Molecular biomarkers monitoring human skeletal muscle fibres and microvasculature following long-term bed rest with and without countermeasures

The cellular mechanisms of human skeletal muscle adaptation to disuse are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the morphological and biochemical changes of the lower limb soleus and vastus lateralis muscles following 60 days of head-down tilt bed rest in women with and without exercise countermeasure using molecular biomarkers monitoring functional cell compartments. Muscle biopsies were taken before (pre) and after bed rest (post) from a bed rest-only and a bed rest exercise group (n = 8, each). NOS1 and NOS3/PECAM, markers of myofibre 'activity' and capillary density, and MuRF1 (E3 ubiquitin-ligase), a marker of proteolysis, were documented by confocal immunofluorescence and immunoblot analyses. Morphometrical parameters (myofibre cross-sectional area, type I/II distribution) were largely preserved in muscles from the exercise group with a robust trend for type II hypertrophy in vastus lateralis. In the bed rest-only group, the relative NOS1 immunostaining intensity was decreased at type I and II myofibre membranes, while the bed rest plus exercise group compensated for this loss particularly in soleus. In the microvascular network, NOS3 expression and the capillary-to-fibre ratio were both increased in the exercise group. Elevated MuRF1 immunosignals found in subgroups of atrophic myofibres probably reflected accelerated proteolysis. Immunoblots revealed overexpression of the MuRF1 protein in the soleus of the bed rest-only group (> 35% vs. pre). We conclude that exercise countermeasure during bed rest affected both NOS/NO signalling and proteolysis in female skeletal muscle. Maintenance of NO signalling mechanisms and normal protein turnover by exercise countermeasure may be crucial steps to attenuate human skeletal muscle atrophy and to maintain cell function following chronic disuse.     

Knee extensor and plantar flexor muscle size and function following 90 days of bed rest with or without resistance exercise

Skeletal muscle atrophy and strength loss induced by short-term simulated spaceflight are offset or attenuated by resistance exercise (RE). This study compared the effects of plantar flexor and knee extensor RE on muscle size and function in 17 healthy men (aged 26–41years) subjected to 90 days 6° head-down-tilt bed rest with (BRE; n=8) or without (BR; n=9) RE. The RE program consisted of coupled maximal concentric and eccentric actions in the supine squat (4 sets of 7 repetitions) and calf press (4×14) every third day employing a gravity-independent flywheel ergometer (FW). Prior to, and following bed rest, muscle volume was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. Similarly, muscle strength and power and surface electromyographic (EMG) activity were determined during maximal actions using FW or isokinetic dynamometry. In BR, knee extensor and plantar flexor muscle volume decreased (P<0.05) 18% and 29%, respectively. Torque or force and power decreased (P<0.05) 31–60% (knee extension) and 37–56% (plantar flexion) while knee extensor and plantar flexor EMG activity decreased 31–38% and 28–35%, respectively following BR. Muscle atrophy in BRE was prevented (P>0.05; knee extensors) or attenuated (–15%; plantar flexors). BRE maintained task-specific force, power and EMG activity. The decrease in non-task-specific torque was less (P<0.05) than in BR. The present data imply that the triceps surae and quadriceps muscles show different responsiveness to long-term bed rest with or without resistance exercise. The results also suggest that designing in-flight resistance exercise protocols for space travellers is complex and must extend beyond preserving muscle only.     

Effects of rhythmic muscle compression on arterial blood pressure at rest and during dynamic exercise in humans

This study was designed to examine the hypothesis that a rhythmic mechanical compression of muscles would affect systemic blood pressure regulation at rest and during dynamic exercise in humans. We measured the changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) occurring (a) at rest with pulsed (350 ms pulses at 50 pulses min^–1) or static compression (50 and 100 mmHg) of leg muscles with or without upper thigh occlusion, and (b) during 12‐min supine bicycle exercise (75 W, 50 r.p.m.) with or without pulsed compression (50, 100, 150 mmHg) of the legs in synchrony with the thigh extensor muscle contraction. At rest with thigh occlusion, MAP increased by 4–8 mmHg during static leg compression, and by 5–9 mmHg during pulsed leg compression. This suggests that at rest pulsed leg compression elicits a reflex pressor response of similar magnitude to that evoked by static compression. During dynamic exercise without leg compression, MAP (having risen initially) gradually declined, but imposition of graded pulsed leg compression prevented this decline, the MAP values being significantly higher than those recorded without pulsed leg compression by 7–10 mmHg. These results suggest that the rhythmic increase in intramuscular pressure that occurs during dynamic exercise evokes a pressor response in humans.     

NAD in muscle of man at rest and during exercise

NAD can be used to assess the adequacy of oxygen availability to the respiratory chain. An enzymatic assay was established for NAD in human muscle biopsy samples. It gave reliable, reproducible results. The variation within and between subjects was less than 12%.Muscle NAD and lactate were determined at rest, and after bicycle ergometry work requiring 75 and (six subjects, four tests each). A positive (P<0.01) linear relationship between resting muscle NAD and percent slow twitch fibers was found, suggesting that fiber types may have different NAD content. Muscle NAD decreased during submaximal and maximal work (P<0.05). A large portion (73%) of the NAD reduction could be accounted for by increased muscle water. No relationship could be established between NAD and lactate. The negative linear relationship (P<0.01) between the muscle/blood ratio and percent slow twitch fibers is another indication of the fiber types having different metabolic responses to the activity.     

Effects of 84‐days of bedrest and resistance training on single muscle fibre myosin heavy chain distribution in human vastus lateralis and soleus muscles

Aim: This investigation determined the effects of 84 days of bedrest on the composition of myosin heavy chain (MHC) in single skeletal muscle fibres with and without a resistance‐training countermeasure programme. Methods: Muscle biopsies were obtained from the m. vastus lateralis (VL) and m. soleus (SOL) before and after 84 days of bedrest. While control (BR) subjects (VL n = 9; SOL n = 3) refrained from exercise, BRE subjects (VL n = 8; SOL n = 3) performed knee extensor and plantar flexor resistance exercise every third day. Approximately 110 fibres per sample were analysed for MHC composition using SDS‐PAGE. Results: BR–VL had 16 and 14% decreases (P < 0.05) in MHC I and IIa fibres, respectively. There were 10% increases (P < 0.05) in MHC I/IIa, IIa/IIx, I/IIa/IIx, and a ～30% increase (P < 0.05) in total hybrid fibres. BRE‐VL showed a 15% reduction (P < 0.05) in MHC I fibres, no change in MHC IIa fibres, and a 13% increase (P < 0.05) in total hybrids. BR–SOL had a 19% decrease (P < 0.05) in MHC I fibres with a 22% increase in total hybrids. BRE–SOL showed no change in MHC composition across all fibre types. Conclusion: These data suggest that the exercise countermeasures programme prevented MHC shifts in the SOL and mitigated MHC shifts in the VL. Furthermore, in the VL it appears that the resistance training programme employed in this investigation during bedrest, emphasized the use of MHC IIa phenotype muscle fibres.     

Lactate in blood,mixed skeletal muscle,and FT or ST fibres during cycle exercise in man

The relationship between muscle and blood lactate levels during progressively step-wise incrementing cycle exercise has been investigated in 10 male subjects. Steps between power outputs during exercise were 50 W and each stage, from loadless pedalling until voluntary exhaustion, lasted 4 min. Blood samples and biopsies (m. vastus lateralis) were taken for lactate determination at each power output beginning with the exercise intensity perceived by the subject as being “rather moderate”. The ratio muscle: blood lactate was greater than one at all power outputs and increased most markedly at the power output closest to that eliciting 4 mmol × I^-1 blood lactate (W_OBLA). At W_OBLA. blood lactate was positively correlated to muscle lactate concentrations which covaried widely among subjects (mean 8.3. range 4.5–14.4 mmol × kg^-l wet weight). Muscle fibres from the W_OBLA biopsy in 6 subjects were dissected out and identified as fast twitch (FT) or slow twitch (ST). No significant difference in lactate concentration was observed between pools of FT or ST fibres.     

Inactivity and muscle: effect of resistance training during bed rest on muscle size in the lower limb

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of dynamic leg press training on the physiological cross-sectional areas (PCSAs) of human lower limb muscles during 20 days of 6 degrees head-down tilt bed rest. Five healthy men comprised the resistance training group (BR-Tr) and data from two previous studies were used to derive a 10-man control group (BR-Cont). The BR-Tr performed two sessions (morning and afternoon session) of dynamic leg press action including knee extension and plantar flexion daily for the bed rest period: (1) three sets of 10 repetitions at 90% of maximum load and (2) 40% of maximum load to exhaustion. The PCSAs of the knee extensor (KE), knee flexor (KF), plantar flexor (PF), and dorsiflexor muscle groups were estimated using serial axial magnetic resonance (MR) images of the right-thigh and leg. After the bed rest period, the BR-Tr showed a significant increase in the PCSA of the KE. Although PCSA of the KF in two groups significantly decreased after bed rest, percentage of change in PCSA of the biceps femoris (long head) and semitendinosus muscles in the BR-Tr, which occupied approximately 70% of the KF, was significantly higher than those in the BR-Cont. Both the BR-Tr and BR-Cont groups showed significant decreases in the PCSA of PF with similar magnitude of 11.6% (P < 0.001) and 11.9% (P < 0.001), respectively. These results suggest that dynamic leg press training during bed rest can prevent deteriorating of the KE and a part of KF, but not the calf muscles.     

肌力训练对脑卒中恢复期偏瘫患者大腿表面肌电的影响

目的 探讨脑卒中恢复期偏瘫患者肌力训练对大腿肌群表面肌电(sEMG)信号特征的影响,为脑卒中患者的康复治疗提供客观依据.方法 共选取35例脑卒中恢复期偏瘫患者,分为治疗组(n=19)和对照组(n=16),治疗组给予6周的肌力训练,并在治疗前后在患侧膝关节屈伸最大等长收缩(MIVC)时记录股内侧肌、股直肌、股外侧肌、股二头肌、半腱半膜肌的sEMG信号,计算膝关节屈伸力矩值、均方根值(RMS)及其相应协同收缩率;对照组不给予康复训练,仅与治疗组同时进行上述指标测量.结果 治疗组治疗后患者患侧屈膝及伸膝MIVC力矩均较治疗前明显改善[屈膝:(18.02±6.52)nm比(13.12±5.79)nm,伸膝:(45.72±17.21)nm比(34.76±17.19)nm,均P＜0.05],而伸屈膝协同收缩率较治疗前无明显变化.对照组伸屈膝MIVC力矩和协同收缩率治疗前后差异则无统计学意义(均P＞0.05).治疗组治疗后患者患侧大腿股直肌、股外侧肌、半腱半膜肌作为主动肌时的RMS值均较治疗前明显改善[(146.60±60.85)μV比(97.02±57.17)μV,(172.65±60.73)μV比(131.46±52.15)μV,(188.69±89.60)μV比(130.57±73.76)μV,均P＜0.05],而股内侧肌、股二头肌的RMS值在治疗前后无明显变化,对照组治疗前后各肌的RMS值则无变化(均P＞0.05).结论 肌力训练可改善脑卒中恢复期偏瘫患者下肢屈伸肌力,但并不会增强下肢伸屈肌的异常收缩.sEMG结合力矩测量能更全面评估偏瘫肢体功能状态.     

多维健康教育模式在孕产妇妊娠及产后盆底肌锻炼中的运用

目的:建立妊娠及产后盆底肌锻炼多维度健康教育模型,并探讨其在临床的运用价值.方法:以2016年1至5月在郑州大学第一附属医院产科门诊规范产检的146名孕妇为研究对象,按照患者门诊号顺序进行随机分组,其中对照组采取传统的健康教育模式,观察组采用多维健康教育模式,比较两组患者干预后盆底康复锻炼健康知识水平、康复锻炼的依从性、分娩方式、盆底肌力变化情况及产后盆底功能障碍疾病的发生情况.结果:观察组盆底肌锻炼相关健康知识水平和依从性均明显高于对照组,两组分娩方式无明显差异;产后3个月观察组盆底Ⅰ类和Ⅱ类纤维肌力明显高于对照组,且观察组产后尿失禁发生率和盆腔脏器脱垂程度明显低于对照组.结论:在妊娠期及产后开展多维度的健康宣教,可提升孕产妇盆底肌锻炼相关健康知识水平和盆底康复锻炼的依从性;有效降低盆底功能障碍性疾病的发生率,在临床值得进一步推广.     

Diffusion‐weighted MRI with intravoxel incoherent motion modeling for assessment of muscle perfusion in the thigh during post‐exercise hyperemia in younger and older adults

Aging is associated with impaired endothelium‐dependent vasodilation that leads to muscle perfusion impairment and contributes to organ dysfunction. Impaired muscle perfusion may result in inadequate delivery of oxygen and nutrients during and after muscle contraction, leading to muscle damage. The ability to study the relationship between perfusion and muscle damage has been limited using traditional muscle perfusion measures, which are invasive and risky. To overcome this limitation, we optimized a diffusion‐weighted MRI sequence and validated an intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) analysis based on Monte Carlo simulation to study muscle perfusion impairment with aging during post‐exercise hyperemia. Simulation results demonstrated that the bias of IVIM‐derived perfusion fraction (f_p ) and diffusion of water molecules in extra‐vascular tissue (D ) ranged from ?3.3% to 14% and from ?16.5% to 0.002%, respectively, in the optimized experimental condition. The dispersion in f_p and D ranged from 3.2% to 9.5% and from 0.9% to 1.1%, respectively. The mid‐thigh of the left leg of four younger (21–30 year old) and four older (60–90 year old) healthy females was studied using the optimized protocol at baseline and at seven time increments occurring every 3.25 min following in‐magnet dynamic knee extension exercise performed using a MR‐compatible ergometer with a workload of 0.4 bar for 2.5 min. After exercise, both f_p and D significantly increased in the rectus femoris (active muscle during exercise) but not in adductor magnus (inactive muscle), reflecting the fact that the local increase in perfusion with both groups showed a maximum value in the second post‐exercise time‐point. A significantly greater increase in perfusion from the baseline (p < 0.05) was observed in the younger group (37 ± 12.05%) compared with the older group (17.57 ± 15.92%) at the first post‐exercise measurement. This work establishes a reliable non‐invasive method that can be used to study the effects of aging on dynamic changes in muscle perfusion as they relate to important measures of physical function.     

Influence of diaphragm and rib cage muscle fatigue on breathing during endurance exercise

Inspiratory muscle fatigue (IMF) can develop during exhaustive exercise and cause tachypnea or rapid shallow breathing. We assessed the effects of rib cage muscle (RCM-F) and diaphragm fatigue (DIA-F) on breathing pattern and respiratory mechanics during high-intensity endurance exercise. Twelve healthy subjects performed a constant-load (85% maximal power) cycling test to exhaustion with prior IMF and a cycling test of similar intensity and duration without prior IMF (control). IMF was induced by resistive breathing and assessed by oesophageal and gastric twitch pressure measurements during cervical magnetic stimulation. Both RCM-F and DIA-F increased RCM and abdominal muscle force production during exercise compared to control. With RCM-F, tidal volume decreased while it increased with DIA-F. RCM-F was associated with a smaller increase in end-expiratory oesophageal pressure (i.e. decrease in lung volume) than DIA-F. These results suggest that RCM-F and not DIA-F is associated with rapid shallow breathing and that lowering the operating lung volume with DIA-F may help to preserve diaphragmatic function.     

Effects of microgravity on interstitial muscle receptors affecting heart rate and blood pressure during static exercise

Summary Afferent nerve fibers from receptors situated in the interstitium of skeletal muscles can induce cardiovascular reflexes. It has been shown that these interstitial muscle receptors are also sensitive to the local state of hydration: increased heart rates and blood pressure values were seen during dynamic and static exercise after local dehydration on earth. Since weightlessness leads to a persisting fluid loss in the lower part of the body, we hypothesized that leg exercise in space would augment heart rate and blood pressure responses to a similar extent as during local, interstitial dehydration on earth. Initial measurements during weightlessness were obtained in one subject after 6 days of space flight. Heart rate and blood pressure responses to light static foot plantar flexion (18% of maximal voluntary contraction) were recorded in two sessions. To eliminate the influence of muscle perfusion, exercise was performed during a period of arterial occlusion obtained by means of pneumatic cuffs at mid-thigh level. Identical protocols were used in the pre- and postflight controls, which were performed both in the sitting posture and in a –90° tilted sitting posture assumed 30–40 min before arterial occlusion. During weightlessness the exercise responses of heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure closely followed the tracings obtained with the tilted sitting posture on ground. The response amplitudes in these states of reduced lower limb volumes (about 20/min and 20 mmHg, respectively) exceeded the responses in the supine position by a factor of at least 2. Enhancement of cardiovascular reflexes following local fluid losses of skeletal muscles appears to be a general phenomenon that can also be seen during weightlessness.Abbreviations EMG Electromyogram - LBNP Lower body negative pressure - MVC Maximal voluntary contraction     

Interstitial glucose concentration in insulin-resistant human skeletal muscle: influence of one bout of exercise and of local perfusion with insulin or vanadate

The present study investigated the changes occurring in interstitial metabolite concentrations and blood flow in insulin-resistant human skeletal muscle during the post-exercise recovery period following a single 2-h bout of one-legged exercise. In addition, the effect of microdialysis perfusion with insulin or the insulin-mimetic trace element vanadate was explored. Eight microdialysis catheters, four in each leg, were inserted in the quadriceps femoris muscle of nine insulin-resistant obese male subjects 2 h following exercise. Two catheters in each leg were perfused at 0.2 microl/min for metabolite determinations and two at 1.33 microl/min for the determination of blood flow. Samples were collected until 9 h after the end of exercise had passed. The interstitial glucose concentration (mean +/- SD) was significantly lower in the exercised (2.8 +/- 1.3 mM) than in the rested leg (3.7 +/- 0.9 mM), P = 0.001, a difference that lasted at least 8 h after the exercise bout. On the other hand, blood flow was not different in the two legs. Microdialysis perfusion with insulin (14 mU/ml) or sodium metavanadate (100 mM) decreased the interstitial glucose concentration (P = 0.001) in both the exercised and rested leg. With vanadate, this decrease was similar in the exercised (-69%) and the rested leg (-71%), whereas insulin had a larger effect in the exercised leg (-29 vs. -6.9%), P = 0.05. This study shows that the interstitial glucose concentration in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle is markedly decreased for several hours following a single exercise session. This is in accordance with recent findings in healthy subjects. This change is accompanied by an increased insulin effect on the interstitial glucose concentration. The effect of vanadate was not decreased in insulin-resistant human skeletal muscle and was not augmented by exercise.     

大负荷运动后时钟基因Bmal1调控骨骼肌线粒体结构功能的作用机制

目的:探讨大负荷运动后大鼠骨骼肌时钟基因Bmal1节律振荡变化及其对线粒体结构功能的调控作用。方法:将156只成年SD大鼠随机分为对照组和运动组,运动组予以一次大负荷运动训练。每6 h取各组大鼠腓肠肌,使用RT-qPCR检测各时相时钟基因Bmal1的mRNA水平,并用余弦分析软件CircaCompare(R Packages)获取拟合余弦曲线参数,分析时钟基因Bmal1的mRNA表达节律性振荡情况,透射电镜下观察每周期始末(ZT0、ZT24、ZT48和ZT72)骨骼肌线粒体的形态学变化,Western blot检测Bmal1和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ辅激活因子1α(peroxisome proliferator activated receptorγcoactivator-1α,PGC-1α)的蛋白表达,ELISA测定ATP和ADP含量,以及线粒体氧化呼吸链酶细胞色素C氧化酶复合物亚单位Ⅱ(subunitsⅡof cytochrome C oxidase complex,COXⅡ)和COXⅣ的活性。结果:运动组Bmal1的mRNA表达在ZT0~ZT24时节律出现紊乱(P>0.05),ZT24~ZT48和ZT48~ZT72时节律恢复(P<0.05)。大负荷运动后运动组线粒体形态于ZT0出现肿胀、嵴结构损伤等异常,于ZT24和ZT48时有所恢复,ZT72时损伤基本消失。与对照组相比,运动组Bmal1、PGC-1α的蛋白表达于ZT0时显著升高(P<0.05),ATP和ADP含量分别于ZT0时显著下降和升高(P<0.05),COXⅡ和COXⅣ活性于ZT0时显著升高和下降(P<0.05),在ZT24时二者活性下降至最低(P<0.05)。结论:大负荷运动可诱发骨骼肌时钟基因Bmal1的节律紊乱,可能参与调控了线粒体的结构功能异常。     

大负荷运动后时钟基因Bmal1调控骨骼肌线粒体结构功能的作用机制

目的:探讨大负荷运动后大鼠骨骼肌时钟基因Bmal1节律振荡变化及其对线粒体结构功能的调控作用。方法:将156只成年SD大鼠随机分为对照组和运动组,运动组予以一次大负荷运动训练。每6 h取各组大鼠腓肠肌,使用RT-qPCR检测各时相时钟基因Bmal1的mRNA水平,并用余弦分析软件CircaCompare(R Packages)获取拟合余弦曲线参数,分析时钟基因Bmal1的mRNA表达节律性振荡情况,透射电镜下观察每周期始末(ZT0、ZT24、ZT48和ZT72)骨骼肌线粒体的形态学变化,Western blot检测Bmal1和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ辅激活因子1α(peroxisome proliferator activated receptorγcoactivator-1α,PGC-1α)的蛋白表达,ELISA测定ATP和ADP含量,以及线粒体氧化呼吸链酶细胞色素C氧化酶复合物亚单位Ⅱ(subunitsⅡof cytochrome C oxidase complex,COXⅡ)和COXⅣ的活性。结果:运动组Bmal1的mRNA表达在ZT0~ZT24时节律出现紊乱(P>0.05),ZT24~ZT48和ZT48~ZT72时节律恢复(P<0.05)。大负荷运动后运动组线粒体形态于ZT0出现肿胀、嵴结构损伤等异常,于ZT24和ZT48时有所恢复,ZT72时损伤基本消失。与对照组相比,运动组Bmal1、PGC-1α的蛋白表达于ZT0时显著升高(P<0.05),ATP和ADP含量分别于ZT0时显著下降和升高(P<0.05),COXⅡ和COXⅣ活性于ZT0时显著升高和下降(P<0.05),在ZT24时二者活性下降至最低(P<0.05)。结论:大负荷运动可诱发骨骼肌时钟基因Bmal1的节律紊乱,可能参与调控了线粒体的结构功能异常。     

Effect of dehydration on gastrointestinal function at rest and during exercise in humans

Dehydration leads to the aggravation of gastrointestinal (GI) complaints during exercise. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dehydration on various GI parameters during strenuous exercise. Ten healthy well-trained men were investigated in dehydrated and in euhydrated conditions. Dehydration took place before the experiments using a dehydration regimen in a sauna leading to a 3% loss of body mass. Each experiment consisted of 1 h pre-exercise rest, 1.5 h cycling at 70% maximal exercise intensity, and 3.5 h post-exercise rest. During cycling, liquid gastric emptying (GE), orocaecal transit time (OCTT) and intestinal permeability and glucose absorption were measured. The GI-symptoms were scored using a questionnaire. Body temperature, plasma volume and vasopressin were measured before and after cycling. The GE was significantly slower during dehydration [median time to peak ¹³C enrichment in the breath sample (¹³C-TTP) 23.6 min, range 13.7–50.0 min, P=0.02] than in the control situation (median ¹³C-TTP 17.1 min, range 9.8–38.4 min). The OCTT was unchanged (median 173 min, range 98–263 min compared to median 128 min, range 98–195 min, P=0.18). Dehydration did not change intestinal permeability, glucose absorption, plasma volume, rectal temperature or plasma vasopressin concentration. In the dehydration experiment, exercise induced a significant increase in nausea (P=0.01) and epigastric cramps (P=0.05), in contrast to the control situation. In both experiments, exercise led to a significant increase in rectal temperature and plasma vasopressin concentration, and a significant decrease in plasma volume. The increase in plasma vasopressin concentration was significantly higher in the dehydration experiment (P=0.015). No significant differences in either the post-exercise rectal temperatures or in plasma volumes was observed. The difference in GE between the two experiments was significantly correlated with the difference in nausea score (r=0.87, P=0.002). We concluded that dehydration leads to a delayed GE but not to differences in OCTT, intestinal permeability or glucose uptake during intense cycling. The delay in GE is significantly associated with an increase in exercise-induced nausea. Accepted: 24 July 2000     

Effect of endurance training on muscle microvascular filtration capacity and vascular bed morphometry in the elderly

Aim: Exercise training is a strong stimulus for vascular remodelling and could restore age‐induced vascular alterations. The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that an increase in vascular bed filtration capacity would corroborate microvascular adaptation with training. Methods: We quantified (1) microvascularization from vastus lateralis muscle biopsy to measure the capillary to fibre interface (LC/PF) and (2) the microvascular filtration capacity (K_f) in lower limbs through a venous congestion plethysmography procedure. Twelve healthy older subjects (74 ± 4 years) were submitted to a 14‐week training programme during which lower‐limbs were trained for endurance exercise. Results: The training programme induced a significant increase in the aerobic exercise capacity of lower limbs (+11%Vo _2peak; P < 0.05; +28% Citrate Synthase Activity; P < 0.01). K_f was largely increased (4.3 ± 0.9 10^?3 mL min^?1 mmHg^?1 100 mL^?1 post‐training vs. 2.4 ± 0.8 pre‐training, mean ± SD; P < 0.05) and microvascularization developed as shown by the rise in LC/PF (0.29 ± 0.06 post‐ vs. 0.23 ± 0.06 pre‐training; P < 0.05). Furthermore, K_f and LC/PF were correlated (r = 0.65, P < 0.05). Conclusion: These results demonstrated the microvascular adaptation to endurance training in the elderly. The increase in K_f with endurance training was probably related to a greater surface of exchange with an increased microvessel/fibre interface area. We conclude that measurement of the microvascular filtration rate reflects the change in the muscle exchange area and is influenced by exercise training.     

Effects of blood-volume distribution on the characteristics of the carotid baroreflex in humans at rest and during exercise

Seven supine subjects were studied at rest and during mild to moderate dynamic leg exercise with and without unloading of the cardiopulmonary baroreceptors accomplished by exposing the lower portion of the body to a subatmospheric pressure of 20 mmHg (Lower Body Negative Pressure, LBNP). The function of the cardiac branch of the carotid baroreflex was studied over its full operational range by measuring R-R intervals during application of pulse synchronous graded pressures (40 to – 65 mmHg) in a neck-chamber device. Raising the carotid transmural pressure (systolic arterial pressure minus neck-chamber pressure) induced increasing R-R intervals in all conditions. In conformity with previous results from our laboratories it was found that the maximal rate of change in relative R-R intervals and the corresponding transmural pressure were higher during exercise than at rest, indicating that exercise increased the carotid baroreflex sensitivity and shifted its optimal buffering range to higher arterial pressures. LBNP did not affect the characteristics of the reflex at rest nor during exercise. It is concluded that reduced central venous pressure with consequent selective cardiopulmonary receptor disengagement exerts no influence on the carotid baroreflex control of heart rate (HR), as tested over the entire arterial pressure-effector response relation, either at rest or during mild-moderate exercise.     

Acid hydrolase activity in red and white skeletal muscle of mice during a two-week period following exhausting exercise

The activities of -glucuronidase, -N-acetylglucosaminidase, arylsulphatase, ribonuclease,p-nitrophenylphosphatase, and malate dehydrogenase together with protein content were assayed from representative mixed (m. rectus femoris), predominantly red (proximal heads ofm. vastus lateralis, m.v. medius andm. v. intermedius), and predominantly white (distal head ofm. vastus lateralis) muscle homogenates of mice during a two-week period following one single exposure to exhausting intermittent running on a treadmill. The activities of cathepsin D and -glycerophosphatase were assayed from mixed muscle only. In all three muscle types, particularly in red muscle, the activities of -glucuronidase, -N-acetylglucosaminidase, arylsulphatase, and ribonuclease progressively increased between one to five days after the exercise; thereafter the activities began to decrease, being near the control values 15 days after the exercise. In mixed muscle, cathepsin D activity increased. No corresponding changes were observed in the activities of acid phosphatases.The time course of the activity changes closely resembled that earlier found to be caused by ischaemia in rabbit muscles. It is tentatively concluded that the two treatments, exhaustive exercise and temporary ischaemia, cause similar cell injuries, and that the lysosomal system involved seems to function similarly in the post-stress recovery of the fibres from these injuries.Supported by grants from the Ministry of Education (Finland) and the Emil Aaltonen Foundation