PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Robert Boushel

Publications and source records attributed to Robert Boushel.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Erythropoietin treatment elevates haemoglobin concentration by increasing red cell volume and depressing plasma volume.

Erythropoietin (Epo) has been suggested to affect plasma volume, and would thereby possess a mechanism apart from erythropoiesis to increase arterial oxygen content. This, and potential underlying mechanisms, were tested in eight healthy subjects receiving 5000 IU recombinant human Epo (rHuEpo) for 15 weeks at a dose frequency aimed to increase and maintain haematocrit at approximately 50%. Red blood cell volume was increased from 2933 +/- 402 ml before rHuEpo treatment to 3210 +/- 356 (P < 0.01), 3117 +/- 554 (P < 0.05), and 3172 +/- 561 ml (P < 0.01) after 5, 11 and 13 weeks, respectively. This was accompanied by a decrease in plasma volume from 3645 +/- 538 ml before rHuEpo treatment to 3267 +/- 333 (P < 0.01), 3119 +/- 499 (P < 0.05), and 3323 +/- 521 ml (P < 0.01) after 5, 11 and 13 weeks, respectively. Concomitantly, plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration were reduced. This maintained blood volume relatively unchanged, with a slight transient decrease at week 11, such that blood volume was 6578 +/- 839 ml before rHuEpo treatment, and 6477 +/- 573 (NS), 6236 +/- 908 (P < 0.05), and 6495 +/- 935 ml (NS), after 5, 11 and 13 weeks of treatment. We conclude that Epo treatment in healthy humans induces an elevation in haemoglobin concentration by two mechanisms: (i) an increase in red cell volume; and (ii) a decrease in plasma volume, which is probably mediated by a downregulation of the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis. Since the relative contribution of plasma volume changes to the increments in arterial oxygen content was between 37.9 and 53.9% during the study period, this mechanism seems as important for increasing arterial oxygen content as the well-known erythropoietic effect of Epo.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Nitric oxide and prostaglandins influence local skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise in humans: coupling between local substrate uptake and blood flow.

Synergic action of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins (PG) in the regulation of muscle blood flow during exercise has been demonstrated. In the present study, we investigated whether these vasodilators also regulate local blood flow, flow heterogeneity, and glucose uptake within the exercising skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle blood flow was measured in seven healthy young men using near-infrared spectroscopy and indocyanine green and muscle glucose uptake using positron emission tomography and 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-[(18)F]glucose without and with local blockade of NO and PG at rest and during one-legged dynamic knee-extension exercise. Local blockade was produced by infusing nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and indomethacin directly in the muscle via a microdialysis catheter. Blood flow and glucose uptake were measured in the region of blockade and in two additional regions of vastus lateralis muscle 1 and 4 cm away from the infusion of blockers. Local blockade during exercise at 25 and 40 watts significantly decreased blood flow in the infusion region and in the region 1 cm away from the site of infusion but not in the region 4 cm away. During exercise, muscle glucose uptake did not show any regional differences in response to blockade. These results show that NO and PG synergistically contribute to the local regulation of blood flow in skeletal muscle independently of muscle glucose uptake in healthy young men. Thus these vasodilators can play a role in regulating microvascular blood flow in localized regions of vastus lateralis muscle but do not influence regional glucose uptake. The findings suggest that local substrate uptake in skeletal muscle can be regulated independently of regional changes in blood flow.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Importance of hemoglobin concentration to exercise: acute manipulations.

An acute reduction of blood hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), even when the circulating blood volume is maintained, results in lower (.)V(O(2)(max) and endurance performance, due to the reduction of the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Conversely, an increase of [Hb] is associated with enhanced (.)V(O(2)(max) and endurance capacity, that is also proportional to the increase in the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. The effects on endurance capacity appear more pronounced and prolonged than on (.)V(O(2)(max). During submaximal exercise, there is a tight coupling between O(2) demand and O(2) delivery, such that if [Hb] is acutely decreased muscle blood flow is increased proportionally and vice versa. During maximal exercise with either a small or a large muscle mass, neither peak cardiac output nor peak leg blood flow are affected by reduced [Hb]. An acute increase of [Hb] has no effect on maximal exercise capacity or (.)V(O(2)(max) during exercise in acute hypoxia. Likewise, reducing [Hb] in altitude-acclimatized humans to pre-acclimatization values has no effect on (.)V(O(2)(max) during exercise in hypoxia.

Altitude↗
PubMed2006

Mitochondrial oxidative function and type 2 diabetes.

The cause of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes is unknown. The major part of insulin-mediated glucose disposal takes place in the skeletal muscle, and increased amounts of intramyocellular lipid has been associated with insulin resistance and linked to decreased activity of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. This review will cover the present knowledge and literature on the topics of the activity of oxidative enzymes and the electron transport chain (ETC) in skeletal muscle of patients with type 2 diabetes. Different methods of studying mitochondrial function are described, including biochemical measurements of oxidative enzyme and electron transport activity, isolation of mitochondria for measurements of respiration, and ATP production and indirect measurements of ATP production using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) - spectroscopy. Biochemical markers of mitochondrial content are also discussed. Several studies show reduced activity of oxidative enzymes in skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetics. The reductions are independent of muscle fiber type, and are accompanied by visual evidence of damaged mitochondria. In most studies, the reduced oxidative enzyme activity is explained by decreases in mitochondrial content; thus, evidence of a functional impairment in mitochondria in type 2 diabetes is not convincing. These impairments in oxidative function and mitochondrial morphology could reflect the sedentary lifestyle of the diabetic subjects, and the influence of physical activity on oxidative activity and mitochondrial function is discussed. The studies on insulin-resistant offspring of type 2 diabetic parents have provided important insights in the earliest metabolic defects in type 2 diabetes. These defects include reductions in basal ATP production and an attenuated response to insulin stimulation. The decreased basal ATP production does not affect overall lipid or glucose oxidation, and no studies linking changes in oxidative activity and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes have been published. It is concluded that evidence of a functional impairment in mitochondria in type 2 diabetes is not convincing, and that intervention studies describing the correlation between changes in insulin resistance and mitochondrial function in type 2 diabetes are lacking. Specific effects of regular physical training and muscular work on mitochondrial function and plasticity in type 2 diabetes remain an important area of research.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗
PubMed2006

Muscle perfusion and metabolic heterogeneity: insights from noninvasive imaging techniques.

Recent developments in noninvasive imaging techniques have enabled the study of local changes in perfusion and metabolism in skeletal muscle as well as patterns of heterogeneity in these variables in humans. In this review, the principles of these techniques along with some recent findings on functional heterogeneity in human skeletal muscle will be presented.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Association between regional quadriceps oxygenation and blood oxygen saturation during normoxic one-legged dynamic knee extension.

It is not clear whether muscle oxygenation (O(2-NIRS)) measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) correlates with femoral venous SO2 (S(fv)o2) during normoxic exercise. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare physiologically calibrated O(2-NIRS) with S(fv)o2 in subjects performing one-legged dynamic knee extension exercise (1L-KEE). Five healthy male subjects (age 25+/-2 year, height 177.8+/-4.8 cm, body weight 67.1 +/- 5.0 kg; mean +/- SD) performed 1L-KEE at 20, 40, and 60% of peak work rate (WR-peak) each for 4 min. S(fv)o2 was measured at rest and during the 3rd minute of each work rate. O(2-NIRS) was continuously monitored in a proximal region of the vastus lateralis (VL-p), a distal region of VL (VL-d), and a proximal region of the rectus femoris (RF-p). S(fv)o2 was 56.0% at rest and decreased to 36.6 at 20% WR-peak, 35.8 at 40% WR-peak, and 31.1 at 60% WR-peak. There was a significant correlation between O(2-NIRS) and S(fv)o2(VL-p: r (2) = 0.62, VL-d: r2 = 0.35, RF-p: r2 = 0.62, with a moderate variation among individuals at each site; residual values = 4.83 - 11.75). These data indicate that NIRS measurement provides a reflection of S(fv)o2 during 20-60% WR-peak of normoxic 1L-KEE.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The effect of dynamic knee-extension exercise on patellar tendon and quadriceps femoris muscle glucose uptake in humans studied by positron emission tomography.

Both tendon and peritendinous tissue show evidence of metabolic activity, but the effect of acute exercise on substrate turnover is unknown. We therefore examined the influence of acute exercise on glucose uptake in the patellar and quadriceps tendons during dynamic exercise in humans. Glucose uptake was measured in five healthy men in the patellar and quadriceps tendons and the quadriceps femoris muscle at rest and during dynamic knee-extension exercise (25 W) using positron emission tomography and [18F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG). Glucose uptake index was calculated by dividing the tissue activity with blood activity of [18F]FDG. Exercise increased glucose uptake index by 77% in the patellar tendon (from 0.30 +/- 0.09 to 0.51 +/- 0.16, P = 0.03), by 106% in the quadriceps tendon (from 0.37 +/- 0.15 to 0.75 +/- 0.36, P = 0.02), and by 15-fold in the quadriceps femoris muscle (from 0.31 +/- 0.11 to 4.5 +/- 1.7, P = 0.005). The exercise-induced increase in the glucose uptake in neither tendon correlated with the increase in glucose uptake in the quadriceps muscle (r = -0.10, P = 0.87 for the patellar tendon and r = -0.30, P = 0.62 for the quadriceps tendon). These results show that tendon glucose uptake is increased during exercise. However, the increase in tendon glucose uptake is less pronounced than in muscle and the increases are uncorrelated. Thus tendon glucose uptake is likely to be regulated by mechanisms independently of those regulating skeletal muscle glucose uptake.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Metallothionein-mediated antioxidant defense system and its response to exercise training are impaired in human type 2 diabetes.

Oxidative stress is implicated in diabetes complications, during which endogenous antioxidant defenses have important pathophysiological consequences. To date, the significance of endogenous antioxidants such as metallothioneins I and II (MT-I+II) in type 2 diabetes remains unclear. To examine the MT-I+II-mediated antioxidant capacity and its response to exercise training in the skeletal muscle of patients with type 2 diabetes, biopsies and blood samples were taken from 13 matched subjects (type 2 diabetes n = 8, control subjects n = 5) both before and after 8 weeks of exercise training. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed reduced MT-I+II levels in the skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetic subjects compared with control subjects. Control subjects produced a robust increase of MT-I+II in response to training; however, in type 2 diabetes, MT-I+II levels remained essentially unchanged. Significantly lower levels of MT-I+II were also detected in the plasma of type 2 diabetic subjects compared with control subjects. These results suggest that, in control subjects, the MT-I+II defense system is active and inducible within skeletal muscle tissue and plasma. In type 2 diabetes, reduced levels of MT-I+II in muscle and plasma, as well as the deficient MT-I+II response to exercise, indicate that this antioxidant defense is impaired. This study presents a novel candidate in the pathogenesis of complications related to oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2004

Plasma volume expansion does not increase maximal cardiac output or VO2 max in lowlanders acclimatized to altitude.

With altitude acclimatization, blood hemoglobin concentration increases while plasma volume (PV) and maximal cardiac output (Qmax) decrease. This investigation aimed to determine whether reduction of Qmax at altitude is due to low circulating blood volume (BV). Eight Danish lowlanders (3 females, 5 males: age 24.0 +/- 0.6 yr; mean +/- SE) performed submaximal and maximal exercise on a cycle ergometer after 9 wk at 5,260 m altitude (Mt. Chacaltaya, Bolivia). This was done first with BV resulting from acclimatization (BV = 5.40 +/- 0.39 liters) and again 2-4 days later, 1 h after PV expansion with 1 liter of 6% dextran 70 (BV = 6.32 +/- 0.34 liters). PV expansion had no effect on Qmax, maximal O2 consumption (VO2), and exercise capacity. Despite maximal systemic O2 transport being reduced 19% due to hemodilution after PV expansion, whole body VO2 was maintained by greater systemic O2 extraction (P < 0.05). Leg blood flow was elevated (P < 0.05) in hypervolemic conditions, which compensated for hemodilution resulting in similar leg O2 delivery and leg VO2 during exercise regardless of PV. Pulmonary ventilation, gas exchange, and acid-base balance were essentially unaffected by PV expansion. Sea level Qmax and exercise capacity were restored with hyperoxia at altitude independently of BV. Low BV is not a primary cause for reduction of Qmax at altitude when acclimatized. Furthermore, hemodilution caused by PV expansion at altitude is compensated for by increased systemic O2 extraction with similar peak muscular O2 delivery, such that maximal exercise capacity is unaffected.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed2003

Metabolic control of muscle blood flow during exercise in humans.

During muscle contraction, several mechanisms regulate blood flow to ensure a close coupling between muscle oxygen delivery and metabolic demand. No single factor has been identified to constitute the primary metabolic regulator, yet there are signal transduction pathways between skeletal muscle and the vasculature that induce vasodilation. A link between muscle metabolic events and microvascular control of blood flow is illustrated by local dilation of terminal arterioles during contraction of muscle fibers and conduction of vasodilation upstream. Endothelial-derived vasodilator mechanisms are known to exert control of muscle vasodilation. Adenosine, nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin (PGI2), and endothelial-derived hyperpolarization factor (EDHF) are possible mediators of muscle vasodilation during exercise. In humans, adenosine has been shown to contribute to functional hyperemia as blood flow is reduced under nonselective adenosine-receptor blockade. No clear role has been demonstrated for either NO or PGI2(2), based on studies employing selective inhibition of these substances individually, suggesting a redundancy of vasodilator mechanisms. This is supported by recent work demonstrating that combined blockade of NOS and PGI2, and NOS and cytochrome P450, both attenuate exercise-induced hyperemia in humans. Combined vasodilator blockade studies offer the potential to uncover important interactions and compensatory vasodilator responses. The signaling pathways that link metabolic events evoked by muscle contraction to vasodilatory signals in the local vascular bed remains an important area of study.

Exercise↗
PubMed2002

Combined inhibition of nitric oxide and prostaglandins reduces human skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise.

The vascular endothelium is an important mediator of tissue vasodilatation, yet the role of the specific substances, nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins (PG), in mediating the large increases in muscle perfusion during exercise in humans is unclear. Quadriceps microvascular blood flow was quantified by near infrared spectroscopy and indocyanine green in six healthy humans during dynamic knee extension exercise with and without combined pharmacological inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) and PG by L-NAME and indomethacin, respectively. Microdialysis was applied to determine interstitial release of PG. Compared to control, combined blockade resulted in a 5- to 10-fold lower muscle interstitial PG level. During control incremental knee extension exercise, mean blood flow in the quadriceps muscles rose from 10 +/- 0.8 ml (100 ml tissue)(-1) min(-1) at rest to 124 +/- 19, 245 +/- 24, 329 +/- 24 and 312 +/- 25 ml (100 ml tissue)(-1) min(-1) at 15, 30, 45 and 60 W, respectively. During inhibition of NOS and PG, blood flow was reduced to 8 +/- 0.5 ml (100 ml tissue)(-1) min(-1) at rest, and 100 +/- 13, 163 +/- 21, 217 +/- 23 and 256 +/- 28 ml (100 ml tissue)(-1) min(-1) at 15, 30, 45 and 60 W, respectively (P < 0.05 vs. control). In conclusion, combined inhibition of NOS and PG reduced muscle blood flow during dynamic exercise in humans. These findings demonstrate an important synergistic role of NO and PG for skeletal muscle vasodilatation and hyperaemia during muscular contraction.

Coloring Agents↗
PubMed2002

Pulmonary gas exchange and acid-base state at 5,260 m in high-altitude Bolivians and acclimatized lowlanders.

Pulmonary gas exchange and acid-base state were compared in nine Danish lowlanders (L) acclimatized to 5,260 m for 9 wk and seven native Bolivian residents (N) of La Paz (altitude 3,600-4,100 m) brought acutely to this altitude. We evaluated normalcy of arterial pH and assessed pulmonary gas exchange and acid-base balance at rest and during peak exercise when breathing room air and 55% O2. Despite 9 wk at 5,260 m and considerable renal bicarbonate excretion (arterial plasma HCO3- concentration = 15.1 meq/l), resting arterial pH in L was 7.48 +/- 0.007 (significantly greater than 7.40). On the other hand, arterial pH in N was only 7.43 +/- 0.004 (despite arterial O2 saturation of 77%) after ascent from 3,600-4,100 to 5,260 m in 2 h. Maximal power output was similar in the two groups breathing air, whereas on 55% O2 only L showed a significant increase. During exercise in air, arterial PCO2 was 8 Torr lower in L than in N (P < 0.001), yet PO2 was the same such that, at maximal O2 uptake, alveolar-arterial PO2 difference was lower in N (5.3 +/- 1.3 Torr) than in L (10.5 +/- 0.8 Torr), P = 0.004. Calculated O2 diffusing capacity was 40% higher in N than in L and, if referenced to maximal hyperoxic work, capacity was 73% greater in N. Buffering of lactic acid was greater in N, with 20% less increase in base deficit per millimole per liter rise in lactate. These data show in L persistent alkalosis even after 9 wk at 5,260 m. In N, the data show 1) insignificant reduction in exercise capacity when breathing air at 5,260 m compared with breathing 55% O2; 2) very little ventilatory response to acute hypoxemia (judged by arterial pH and arterial PCO2 responses to hyperoxia); 3) during exercise, greater pulmonary diffusing capacity than in L, allowing maintenance of arterial PO2 despite lower ventilation; and 4) better buffering of lactic acid. These results support and extend similar observations concerning adaptation in lung function in these and other high-altitude native groups previously performed at much lower altitudes.

Acclimatization↗