evaluated under resting conditions and in a thermoneutral environment. Our hypothesis was that these effects could be modified by factors enhancing the level of alertness, such as exercise and cold exposure.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to follow up changes in the multiple choice reaction time (RT) during exercise at room and low ambient temperatures after caffeine or placebo administered in a double blind manner.

METHODS

Nine soccer players performed multistage, incremental exercise until volitional exhaustion on a bicycle ergometer at 22 degrees C or 4 degrees C, 1 h after ingestion of coffee with caffeine (CAF) or without it (PL). Immediately before exercise and at the end of each workload, RT and blood lactate (LA) were measured. Oxygen uptake (VO2) and heart rate (HR) were recorded continuously. Blood LA threshold and the workload associated with the shortest RT were determined.

RESULTS

During exercise at 22 degrees C, RT was significantly shorter in CAF than in the PL test, while at 4 degrees C there were no differences in RT between CAF and PL trials. Cold exposure did not affect RT either at rest or during exercise. Neither caffeine nor cold exposure influenced the maximal VO2, the maximal HR and LA threshold.

CONCLUSION

In the thermoneutral environment, caffeine ingestion improved psychomotor performance during exercise, whilst at low ambient temperature this effect was blunted. These findings suggest that the stimulating action of caffeine depends on the level and source of arousal.

Cardiovascular, metabolic and plasma catecholamine responses to passive and active exercises

Eight healthy male volunteers (aged 19.6+/-3.0 years) were submitted to the unloaded active (AE) and passive (PE) cycling exercise-tests performed on an adapted cycle ergometer at a pedalling rate of 50 rpm. Intensity of active exercise was about 10% of VO2 max. In the PE exercise test the ergometer was moved electrically. During both tests the systolic time intervals (STI), stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), oxygen uptake (VO2), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), electrical muscle activity (EMG), plasma adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NE) and blood lactate (LA) concentrations were measured. Exercise induced changes in VO2, RPE and EMG were significantly higher during AE than PE. Shortening of the pre-ejection period (PEP) and diminishing of the PEP to ejection time (ET) ratio were similar in both types of exercise, whereas HR increased only during AE. A significant increase in cardiac output (p<0.01) resulted from increased SV (p<0.01) during PE and from increased HR (p <0.01) during AE. MAP increased only during PE and it was higher than at rest and during AE (p<0.01). Absence of changes in SV and MAP during AE may be considered as a secondary effect of the decrease in TPR. Plasma catecholamines did not increase above resting values in either type of exercise. Blood LA concentration increased during both PE and AE but it reached higher values (p<0.01) after the latter test. The present data suggest that the inotropic state depends on the mechanoreflexes originated in skeletal muscles. However, contribution of changes in preload to shortening of PEP can not be excluded.

BDNF and NT4/5 promote survival and neurite outgrowth of pontocerebellar mossy fiber neurons

The neurotrophins nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT3), and NT4/5 are all found in the developing cerebellum. Granule cells, the major target neurons of mossy fibers, express BDNF during mossy fiber synaptogenesis. To determine whether neurotrophins contribute to the development of cerebellar afferent axons, we characterized the effects of neurotrophins on the growth of mossy fiber neurons from mice and rats in vitro. For a mossy fiber source, we used the basilar pontine nuclei (BPN), the major source of cerebellar mossy fibers in mammals. BDNF and NT4/5 increased BPN neuron survival, neurite outgrowth, growth cone size, and elongation rate, while neither NT3 nor NGF increased survival or outgrowth. In addition, BDNF and NT4/5 reduced the size of neurite bundles. Consistent with these effects, in situ hybridization on cultured basilar pontine neurons revealed the presence of mRNA encoding the TrkB receptor which binds both BDNF and NT4/5 with high affinity. We detected little or no message encoding the TrkC receptor which preferentially binds NT3. BDNF and NT4/5 also increased TrkB mRNA levels in BPN neurons. In addition to previously established functions as an autocrine/paracrine trophic factor for granule cells, the present results indicate that cerebellar BDNF may also act as a target-derived trophic factor for basilar pontine mossy fibers.

Collapsin-1/semaphorin-III/D is regulated developmentally in Purkinje cells and collapses pontocerebellar mossy fiber neuronal growth cones

Most axons in the CNS innervate specific subregions or layers of their target regions and form contacts with specific types of target neurons, but the molecular basis of this process is not well understood. To determine whether collapsin-1/semaphorin-III/D, a molecule known to repel specific axons, might guide afferent axons within their cerebellar targets, we characterized its expression by in situ hybridization and observed its effects on mossy and climbing fiber extension and growth cone size in vitro. In newborn mice sema-D is expressed by cerebellar Purkinje cells in parasagittal bands located medially and in some cells of the cerebellar nuclei. Later, sema-D expression in Purkinje cells broadens such that banded expression is no longer prominent, and expression is detected in progressively more lateral regions. By postnatal day 16, expression is observed throughout the cerebellar mediolateral axis. Collapsin-1 protein, the chick ortholog of sema-D, did not inhibit the extension of neurites from explants of inferior olivary nuclei, the source of climbing fibers that innervate Purkinje cells. In contrast, when it was applied to axons extending from basilar pontine explants, a source of mossy fiber afferents of granule cells, collapsin-1 caused most pontine growth cones to collapse, as evidenced by a reduction in growth cone size of up to 59%. Moreover, 63% of pontine growth cones arrested their extension or retracted. Its effects on mossy fiber extension and its distribution suggest that sema-D prevents mossy fibers from innervating inappropriate cerebellar target regions and cell types.

Relationship between EMG blood lactate, and plasma catecholamine thresholds during graded exercise in men

The aim of this study was to follow up the electromyographic activity (EMG) of dynamically working muscles with simultaneous determinations of blood lactate and plasma catecholamine concentrations during progressive exercise. Twenty eight male soccer players aged 20.6 +/- 0.8 yrs performed incremental bicycle ergometer exercise test. The test consisted of 3-min stages exercise separated by 1-min rest intervals. Work load at each stage increased by 50 W until volitional exhaustion. The root mean square (rms)-EMG activity of the rectus femoris and soleus muscles were recorded continuously during exercise. Venous blood samples were taken after each exercise stage for determination of blood lactate (LA). Additionally in seven subjects adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA) concentrations were determined. The EMG activity increased negligibly during exercise of low to moderate intensities revealing an abrupt rise at the load corresponding to thresholds of blood lactate and plasma catecholamine accumulation (LA-T, A-T, NA-T). Close correlations (P < 0.001) were found between blood LA concentration and EMG derived from rectus f. (r = 0.72) and soleus (r = 0.68) muscles. The mean threshold exercise intensities for m. rectus f. and m. soleus EMG (176 +/- 9 W and 172 +/- 9 W, respectively) did not differ significantly from lactate (164 +/- 7 W), noradrenaline (178 +/- 6 W) and adrenaline (180 +/- 5 W) thresholds, all of them detected by log-log transformation. The results indicate that threshold character of EMG changes in dynamically working muscles reflects to some extend the patterns of blood lactate and plasma catecholamine changes during incremental exercise.

Phosphate supplementation prevents a decrease of triiodothyronine and increases resting metabolic rate during low energy diet

Thirty overweight women participated in 8 week slimming program consisting of a self-controlled low-energy diet (4.2 MJ/day) supplemented with highly viscous fibres and mineral tablets containing calcium, potassium and sodium phosphates (Redusan Combi, Biokraft Pharma AB, Sweden). Half of the patients received in double blind manner mineral tablets during first 4 weeks and placebo (without phosphates) during next 4 weeks (group 1) while the remaining patients were treated (cross-over) with placebo first and mineral tablets in the final period (group 2). The rate of weight loss was similar in groups 1 and 2 (4.7 vs 5.2 kg during the first 4 weeks and 2.7 vs 3.0 kg in the further 4 weeks). During periods of phosphate supplementation, the resting metabolic rate (RMR) increased by approx. 12% (p < 0.05) in group 1 and 19% (p < 0.05) in group 2. Phosphate supplementation ameliorated also a decrease in plasma triiodothyronine level and a decrease in thyroxine to triiodothyronine ratio. There were no differences between groups in the plasma insulin, catecholamine, growth hormone, cortisol and testosterone levels. Phosphate supplementation did not affect plasma lipids or blood glucose concentration. It is concluded that phosphate supplementation in obese patients on a low-energy diet enhances RMR irrespectively of the rate of weight loss. This effect seems to be, at least partly, due to an influence of phosphates on peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones.

Glucose infusion into exercising dogs after confinement: rectal and active muscle temperatures

BACKGROUND

Intravenous glucose infusion into ambulatory dogs results in attenuation of exercise-induced increase of both rectal and thigh muscle temperatures.

HYPOTHESIS

That glucose (Glu) infusion attenuates excessive increase in body temperature from restricted activity during confinement deconditioning.

METHODS

Rectal (Tre) and quadriceps femoris muscle (Tmu) temperatures, metabolic rate, and blood samples were taken before and after 90 min of moderate treadmill exercise (mean = 3.1 +/- SE 0.2 W.kg-1) at Tdb = 21 +/- 1 degrees C and 45-60% rh from 7 male mongrel dogs (19.6 +/- SD 3.0 kg) with i.v. infusion of 40% Glu in 0.9% NaCl (0.07 ml.kg-1.min-1) or 0.9% NaCl (0.07 mg.g-1.min-1) both before and after 8 weeks of cage confinement.

RESULTS

Mean (+/- SE) delta Tre (90-0 min) were: NaCl.after = 1.8 +/- 0.4 degrees C vs. 1.4 +/- 0.3 degrees C (NS) before confinement; Glu.after = 1.3 +/- 0.2 degrees C vs. 0.9 +/- 0.3 degrees C (p < 0.02) before confinement. Comparable delta Tmu (90-0 min) data were: NaCl.after = 2.5 +/- 0.4 degrees C vs. 1.9 +/- 0.4 degrees C (NS) before; Glu.after = 1.6 +/- 0.2 degrees C vs. 1.4 +/- 0.4 degrees C (NS) before. Glucose infusion significantly attenuated the rise of Tmu (1.9 degrees vs. 1.4 degrees C) only before confinement, but attenuated the rise of Tre both before (1.4 degrees vs. 0.9 degrees C) and after (1.8 degrees vs. 1.3 degrees C) confinement. Body temperature attenuation was not related to change in plasma volume, osmolality, [Glu], [lactate], [cortisol], or heat production with constant VO2.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous glucose infusion attenuates the rise in exercise core temperature in deconditioned dogs by a yet undefined mechanism.

Effect of phosphate supplementation on metabolic and neuroendocrine responses to exercise and oral glucose load in obese women during weight reduction

Thirty six obese women (BMI 29.5 to 44.0 kg m-2, aged 27 to 45 yrs) participated in the 4- week weight reducing program. All of them have prescribed low fat diet of approx. 4.2 MJ (1000 kcal per day) with high viscous fibre capsules as a basic supplement. In addition 18 women (group 1) received Redusan mineral tablets containing mainly calcium and potassium phosphates while the remaining subjects (group 2) were given Placebo instead of mineral tablets. Before energy restriction and after 4 weeks on the diet, half of the women from each group performed 30 min--bicycle ergometer exercise (30-50 W; HR approx. 110 beats.min-1). The remaining subjects were submitted to oral glucose (75 g) tolerance test (OGTT). Weight loss during energy restriction was not affected by phosphate supplementation (4.6 +/- 0.4 and 5.2 +/- 0.5 kg in group 1 and 2, respectively). Phosphates caused a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the resting metabolic rate (RMR). Net energy cost of work, resting and post-exercise blood glucose, lactate, plasma FFA, adrenalin, cortisol, growth hormone, insulin and testosterone did not differ between the groups receiving phosphates and placebo while respiratory exchange ratio was slightly higher (p < 0.05), and the plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration lower (p < 0.05) than without phosphate supplementation. Post-exercise plasma noradrenaline was significantly lowered after 4 weeks of energy restriction in group 2 (on Placebo). Neither blood glucose, plasma insulin and noradrenaline responses to oral glucose ingestion nor the glucose induced thermogenesis were significantly affected by phosphate supplementation, whilst blood pressure increases following glucose load were reduced (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study confirmed a potential usefulness of phosphate supplementation during energy restriction in obese patients due to its effect on resting metabolic rate. The results did not, however, reveal any major alterations in the metabolic and hormonal responses to exercise or to glucose ingestion in comparison with placebo treatment.

Metabolic, body temperature and hormonal responses to repeated periods of prolonged cycle-ergometer exercise in men

This study was designed to find out whether rest intervals and prevention of dehydration during prolonged exercise inhibit a drift in metabolic rate, body temperature and hormonal response typically occurring during continuous work. For this purpose in ten healthy men the heart rate (fc), rectal temperature (Tre), oxygen uptake (VO2), as well as blood metabolite and some hormone concentrations were measured during 2-h exercise at approximately 50% maximal oxygen uptake split into four equal parts by 30-min rest intervals during which body water losses were replaced. During each 30-min exercise period there was a rapid change in Tre and fc superimposed on which, these values increased progressively in consecutive exercise periods (slow drift). The VO2 showed similar changes but there were no significant differences in the respiratory exchange ratio, pulmonary ventilation, mechanical efficiency and plasma osmolality between successive periods of exercise. Blood glucose, insulin and C-peptide concentrations decreased in consecutive exercise periods, whereas plasma free fatty acid, glycerol, catecholamine, growth hormone and glucagon concentrations increased. Blood lactate concentrations did not show any regular drift and the plasma cortisol concentration decreased during the first two exercise periods and then increased. In conclusion, in spite of the relatively long rest intervals between the periods of prolonged exercise and the prevention of dehydration several physiological and hormonal variables showed a distinct drift with time. It is suggested that the slow drift in metabolic rate could have been attributable in the main to the increased concentrations of heat liberating hormones.

Comparison in men of physiological responses to exercise of increasing intensity at low and moderate ambient temperatures

In six male subjects the sweating thresholds, heart rate (fc), as well as the metabolic responses to exercise of different intensities [40%, 60% and 80% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max)], were compared at ambient temperatures (Ta) of 5 degrees C (LT) and 24 degrees C (MT). Each period of exercise was preceded by a rest period at the same temperature. In LT experiments, the subjects rested until shivering occurred and in MT experiments the rest period was made to be of exactly equivalent length. Oxygen uptake (VO2) at the end of each rest period was higher in LT than MT (P less than 0.05). During 20-min exercise at 40% VO2max performed in the cold no sweating was recorded, while at higher exercise intensities sweating occurred at similar rectal temperatures (Tre) but at lower mean skin (Tsk) and mean body temperatures (Tb) in LT than MT experiments (P less than 0.001). The exercise induced VO2 increase was greater only at the end of the light (40% VO2max) exercise in the cold in comparison with MT (P less than 0.001). Both fc and blood lactate concentration [1a]b were lower at the end of LT than MT for moderate (60% VO2max) and heavy (80% VO2max) exercises. It was concluded that the sweating threshold during exercise in the cold environment had shifted towards lower Tb and Tsk. It was also found that subjects exposed to cold possessed a potentially greater ability to exercise at moderate and high intensities than those at 24 degrees C since the increases in Tre, fc and [1a]b were lower at the lower Ta.

Thermoregulatory and metabolic responses to repeated bouts of prolonged cycle-ergometer exercise in man

Changes in body temperature, oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), sweating rate and plasma osmolarity were examined in 10 human subjects, performing four successive 30 min exercise-bouts of the same intensity (50% VO2 max) separated by 30 min rest periods. In spite of the rest intervals and replacement of body fluid loss there was a progressive increase in VO2. HR, rectal (Tre) and mean body (Tb) temperatures in consecutive exercise bouts. The thermoregulatory efficiency showed an increasing tendency, and a delay in the sweating response at the beginning of each exercise was shortened. It is concluded that a drift in metabolic and temperature responses to exercise, reported throughout a long-term continuous work, occurs also in the euhydrated subjects performing a prolonged intermittent exercise. It is not caused by an impaired thermoregulation during exercise but rather by insufficient restitution of metabolic processes during rest intervals.

Thermoregulatory responses to exercise at low ambient temperature performed after precooling or preheating procedures

Seven male skiers exercised for 30 min on a cycle ergometer at 50% of maximal oxygen uptake and an ambient temperature of 5 degrees C. The exercise was preceded either by cold exposure (PREC) or active warming-up (PREH). The data were compared with control exercise (CONT) performed immediately after entering the thermal chamber from a thermoneutral environment. Cold exposure resulted in negative heat storage (96.1 kJ.m-2, SE 5.9) leading to significantly lower rectal, mean body and mean skin temperatures at the onset of exercise in PREC, as compared to PREH and CONT. The PREC-PREH temperature differences were still significant at the end of the exercise period. During exercise in the PREC test, oxygen uptake was higher than in PREH test (32.8 ml.kg-1.min-1, SE 1.5 vs 30.5 ml.kg-1.min-1, SE 1.3, respectively). Heart rate showed only a tendency to be higher in PREC than in PREH and CONT tests. In the PREH test skin and body temperatures as well as sweat rate were already elevated at the beginning of exercise. Exercise-induced changes in these variables were minimal. Heat storage decreased with the duration of the exercise. Exercise at low ambient temperature preceded by a 30-min rest in a cold environment requires more energy than the same exercise performed after PREH.

Thyroid hormones and muscle metabolism in dogs

Muscle contents of ATP, ADP, AMP, creatine phosphate and creatine as well as glycogen, some glycolytic intermediates, pyruvate and lactate were compared in the intact, thyroidectomized and triiodothyronine (T3) treated dogs under resting conditions. After thyroidectomy muscle glycogen, glucose 1-phosphate and glucose 6-phosphate contents were significantly elevated while in T3-treated animals these variables were decreased in comparison with control dogs. Muscle free glucose was not altered by thyroidectomy but T3 treatment significantly increased its content. Muscle lactate content was elevated both in hypo- and hyperthyroid animals. Muscle ATP and total adenine nucleotide contents were significantly increased in hyperthyroid dogs while no differences were found between the three groups in the muscle creatine phosphate content. It is assumed that in T3-treated animals carbohydrate catabolism is enhanced in the resting skeletal muscle in spite of high tissue ATP content. Muscle metabolite alterations in hypothyroid dogs seem to reflect the hypometabolism accompanied by a diminished rate of glycogenolysis with inhibited rate of pyruvate oxidation or decreased rate of lactate removal from the cells.

Thyroid hormone deficiency and muscle metabolism during light and heavy exercise in dogs

Muscle glycogen, glycolytic intermediate and high energy phosphate contents were compared in 5 intact-control (C) and thyroidectomized (THY) dogs after 30 min treadmill exercise of low (40W) and high (70W) intensities. Although after the exercise of relatively low intensity the rate of glycogenolysis and muscle lactate accumulation in THY dogs exceeded those in controls, the diminished oxidative capacity in the former was inadequately compensated, resulting in lowering of APT and CrP contents. At the higher work load the latter effects were more pronounced while the rate of glycogenolysis was similar or even lower than in controls. Inadequate fuel utilization may be considered as a factor limiting ability for heavy exercise in hypothyroidism.

Enhanced glucose availability for working muscles reduces exercise hyperthermia in dogs

Body temperature and metabolic responses to 2 h treadmill exercise in dogs given glucose intravenously (25-30 mg.kg-1 X min-1 throughout the run) were compared with those measured in the same animals with elevated plasma FFA concentrations (soya bean oil ingestion + intravenous heparin) and in control experiments (24 h fasting). In comparison with control conditions enhanced glucose availability for the working muscles caused a reduction in the exercise-induced increases in both rectal (by 0.9 +/- 0.11 degree C) and muscle (by 0.9 +/- 0.16 degree C) temperatures, a lower rate of oxygen uptake (by 16%) and an elevated respiratory exchange ratio. A tendency towards enhanced body temperature responses to exercise, accompanied by increases in VO2 and cardiac frequency was noted in dogs with elevated plasma FFA concentrations as compared with the control animals. The estimated amount of heat effectively dissipated from the body, expressed as a fraction of heat load (thermoregulatory efficiency) was significantly higher in dogs infused with glucose (0.962 +/- 0.0035), than in the controls (0.947 +/- 0.0043) and those with elevated plasma FFA concentrations (0.931 +/- 0.0029). It is concluded that the increased contribution of carbohydrates to the energy yield during exercise results in a marked attenuation of hyperthermia, associated with a reduced metabolic rate and improved thermoregulatory efficiency.

Exercise hyperthermia as a factor limiting physical performance: temperature effect on muscle metabolism

The muscle contents of high-energy phosphates and their derivatives [ATP, ADP, AMP, creatine phosphate (CrP), and creatine], glycogen, some glycolytic intermediates, pyruvate, and lactate were compared in 11 dogs performing prolonged heavy exercise until exhaustion (at ambient temperature 20.0 +/- 1.0 degrees C) without and with trunk cooling using ice packs. Without cooling, dogs were able to run for 57 +/- 8 min, and their rectal (Tre) and muscle (Tm) temperatures increased to 41.8 +/- 0.2 and 43.0 +/- 0.2 degrees C, respectively. Compared with noncooling, duration of exercise with cooling was longer by approximately 45% while Tre and Tm at the time corresponding to the end of exercise without cooling were lower by 1.1 +/- 0.2 and 1.2 +/- 0.2 degrees C, respectively. The muscle contents of high-energy phosphates (ATP + CrP) decreased less, the rate of glycogen depletion was lower, and the increases in the contents of AMP, pyruvate, and lactate as well as in the muscle-to-blood lactate ratio were smaller. The muscle content of lactate was positively correlated with Tm. The data indicate that with higher body temperature equilibrium between high-energy phosphate breakdown and resynthesis was shifted to the lower values of ATP and CrP and glycolysis was accelerated. The results suggest that hyperthermia developing during prolonged muscular work exerts an adverse effect on muscle metabolism that may be relevant to limitation of endurance.

Hypothalamic, rectal, and muscle temperatures in exercising dogs: effect of cooling

To investigate mechanisms that may be involved in the prolongation of exercise performance with body cooling hypothalamic (Thy), rectal (Tre), and exercising muscle (Tm) temperatures, as well as the heart rate, respiratory rate, blood lactic acid concentration ( [LA] ), and plasma osmolality (Osm) were measured in five dogs during exhaustive treadmill exercise at an ambient temperature (Ta) of 22 +/- 1 degree C without cooling (control) and with external cooling by use of ice packs. In both series of experiments, dehydration of animals was prevented. Compared with exercise with noncooling, exercise with cooling resulted in 1) increased exercise duration from 90 +/- 14 to 145 +/- 15 min (62%, P less than 0.05); 2) attenuated increases in Thy, Tre, and Tm; 3) decreased respiratory and heart rates; and 4) lowered LA. Significant negative correlations were found between both Tm and delta Tm attained at 60 min of the run and time of exercise until exhaustion (r = -0.72 and -0.74, respectively; P less than 0.02). This work failed to differentiate clearly changes or equilibrium levels of brain, core, or muscle temperature as separate factors affecting work tolerance. However, the inverse relationship between Tm reached at 60 min of the run (in both experiments) and the total duration of exercise indicates that sustained muscle hyperthermia may largely contribute to limitation of working ability.

Progressive enhancement of body temperature responses to consecutive exercise-bouts of the same intensity in dogs

Progressive enhancement of body temperature responses to consecutive exercise-bouts of the same intensity in dogs. Acta physiol. pol., 1985, 36 (3): 165-174. Changes in rectal (Tre), muscle (Tm), and hypothalamic (Thy) temperatures, plasma osmolality, and some intermediary metabolic variables were examined in dogs performing four successive exercise-bouts of the same intensity. During the rest-intervals separating the exercise-bouts body temperatures returned to initial levels and water losses were replaced. Tm and Tre responses to consecutive exercise-bouts were progressively increasing. Similar tendency was found in Thy changes. Cardiac and respiratory frequencies attained the same levels in all four exercise-bouts, while blood lactate and FFA concentrations were increasing and blood glucose level was decreasing progressively. No changes in plasma osmolality was noted. Exercise-induced increases in Tm correlated positively with plasma FFA concentration (r = 0.68). Body temperature responses to exercise were reduced by beta-adrenergic blockade. It is concluded that the enhancement of the thermal responses to consecutive exercise-bouts can be related to the metabolic action of catecholamines.

Reduced hypothalamic thermosensitivity following intraventricular injection of pyrogen in conscious rabbits

Hypothalamic temperature thresholds for vasodilatory and respiratory reactions were determined before and after i.c.v. injection of pyrogen in rabbits. During the rising phase of fever the increases in the hypothalamic thresholds for vasodilatory and respiratory reactions differed from those found in the pre-pyrogen preoptic anterior hypothalamic area (POAH) heating by 2.1 +/- 0.2 degrees C and 1.89 +/- 0.31 degrees C, respectively. During the plateau phase of fever the threshold for vasodilatory reaction was further increased (by 0.7 +/- 0.23 degrees C), whereas that for panting remained at the same level. It is concluded that pyrogen exerts a depressive action on POAH thermosensitivity.

Effect of nembutal anaesthesia on the tolerance of high ambient temperature in guinea pigs

A significantly lower rise of rectal temperature was observed in guinea pigs under nembutal general anaesthesia (2 degrees C) in comparison to the rise in this temperature in non-anaesthetised animals (2.6 degrees C) kept for 2.5 hours at an ambient temperature of 36 degrees C. Better tolerance of heat in the animals under general anaesthesia was due to reduced heat production and it was independent of a modification by nembutal of the thermoinsulating properties of the skin and coat, as it is a case at low and neutral ambient temperatures.

Hypercapnia-induced thermoregulatory disturbances in rabbits at low ambient temperature

The effect of 30 minute inhalation of a gaseous mixture containing 6% CO2, 21% O2 and 73 N2 on the thermoregulatory reactions was studied in rabbits at ambient temperatures (Ta) of 6 and 18 degrees C. At Ta 6 degrees C the CO2 inhalation caused a greater fall of the rectal temperature (Tre) as well as the subcutaneous and skin temperatures (TS1 and TS2) than at Ta 18 degrees C. At the same time, the gradients Tre-TS1 and TS1-TS2 decreased, the respiratory rate increased and the electrical activity of skeletal muscles was depressed in both thermal conditions. A considerable fall in heat production occurred only at Ta 6 degrees C, at which the initial electric activity of the skeletal muscles was also greater. These results suggest that Tre fall associated with CO2 inhalation at low temperatures was caused mainly by inhibition of shivering-thermogenesis, however, the changes in skin temperatures were without any greater importance for the body temperature at Ta 6 degrees C as well as at 18 degrees C.

Antidiuretic action of intravenous and intracerebral pyrogen in conscious rabbits

1. In conscious rabbits an i.v. infusion of 30 or 60 microgram E. coli pyrogen/kg body wt. decreased urine flow from control of 1.13 +/- 0.11 (S.E. of mean) ml./min to 0.43 +/- 0.09 ml./min while urine osmolality increased from 212 +/- 16 to 679 +/- 82 m-osmole/kg H2O. Clearances of exogenous creatine and p-aminohippurate did not change significantly. 2. Plasma antidiuretic activity (rat bio-assay) increased from control of 15.5 +/- 4.2 to 56.8 +/- 5.5 muu./ml. at the top of antidiuresis. 3. Comparable urine flow and osmolality changes were evoked by a pyrogen dose of only 0.2 microgram per animal injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle. 4. The results suggest that in the rabbit pyrogen stimulates ADH release by an unknown central mechanism.

[Amplification factor in the thermoregulatory system at different environmental temperatures]

With the aid of a heater implanted into the hypothalamus, the temperature was raised in the medial preoptic area of the rabbit hypothalamus; Vasodilatation was observed at that in the helix and in the nose skin. The heat emanated during this response was measured with the aid of a dynamic biocalorimeter. The amplification coefficient in the thermoregulation system was calculated as the ratio: the heat emanated by the rabbit during the vascular thermoregulatory response--the heat introduced into the hypothalamus in the course of heating. At the temperature 20% in the calorimeter chamber, the amplification coefficient was 3.9+/-0.8, and at 24 degrees it was as high as 13.6+/-1.0.

Renal function changes during preoptic-anterior hypothalamic heating in the rabbit

Thermoregulatory reactions evoked by selective preoptic-anterior hypothalamic (PO/AH) heating in conscious rabbits were associated with significant changes in renal function. Urine flow rate decreased from a control value of 0.92 +/- (S.E.) 0.08 to 0.47 +/- 0.07 ml/min after 10-20 min of heating, urine osmolality increased from 273 +/- 34 to 417 +/- 46 Osm/kg H2O, and free water clearance per 100 ml GFR decreased from 1.11 +/- 0.46 to -0.50 +/- 0.23 ml/min. These changes were followed by a gradual recovery despite continued heating. Clearances of exogenous creatinine and p-aminohippurate fell transiently during the first 10 min of heating and then returned to normal. Plasma antidiuretic activity (ADA) measured by rat bioassay increased regularly and markedly during PO/AH heating but was poorly correlated with changes in urine concentration. Moreover, a similar increase in plasma ADA observed with selective heating of a different brain area (supraoptic nucleus) never produced urine concentration or other renal changes. This suggests that a large and variable fraction of ADA appearing in rabbit blood in response to thermal stimuli was not identical with antidiuretic hormone. Therefore, the causal relationship of ADH release and antidiuresis associated with thermoregulatory reactions could not be clearly demonstrated. The physiological role of renal water conservation would be to compensate for extrarenal water loss related to thermal sweating or panting.