Biomedical subjects

J Castells

Publications and source records attributed to J Castells.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Evidence of decrease in peak heart rate in acute hypoxia: effect of exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia.

This study focuses on the influence of the arterial oxygen saturation level at exhaustion on peak heart rate under acute moderate hypoxia, in endurance-trained subjects. Nineteen competing male cyclists performed exhaustive ramp exercise (cycle ergometer) under normoxia and normobaric hypoxia (15 % O (2)). After the normoxic trial, the subjects were divided into those demonstrating exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia during exercise (> 5 % decrease in SaO (2) between rest and the end of exercise, n = 10) and those who did not (n = 9). O (2) uptake, heart rate and arterial O (2) saturation (ear-oximeter) levels were measured. Under hypoxia, peak heart rate decreased for both groups (p < 0.001) and to a greater extent for hypoxemic subjects (p < 0.01). Arterial O (2) saturation under hypoxia was lower for the hypoxemic than for the non-hypoxemic subjects (p < 0.001) and it was correlated to the fall in peak heart rate between normoxia and hypoxia for all subjects (p < 0.01; r = 0.65). Hypoxemic subjects presented greater decrease in maximal O (2) uptake than non-hypoxemic ones (19.6 vs. 15.6 %; p < 0.05). The results confirm the greater decrement in arterial O (2) saturation under hypoxia in hypoxemic subjects and demonstrates a more pronounced reduction in peak heart rate in those subjects compared with non-hypoxemic ones. These data confirm the possible influence of arterial oxygenation on the decrease in peak heart rate in acute hypoxia.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

A high blood lactate induced by heavy exercise does not affect the increase in submaximal VO2 with hyperoxia.

Few studies evidenced an enhancement in oxygen uptake (VO2) during submaximal exercise in hyperoxia. This O2 "overconsumption" seems to increase above the lactate threshold. The aim of this study was to determine whether the hyperoxia-induced enhancement in VO2 may be related to a higher metabolism of lactate. Nine healthy males (aged 23.1 years, mean VO2 max= 53.8 ml min-1 kg-1) were randomized to two series of exercise in either normoxia or hyperoxia corresponding to an inspired O2 fraction (FIO2) of 30%. Each series consisted of 6 min cycling at 50% VO2 max (Moderate1), 5 min cycling at 95%VO2 max (Near Max) and then 6 min at 50% VO2 max (Moderate2). In both series Near Max was performed in normoxia. VO2 was significantly greater under hyperoxia than in normoxia during Moderate1 (2192 +/- 189 vs. 2025 +/- 172 ml min-1) and during Moderate2 (2352 +/- 173 vs. 2180+ /- 193 ml min-1). However, the effect of the high FIO2 was not significantly different on VO2Moderate2 (+172+/-137 ml min-1 with [La] approximately 6 mmol l-1) compared to VO2Moderate1 (+166 +/- 133 ml min-1 with [La] approximately 2.4 mmol l-1). [La] at the onset of Moderate2 was not different between normoxia and hyperoxia (10.1 +/- 2.2 vs. 10.9 +/- 1.6 mmol l-1). The results show that VO2 is significantly increased during moderate exercise in hyperoxia. But this O2 overconsumption was not modified by a high [La] induced by a prior heavy exercise. It could be concluded that lactate accumulation is not directly responsible for the increase in O2 overconsumption with intensity during exercise in hyperoxia.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2002

Effects of moderate hyperoxia on oxygen consumption during submaximal and maximal exercise.

The present study examined the effect of hyperoxia on oxygen uptake (VO(2)) and on maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) during incremental exercise (IE) and constant work rate exercise (CWRE). Ten subjects performed IE on a bicycle ergometer under normoxic and hyperoxic conditions (30% oxygen). They also performed four 12-min bouts of CWRE at 40, 55, 70 and 85% of normoxic VO(2max) (ex1, ex2, ex3 and ex4, respectively) in normoxia and in hyperoxia. VO(2max) was significantly improved by 15.0 (15.2)% under hyperoxia, while performance (maximum workload, W(max)) was improved by only +4.5 (3.0)%. During IE, the slope of the linear regression relating VO(2) to work rate was significantly steeper in hyperoxia than in normoxia [10.80 (0.88) vs 10.06 (0.66) ml x min(-1) x W(-1)]. During CWRE, we found a higher VO(2) at ex1, ex2, ex3 and ex4, and a higher VO(2) slow component at ex4 under hyperoxia. We have shown that breathing hyperoxic gas increases VO(2max), but to an extent that is difficult to explain by an increase in oxygen supply alone. Changes in metabolic response, fibre type recruitment and VO(2) of non-exercising tissue could explain the additional VO(2) for a given submaximal work rate under hyperoxia.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Blood lactate exchange and removal abilities after relative high-intensity exercise: effects of training in normoxia and hypoxia.

The effects of 4 weeks of endurance training in conditions of normoxia or hypoxia on muscle characteristics and blood lactate responses after a 5-min constant-load exercise (CLE) at 90% of the power corresponding to the maximal oxygen uptake were examined at sea-level in 13 sedentary subjects. Five subjects trained in normobaric hypoxia (HT group, fraction of oxygen in inspired gas = 13.2%), and eight subjects trained in normoxia at the same relative work rates (NT group). The blood lactate recovery curves from the CLE were fitted to a biexponential time function: La(t) = La(0) + A1(1 - e- gamma 1.t) + A2(1 - e- gamma 2.t), where the velocity constants gamma 1 and gamma 2 denote the lactate exchange and removal abilities, respectively, A1 and A2 are concentration parameters that describe the amplitudes of concentration variations in the space represented by the arterial blood, La(t) is the lactate concentration at time t, and La(0) is the lactate concentration at the beginning of recovery from CLE. Before training, the two groups displayed the same muscle characteristics, blood lactate kinetics after CLE, and gamma 1 and gamma 2 values. Training modified their muscle characteristics, blood lactate kinetics and the parameters of the fits in the same direction, and proportions among the HT and the NT subjects. Endurance training increased significantly the capillary density (by 31%), citrate synthase activity (by 48%) and H isozyme proportion of lactate dehydrogenase (by 24%), and gamma 1 (by 68%) and gamma 2 (by 47%) values. It was concluded that (1) endurance training improves the lactate exchange and removal abilities estimated during recovery from exercises performed at the same relative work rate, and (2) training in normobaric hypoxia results in similar effects on lactate exchange and removal abilities to training in normoxia performed at the same relative work rates. These results, which were obtained non-invasively in vivo in humans during recovery from CLE, are comparable to those obtained in vitro or by invasive methods during exercise and subsequent recovery.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Early effects of exogenous arginine after the implantation of prosthetic material into the rat abdominal wall.

We have investigated the effects of high arginine (Arg) levels (7.5 mg/100 g body weight per hour) on the early integration of biocompatible mesh grafts into the rat abdominal wall. Studies were performed over implantation intervals of 6, 12, 24 or 48 hours (n=12, each). Arginine and related compounds were quantified in plasma, wound fluids and multiple tissues. Plasma nitric oxide (NO) production was studied. Strips were taken from the polypropylene fiber-host tissue interfaces (PTIs) for optical microscopic analysis and for immunohistochemical analysis using rat-specific antibodies against type I and type III collagens. Exogenous Arg was metabolized at the peripheral tissues but reliably reached the wound space. High amounts of Arg and ornithine (Orn) were detected in the specimens considered. No changes on citrulline (Ctr) or NO concentrations were observed, overall suggesting that, during the period studied, the arginase pathway predominated. The acute scarring response differed significantly in the two placements considered. The P-SS interface evidenced more extensive new tissue growth than the P-DS interface. Forty-eight hours after mesh implantation cellular infiltration, fibroblast proliferation, and mesh-surrounding angiogenesis were higher in the arginine-treated rats. Type III collagen staining was related to arginine treatment, being higher (++) in the study group. In conclusion, and independently of the site of mesh placement, supplemental Arg seemed to favorably affect early local collagen deposition. This could be potentially helpful to ameliorate the integration of biomaterials into the tissues and, consequently, to allow for the design of more selective therapeutic strategies to prevent hernia recurrence rates.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed1998

A system to simulate gas exchange in humans to control quality of metabolic measurements.

We have developed a gas exchange simulation system (GESS) to assess the quality control in measurements of metabolic gas exchange. The GESS simulates human breathing from rest to maximal exercise. It approximates breath-by-breath waveforms, ventilatory output, gas concentrations, temperature and humidity during inspiration and expiration. A programmable motion control driving two syringes allows the ventilation to be set at any tidal volume (VT), respiratory frequency (f), flow waveform and period of inspiration and expiration. The GESS was tested at various combinations of VT (0.5-2.51) and f(10-60 stroke x min(-1)) and at various fractional concentrations of expired oxygen (0.1294-0.1795); and carbon dioxide (0.0210-0.0690) for a pre-set flow waveform and for expired gases at the same temperature and humidity as room air. Expired gases were collected in a polyethylene bag for measurement of volume and gas concentrations. Accuracy was assessed by calculating the absolute and relative errors on parameters (error=measured-predicted). The overall error in the gas exchange values averaged less than 2% for oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide output, which is within the accuracy of the Douglas bag method.

Carbon Dioxide↗

PubMed1998

Validity of oxygen uptake measurements during exercise under moderate hyperoxia.

PURPOSE: The validity of oxygen uptake in hyperoxia (FIO2 = 30%) measured by an automated system (MedGraphics, CPX/D system) was assessed during the simulation of gas exchanges during exercise with a mechanical system and during submaximal exercise by human subjects. METHODS: The simulation system reproduced a stable and accurate VO2 for 30 min (sim-test). This trial was repeated nine times in normoxia and nine times in hyperoxia. Ten subjects also performed two submaximal exercises (55% of normoxic VO2max) on a cycle ergometer at the same absolute power in normoxia and in hyperoxia (ex-test). RESULTS: There was a significant downward drift of the oxygen fraction measurement in hyperoxia (< or = 0.10% for FIO2 and FEO2) during sim-test, but VO2 measurement remained stable in the two conditions. There was also a downward drift of the oxygen fraction measurement in the two conditions (< or = 0.07% for FIO2) during ex-test. VO2 was significantly higher in hyperoxia (+4.6%), and this result was confirmed using a modified Douglas bag method. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that the CPX/D system is stable and valid for assessing VO2 in moderate hyperoxia.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Oxygen uptake during submaximal incremental and constant work load exercises in hypoxia.

The effect of acute hypoxia on oxygen uptake (VO2) was studied during incremental (IE) and constant work load exercises. Twenty-two healthy subjects performed two incremental exercises on a bicycle ergometer under normoxic (21% O2) and hypoxic (10.4% O2) conditions. Fifteen subjects performed a constant work load exercise at the same absolute power (CAP) (116 +/- 33 W), while seven other subjects performed three constant work load exercises at the same relative power (CRP) (50, 60 and 70% of VO2max) in both conditions. VO2 was defined as extraventilatory when the estimation of respiratory muscles O2 consumption was subtracted from the total VO2. During IE, the slope of the linear regression relating VO2 to work rate was higher in normoxia than in hypoxia (11.6 +/- 1.2 ml.l-1.W-1 vs 10.1 +/- 1.1 ml.l-1.W-1, p < 0.01). During CAP, VO2 was lower in normoxia than in hypoxia (1.88 +/- 0.45).min-1 vs 1.96 +/- 0.42 l.min-1, p < 0.01) whereas extraventilatory VO2 was not significantly different (1.80 +/- 0.441.min-1 vs 1.77 +/- 0.36) l.min-1). During CRP, the slope relating VO2 to power output computed from the three work loads was not statistically different between normoxia and hypoxia (delta VO2/delta w = 11.9 +/- 3.1 ml.min-1.W-1 vs 12.3 +/- 1.2 ml.min-1.W-1). These findings showed that during CRP, the metabolic efficiency (delta VO2/delta W) was the same in normoxia and in hypoxia. During CAP, the respiratory muscles O2 consumption might have accounted for the difference in VO2 consumption between hypoxia and normoxia.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Increase in occlusion pressure with ventilation and response to maximal exercise.

Fifteen sedentary or mildly active men (low fit group) and 15 trained male athletes (high fit group) performed an incremental exercise bout on a cycle ergometer until exhaustion. At each submaximal load, minute ventilation (VE) and rate of change of mouth pressure (dP/dt) during a brief airway occlusion were computed. The airway was occluded for 40-200 ms and adjusted according to the level of ventilation. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and minute ventilation (VEpeak) were measured during the last increment. dP/dt was related to VE in all subjects as dP/dt = a VECURV. The CURV parameter was 0.99-1.95 with a median of 1.49. The subjects were divided into four groups of seven or eight according to their physical fitness and their CURV value. Low and high CURV subjects had a CURV below and above the median, respectively. VE/VO2peak and VE/VCO2peak were significantly higher in the low CURV than in the high CURV group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Although factors other than the increase in pulmonary impedance with ventilation may influence CURV, the present results indicate the possible influence of mechanical constraint of breathing on the ventilatory output.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Influence of hypoxic ventilatory response on arterial O2 saturation during maximal exercise in acute hypoxia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of peripheral chemosensitivity estimated by hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) on arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) during maximal exercise in acute hypoxia. A group of 16 healthy men performed maximal exercise in two conditions of partial pressure of inspired oxygen (PIO2/149 and 70 mm Hg, 19.8 and 9.3 kPa). Measurements of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and SaO2 using an ear-oximeter were carried out in both conditions of PIO2. The HVR was measured at rest by progressive isocapnic hypoxia and evaluated by the slope of the linear regression between the ventilatory flow (VE) and the SaO2 (delta VE/delta SaO2). The absolute value of HVR (in litres per minute per percentage saturation per kilogram) was correlated to maximal expired VE (r = 0.85, P < 0.001), ventilatory equivalent for CO2 (r = 0.83, P < 0.001) and SaO2 (r = 0.60, P < 0.05) determined during maximal exercise in hypoxia: a significant decrease in VO2max (37%) and SaO2 (32%) for PIO2 of 70 mm Hg (9.3 Pa) was observed (P < 0.001). The correlation between the decline of VO2max and arterial oxygen desaturation failed to reach statistical significance (r = 0.47, P = 0.1). The present findings indicated that the peripheral ventilatory chemosensitivity contributed to the interindividual variability of VE and SaO2 during maximal exercise in acute hypoxia.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Mitochondrial ATP production rate in 55 to 73-year-old men: effect of endurance training.

The effect of 6-week endurance training on mitochondrial ATP production rate was investigated in 14 elderly men. Mean age, body weight and height were 63 +/- 6 yr, 75.6 +/- 9.2 kg and 174 +/- 4 cm, respectively. Subjects trained on a Monark cycle ergometer at 79 +/- 8% of their maximal heart rate for 1 h day-1, 4 days week-1. Muscle samples were obtained at rest, before and after endurance training, by a needle biopsy technique and used for determination of mitochondrial ATP production rate in isolated mitochondria and enzyme assays. Endurance training resulted in a significant increase in maximal oxygen uptake (L min-1) (P < 0.01). Citrate synthase activity, a mitochondrial marker enzyme, and hexokinase activity increased significantly (both P < 0.01) in response to training while 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I activities remained statistically unchanged. A higher mitochondrial ATP production rate was observed after endurance training with the substrate combinations pyruvate+palmitoyl-L-carnitine+L-glutamate+malate (P < 0.01), L-glutamate (P < 0.001), pyruvate+malate (P < 0.05) and palmitoyl-L-carnitine+malate (P < 0.01). The largest increase was obtained with L-glutamate (170%). Significant correlations were observed between the percent increase in citrate synthase activity and those of mitochondrial ATP production rates. It was concluded that the increased mitochondrial ATP production rate of aged human skeletal muscle with training seems mainly to occur through an increased mitochondrial content, and in a way similar to those observed in young men.

3-Hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed1995

Relationship between mean habitual daily energy expenditure and maximal oxygen uptake.

A population of 120 healthy voluntary subjects of both genders aged 16-88 was studied using the QAPSE (Saint-Etienne Physical Activity Questionnaire) with the purpose of investigating the factors influencing the relation between MHDEE (mean habitual daily energy expenditure) and VO2max (maximal oxygen uptake) to elucidate the factors accounting for individual variation. The mean of MHDEE obtained was 12,181.9 +/- 4041.9 kJ.d-1. The mean VO2max obtained was 39.9 +/- 13.8 ml.kg-1.min-1. A strong relationship between MHDEE and VO2max (r = 0.916; N = 120; P < 0.0001) was found. Further, MHDEE seemed to be the greater determinant in the variation of VO2max (89.35%). Other variables were found to be involved in the relation between MHDEE and VO2max for a smaller, but still substantial part: age (6.92%), PAST (exathletes who had considerably reduced or stopped their training) (2.45%), body mass (0.85%), and gender (0.43%). Two variables regarding maximal intensity of activity were not included in the multiple-linear regression analysis. These results suggested that the most important factor in the variation of VO2max is the total quantity of energy expenditure and not only the maximal intensity that could reach the subject.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1994

Interaction of cobalt ions with carboxypeptidase A.

The interaction of cobalt(II) with native and cobalt(II)-substituted carboxypeptidase has been investigated, at pH 7.5, by electronic absorption and 1H NMR spectroscopies. The reaction of the cobalt(II) uptake by the metalloenzyme [MCPA] (M = Zn or Co) occurs very slowly and a bimetallic complex, [MCPA(Co)], is formed. On the basis of the 1H NOE experiments, the isotropically shifted proton resonances were assigned as belonging to a coordinated histidine residue. 1H NMR titrations of [ZnCPA(Co)] with zinc(II) show that the zinc ion does not compete with cobalt for binding to the noncatalytic site. The temperature dependence of the isotropic shifts, molar absorbance, and longitudinal relaxation time values are indicative of a five-coordinated geometry for the cobalt ion. The identification of the noncatalytic cobalt binding site is also discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Two-dimensional 1H NMR spectra of ferricytochrome c551 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The full assignment of 1H NMR signals of heme proton resonances of ferricytochrome c551 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been performed by means of 2D NMR experiments. This technique allows the complete and unequivocal assignment of all heme resonances, including methylene resonances of the propionic groups, directly implicated in the pH dependence of the redox properties of cytochrome c551.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed1993

A new tool for evaluating energy expenditure: the "QAPSE" development and validation.

The objective of this study was to design and validate a working tool for the objective evaluation of daily energy expenditure (DEE) by means of a simple, noninvasive method: the QAPSE (Saint-Etienne Physical Activity Questionnaire), a questionnaire about physical activity (PA) over a period of 7 d (168 h). This eight-page questionnaire is designed to provide a complete picture of the subject's habitual PA without any restriction concerning the activities investigated, nor any specialization in relation to health components. It investigates the five areas of PA during daily life: work or way of keeping occupied, leisure activity (sports and nonsports activities), housework, basic everyday activity, moving about from place to place. Assessment of physical activity was conducted in 115 healthy volunteer subjects of both sexes aged 20-88. The values of mean habitual daily energy expenditure (MHDEE) obtained varied between 6,510 and 24,331 kJ.d-1. The MHDEE were in agreement with the data reported in the literature for various groups differing in respect to level of activity, sex, and age. The study demonstrated the reproducibility of the QAPSE (r = 0.997; N = 20; P < 0.0001). Its validity was tested in a comparative study between MHDEE and caloric intake (r = 0.576; N = 20; P < 0.01).

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1992

1H NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopic characterization of sulfonamide complexes of nickel(II)-carbonic anhydrase. Resonance assignments based on NOE effects.

The binding of acetazolamide, p-fluorobenzensulfonamide, p-toluenesulfonamide, and sulfanilamide to nickel(II)-substituted carbonic anhydrase II has been studied by 1H NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopies. These inhibitors bind to the metal ion forming 1:1 complexes and their affinity constants were determined. The 1H NMR spectra of the formed complexes show a number of isotropically shifted signals corresponding to the histidine ligands. The complexes with benzene-sulfonamides gave rise to very similar 1H NMR spectra. The NMR data suggest that these aromatic sulfonamides bind to the metal ion altering its coordination sphere. In addition, from the temperature dependence of 1H NMR spectra of the p-fluorobenzenesulfonamide adduct, a conformational change is suggested. The T1 values of the meta-like protons of the coordinated histidines have been measured and resonance assignments based on NOE experiments were performed.

Acetazolamide↗

PubMed1992

Pre-acclimatization to high altitude using exercise with normobaric hypoxic gas mixtures.

Pre-acclimatization was conducted using a new method elaborated in our laboratory, combining high intensity exercise while breathing hypoxia normobaric gas mixtures. The training consisted in a daily training during three weeks, 6 days a week, two hours a day, on bicycle ergometer. Eighteen subjects aging 22.2 +/- 1.4 years (11 males, 7 females) were matched in two similar groups: one group trained in normoxic conditions (NG) while the other group (HG) trained with a progressive decrease of the fraction of inspired oxygen (from 12.2% to 10.0%). Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were measured before and after the protocol period in both hypoxic (VO2max H, FIO2 = 10.4%) and normoxic (VO2max N) conditions, for the 2 groups. Training induced a similar O2max N increase in the two groups. The ratio VO2max H/VO2max N was calculated. As expected, in NG group, this ratio decreased significantly (from 63.9 +/- 4.3 to 57.5 +/- 3.1%, p < 0.01) after the training period compared to the initial value, diminution associated with an elevation of VO2max N (from 48.4 +/- 9.0 to 52.9 +/- 9.0 ml.min-1 x kg-1, p < 0.01). Conversely, in HG group, this ratio was not significantly diminished (from 61.7 +/- 3.8 to 60.5 +/- 5.2%, NS) in spite of a similar increase of VO2max N (from 47.5 +/- 5.5 to 50.7 +/- 4.9 ml.min-1 x kg-1, p < 0.01). This does not follow the diminution of the ratio usually described when VO2max N reach higher values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acclimatization↗

PubMed1989

Structure of (-)-1-phenylethylammonium hydrogen (+)-tartrate.

C8H12N+.C4H5O6-, Mr = 271.27, monoclinic, P21, a = 6.352 (2), b = 14.195 (5), c = 7.507 (2) A, beta = 107.08 (2) degrees, V = 647.0 (8) A3, Z = 2, Dx = 1.39 g cm-3, lambda (Mo K alpha) = 0.71069 A, mu (Mo K alpha) = 1.05 cm-1, F(000) = 288, T = 294 K, R = 0.037 for 941 observed reflections [F greater than 2 sigma (F)]. This (+)-tartrate structure is very similar to its meso-tartrate analogue. O(6) occupies an unusual antiperiplanar position relative to the carboxyl group. A strong hydrogen-bond network stabilizes the crystal packing.

Chemical Phenomena↗