Changes in venous blood content from active and inactive hindlimb during isotonic exercise

Summary Venous blood samples were obtained from either exercising (n=9) or nonexercising (n=8) hindlimb during a progressive isotonic exercise in rabbits anesthetized with urethane and chloralose. Each experimental session consisted of 5-min non-exercise periods alternated with 6-min exercise periods, followed by a 10-min postexercise period. During each exercise period, stimulation of the distal stump of the right sciatic nerve at 1 Hz induced plantar flexions which lifted loads comparable to 2, 5, 8, 30, or 50% of an afterload at which only an isometric tension developed. Free-flowing venous blood samples were obtained before the first exercise period, during the last minute of each exercise period, and 10 min following the last exercise session. Increases in [Na⁺], [K⁺] and lactate concentration were obtained in blood from active limbs. Only lactate concentration increased in blood from non-exercising limbs, while [K⁺] decreased slightly. Inferences concerning the vascular volume response to this protocol would be quite different depending on the blood sampling site. Changes in blood from inactive tissue, further, may indicate only saturation of homeostatic mechanisms which normally compensate for vascular volume alterations initiated in active tissue.