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Biomedical subjects

A Weltman

Publications and source records attributed to A Weltman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The effect of training and epinephrine infusion on ratings of perceived exertion (RPE).

Seven untrained males (mean age [+/-SD] = 25.6+/-3.9 yr, mean ht = 177.0+/-5.9 cm, mean wt = 65.8+/-7.4 kg) completed a 6-week exercise program (cycle ergometer). Prior to training, and at the end of each week of training, each subject performed a 20 min constant-power exercise test (absolute power was the same each week). At the end of the six week training program (within a few days), an additional 20 min constant-power test was performed, during which epinephrine was infused at a rate of 100 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1) over the final 10 min of exercise. Training significantly (P<0.05) reduced end-exercise ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), plasma epinephrine concentration [Epi], plasma norepinephrine concentration [NE], blood lactate concentration [La-], minute ventilation (V(E)), heart rate (HR), and blood glucose concentration [Glc]. Epinephrine infusion failed to increase RPE despite significant (p < 0.05) increases in [Epi], [La-], V(E) and [Glc]. Therefore, the present data indicate that RPE during exercise is not causally related to changes in plasma [Epi]. It also appears that modest changes in plasma [NE], blood [La-], V(E) and blood [Glc] during constant-power cycle ergometry (as observed during Epi infusion) do not impact RPE.

Adrenergic Agonists↗

Effects of a functional knee brace for ACL insufficiency during treadmill running.

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of a functional knee brace (FKB) for anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency (ACLI) on physiological and perceptual parameters during treadmill running. METHODS: Thirteen ACLI subjects (time since injury, 5.8 +/- 5.3 yr), performed an incremental test to exhaustion and two constant load 20-min tests, one at an intensity below lactate threshold (bLT), and the other at an intensity above LT (aLT) each with and without their FKB. RESULTS: Bracing had no effect on peak variables except for higher ratings of perceived exertion at the legs (RPE-L) at the velocities associated with a blood lactate concentration [HLa] of 4.0 mM and at peak. Bracing had no effect when exercising at bLT but did significantly alter the metabolic profile developed during the performance of the aLT tests (83 +/- 0.03% VO2peak). In particular, FKB resulted in elevated blood [HLa] (23%), VO2 (4%), VE (12%), VCO2 [corrected] (7%), and VE/VO2 (7%). HR and slow component VO2 did not differ between the brace and no brace aLT tests. RPE-L and RPE-knee were significantly elevated during aLT when the brace was worn. Suspected mechanisms include alterations in muscle recruitment patterns and/or occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: When ACLI individuals wear a FKB during high intensity straight-ahead running exercise of long duration, physiological parameters are affected.

Adolescent↗

Repeated bouts of exercise alter the blood lactate-RPE relation.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of repeated bouts of exercise on the blood lactate [HLa]-ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) relation. METHODS: Six moderately trained males were studied on two occasions: a sequential exercise bouts day (SEB: 1000 h, 1130 h, and 1300 h) and a delayed exercise bouts day (DEB: 1000 h, 1400 h, and 1800 h). Each of the three exercise bouts within a given condition were 30 min in duration at the power output (PO) associated with 70% of VO2peak on a cycle ergometer. A standardized meal was provided at 0600 h. VO2, PO, HR, and RER were recorded every min during exercise and blood [HLa] and RPE were measured every 5 min during exercise. RESULTS: A 2 x 3 analysis of variance with repeated measures revealed that blood [HLa] decreased significantly with each repeated exercise bout (X +/- SEM: bout 1: SEB = 3.5 (0.3), DEB = 3.8 (0.4); bout 2: SEB = 2.6 (0.3), DEB = 2.8 (0.3); bout 3: SEB = 2.0 (0.2), DEB = 2.1 (0.4); mM). No differences were observed in the blood [HLa] response to repeated bouts of exercise between SEB and DEB. RPE-peripheral (legs, RPE-L) was higher during bout 3 compared with bout 1 (P <0.05) (bout 1: SEB = 11.8 (0.8), DEB = 12.3 (0.2); bout 2: SEB = 12.3 (0.5), DEB = 13.3 (0.4); bout 3: SEB = 13.5 (0.8), DEB = 14.0 (0.7); RPE-central (chest and breathing, RPE-C) was not affected by repeated bouts of exercise, whereas RPE-Overall (RPE-O) was higher during bout 3 compared with bouts 1 and 2 (P < 0.05) (bout 1: SEB = 12.5 (0.2), DEB = 12.3 (0.4); bout 2: SEB = 12.8 (0.4), DEB = 12.7 (0.4); bout 3: SEB = 13.7 (0.7), DEB = 13.2 (0.3)). No interaction for RPE x condition was observed. HR increased with repeated bouts of exercise with HR during exercise bout 3 being higher than HR during exercise bout 1 (164 vs. 156 bpm, P < 0.05). There was also a strong trend for HR during exercise bout 3 to be higher than HR during exercise bout 2 (P < 0.06). A trend for a reduction in VO2 with repeated exercise was observed (P < 0.07), with the reduction apparently related to the SEB condition (P < 0.12 for VO2 x condition). PO and kcal.min-1 were not affected by repeated bouts of exercise. RER decreased significantly with each repeated bout of exercise (from RER = 0.96 to RER = 0.89, P < 0.05) with no difference observed between SEB and DEB. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the blood [HLa]-RPE relation is altered by repeated bouts of exercise and that this alteration does not appear to be affected by recovery time between exercise bouts (up to 3.5 h of recovery). These data suggest that, after the first exercise bout, RPE should not be used to produce a specific blood [HLa] on subsequent exercise bouts.

Adult↗

Gender differences in leptin levels during puberty are related to the subcutaneous fat depot and sex steroids.

Little is known about the influence of adiposity and hormone release on leptin levels in children and adolescents. We utilized criterion methods to examine the relationships among sex steroids, body composition (4 compartment), abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat (magnetic resonance imagery), total subcutaneous fat (sum of 9 skinfolds), energy expenditure (doubly labeled water), aerobic fitness, and serum leptin levels in prepubertal and pubertal boys (n = 16; n = 13) and girls (n = 12; n = 15). The sum of skinfolds accounted for more variance in leptin levels of all girls [coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.70, P < 0.001] and all boys (R2 = 0.60, P < 0.001) than the total fat mass (girls, R2 = 0.52, P < 0.001; boys, R2 = 0.23, P < 0.001). Total energy expenditure, corrected for the influence of fat-free mass, correlated inversely with leptin (R2 = 0.18, P = 0.02). Gender differences in leptin disappeared when corrected for sex steroid levels or the combination of adiposity and energy expenditure. In multiple regression, the sum of skinfolds and free testosterone and estrogen levels accounted for 74% of the variance in leptin levels. We conclude that serum leptin levels are positively related to subcutaneous adiposity but negatively related to androgen levels. Energy expenditure may be negatively related to leptin levels by reduction of the adiposity, or a common genetic factor may influence both the activity and serum leptin levels.

Abdomen↗

Alterations in growth and body composition during puberty: III. Influence of maturation, gender, body composition, fat distribution, aerobic fitness, and energy expenditure on nocturnal growth hormone release.

We examined the relationships among gender, sexual maturation, four-compartment model estimates of body composition, body fat distribution (magnetic resonance imaging for abdominal visceral fat and anthropometrics), aerobic fitness, basal and total energy expenditure, and overnight GH release in an ultrasensitive chemiluminescence assay in healthy prepubertal and pubertal boys (n = 18 and 11, respectively) and girls (n = 12 and 18, respectively). Blood samples were withdrawn every 10 min from 1800-0600 h to determine the area under the serum GH-time curve (AUC), sum of the GH peak heights (sigma GH peak heights), and the mean nadir GH concentration. GH release was greater in the pubertal than prepubertal subjects due to an increase in sigma GH peak heights (43.8 +/- 3.6 vs. 24.1 +/- 3.5 ng.mL-1, P = 0.0002) and mean nadir (1.7 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.2 ng.mL-1, P = 0.0002), but not peak number (4.3 +/- 0.2 vs. 4.5 +/- 0.2). The girls had a greater sigma GH peak heights (39.0 +/- 3.5 vs. 28.8 +/- 3.6 ng.mL-1, P = 0.05) and mean nadir concentration (1.4 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.2 ng.mL-1, P = 0.05) than the boys. Significant inverse relationships existed between sigma GH peak heights (r = -0.35, P = 0.06) or mean nadir (r = -0.39, P = 0.04) and four-compartment percent body fat for all boys but not for all girls or when combining all subjects. For all girls, significant inverse relationships existed between sigma GH peak heights (r = -0.39, P = 0.03) or mean nadir (r = -0.37, P = 0.04) and waist/hip ratio. Similar inverse relationships in all boys or all subjects were not significant. Forward stepwise regression analysis determined that bone age (i.e. maturation, primary factor) and gender were the significant predictors of AUC, sigma GH peak heights, and mean nadir. The influence of maturation reflects rising sex steroid concentrations, and the gender differences appear to be because of differences in estradiol concentrations rather than to body composition or body fat distribution.

Adipose Tissue↗

Unequal impact of age, percentage body fat, and serum testosterone concentrations on the somatotrophic, IGF-I, and IGF-binding protein responses to a three-day intravenous growth hormone-releasing hormone pulsatile infusion in men.

We here investigate the potential rescue of the relative hyposomatotropism of aging and obesity by 3-day pulsatile GHRH infusions (i.v. bolus 0.33 microg/kg every 90 min) in 19 healthy men of varying ages (18 to 66 years) and body compositions (12 to 37% total body fat). Baseline (control) and GHRH-driven pulsatile GH secretion (in randomly ordered sessions) were quantitated by deconvolution analysis of 24-h (10-min sampling) serum GH concentration profiles measured in an ultrasensitive (threshold 0.005 microg/l) chemiluminescence assay. GHRH infusion significantly increased the mean (24-h) serum GH concentration (0.3 +/- 0.1 basal vs 2.4 +/- 0.4 microg/l treatment; P = 0.0001), total daily pulsatile GH production rate (21 +/- 9.5 vs 97 +/- 17 microg/l/day; P = 0.01), GH secretory burst frequency (11 +/- 0.5 vs 17 +/- 0.3 events/day; P = <0.01), and mass of GH released per burst (1.1 +/- 0.4 vs 5.9 1 microg/l; P < 0.01), as well as serum IGF-I (261 +/- 33 vs 436 +/- 37 microg/l; P = 0.005), insulin (45 +/- 13 vs 79 +/- 17 mU/l; P = 0.0002), and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 (3320 +/- 107 vs 4320 +/- 114 microg/l; P = 0.001) concentrations, while decreasing IGFBP-1 levels (16 +/- 1.2 vs 14 +/- 0.09 microg/l; P = 0.02). Serum total testosterone and estradiol concentrations did not change. GHRH treatment also reduced the half-duration of GH secretory bursts, and increased the GH half-life. GHRH-stimulated 24-h serum GH concentrations and the mass of GH secreted per burst were correlated negatively with age (R[value]:P[value] = -0.67:0.002 and -0.58:0.009 respectively), and percentage body fat (R:P = -0.80:0.0001 and -0.65:0.0005 respectively), but positively with serum testosterone concentrations (R:P = +0.55:0.016 and +0.53:0.019 respectively). GHRH-stimulated plasma IGF-I increments correlated negatively with age and body mass index, and positively with serum testosterone, but not with percentage body fat. Cosinor analysis disclosed persistent nyctohemeral rhythmicity of GH secretory burst mass (with significantly increased 24-h amplitude and mesor values) but unchanged acrophase during fixed pulsatile GHRH infusions, which suggests that both GHRH- and non-GHRH-dependent mechanisms can modulate the magnitude (but only non-GHRH mechanisms can modulate the timing) of somatotrope secretory activity differentially over a 24-h period. In summary, diminished GHRH action and/or non-GHRH-dependent mechanisms (e.g. somatostatin excess, putative endogenous growth hormone-releasing peptide deficiency etc.) probably underlie the hyposomatotropism of aging, (relative) obesity, and/or hypoandrogenemia. Preserved or increased tissue IGF-I responses to GHRH-stimulated GH secretion (albeit absolutely reduced, suggesting GHRH insensitivity in obesity) may distinguish the pathophysiology of adiposity-associated hyposomatotropism from that of healthy aging.

Adipose Tissue↗

The influence of anatomical boundaries, age, and sex on the assessment of abdominal visceral fat.

Single-slice abdominal computed tomography (CT) scanning has been used extensively for the measurement of abdominal visceral fat (AVF). Optimal anatomical scan location and pixel density ranges have been proposed and are specifically reported to allow for the replication and standardization of AVF measurements. Standardization of the anatomical boundaries for CT measurement of AVF and the influence of age and gender on results obtained with different boundary locations have received much less attention. To determine the influence of three boundary analysis methods (AVF-1, AVF-2, and AVF-3) on the measurement of AVF by CT, 54 older (60 years to 79 years) and 37 younger (20 years to 29 years) healthy men and women were examined. The measurement boundary for AVF-1 was the internal most aspect of the abdominal and oblique muscle walls, and the posterior aspect of the vertebral body. AVF-2 used fat measurements enclosed in a boundary formed by the midpoint of the abdominal and oblique muscle walls, and the most posterior aspect of the spinous process. AVF-3 used fat measurements enclosed in a boundary formed by the external border of the abdominal and oblique muscle walls, and the external border of the erector spinae. Greater AVF measures were obtained with AVF-2 and AVF-3 compared with AVF-1 (p < 0.0001). These differences were greater in older compared with younger subjects (p < 0.0001) and greater in women compared with men (p < 0.02). The significantly greater AVF measurements obtained with AVF-2 and AVF-3 resulted from the inclusion of larger amounts of fat that are not drained by the portal circulation. This included retroperitoneal, intermuscular, and intramuscular lipid droplets, which increase with aging. On the basis of these results, we recommend the AVF-1 anatomical boundaries for the measurement of AVF in clinical investigations, particularly with older subjects. These data demonstrate the importance of precise and reproducible anatomical boundaries for the measurement of AVF, particularly in longitudinal studies.

Abdomen↗

Elements in the pathophysiology of diminished growth hormone (GH) secretion in aging humans.

Remarkable decreases in growth hormone (GH) secretion accompany healthy aging. The pathophysiology of this hyposomatotropism is confounded by concurrent changes in body composition (with increased visceral fat), physiological declines in estrogen and androgen concentrations, differences in gender responses to aging, and alterations not only in the quantity of GH secreted, but also (as more recently evident) in the orderliness or regularity of the GH release process (e.g., as assessed by approximate entropy). In addition, physical fitness or aerobic capacity also positively modulates GH secretion. Lastly, confounding variables such as altered sleep patterns and nutritional state may contribute to overall regulation of the GH axis in aging. Despite confounding variables, available human experiments suggest partial growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) deficiency in healthy older individuals, presumptively combined with somatostatin excess, and disruption of the moment-to-moment pattern of coordinated and orderly GH release. Here, the authors review these selected facets of recent experimental evaluation of the human GH insulin-like growth factor-I (GH-IGF-I) feedback axis in aging humans.

Aged↗

Body composition by DEXA in older adults: accuracy and influence of scan mode.

Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) measures bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), fat-free mass (FFM), and provides estimates of percent body fat. Changes in scan mode geometry (pencil beam vs array) may impact these measures and body composition estimates using multi-compartment models. Forty-one adults, ages 59-79 yr, were scanned in each mode and also underwent hydrostatic weighing and measurement of total body water (tritiated water dilution). The effect of scan mode on measurement of DEXA BMC, BMD, FFM, and percent body fat (DEXA %Fat) was examined. The effect of scan mode on percentage body fat determined by a 4-compartment body composition model (4 Comp %Fat) and comparison of DEXA %Fat and 4 Comp %Fat were also examined. BMC and DEXA %Fat were greater (1.3% and 3.9%, respectively, P < 0.01), and BMD and FFM were lower (1.1% and 1.9%, respectively, P < 0.01) with the array scan mode. The 4 Comp %Fat was significantly greater (0.2%) when the array scan mode measurements of total body bone mineral were used; however, these differences were physiologically inconsequential. Comparison between DEXA %Fat and 4 Comp %Fat measures revealed a total error of +/-5.0% in the older adults examined. These results indicate significant scan mode differences in total body BMC, BMD, FFM, and DEXA %Fat measurements and demonstrate the importance of using a single DEXA scan mode for clinical investigation, particularly with longitudinal studies. For all investigations with DEXA, the scan mode should be reported. Furthermore, the error associated with using DEXA alone to estimate percent fat in an older population suggests that this technique is unacceptable in a research setting.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Exercise training decreases the growth hormone (GH) response to acute constant-load exercise.

To assess the influence of exercise training on the growth hormone (GH) response to acute exercise, six untrained males completed a 20-min, high-intensity, constant-load exercise test prior to and after 3 and 6 wk of training (the absolute power output (PO) during each test remained constant x PO = 182.5 +/- 29.5 W). Training increased (pre- vs post-training) oxygen uptake (VO2) at lactate threshold (1.57 +/- 0.33 L.min-1 vs 1.97 +/- 0.24 L.min-1 P < or = 0.05). VO2 at 2.5 mM blood lactate concentration ([HLa]) (1.83 +/- 0.38 L.min-1 vs 2.33 +/- 0.38 L.min-1, P < or = 0.05), and VO2peak (3.15 +/- 0.54 L.min-1 vs 3.41 +/- 0.47 L.min-1, P < or = 0.05). Power output at the lactate threshold (PO-LT) increased with training from 103 +/- 28 to 132 +/- 23W (P < or = 0.05). Integrated GH concentration (20 min exercise + 45 min recovery) (microgram.L-1 x min) after 3 wk (138 +/- 106) and 6 wk (130 +/- 145) were significantly lower (P < or = 0.05) than pre-training (238 +/- 145). Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine responses to training were similar to the GH response (EPI-pre-training = 2447 +/- 1110; week 3 = 1046 +/- 144; week 6 = 955 +/- 322 pmol.L-1; P < or = 0.05; NE pre-training = 23.0 +/- 5.2; week 3 = 13.4 +/- 4.8; week 6 = 12.1 +/- 6.8 nmol.L-1; P < or = 0.05). These data indicate that the GH and catecholamine response to a constant-load exercise stimulus are reduced within the first 3 wk of exercise training and support the hypothesis that a critical threshold of exercise intensity must be reached to stimulate GH release.

Adult↗

Serum lipid levels and steroidal hormones in women runners with irregular menses.

This study compared the lipid profile of women runners with menstrual cycle irregularities with their normally menstruating counterparts. Relationships among selected steroid hormones and serum lipid levels in 10 eumenorrheic (EU) and 8 oligo-/amenorrheic (O/A) women runners and 6 eumenorrheic controls (CON) were examined. Serum 17 beta-estradiol (E2), progesterone (Prog), and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations were determined in daily blood samples for 21 days, and integrated concentrations were calculated. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL2, HDL3, triglycerides (Trig), and apolipoproteins A-1, A-II, and B. The O/A group had significantly lower E2 and Prog than EU or CON groups. Women in the CON group had lower HDL-C and HDL3 than the runners. With all women grouped together, E2 was not significantly correlated with any measured blood lipid parameters. On the other hand, DHEAS was significantly correlated with HDL-C, HDL2, and apolipoprotein A-I. These data demonstrate that women runners, regardless of menstrual cycle status, exhibit higher HDL-C concentrations than CON and supports previous research reporting a positive association between DHEAS and HDL-C.

Adolescent↗

Alterations in growth and body composition during puberty. I. Comparing multicompartment body composition models.

A four-compartment (4C) model of body composition was used as a criterion to determine the accuracy of three-compartment (3C) and two-compartment (2C) models to estimate percent body fat (%BF) in prepubertal and pubertal boys (genital I & II, n = 17; genital III & IV, n = 7) and girls (breast I & II, n = 8; breast III & IV, n = 15). The 3C water-density (3C-H2O) and 3C mineral-density models, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, the Lohman age-adjusted equations, the Slaughter et al. skinfold equations, and the Houtkooper et al. and Boileau bioelectrical impedance equations were evaluated. Agreement with the 4C model increased with the number of compartments (i.e., body water, bone mineral) measured. Except for the 3C-H2O model, the limits of agreement were large and did not perform well for individuals. The mean %BF by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (23.6%) was greater than that of the criterion 4C method (21.7%). For the field methods, the Slaughter et al. skinfold equations performed better than did the Houtkooper et al. and Boileau bioimpedance equations. The hydration of the fat-free mass decreased (genital I & II = 75.7%, genital III & IV = 74.8%, breast I & II = 75.5%, breast III & IV = 74.4%) and the mineral content increased (genital I & II = 4.9%, genital III & IV = 5.0%, breast I & II = 5.1%, breast III & IV = 5.7%) with maturation. The density of the fat-free mass also increased (genital I & II = 1.084 g/ml, genital III & IV = 1.087 g/ml, breast I & II = 1.086 g/ml, breast III & IV = 1.091 g/ml) with maturation. All of the models reduced the %BF overprediction of the Siri 2C model, but only the 4C and 3C-H2O models should be used as criterion methods for body composition validation in children and adolescents.

Adipose Tissue↗

Human growth hormone response to repeated bouts of aerobic exercise.

We examined whether repeated bouts of exercise could override growth hormone (GH) auto-negative feedback. Seven moderately trained men were studied on three occasions: a control day (C), a sequential exercise day (SEB; at 1000, 1130, and 1300), and a delayed exercise day (DEB; at 1000, 1400, and 1800). The duration of each exercise bout was 30 min at 70% maximal O2 consumption (VO2max) on a cycle ergometer. Standard meals were provided at 0600 and 2200. GH was measured every 5-10 min for 24 h (0800-0800). Daytime (0800-2200) integrated GH concentrations were approximately 150-160% greater during SEB and DEB than during C: 1,282 +/- 345, 3,192 +/- 669, and 3,389 +/- 991 min.microgram.l-1 for C, SEB, and DEB, respectively [SEB > C (P < 0.06), DEB > C (P < 0.03)]. There were no differences in GH release during sleep (2300-0700). Deconvolution analysis revealed that the increase in 14-h integrated GH concentration on DEB was accounted for by an increase in the mass of GH secreted per pulse (per liter of distribution volume, lv): 7.0 +/- 2.9 and 15.9 +/- 2.6 micrograms/lv for C and DEB, respectively (P < 0.01). Comparison of 1.5-h integrated GH concentrations on the SEB and DEB days (30 min exercise + 60 min recovery) revealed that, with each subsequent exercise bout, GH release apparently increased progressively, with a slightly greater increase on the DEB day [SEB vs. DEB: 497 +/- 162 vs. 407 +/- 166 (bout 1), 566 +/- 152 vs. 854 +/- 184 (bout 2), and 633 +/- 149 vs. 1,030 +/- 352 min.microgram.l-1 (bout 3), P < 0.05]. We conclude that the GH response to acute aerobic exercise is augmented with repeated bouts of exercise.

Adult↗

Short-term modulation of the androgen milieu alters pulsatile, but not exercise- or growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone-stimulated GH secretion in healthy men: impact of gonadal steroid and GH secretory changes on metabolic outcomes.

Gonadal steroids are known to alter GH secretion as well as tissue metabolism. The present study was designed to examine the effects of short term (2- to 3-week) alterations in gonadal steroids on basal pulsatile (nonstimulated) and exercise- and GH-releasing hormone-stimulated GH secretion, urinary nitrogen excretion, and basal and exercise-stimulated oxygen consumption. Two protocols were conducted, which reflect a total of 18 separate studies. In the first paradigm, 5 healthy young men were each studied in a double blind, randomized manner during 3 different gonadal hormone manipulations, in which serum testosterone was varied from hypogonadal (induced by leuprolide) to eugonadal (saline injections) to high levels (testosterone enanthate, 3 mg/kg.week, i.m.). There was a washout period of 8 weeks between treatments. In the second protocol, 3 of the original subjects were studied after 2 weeks of treatment with stanozolol (0.1 mg/kg.day). Two to 3 weeks after the desired changes in serum testosterone, each subject was admitted to the General Clinical Research Center for study. The hypogonadal state (serum testosterone, 33 ng/dL) increased urinary nitrogen loss (by 34%; P < 0.005) and decreased basal metabolic rate (by 12%; P < 0.02) compared with the eugonadal state (testosterone, 796 ng/dL). High dose testosterone (1609 ng/dL) further decreased urinary nitrogen loss over the eugonadal state (by 16%; P < 0.05). Stanozolol yielded the lowest urinary nitrogen excretion of all (P < 0.03). Like urinary nitrogen, the basal metabolic rate showed the greatest change between the hypogonadal and eugonadal states (12%; P < 0.02), with a lesser change during high dose testosterone treatment (4%). Analogously, end-exercise oxygen consumption rose by 11% between the hypogonadal and eugonadal states (P < 0.05). Between the hypogonadal and eugonadal states, no significant changes in pulsatile (nonstimulated), exercise-stimulated, or GRF-stimulated GH secretion or serum insulin-like growth factor I concentrations were observed. Raising testosterone to supraphysiological levels increased pulsatile GH secretion by 62% over that with leuprolide and by 22% over that with saline (P < 0.05). High dose testosterone treatment also increased serum insulin-like growth factor I concentrations by 21% and 34% over those during the eugonadal and hypogonadal states, respectively (P < 0.01). Testosterone did not affect either exercise- or GRF-stimulated GH secretion. In protocol 2, stanozolol did not affect any parameter of GH secretion. To examine the interaction between GH secretion and testosterone on urinary nitrogen excretion and basal metabolic rate, a one-way analysis of covariance was undertaken. Statistical examination of GH production as the covariate and testosterone (by tertile) as the interactive factor demonstrated significant relationships between serum testosterone levels and either urinary nitrogen (P < 0.02) or basal metabolic rate (P < 0.01), but not GH secretion (P = NS). In summary, these results demonstrate that short term modulation of the androgen milieu affects metabolic outcome without necessitating changes in GH secretion. These results have significance for both normal physiology and for the treatment of hypogonadal GH-deficient patients.

Adult↗

A city-wide outbreak of a multiple-drug-resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in New York.

SETTING: Incident patients with active tuberculosis (TB) resistant to two or more drugs in New York City hospitals in 1992. OBJECTIVE: To examine the New York-wide distribution of Public Health Research Institute (PHRI) strain W of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an extremely drug-resistant strain identified by a 17-band Southern hybridization pattern using IS6110, during the peak tuberculosis year of 1992. We also compared strain W with other strains frequently observed in New York. DESIGN: Blinded retrospective study of stored M. tuberculosis cultures by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) DNA fingerprinting, and chart review. RESULTS: We found 112 cultures with the strain W fingerprint and 8 variants in 21 hospitals among incident patients hospitalized in 1992. Almost all isolates were resistant to four first-line drugs and kanamycin. This single strain made up at least 22% of New York City multiple-drug-resistant (MDR) TB in 1992, far more than any other strain. Almost all W-strain cases were acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. The cluster is the most drug-resistant cluster identified in New York and the largest IS6110 fingerprint cluster identified anywhere to date. CONCLUSION: Because recommended four-drug therapy will not sterilise this very resistant strain, there was a city-wide nosocomial outbreak of W-strain TB in the early 1990s among New York AIDS patients. Other frequently seen strains were either also very resistant, or, surprisingly, pansusceptible. Individual MDR strains can be spread widely in situations where AIDS and TB are both common.

Adult↗

The validity of regulating blood lactate concentration during running by ratings of perceived exertion.

We examined whether ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) observed during an incremental (response) protocol could be used to produce target blood [HLa] of 2.5 mM and 4.0 mM during a 30-min treadmill run at a constant RPE. RPE (15.3, 17.6, 19.1), oxygen uptake (VO2) (3.31, 3.96, 4.00 l.min-1), velocity (V) (198, 218, 223 m.min-1), and heart rate (HR) (179, 185, 190 bpm) at blood [HLa] of 2.5 mM and 4.0 mM, and peak were determined for nine subjects (5 males, 4 females) during incremental exercise. Subjects then completed two 30-min runs at the RPE corresponding to blood [HLa] of 2.5 mM (RPE 2.5 mM) and 4.0 mM (RPE 4.0 mM) measured during the incremental protocol. For both 30-min runs, VO2 was not different from VO2 corresponding to either 2.5 or 4.0 mM blood [HLa] during the incremental test. During the 30-min run at RPE 2.5 mM: (a) only during minutes 25-30 was the blood [HLa] significantly different than 2.5 mM (3.2 +/- 0.6 mM, P < 0.05), (b) for the first 20 min HR was significantly lower than the HR at 2.5 mM during the incremental protocol, and (c) V did not differ from V at 2.5 mM during the incremental protocol. During the 30-min run at RPE 4.0 mM: (a) blood [HLa] was not significantly different from 4.0 mM, (b) HR at every time point was significantly lower than HR 4.0 mM during the incremental protocol, and (c) V was decreased over time by an average of 24.6 m.min-1 (P < 0.05). Because RPE from the response protocol was able to produce a blood [HLa] close to the criterion value during each 30-min run, we conclude that RPE is a valid tool for prescribing exercise intensities corresponding to blood [HLa] of 2.5 mM and 4.0 mM.

Adult↗

Assessment of the aerosport TEEM 100 portable metabolic measurement system.

The present study evaluated the utility of a portable metabolic measurement system, the Aerosport TEEM 100. A total of 505 data points [242 from incremental (INC) and 263 from constant load (CL) exercise] were collected on 12 subjects (age = 25 +/- 4 yr), by placing the Aerosport TEEM 100 medium flow pneumotach and mouthpiece in-line with a validated system, the Rayfield system. When VO2 values were separated into categories (< 1.5, 1.5-2.0, 2.0-2.5, 2.5-3.0, > 3.0 l.min-1), there was a small but statistically significant difference between the two metabolic measurement systems for VO2, VCO2, VE, RER, %ECO2, and %EO2 during both INC and CL exercise and measurement error for VO2 ranged between 2% and 11%. Correlations for VO2 values during INC and CL exercise between the two systems were r = 0.95 (SEest +/- 0.18 l.min-1) and r = 0.96 (SEest +/- 0.29 l.min-1), respectively. Correlations for RER were r = 0.82 (SEest +/- 0.08) and r = 0.47 (SEest +/- 0.11), for INC and CL, respectively. Results from the present investigation indicate that the Aerosport TEEM 100 has utility for the assessment of VO2, but the estimation of carbohydrate and fat utilization from RER should be used with caution.

Adult↗