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Biomedical subjects

Bente K Pedersen

Publications and source records attributed to Bente K Pedersen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Vitamin E isoform-specific inhibition of the exercise-induced heat shock protein 72 expression in humans.

Increased levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, as seen in response to exercise, challenge the cellular integrity. Important protective adaptive changes include induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs). We hypothesized that supplementation with antioxidant vitamins C (ascorbic acid) and E (tocopherol) would attenuate the exercise-induced increase of HSP72 in the skeletal muscle and in the circulation. Using randomization, we allocated 21 young men into three groups receiving one of the following oral supplementations: RRR-alpha-tocopherol 400 IU/day + ascorbic acid (AA) 500 mg/day (CEalpha), RRR-alpha-tocopherol 290 IU/day + RRR-gamma-tocopherol 130 IU/day + AA 500 mg/day (CEalphagamma), or placebo (Control). After 28 days of supplementation, the subjects performed 3 h of knee extensor exercise at 50% of the maximal power output. HSP72 mRNA and protein content was determined in muscle biopsies obtained from vastus lateralis at rest (0 h), postexercise (3 h), and after a 3-h recovery (6 h). In addition, blood was sampled for measurements of HSP72, alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, AA, and 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2alpha (8-PGF2alpha). Postsupplementation, the groups differed with respect to plasma vitamin levels. The marker of lipid peroxidation, 8-iso-PGF2alpha, increased from 0 h to 3 h in all groups, however, markedly less (P < 0.05) in CEalpha. In Control, skeletal muscle HSP72 mRNA content increased 2.5-fold (P < 0.05) and serum HSP72 protein increased 4-fold (P < 0.05) in response to exercise, whereas a significant increase of skeletal muscle HSP72 protein content was not observed (P = 0.07). In CEalpha, skeletal muscle HSP72 mRNA, HSP72 protein, and serum HSP72 were not different from Control in response to exercise. In contrast, the effect of exercise on skeletal muscle HSP72 mRNA and protein, as well as circulating HSP72, was completely blunted in CEalphagamma. The results indicate that gamma-tocopherol comprises a potent inhibitor of the exercise-induced increase of HSP72 in skeletal muscle as well as in the circulation.

Adult↗

Elevated plasma interleukin-18 is a marker of insulin-resistance in type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic humans.

Elevated plasma IL-18 is present in several conditions sharing insulin-resistance as common trait, but the association with insulin-resistance per se is not established. Plasma/serum IL-6, IL-18, TNF-alpha, soluble TNF receptor II (sTNFR2), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 97 patients with type 2 diabetes (DM) and 84 non-diabetic controls (CON). The association with insulin-resistance-estimated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR)-was analyzed using multivariate linear and logistic regression. Compared to CON, DM demonstrated higher plasma levels of IL-18 (P = 0.001), IL-6 (P < 0.001), sTNFR2 (P = 0.005), and CRP (P < 0.001), while TNF-alpha was lower (P = 0.017). Plasma IL-18 increased across HOMA-IR quartiles in both DM and CON, both with and without adjustment for confounders (all P < 0.05). In contrast, neither IL-6, TNF-alpha, sTNFR2, nor CRP was associated with HOMA-IR in CON when adjusting for confounders. Accordingly, 50% increase of IL-18 corresponded to a marked increase of HOMA-IR in both DM and CON (DM: 26%, P = 0.014; CON: 25%, P = 0.003) after adjustment for confounders. Our results show that plasma IL-18 was associated with HOMA-IR independent of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Biomarkers↗

Plasma concentrations of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor are increased in patients with malaria and are associated with a poor clinical or a fatal outcome.

BACKGROUND: Blood concentrations of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) are increased in conditions with immune activation, and high concentrations of suPAR often predict a poor clinical outcome. This study explored the hypothesis that high plasma concentrations of suPAR are associated with disease severity in malaria. METHODS: At admission to the hospital, plasma concentrations of suPAR were measured by ELISA in samples from 645 African children with clinical symptoms of malaria: 478 had malaria, and 167 had a blood film negative for Plasmodium parasites. Fourteen healthy children were included for comparison. RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of suPAR were higher in patients with malaria (median, 7.90 ng/mL [interquartile range [IQR], 6.56-9.15 ng/mL]), compared with those in plasmodium-negative patients (median, 5.59 ng/mL [IQR, 4.54-8.16 ng/mL]; P < .001) and those in healthy children (3.94 ng/mL [IQR, 3.46-4.82 ng/mL]; P < .001). The highest concentrations were found in patients with malaria who died (P = .008) or had complicated malaria (P < .001). In univariate logistic regression analysis, a 1 ng/mL increase in plasma concentration of suPAR was associated with increased risk of mortality (odds ratio, 1.42 [95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.86]; P = .009). In multivariate linear regression analysis, lower platelet count, lower hemoglobin level, and higher neutrophil count were independently associated with a higher plasma concentration of suPAR. CONCLUSIONS: If the plasma concentration of suPAR reflects the extent of parasite-induced immune activation, this may explain why a high concentration of suPAR is associated with a poor clinical outcome in patients with malaria.

Animals↗

Leptin gene expression and systemic levels in healthy men: effect of exercise, carbohydrate, interleukin-6, and epinephrine.

Leptin, an adipose tissue-derived cytokine, is correlated with adipose mass as obese persons have increased levels of leptin that decrease with weight loss. Previous studies demonstrate that high-energy-expenditure exercise decreases circulating leptin levels, whereas low-energy-expenditure exercise has no effect. We aimed to test the hypothesis that acute exercise reduced leptin mRNA levels in human adipose tissue and that this effect would be ameliorated by carbohydrate supplementation. Because exercise markedly increases circulating IL-6 and epinephrine, we investigated whether the changes in leptin seen with acute exercise could be mediated by IL-6 or epinephrine infusion. Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue mRNA and plasma levels of leptin were measured in healthy men in response to 3-h ergometer exercise with or without carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion (n = 8) and in response to infusion with recombinant human (rh)IL-6 (n = 11) or epinephrine (n = 8) or saline. Plasma leptin declined in response to exercise (P < 0.05) compared with rest, whereas mRNA expression in adipose tissue was unaffected. The exercise-induced decrease in plasma leptin was attenuated by CHO ingestion (P < 0.001). A 3-h epinephrine infusion decreased plasma leptin (P < 0.001) to the same level seen with 3 h of exercise, whereas leptin levels were unaffected by rhIL-6 infusion. In conclusion, both acute exercise and epinephrine infusion decreased plasma leptin to a similar extent, whereas there was no effect with rhIL-6 infusion. Acute exercise solely affected leptin plasma levels, as mRNA levels were unchanged. The exercise-induced decrease in circulating leptin was counteracted by CHO ingestion, suggesting a posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism of leptin involving substrate availability.

Adipose Tissue↗

Contraction-induced myokine production and release: is skeletal muscle an endocrine organ?

The concentration of plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) increases during physical exercise, but until recently the cellular origin of this increase has been unknown. Recent work has identified that skeletal muscle is a major source of this increase and the release of IL-6 from muscle can mediate metabolic processes. IL-6 is, therefore, the first identified "myokine" released from muscle that can now be termed an endocrine organ.

Cytokines↗

Cerebral output of cytokines in patients with pneumococcal meningitis.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with acute bacterial meningitis frequently develop sepsis, the hallmark of which is increased plasma cytokine levels. However, it is unknown whether the brain contributes to the intravascular accumulation of cytokines in meningitis. We measured the cerebral output of cytokines to the blood during severe pneumococcal meningitis accompanied by sepsis. DESIGN: Prospective physiologic study. SETTING: Multidisciplinary intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Seven patients (median age, 59; range, 26-72 years) with severe pneumococcal meningitis, as evidenced by a decreased level of consciousness and the need for mechanical ventilation, and concomitant sepsis; and seven healthy volunteers (age, 24; range, 21-29 years). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The cerebral output, defined as the cerebral blood flow multiplied by the jugular-to-arterial concentration difference, was measured individually for the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6. Cerebral blood flow was measured by the Kety-Schmidt method using an infusion of Xe, and the concentration of individual cytokines in arterial and jugular bulb blood was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Compared with controls, patients exhibited elevated plasma levels of all three cytokines, particularly interleukin-6, as well as a marked cerebral output of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. No cytokine output was found in volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with pneumococcal meningitis and sepsis exhibit a cerebral output of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, which may contribute to elevating the plasma levels of these cytokines.

Adult↗

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induces skeletal muscle insulin resistance in healthy human subjects via inhibition of Akt substrate 160 phosphorylation.

Most lifestyle-related chronic diseases are characterized by low-grade systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. Excessive tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) concentrations have been implicated in the development of insulin resistance, but direct evidence in humans is lacking. Here, we demonstrate that TNF-alpha infusion in healthy humans induces insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, without effect on endogenous glucose production, as estimated by a combined euglycemic insulin clamp and stable isotope tracer method. TNF-alpha directly impairs glucose uptake and metabolism by altering insulin signal transduction. TNF-alpha infusion increases phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2, and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase, concomitant with increased serine and reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1. These signaling effects are associated with impaired phosphorylation of Akt substrate 160, the most proximal step identified in the canonical insulin signaling cascade regulating GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake. Thus, excessive concentrations of TNF-alpha negatively regulate insulin signaling and whole-body glucose uptake in humans. Our results provide a molecular link between low-grade systemic inflammation and the metabolic syndrome.

Adult↗

Fiber type specific expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-18 in human skeletal muscles.

Skeletal muscle is now recognized as an endocrine organ with the capacity to produce signal peptides in response to muscle contractions. Here we demonstrate that resting healthy human muscles express cytokines in a fiber type specific manner. Human muscle biopsies from seven healthy young males were obtained from m. triceps, m. quadriceps vastus lateralis and m. soleus. Type I fibers contributed (mean +/- SE) 24.0 +/- 2.5% in triceps of total fibers, 51.3 +/- 2.4% in vastus and 84.9 +/- 22% in soleus. As expected, differences in the fiber type composition were accompanied by marked differences between the three muscles with regard to MHC I and MHC IIa mRNA expression. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-18 were solely expressed by type II fibers, whereas the expression of IL-6 was more prominent in type I compared to type II fibers. The fiber type specificity was found in triceps, vastus and soleus indicating that the level of daily muscle activity did not influence basal cytokine expression. The specificity of cytokine expression in different muscle fiber types in healthy young males suggests that cytokines may play specific regulatory roles in normal physiology.

Adult↗

Low-level viremia and proviral DNA impede immune reconstitution in HIV-1-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: Immunological and virological consequences of low-level viremia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) remain to be determined. METHODS: For 24 months, 101 HAART-treated, HIV-1-infected patients with HIV RNA levels </=200 copies/mL were followed prospectively: HIV RNA level and CD4 and CD8 cell counts were investigated every 3 months, and proviral DNA and T cell subsets were investigated every 6 months. RESULTS: During follow-up, 33 patients had HIV RNA levels </=20 copies/mL at all visits (uVL patients), whereas 68 patients had HIV RNA levels >20 copies/mL at >/=1 visit (dVL patients) (median increase, 81 copies/mL [interquartile range, 37-480 copies/mL]). dVL patients had higher concentrations of CD8 cells, activated and memory T cells, and proviral DNA, compared with uVL patients (P<.05). A higher HIV RNA level was independently associated with reduced CD4 gain (P<.001). A higher HIV RNA level also was associated with increases in activated CD8(+)CD38(+) and CD8(+)HLA-DR(+) cells (P<.05), and a higher level of activated CD8(+)CD38(+) cells was independently associated with reduced CD4 gain (P<.05). A higher proviral DNA level was associated with increases in CD4(+)CD45RA(-)CD28(-) effector cells and reductions in naive CD4(+)CD45RA(+)CD62L(+) and CD8(+)CD45RA(+)CD62L(+) cells (P<.05). Higher levels of activated CD4(+)HLA-DR(+) and early differentiated CD4(+)CD45RA(-)CD28(+) cells predicted increased risk of subsequent detectable viremia in patients with undetectable HIV RNA (P<.05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that low-level viremia and proviral DNA are intimately associated with the immunological and virological equilibrium in patients receiving HAART.

Adult↗

AMPK activity is diminished in tissues of IL-6 knockout mice: the effect of exercise.

Following exercise, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity is increased several fold in rat liver and adipose tissue as well as muscle; however, the mechanism by which this occurs is not known. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is released from muscle in large amounts during and after sustained physical activity resulting in up to 100-fold increases in its plasma concentration, from 1-2 ng/ml to 50-100 ng/ml. We report here that incubation with IL-6 (30-120 ng/ml) increases the phosphorylation of AMPK (an indicator of its activation) and that of its target molecule, acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), in both extensor digitorum longus muscle and cultured F422a adipocytes. To assess more directly whether IL-6 regulates AMPK in vivo during exercise, measurements were carried out in skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue of 3-month-old IL-6 knockout (IL-6(-/-)) and C57 black control mice. In agreement with previous studies in the rat, in control mice P-AMPK and P-ACC abundance was increased by 30-150% in the three tissues in response to exercise with the greatest increases in skeletal muscle. In contrast, in IL-6(-/-) mice, we found that the abundance of both P-AMPK and P-ACC was lower (60-90%) in muscle and adipose tissue at rest. Also the absolute increases in P-AMPK caused by exercise were diminished compared to those in control mice, although percentage increases were similar. In liver, decreases in P-AMPK and P-ACC in the IL-6(-/-) mice were more modest and the increases in their abundance caused by exercise were indistinguishable from those of control mice. The results indicate that IL-6 can activate AMPK in muscle and adipose tissue, and that this contributes to, but does not fully account for, the increase in AMPK activity in these tissues in response to exercise. They also suggest that a genetic lack of IL-6 is associated with a decrease in AMPK activity.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗

Epinephrine infusion increases adipose interleukin-6 gene expression and systemic levels in humans.

Exercise increases IL-6 mRNA in subcutaneous adipose tissue; however, the immediate signal for the IL-6 induction is unknown. We, therefore, explored the possible role of epinephrine in the induction of IL-6 in adipose tissue. Subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies and blood samples were obtained from eight healthy men (mean age 27 yr, mean height 184 cm, mean weight 83 kg) in response to epinephrine infusion or in response to saline infusion. The rate of epinephrine infusion was such that circulating epinephrine concentrations mimicked that typically seen during exercise. The level of IL-6 mRNA in subcutaneous adipose tissue increased 26-fold (95% confidence interval, 9- to 166-fold) at 3 h of epinephrine infusion compared with controls (P=0.028). In addition, plasma levels of IL-6 increased in response to epinephrine infusion (P <0.001). However, epinephrine did not affect the IL-6 receptor mRNA. In conclusion, epinephrine acutely increases IL-6 mRNA levels in subcutaneous adipose tissue as well as circulating IL-6 levels in healthy men.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Supplementation with vitamins C and E inhibits the release of interleukin-6 from contracting human skeletal muscle.

Contracting human skeletal muscle is a major contributor to the exercise-induced increase of plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6). Although antioxidants have been shown to attenuate the exercise-induced increase of plasma IL-6, it is unknown whether antioxidants inhibit transcription, translation or translocation of IL-6 within contracting human skeletal muscle. Using a single-blind placebo-controlled design with randomization, young healthy men received an oral supplementation with either a combination of ascorbic acid (500 mg day(-1)) and RRR-alpha-tocopherol (400 i.u. day(-1)) (Treatment, n= 7), or placebo (Control, n= 7). After 28 days of supplementation, the subjects performed 3 h of dynamic two-legged knee-extensor exercise at 50% of their individual maximal power output. Muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis were obtained at rest (0 h), immediately post exercise (3 h) and after 3 h of recovery (6 h). Leg blood flow was measured using Doppler ultrasonography. Plasma IL-6 concentration was measured in blood sampled from the femoral artery and vein. The net release of IL-6 was calculated using Fick's principle. Plasma vitamin C and E concentrations were elevated in Treatment compared to Control. Plasma 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha), a marker of lipid peroxidation, increased in response to exercise in Control, but not in Treatment. In both Control and Treatment, skeletal muscle IL-6 mRNA and protein levels increased between 0 and 3 h. In contrast, the net release of IL-6 from the leg, which increased during exercise with a peak at 3.5 h in Control, was completely blunted during exercise in Treatment. The arterial plasma IL-6 concentration from 3 to 4 h, when the arterial IL-6 levels peaked in both groups, was approximately 50% lower in the Treatment group compared to Control (Treatment versus Control: 7.9 pg ml(-1), 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.0-10.7 pg ml(-1), versus 19.7 pg ml(-1), CI 13.8-29.4 pg ml(-1), at 3.5 h, P < 0.05 between groups). Moreover, plasma interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), C-reactive protein and cortisol levels all increased after the exercise in Control, but not in Treatment. In conclusion, our results show that supplementation with vitamins C and E attenuated the systemic IL-6 response to exercise primarily via inhibition of the IL-6 protein release from the contracting skeletal muscle per se.

Adult↗

Soluble urokinase receptor levels in plasma during 5 years of highly active antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected patients.

High blood levels of the soluble urokinase receptor (suPAR) strongly predict increased mortality in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-infected patients. This study investigated the plasma concentration of suPAR in 29 treatment-naive HIV-1-infected patients during 5 years treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Plasma suPAR decreased after introducing HAART, most pronounced during the first treatment year. The change in plasma suPAR was independent of changes in viral replication and CD4+ cells but it was strongly correlated with plasma levels of the soluble TNF receptor II. Compared with healthy individuals, plasma suPAR and sTN-FrII was increased in untreated patients. After initiating HAART, plasma sTNFrII remained increased whereas plasma suPAR decreased to a level comparable with healthy individuals. The present data indicate that the circulating suPAR level is linked to inflammation in untreated as well as HAART-treated HIV-1-infected patients.

Adult↗

The CSF and arterial to internal jugular venous hormonal differences during exercise in humans.

Strenuous exercise increases the cerebral uptake of carbohydrate out of proportion to that of oxygen, but it is unknown whether such enhanced carbohydrate uptake is influenced by the marked endocrine response to exercise. During exhaustive exercise this study evaluated the a-v differences across the brain (a-v diff) of hormones that could influence its carbohydrate uptake (n= 9). In addition, neuroendocrine activity and a potential uptake of hormones via the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were assessed by lumbar puncture postexercise and at rest (n= 6). Exercise increased the arterial concentration of noradrenaline and adrenaline, but there was no cerebral uptake. However, following exercise CSF noradrenaline was 1.4 (0.73-5.5) nmol l(-1), and higher than at rest, 0.3 (0.19-1.84) nmol l(-1) (P < 0.05), whereas adrenaline could not be detected. Exercise increased both the arterial concentration of NH(4)(+) and its a-v diff, which increased from 1 (-12 to 5) to 17 (5-41) micromol l(-1) (P < 0.05), while the CSF NH(4)(+) was reduced to 7 (0-10) versus 11 (7-16) micromol l(-1) (P < 0.05). There was no release from, or accumulation in the brain of interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), heatshock protein (HSP72), insulin, or insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I. The findings indicate that for maximal exercise, the concentration of noradrenaline is increased within the brain, whereas blood borne hormones and cytokines are seemingly unimportant. The results support the notion that the exercise-induced changes in brain metabolism are controlled by factors intrinsic to the brain.

Adult↗

Exercise, nutrition and immune function.

Strenuous bouts of prolonged exercise and heavy training are associated with depressed immune cell function. Furthermore, inadequate or inappropriate nutrition can compound the negative influence of heavy exertion on immunocompetence. Dietary deficiencies of protein and specific micronutrients have long been associated with immune dysfunction. An adequate intake of iron, zinc and vitamins A, E, B6 and B12 is particularly important for the maintenance of immune function, but excess intakes of some micronutrients can also impair immune function and have other adverse effects on health. Immune system depression has also been associated with an excess intake of fat. To maintain immune function, athletes should eat a well-balanced diet sufficient to meet their energy requirements. An athlete exercising in a carbohydrate-depleted state experiences larger increases in circulating stress hormones and a greater perturbation of several immune function indices. Conversely, consuming 30-60 g carbohydrate x h(-1) during sustained intensive exercise attenuates rises in stress hormones such as cortisol and appears to limit the degree of exercise-induced immune depression. Convincing evidence that so-called 'immune-boosting' supplements, including high doses of antioxidant vitamins, glutamine, zinc, probiotics and Echinacea, prevent exercise-induced immune impairment is currently lacking.

Exercise↗

The tumor necrosis factor alpha -308G>A polymorphism is associated with dementia in the oldest old.

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -308 G>A promoter gene polymorphism is a risk factor in age-related dementia and longevity. DESIGN: A cross-sectional and a longitudinal study. SETTING: A population-based sample of Danish centenarians. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred-year-old Danes (n=122) from "The Longitudinal Study of Danish Centenarians." Octogenarians (n=174) and healthy volunteers aged 18 to 30 (n=47) served as reference groups. METHODS: Whether the distribution of TNF -308 GG/GA/AA genotypes were different in centenarians than in younger age groups was investigated (Fischer exact test). Furthermore, whether the TNF -308 G>A polymorphism was associated with the prevalence of dementia (logistic regression analysis), the plasma level of TNF-alpha (analysis of variance), and mortality in the following 5 years (Cox regression analysis) within the cohort of centenarians was tested. RESULTS: The distribution of TNF -308 genotypes was not different across the three different age groups, but the GA genotype was associated with decreased prevalence of dementia in centenarians. The few centenarians with AA carrier status had higher mortality risk and tended to show higher plasma levels of TNF-alpha, but the significance was questionable due to a low number of subjects with this genotype. CONCLUSION: It is possible that the TNF -308 A allele is maintained during aging because subjects who are heterozygous for this polymorphism possess the optimal inflammatory response with regard to protection against age-related neurodegeneration.

Adolescent↗

IL-6 mediates hypoferremia of inflammation by inducing the synthesis of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin.

Hypoferremia is a common response to systemic infections or generalized inflammatory disorders. In mouse models, the development of hypoferremia during inflammation requires hepcidin, an iron regulatory peptide hormone produced in the liver, but the inflammatory signals that regulate hepcidin are largely unknown. Our studies in human liver cell cultures, mice, and human volunteers indicate that IL-6 is the necessary and sufficient cytokine for the induction of hepcidin during inflammation and that the IL-6-hepcidin axis is responsible for the hypoferremia of inflammation.

Anemia↗

Glucose ingestion attenuates the exercise-induced increase in circulating heat shock protein 72 and heat shock protein 60 in humans.

Heat shock protein (Hsp) 72 is a cytosolic stress protein that is highly inducible by several factors including exercise. Hsp60 is primarily mitochondrial in cellular location, plays a key role in the intracellular protein translocation and cytoprotection, is increased in skeletal muscle by exercise, and is found in the peripheral circulation of healthy humans. Glucose deprivation increases Hsp72 in cultured cells, whereas reduced glycogen availability elevates Hsp72 in contracting human skeletal muscle. To determine whether maintained blood glucose during exercise attenuates the exercise-induced increase in intramuscular and circulating Hsp72 and Hsp60, 6 males performed 120 minutes of semirecumbent cycling at approximately 65% maximal oxygen uptake on 2 occasions while ingesting either a 6.4% glucose (GLU) or sweet placebo (CON) beverage throughout exercise. Muscle biopsies, obtained before and immediately after exercise, were analyzed for Hsp72 and Hsp60 protein expression. Blood samples were simultaneously obtained from a brachial artery, a femoral vein, and the hepatic vein before and during exercise for the analysis of serum Hsp72 and Hsp60. Leg and hepatosplanchnic blood flow were measured to determine Hsp72-Hsp60 flux across these tissue beds. Neither exercise nor glucose ingestion affected the Hsp72 or Hsp60 protein expression in, or their release from, contracting skeletal muscle. Arterial serum Hsp72 increased (P < 0.05) throughout exercise in both trials but was attenuated (P < 0.05) in GLU. This may have been in part because of the increased (P < 0.05) hepatosplanchnic Hsp72 release in CON, being totally abolished (P < 0.05) in GLU. Serum Hsp60 increased (P < 0.05) after 60 minutes of exercise in CON before returning to resting levels at 120 minutes. In contrast, no exercise-induced increase in serum Hsp60 was observed in GLU. We detected neither hepatosplanchnic nor contracting limb Hsp60 release in either trial. In conclusion, maintaining glucose availability during exercise attenuates the circulating Hsp response in healthy humans.

Adult↗