Medical Library

The time course of denervation-induced changes is similar in soleus muscles of adult and old rats.

Muscle denervation is accompanied by atrophy and a decline in oxidative capacity. We investigated whether the time course of adaptations following denervation of the soleus muscle differs in adult (5 months old) and older adult (25 months old) rats. We denervated the soleus muscle of the left leg, while the right leg served as an internal control. Two weeks after denervation, muscle mass was decreased both in adult and old animals to, respectively, 57% and 54% (p < 0.001) and capillary to fibre ratio (C:F) decreased to 51% and 50% (p < 0.01) of the control values. Yet, the capillary density was increased in older adult but not in adult muscles, indicating that the regression of the capillary bed during denervation lags behind the decrease in fibre size in the soleus muscle of the older rats. One week after denervation the optical density of sections stained for succinate dehydrogenase was 83% and 79% (p < 0.05) of control adult and older adult muscles, respectively, and then remained stable. This indicates that during the first week of denervation loss of oxidative capacity occurred at a relatively higher rate than that of muscle mass. No major changes occurred between 2 and 4 weeks of denervation, except for an increase in the proportion of hybrid (I/IIa) fibres in 4 week denervated muscles (adult 10% vs. 23%; old 1% vs. 13%; p < 0.05). Except for changes in capillarisation, the time course of atrophy and decrease in oxidative capacity following denervation was similar in soleus muscles from adult and old rats.

Degens H, KoÅŸar SN, Hopman MT, de Haan A.

Institute for Biomedical Research into Human Movement and Health, Manchester Metropolitan University, Hassall Road, Alsager, ST7 2HL, UK.

Anaerobic performance when rehydrating with water or commercially available sports drinks during prolonged exercise in the heat.

The effects that rehydrating drinks ingested during exercise may have on anaerobic exercise performance are unclear. This study aimed to determine which of four commercial rehydrating drinks better maintains leg power and force during prolonged cycling in the heat. Seven endurance-trained and heat-acclimatized cyclists pedaled for 120 min at 63% maximum oxygen consumption in a hot, dry environment (36 degrees C; 29% humidity, 1.9 m.s-1 airflow). In five randomized trials, during exercise, subjects drank 2.4 +/- 0.1 L of (i) mineral water (WAT; San Benedetto(R)), (ii) 6% carbohydrate-electrolyte solution (Gatorade(R) lemon), (iii) 8% carbohydrate-electrolyte solution (Powerade(R) Citrus Charge), (iv) 8% carbohydrate-electrolyte solution with lower sodium concentration than other sports drinks (Aquarius(R) orange), or (v) did not ingest any fluid (DEH). Fluid balance, rectal temperature (Trec), maximal cycling power (Pmax), and leg maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) were measured. During DEH, subjects lost 3.7 +/- 0.2% of initial body mass, whereas subjects lost only 0.8% +/- 0.1% in the other trials (p < 0.05). Final Trec was higher in DEH than in the rest of the trials (39.4 +/- 0.1 degrees C vs. 38.7 +/- 0.1 degrees C; p < 0.05). Pmax was similar among all trials. Gatorade(R) and Powerade(R) preserved MVC better than DEH (-3.1% +/- 2% and -3.8% +/- 2% vs. -11% +/- 2%, p < 0.05), respectively, whereas WAT and Aquarius(R) did not (-6% +/- 2%). Compared with DEH, rehydration with commercially available sports drinks during prolonged exercise in the heat preserves leg force, whereas rehydrating with water does not. However, low sodium concentration in a sports drink seems to preclude its ergogenic effects on force.

Coso JD, Estevez E, Baquero RA, Mora-Rodriguez R.

Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Carlos III, s/n 45071, Toledo, Spain.

Plasma lipoprotein (a), homocysteine, and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in Nigerians with CVD.

Elevated plasma lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) and total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations, as well as fat distributions, are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate plasma Lp(a), tHcy, percentage body fat, anthropometric indices, and blood pressure (BP) and their relationships with each other in well-defined, hospital-based, CVD patients in a Nigerian African community. One hundred seventy patients suffering from hypertensive heart disease, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, and myocardial infraction with the mean age of 45.3 +/- 1.3 years and 58 apparently healthy volunteers with the mean age of 44.8 +/-1.2 years were selected. Anthropometric indices and BP were measured. Percentage body fat, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Plasma Lp(a) and tHcy concentrations were determined. The results showed significant increases in BP, skinfold thickness (SFT) variables, and WHR in all of the CVD patients. Plasma Lp(a) was also significantly increased (p < 0.001), whereas the slight increase in the mean tHcy was not statistically significant. Positive significant correlations were found between systolic BP, triceps, SFT, and percentage body fat (p < 0.01), whereas significant correlations were found between some body composition variables, tHcy, and systolic BP (p < 0.05). Our findings provide supportive evidence for altered plasma Lp(a) concentration in addition to some other traditional CVD risk factors in Nigerians. The role of homocysteine is not well defined.

Ebesunun MO, Agbedana EO, Taylor GO, Oladapo OO.

Influence of fiber-type composition on recovery from tourniquet-induced skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion injury.

This study was designed to determine if previously reported differences in the functional impairment of muscles composed of predominantly different fiber types occurs following extended periods of ischemia. We hypothesized that the soleus (Sol) muscle, a predominantly slow-twitch muscle, would be less vulnerable to tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion than the plantaris (Plant), a predominantly fast-twitch muscle, as determined by the assessment of isometric contractile function. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of the following groups to undergo tourniquet application (TKA) (n = 6/group): 2 h TKA, 2 d recovery; 4 h TKA, 2 d recovery; 2 h TKA, 14 d recovery; or 4 h TKA, 14 d recovery. In situ isometric contractile properties were assessed in the predominantly slow-twitch Sol and the predominantly fast-twitch Plant; the contralateral muscle served as the internal control. At 2 d, muscle contraction could not be elicited via neural stimulation, but muscles did contract with direct stimulation, which indicates neural injury. This condition was resolved by day 14. At this time point, tetanic tension (Po) in the Plant was reduced by 45% and 69% in the 2 and 4 h groups, respectively. Po for the Sol was unaffected in the 2 h group, but was reduced by 30% in the 4 h group. The fatigue resistance of the Plant was increased 2 fold in the 4 h group and was unchanged in all other groups. These results demonstrate that vulnerability to tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion injury is dramatically different with respect to muscle fiber-type composition.

Walters TJ, Kragh JF, Baer DG.

United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3400 Rawley E. Chambers Ave., Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6315, USA.

Sweat rate, salt loss, and fluid intake during an intense on-ice practice in elite Canadian male junior hockey players.

Previous research in many sports suggests that losing ~1%-2% body mass through sweating impairs athletic performance. Elite-level hockey involves high-intensity bursts of skating, arena temperatures are >10 degrees C, and players wear protective equipment, all of which promote sweating. This study examined the pre-practice hydration, on-ice fluid intake, and sweat and sodium losses of 44 candidates for Canada\’s junior men\’s hockey team (mean +/- SE age, 18.4 +/- 0.1 y; height, 184.8 +/- 0.9 cm; mass, 89.9 +/- 1.1 kg). Players were studied in groups of 10-12 during 4 intense 1 h practices (13.9 degrees C, 66% relative humidity) on 1 day. Hydration status was estimated by measuring urine specific gravity (USG). Sweat rate was calculated from body mass changes and fluid intake. Sweat sodium concentration ([Na]) was analyzed in forehead sweat patch samples and used with sweat rate to estimate sodium loss. Over 50% of players began practice mildly hypohydrated (USG > 1.020). Sweat rate during practice was 1.8 +/- 0.1 L.h-1 and players replaced 58% (1.0 +/- 0.1 L.h-1) of the sweat lost. Body mass loss averaged 0.8% +/- 0.1%, but 1/3 of players lost more than 1%. Sweat [Na] was 54.2 +/- 2.4 mmol.L-1 and sodium loss averaged 2.26 +/- 0.17 g during practice. Players drank only water during practice and replaced no sodium. In summary, elite junior hockey players incurred large sweat and sodium losses during an intense practice, but 2/3 of players drank enough to minimize body mass loss. However, 1/3 of players lost more than 1% body mass despite ready access to fluid and numerous drinking opportunities from the coaches.

Palmer MS, Spriet LL.

Chronic quercetin ingestion and exercise-induced oxidative damage and inflammation.

Quercetin is a flavonoid compound that has been demonstrated to be a potent antioxidant in vitro. The objective of this study was to evaluate if quercetin ingestion would increase plasma antioxidant measures and attenuate increases in exercise-induced oxidative damage. Forty athletes were recruited and randomized to quercetin or placebo. Subjects consumed 1000 mg quercetin or placebo each day for 6 weeks before and during 3 d of cycling at 57% work maximum for 3 h. Blood was collected before and immediately after exercise each day, and analyzed for F2-isoprostanes, nitrite, ferric-reducing ability of plasma, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, and C-reactive protein. Statistical analyses involved a 2 (treatment) x 6 (times) repeated measures analysis of variance to test main effects. F2-isoprostanes, nitrite, ferric-reducing ability of plasma, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, and C-reactive protein were significantly elevated as a result of exercise, but no group effects were found. Despite previous data demonstrating potent antioxidant actions of quercetin in vitro, this study indicates that this effect is absent in vivo and that chronic quercetin ingestion does not exert protection from exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation.

McAnulty SR, McAnulty LS, Nieman DC, Quindry JC, Hosick PA, Hudson MH, Still L, Henson DA, Milne GL, Morrow JD, Dumke CL, Utter AC, Triplett NT, Dibarnardi A.

Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA.

Post-exercise hypotension and cardiovascular responses to moderate orthostatic stress in endurance-trained males.

We tested the hypothesis that following an acute bout of exercise cardiovascular and cerebrovascular responses to lower-body negative pressure (LBNP) would be altered due to post-exercise hypotension (PEH). Ten healthy, male, endurance-trained athletes (mean age +/- SD = 29.6 +/- 5) were assessed for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular responses to LBNP following acute bouts of interval and continuous exercise. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, heart rate variability, and total cerebral oxygen index were determined during a baseline LBNP session. These indices were also determined during two other LBNP sessions: following an acute bout of interval exercise, and following an acute bout of continuous exercise. Compared with baseline, MAP was reduced after both exercise conditions, similar to values previously reported (10 mmHg; p < 0.05 vs. pre-exercise). Total peripheral resistance was significantly reduced following both exercise bouts, and heart rate was significantly increased post-exercise (rest: 59.6 +/- 11.2; interval: 77.8 +/- 12.8; continuous: 80.3 +/- 15.2 beats.min-1). Both cardiac output and stroke volume responses to LBNP following exercise were not altered when compared with baseline measurements. Tissue oxygenation during -40 mmHg (interval: 74.31% +/- 7.82% vs. continuous: 69.13% +/- 5.23%) was significantly lower than during normobaric pressure (interval: 77.14% +/- 1.30% vs. continuous: 74.41% +/- 0.94%). It appears from these observations that although young, endurance-trained males experience PEH following acute bouts of interval or continuous exercise, this hypotension does not alter the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular responses to a moderate orthostatic stress.

Scott JM, Esch BT, Lusina SJ, McKenzie DC, Koehle MS, Sheel AW, Warburton DE.

Association between dietary fat intake, liver fat, and insulin sensitivity in sedentary, abdominally obese, older men.

Whether dietary fat influences the interaction between liver fat, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and metabolic risk is unclear. Thus, we sought to determine the independent associations between 1 and 10 d dietary fat intake, liver fat, and VAT on insulin sensitivity using a cross-sectional design. Liver fat score (LFS) was assessed by computed tomography and VAT by magnetic resonance imaging in 42 abdominally obese older men. Insulin sensitivity was measured by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique. Diet composition was determined from self-recorded diet records for 1 and 10 d preceding the assessment of LFS. LFS was positively associated with the 10 d average fat and alcohol intake, but not with any 1 d average dietary variables. VAT (r = -0.36) and LFS (r = -0.32) were both negatively correlated with insulin sensitivity (p < 0.05). When LFS and VAT were entered in the same model, only VAT was an independent predictor of insulin sensitivity (p < 0.05). Control for the average 10 d alcohol consumption and fat intake improved the association between insulin sensitivity and LFS (from r = -0.32, p > 0.10 to r = -0.49, p < 0.05), but not VAT. In fact, after control for the 10 d dietary variables, both LFS and VAT were independent predictors of insulin sensitivity (p < 0.05). This was not true for any of the 1 d dietary intake variables. In conclusion, liver fat is associated with dietary fat intake and alcohol consumption over 10 d, but not 1 d. Furthermore, dietary habits may influence the relationship between liver fat and insulin sensitivity.

Kuk JL, Davidson LE, Hudson R, Kilpatrick K, Bacskai K, Ross R.

Muscle deoxygenation of upper-limb muscles during progressive arm-cranking exercise.

The purpose of this study was to determine which upper-limb muscle exhibits the greatest change in muscle deoxygenation during arm-cranking exercise (ACE). We hypothesized that the biceps brachii (BB) would show the greatest change in muscle deoxygenation during progressive ACE to exhaustion relative to triceps brachii (TR), brachioradialis (BR), and anterior deltoid (AD). Healthy young men (n = 11; age = 27 +/- 1 y; mean +/- SEM) performed an incremental ACE test to exhaustion. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to monitor the relative concentration changes in oxy- (O2Hb), deoxy- (HHb), and total hemoglobin (Hbtot), as well as tissue oxygenation index (TOI) in each of the 4 muscles. During submaximal arm exercise, we found that changes to NIRS-derived measurements were not different between the 4 muscles studied (p > 0.05). At maximal exercise HHb was significantly higher in the BB compared with AD (p < 0.05). Relative to the other 3 muscles, BB exhibited the greatest decrease in O2Hb and TOI (p < 0.05). Our investigation provides two new and important findings: (i) during submaximal ACE the BB, TR, BR, and AD exhibit similar changes in muscle deoxygenation and (ii) during maximal ACE the BB exhibits the greatest change in intramuscular O2 status.

Lusina SJ, Warburton DE, Hatfield NG, Sheel AW.

School of Human Kinetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.

Erratum: New oral fat tolerance tests feature tailoring of the polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio to elicit a specific postprandial response.

Dekker MJ, Wright AJ, Mazurak VC, Graham TE, Marangoni AG, Robinson LE.

Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.