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Biomedical subjects

M J Joyner

Publications and source records attributed to M J Joyner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Glucose-induced suppression of endogenous glucose production: dynamic response to differing glucose profiles.

To determine whether, in the presence of constant insulin concentrations, a change in glucose concentrations results in a reciprocal change in endogenous glucose production (EGP), glucagon ( approximately 130 ng/l) and insulin ( approximately 65 pmol/l) were maintained at constant "basal" concentrations while glucose was clamped at approximately 5.3 mM (euglycemia), approximately 7.0 mM (sustained hyperglycemia; n = 10), or varied to create a "postprandial" profile (profile; n = 11). EGP fell slowly over the 6 h of the euglycemia study. In contrast, an increase in glucose to 7.13 +/- 0.3 mmol/l resulted in prompt and sustained suppression of EGP to 9.65 +/- 1.21 micromol x kg-1 x min-1. On the profile study day, glucose increased to a peak of 11.2 +/- 0.5 mmol/l, and EGP decreased to a nadir of 6.79 +/- 2.54 micromol x kg-1 x min-1 by 60 min. Thereafter, the fall in glucose was accompanied by a reciprocal rise in EGP to rates that did not differ from those observed on the euglycemic study day (11.31 +/- 2.45 vs. 12.11 +/- 3.21 micromol x kg-1 x min-1). Although the pattern of change of glucose differed markedly on the sustained hyperglycemia and profile study days, by design the area above basal did not. This resulted in equivalent suppression of EGP below basal (-1,952 +/- 204 vs. -1,922 +/- 246 mmol. kg-1. 6 h-1). These data demonstrate that, in the presence of a constant basal insulin concentration, changes in glucose within the physiological range rapidly and reciprocally regulate EGP.

Adult↗

Sympathetic vasodilation in human muscle.

The idea that there might be sympathetic vasodilator nerves to skeletal muscle is an old concept that fits with the archaic 'fight or flight' model of the sympathetic nervous system. Clear evidence for vasodilator nerves to skeletal muscle began to emerge in animals during the 1930s, when stimulation of selected brainstem areas was shown to evoke hypertension, tachycardia and skeletal muscle vasodilation (i.e. the 'defense reaction'). By the 1940s and 1950s this idea was well established and it was shown in animals that the sympathetic dilator nerves to muscles were cholinergic. During this time, circumstantial evidence began to suggest the existence of sympathetic cholinergic vasodilator fibres in human skeletal muscle. In this context, the well- known forearm vasodilator response to mental stress was shown to be atropine-sensitive, and absent after surgical sympathectomy. However, while there was clear histological evidence for sympathetic cholinergic dilator fibres in animal muscle, such evidence was not seen in humans. Additionally, attempts to record from sympathetic dilator fibres human muscle have never demonstrated clear evidence for dilator nerve traffic, and many 'sympathetic dilator' responses are still present after local anaesthetic nerve block. More recently, the skeletal muscle dilator response to sympathoexcitatory manoeuvres in both humans and animals appears to be nitric oxide (NO)-dependent. While there are clearly atropine-sensitive and NO-dependent dilator nerves to skeletal muscles in animals, our current thinking is that most 'sympathetic dilator' responses in human muscle are due to adrenaline or local cholinergic mechanisms acting to stimulate NO release from the vascular endothelium.

Acetylcholine↗

HSP70 and HSP90 expression in leucocytes after exercise in moderately trained humans.

In this study, we examined expression of heat shock proteins (HSP) 70 and 90 in human leucocytes after moderate-to-heavy exercise. We also compared baseline levels of HSP70 and HSP90 in trained (TR) and untrained (UT) subjects. Eleven TR subjects ran on a treadmill for 1 h at 70% of maximal oxygen consumption. The HSP levels were measured prior to exercise and 15 and 24 h after exercise. Baseline HSP levels were also measured in eight UT controls. Fifteen hours and 24 h after exercise, TR subjects showed no significant increases in HSP70 (P > 0.05). The HSP90 levels also did not change (P > 0.05). Baseline HSP70 levels in TR subjects were lower than in UT subjects (2.04 +/- 0.51 ng vs. 4.52 +/- 0.95 ng, P < 0.05), while HSP90 levels were similar in TR and UT subjects. We conclude that exercise at an intensity that is within normal limits for a moderately trained individual is not a sufficient stimulus of HSP70 production in leucocytes. We also conclude that blunted levels of baseline HSP70 expression in TR subjects might be a chronic adaptation to training.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Cutaneous vascular function during acute hyperglycemia in healthy young adults.

Although it is well established that severe chronic hyperglycemia is associated with microvascular disease, it is not known whether transient hyperglycemia similar to that observed with impaired glucose tolerance or early Type 2 diabetes contributes to this pathology by altering microvascular function. To test the hypothesis that acute hyperglycemia decreases microvascular vasodilator responsiveness in human skin, we measured the cutaneous vasodilator response to local warming. This response can be divided into two phases, an initial peak that relies predominantly on local sensory nerves and a second slower phase that is largely dependent on endothelial nitric oxide. We reasoned that a change in one or both phases would indicate a change in the corresponding mechanism(s) with hyperglycemia. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (14 women, 14 men) were randomly divided into three groups, corresponding to 6 h of euglycemia (n = 8), 6 h when glucose was clamped at approximately 7 mmol/l (n = 10), or 6 h when glucose was varied to mimic a postprandial pattern (i.e., peak glucose approximately 11.1 mmol/l) commonly observed in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (n = 10). Insulin concentrations in all instances were maintained at approximately 65 pmol/l by means of continuous infusions of somatostatin and insulin. Glucagon and growth hormone were also continuously infused to maintain their basal concentrations. Despite substantial differences in both the level and pattern of glucose concentrations, neither maximum cutaneous vasodilation nor the pattern of the vasodilator response to local warming differed over the 6 h of study. We conclude that acute hyperglycemia similar to levels commonly observed in people with either early Type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance does not alter the vasodilator response to local warming of the skin in humans.

Acute Disease↗

Effects of regional phentolamine on hypoxic vasodilatation in healthy humans.

1. Limb vascular beds exhibit a graded dilatation in response to hypoxia despite increased sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerve activity. We investigated the extent to which sympathetic vasoconstriction can mask hypoxic vasodilatation and assessed the relative contributions of beta-adrenergic and nitric oxide (NO) pathways to hypoxic vasodilatation. 2. We measured forearm blood flow responses (plethysmography) to isocapnic hypoxia (arterial saturation approximately 85%) in eight healthy men and women (18-26 years) after selective alpha-adrenergic blockade (phentolamine) of one forearm. Subsequently, we measured hypoxic responses after combined alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade (phentolamine and propranolol) and after combined alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade coupled with NO synthase inhibition (N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine, L-NMMA). 3. Hypoxia increased forearm vascular conductance by 49.0 +/- 13.5% after phentolamine (compared to +16.8 +/- 7.0% in the control arm without phentolamine, P < 0.05). After addition of propranolol, the forearm vascular conductance response to hypoxia was reduced by approximately 50%, but dilatation was still present (+24.7 +/- 7.0%, P < 0.05 vs. normoxia). When L-NMMA was added, there was no further reduction in the forearm vascular conductance response to hypoxia (+28.2 +/- 4.0%, P < 0.05 vs. normoxia). 4. Thus, selective regional alpha-adrenergic blockade unmasked a greater hypoxic vasodilatation than occurs in the presence of functional sympathetic nervous system responses to hypoxia. Furthermore, approximately half of the hypoxic vasodilatation in the forearm appears to be mediated by beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated pathways. Finally, since considerable dilatation persists in the presence of both beta-adrenergic blockade and NO synthase inhibition, it is likely that an additional vasodilator mechanism is activated by hypoxia in humans.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

beta-Receptor agonist activity of phenylephrine in the human forearm.

Phenylephrine is generally regarded as a "pure" alpha(1)-agonist. However, after treatment of the forearm with the alpha-adrenergic-blocking drug phentolamine, brachial artery infusion of phenylephrine can cause transient forearm vasodilation. To determine whether this response was beta-receptor mediated, phenylephrine, phentolamine, and propranolol were infused into the brachial arteries of six healthy volunteers. Forearm vascular conductance (FVC) was also calculated and expressed as arbitrary units (units). Infusion of phenylephrine by itself (0.5 microg. dl forearm volume(-1). min(-1)) caused a sustained decrease (P < 0.05) in FVC from 3.5 +/- 0.7 to 0.9 +/- 0.2 units (P < 0.05). Infusion of the alpha-blocker phentolamine increased (P < 0.05) baseline FVC to 5.7 +/- 1.3 units. Subsequent infusion of phenylephrine after alpha-blockade caused FVC to increase (P < 0.05) for ~1 min from 5.7 +/- 1.3 to a peak of 13.1 +/- 1.8 units. Propranolol had no effect on baseline flow, and subsequent phenylephrine infusion after alpha- and beta-blockade caused a small, but significant, sustained decrease in FVC from 5.1 +/- 1.0 to 3.6 +/- 0.8 units. There were no systemic effects from the infusions, and saline infusion at the same rate (1-2 ml/min) had no forearm vasoconstrictor or dilator effects. These data indicate that in humans phenylephrine can exert transient beta(2)-vasodilator activity when its predominant alpha-constrictor effects are blocked.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Nitric oxide and neurally mediated regulation of skin blood flow during local heating.

The mechanisms underlying the skin blood flow (SkBF) response to local heating are complex and poorly understood. Our goal was to examine the role of axon reflexes and nitric oxide (NO) in the SkBF response to a local heating protocol. We performed 40 experiments following a standardized heating protocol with different interventions, including blockade of the axon reflex (EMLA cream), antebrachial nerve blockade (0.5% bupivacaine injection), and NO synthase (NOS) inhibition (> or =10 mM N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; microdialysis). Appropriate controls were performed to verify the efficacy of the various blocks. Values are expressed as a percentage of maximal SkBF (SkBF(max); 50 mM sodium nitroprusside). At the initiation of local heating, SkBF rose to an initial peak, followed by a brief nadir, and a secondary, progressive rise to a plateau. Axon reflex block decreased the initial peak from 75+3 to 32 +/- 2% SkBF(max) (P < 0.01 vs. control) but did not affect the plateau. NOS inhibition before and throughout local heating reduced the initial peak from 75 +/- 3 to 56 +/- 3% SkBF(max) (P < 0.01) and the plateau from 87 +/- 4 to 40 +/- 5%. NOS inhibition during axon reflex block did not further reduce the initial SkBF peak compared with axon reflex block alone. Antebrachial nerve block did not affect the local heating SkBF response. The primary finding of these studies is that there are at least two independent mechanisms contributing to the rise in SkBF during nonpainful local heating: a fast-responding vasodilator system mediated by the axon reflexes and a more slowly responding vasodilator system that relies on local production of NO.

Adolescent↗

From Belfast to Mayo and beyond: the use and future of plethysmography to study blood flow in human limbs.

Venous occlusion plethysmography is a simple but elegant technique that has contributed to almost every major area of vascular biology in humans. The general principles of plethysmography were appreciated by the late 1800s, and the application of these principles to measure limb blood flow occurred in the early 1900s. Plethysmography has been instrumental in studying the role of the autonomic nervous system in regulating limb blood flow in humans and important in studying the vasodilator responses to exercise, reactive hyperemia, body heating, and mental stress. It has also been the technique of choice to study how human blood vessels respond to a variety of exogenously administered vasodilators and vasoconstrictors, especially those that act on various autonomic and adrenergic receptors. In recent years, plethysmography has been exploited to study the role of the vascular endothelium in health and disease. Venous occlusion plethysmography is likely to continue to play an important role as investigators seek to understand the physiological significance of newly identified vasoactive factors and how genetic polymorphisms affect the cardiovascular system in humans.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

Reduced submaximal leg blood flow after high-intensity aerobic training.

This study evaluated the hypothesis that active muscle blood flow is lower during exercise at a given submaximal power output after aerobic conditioning as a result of unchanged cardiac output and blunted splanchnic vasoconstriction. Eight untrained subjects (4 men, 4 women, 23-31 yr) performed high-intensity aerobic training for 9-12 wk. Leg blood flow (femoral vein thermodilution), splanchnic blood flow (indocyanine green clearance), cardiac output (acetylene rebreathing), whole body O(2) uptake (VO(2)), and arterial-venous blood gases were measured before and after training at identical submaximal power outputs (70 and 140 W; upright 2-leg cycling). Training increased (P < 0.05) peak VO(2) (12-36%) but did not significantly change submaximal VO(2) or cardiac output. Leg blood flow during both submaximal power outputs averaged 18% lower after training (P = 0.001; n = 7), but these reductions were not correlated with changes in splanchnic vasoconstriction. Submaximal leg VO(2) was also lower after training. These findings support the hypothesis that aerobic training reduces active muscle blood flow at a given submaximal power output. However, changes in leg and splanchnic blood flow resulting from high-intensity training may not be causally linked.

Adult↗

The effect of changing transfusion practice on rates of perioperative stroke and myocardial infarction in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy: a retrospective analysis of 1114 Mayo Clinic patients. Mayo Perioperative Outcomes Group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in the institution's red blood cell (RBC) transfusion practice during the past 15 years and the influence of these changes on neurologic or cardiac morbidity after carotid endarterectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Based on a retrospective analysis of the Mayo Clinic database, 1,114 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy were stratified into 1 of 2 groups: (1) 1980 to 1985 (ie, pre-human immunodeficiency virus screening, early-practice group [n=552]) and (2) 1990 to 1995 (ie, recent-practice group [n=562]). Data were compared between time periods using the chi2 test for categorical variables and the rank sum test for continuous variables. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between perioperative transfusion practice and the occurrence of stroke or myocardial infarction. Two-tailed P values < or = 05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Patients in the recent-practice group were significantly older (mean +/- SD age, 69.6 +/- 8.7 years) vs 65.9 +/- 8.3 years in the early-practice group (P<.001). The proportion of patients receiving perioperative RBC transfusion decreased dramatically from 72.9% in 1980-1985 to 8.7% in 1990-1995 (P<.001). Additionally, the mean +/- SD number of RBC units transfused decreased from 1.10 +/- 1.30 U in 1980-1985 to 0.27 +/- 1.22 U in 1990-1995 (P<.001). Mean +/- SD discharge hemoglobin concentration decreased from 13.7 +/- 1.4 g/dL in 1980-1985 to 11.8 +/- 1.5 g/dL in 1990-1995 (P<.001). Rates of perioperative stroke and myocardial infarction did not differ between the 2 time periods (early-practice group vs recent-practice group: stroke, 5.1% vs 3.6% [P=.22]; myocardial infarction, 1.5% vs 2.3% [P=.29]). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that elderly patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (ie, individuals known to be at high risk for cerebral and cardiac ischemia) can tolerate modest perioperative anemia despite a considerable change in the institution's transfusion practice (lower "transfusion trigger," the hemoglobin concentration or hematocrit value below which RBC transfusion is indicated).

Academic Medical Centers↗

Sympathetic activity and baroreflex sensitivity in young women taking oral contraceptives.

BACKGROUND: We tested sympathetic and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity during the placebo or "low-hormone" phase (LH) and 2 to 3 weeks later during the "high-hormone" phase (HH) of oral contraceptive (OC) use in 9 women. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity was assessed by intravenous doses of sodium nitroprusside and phenylephrine and defined as the slope relating muscle sympathetic nerve activity (by microneurography) and diastolic blood pressure. Cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity was defined as the slope relating R-R interval and systolic blood pressure. No difference was observed for resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity or plasma norepinephrine levels. However, sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity was greater and mean arterial pressure was higher during the LH than in the HH phase. Similarly, cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity was greater in the LH than in the HH phase. CONCLUSIONS: Sympathetic and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivities change during the 28-day course of OC use. Furthermore, changes in baroreflex sensitivity with OC differ from changes in baroreflex sensitivity during the normal menstrual cycle.

Adult↗

Sympathetic vasodilatation in human limbs.

This review focuses on recent developments in our understanding of active vasodilatation in human skin and skeletal muscle. We have attempted to place recent advances in their historical context and review the evolution of thinking on active vasodilatation in these two vascular beds. In human skin, active vasodilatation is well established, but the neurotransmitter responsible for the dilatation is unknown. In human skeletal muscle, older studies provided circumstantial evidence consistent with sympathetically mediated vasodilatation, but the evidence was never unambiguous. By contrast, recent studies on active vasodilatation in human skeletal muscle in conjunction with a reinterpretation of data from previous studies casts doubt on the existence of sympathetic vasodilator fibres in human skeletal muscle.

Animals↗

Skeletal muscle vasodilatation during sympathoexcitation is not neurally mediated in humans.

Evidence for the existence of sympathetic vasodilator nerves in human skeletal muscle is controversial. Manoeuvres such as contralateral ischaemic handgripping to fatigue that cause vasoconstriction in the resting forearm evoke vasodilatation after local alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade, raising the possibility that both constrictor and dilator fibres are present. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this dilatation is neurally mediated. Ten subjects (3 women, 7 men) performed ischaemic handgripping to fatigue before and after acute local anaesthetic block of the sympathetic nerves (stellate ganglion) innervating the contralateral (resting) upper extremity. Forearm blood flow was measured with venous occlusion plethysmography in the resting forearm. In control studies there was forearm vasoconstriction during contralateral handgripping to fatigue. During contralateral handgripping after stellate block, blood flow in the resting forearm increased from 6.1 +/- 0.7 to 18.7 +/- 2.2 ml dl-1 min-1 (P < 0.05). Mean arterial pressure measured concurrently increased from approximately 90 to 130 mmHg and estimated vascular conductance rose from 6.5 +/- 0.7 to 14.0 +/- 1.5 units, indicating that most of the rise in forearm blood flow was due to vasodilatation. Brachial artery administration of beta-blockers (propranolol) and the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N G-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) after stellate block virtually eliminated all of the vasodilatation to contralateral handgrip. Since vasodilatation was seen after stellate block, our data suggest that sympathetic dilator nerves are not responsible for limb vasodilatation seen during sympathoexcitation evoked by contralateral ischaemic handgripping to fatigue. The results obtained with propranolol and L-NMMA suggest that beta-adrenergic mechanisms and local NO release contribute to the dilatation.

Adolescent↗

Influence of the menstrual cycle on sympathetic activity, baroreflex sensitivity, and vascular transduction in young women.

BACKGROUND: Our goal was to test sympathetic and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity and the transduction of sympathetic traffic into vascular resistance during the early follicular (EF) and midluteal (ML) phases of the menstrual cycle. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity was assessed by lowering and raising blood pressure with intravenous bolus doses of sodium nitroprusside and phenylephrine. It was defined as the slope relating muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA; determined by microneurography) and diastolic blood pressure. Cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity was defined as the slope relating R-R interval and systolic blood pressure. Vascular transduction was evaluated during ischemic handgrip exercise and postexercise ischemia, and it was defined as the slope relating MSNA and calf vascular resistance (determined by plethysmography). Resting MSNA (EF, 1170+/-151 U/min; ML, 2252+/-251 U/min; P<0.001) and plasma norepinephrine levels (EF, 240+/-21 pg/mL; ML, 294+/-25 pg/mL; P=0. 025) were significantly higher in the ML than in the EF phase. Furthermore, sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity was greater during the ML than the EF phase in every subject (MSNA/diastolic blood pressure slopes: EF, -4.15; FL, -5.42; P=0.005). No significant differences in cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity or vascular transduction were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that the hormonal fluctuations that occur during the normal menstrual cycle may alter sympathetic outflow but not the transduction of sympathetic activity into vascular resistance.

Adult↗