Green tea contains high concentrations of polyphenolic compounds known as catechins. Studies in animal models suggest several potential mechanisms for specific metabolic effects at rest and during exercise, including improved glycemic control, altered activity of several glucose transporter proteins and improved endurance capacity. In humans, green tea extract (GTE) supplementation has been associated with improved glycemic control under resting conditions and increased fat oxidation during exercise. This dissertation examined the potential interactive effects of GTE supplementation and exercise on metabolism in humans with a focus on glycemic control. In Study 1, we demonstrated that GTE increased lipolysis and reduced heart rate during steady-state exercise in recreationally active men. Although substrate oxidation was not affected, GTE appeared to lower postprandial glucose under resting conditions. We hypothesized that the effects of GTE on exercise metabolism and glycemic control would be more apparent in humans with reduced exercise tolerance and impaired glucose tolerance. Thus, in Study 2, we examined the effects of GTE in sedentary overweight men. There were no differences in any metabolic or physiological responses during exercise; however, following exercise, GTE supplementation reduced [glucose] and insulinemia in response to an oral glucose load. Based on the findings of Study 2, the aim of Study 3 was to elucidate potential mechanisms for the alterations in glycemic response. Through the use of a dual-glucose tracer method, we demonstrated that GTE did not affect the rate of appearance of glucose in plasma in sedentary men; however, GTE supplementation allowed for the same glucose clearance rate despite a reduced insulinemia. We also observed lower carbohydrate oxidation during exercise with GTE. These findings suggest that GTE has an insulin-sensitizing effect during recovery from exercise, possibly due to enhanced glucose transporter activity; however, this hypothesis warrants further investigation in humans. / Dissertation / Doctor of Science (PhD) / Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world. Compared to other teas, green tea has a greater abundance of catechins, compounds that have been associated with health benefits particularly related to the metabolism of sugars and fats. This unique property of green tea could partly explain its longstanding medicinal role in some Asian cultures. Extensive research on green tea has increased its popularity over the past three decades. Studies involving both humans and other animals have shown improvements in weight control and glycemic control. In response to these findings green tea is often touted as having “anti-obesity” and anti-diabetic” properties. This dissertation examined the interaction between green tea extract supplementation and exercise on metabolism with a particular focus on blood sugar control. We observed that supplementation with green tea extract improved the response to sugar ingested after exercise. This finding has important implications for improving the control of ingested sugar in humans.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wyoming, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on August 7, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Toll like receptor-4 (TLR4) is a transmembrane inflammatory receptor expressed ubiquitously on the cell surface of immune cells as well as skeletal muscle and other metabolic tissues. A compelling body of evidence shows that muscle TLR4 and the downstream cytokine signaling modulate skeletal muscle metabolism. Intriguingly, skeletal muscle has been demonstrated to gain favorable inflammatory cytokine-mediated metabolic adaptations in the context of exercise training. This paradigm suggests a role for muscle TLR4 inflammatory signaling in the regulation of exercise metabolism. As such, the question arises as to whether exercise stress response follows similar inflammatory physiological pathways to those activated by other physical and pathogenic stimuli or not. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate the role of muscle TLR4 signaling in modulating skeletal muscle cytokine, also known as myokine, response and metabolic adaptations to exercise. To this end, using Cre-mediated recombination, we developed a novel muscle-specific TLR4 knockout (mTLR4-/-) mouse model on C57BL/6JJ background. The differential inflammatory and metabolic responses between mTLR4-/- mice and wild type (WT) littermates were examined following exposure to either exercise or muscle stimulus. Accordingly, different exercise and muscle contraction modalities were pursued, focusing on voluntary wheel running, forced treadmill training, and in vivo electrical muscle stimulation. Overall, this study introduces a novel muscle-specific TLR4 knockout mouse model and discloses a crucial role for mTLR4 in basal systemic cytokine homeostasis. Furthermore, our findings identify mTLR4 as a major immunomodulatory effector of exercise-induced metabolic adaptations and suggest a link between mTLR4 and physiological determinants of maximal aerobic performance. / Ph. D. / Exercise is an effective health care modality that exerts many physiological and metabolic benefits. Yet, the magnitude of health outcome differs between individuals, which has encouraged scientists to study biological factors responsible for variable responses to exercise. Our bodies respond to exercise as a whole, which requires harmonious communication among multiple body systems. Skeletal muscle, a major metabolic tissue mainly responsible for bodily movements, plays a key role in whole body energy balance. During exercise skeletal muscle naturally undergoes mechanical and metabolic stress with a subsequent immune reaction known as inflammation. Not only is this exercise-induced inflammatory response known to repair muscle damage, it has also been shown to modulate several of the salutary metabolic effects of exercise. The goal of the study was to better understand how exercise-induced inflammatory response and the subsequent metabolic adjustments are regulated at the level of skeletal muscle. Our data indicate that mTLR4, an immune receptor imbedded in the surface of muscle cells, modulates the inflammatory signals initiated during exercise. Furthermore, we found that genetically modified mice lacking mTLR4 were unable to develop the normal metabolic adaptations to exercise training. Unlike wild type mice, these mTLR4 deficient mice failed to improve fat and/or glucose utilization after one month of either voluntary wheel running or controlled treadmill training. These findings suggest that defects in this immune receptor, commonly reported with obesity, may alter whole body metabolism and the health outcomes of exercise. Future studies should aim to investigate whether different exercise modalities, such as resistance training, could possibly bypass these limitations induced by mTLR4 abnormities.

The physiological ketosis of starvation makes sound evolutionary sense, as ketone bodies have several thermodynamic advantages over other nutritional substrates, in addition to their actions to conserve protein and glucose stores. Utilising the body’s metabolic responses to ketosis by delivering a novel nutritional source of ketone bodies, the work in this thesis explored the metabolic effects of ketosis on physical performance in humans. First, the pharmacokinetics and dosing requirements for ketone containing drink preparations were characterised in a population of athletes and healthy controls (n = 45). Using endurance exercise as a model of physiologic stress, the functional impact of ketosis during sustained high intensity effort was investigated in high performance athletes (n = 22). It was shown that nutritional ketosis improved performance in 18/22 athletes, who set 14 new best performances during 30 min of rowing. Furthermore, when ketones and glucose were delivered together, cycling performance was improved by 2% (n = 8) following 1.5 hours of fatiguing effort, compared with optimal carbohydrate intake. Blood D-β-hydroxybutyrate reached 3-5 mM following ketone drinks, equivalent to several days of total fasting, but rapidly decreased during exercise. It was found that higher physical workloads correlated with larger decreases in plasma ketone concentration (n = 8), consistent with their oxidation as respiratory fuels. Nutritional ketosis significantly altered fuel metabolism during exercise in elite athletes (n = 10), decreasing peripheral lipolysis, skeletal muscle glycolytic intermediates, blood lactate, and branched chain amino acid release. In conclusion this work suggests a new hierarchy of substrate preference during physical stress, whereby mimicking the physiology of starvation, the energetic consequences of oxidising ketones may significantly enhance athletic performance. The extrapolation of these findings may have therapeutic implications for patient populations where energetic demands are high, and deleterious switches in substrate selection occur.

The purpose of this study was to compare the exercise and recovery muscle oxygenation response of Women and Girls during two 30s Wingate anaerobic tests separated by two minutes of active cycling recovery (resistance ≈ 2.5% body weight, 60-80rpm). Oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2), deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb), total hemoglobin (tHb), and tissue saturation index (TSI) were monitored at the right vastus lateralis muscle using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) throughout exercise, recovery, and a post-exercise femoral artery occlusion to TSI plateau. Pressure was preset at 250mmHg for Women and 210mmHg for Girls, achieved by rapid inflation in 0.3 seconds, and maintained until a 2 minute TSI plateau occurred or 10 minutes had passed. Twenty Women (23.8[2.12] years) and 13 Girls (9[1] years, combined Tanner stage <4) completed all tasks excepting 1 girl who did not complete occlusion. Significant group, time, and group by time interaction effects were observed for peak and mean power (Watts.kgFFM-1). Women had significantly greater power output compared to Girls for both Wingates. While both groups had reduced power output in Wingate 2, the reduction was significantly greater in Women compared to Girls. No significant group differences were found for resting TSI, recovery TSI, minimum TSI during either Wingate test, or for minimum TSI during occlusion, however a time main effect for Women was observed with minimum TSI being significantly lower in Wingate 1 compared to Wingate 2. Girls had similar minimum TSI for both Wingate tests. Women also demonstrated a significantly greater difference between Wingate minimum TSI and occlusion minimum TSI in Wingate 2 compared to Wingate 1. During Wingate 1, HHb increase was greater in Girls compared to Women and remained elevated during recovery compared to women. Changes in HbO2, HHb, and tHb were reduced in Wingate 2 for both groups, more so in Women for tHb and in Girls for HHb. Recovery was not different between groups with the exception of a faster TSI time constant of recovery in Women (τ =20.25 [13.01]s) compared to Girls (τ =36.77 [13.38]s) which is attributed to a faster HHb time constant in Women (τ =13.6 [0.44]s) compared to Girls (τ =30.77[19.47]s). Both groups demonstrated similar power output results and TSI response across the two Wingate tests but Girls were better able to repeat the anaerobic performance with a consistent TSI minimum between the two tests despite a faster recovery of HHb and TSI in women. These findings, in the context of observed Hb variable differences between groups, provide evidence of greater oxidative metabolism in Girls during a high intensity exercise. / Graduate / December 18, 2016

No description available.

A dose response relationship between carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion and exercise performance has not been consistently reported. Additionally the underlying metabolic and neuromuscular explanations for an improvement in performance with increasing doses of CHO have not been fully explained. In Chapter 2 of this thesis 20 male cyclists completed 2 h of submaximal exercise followed by a time trial task (531 ± 48KJ). Three CHO electrolyte beverages, plus a control (water), were administered during a 2 h ride providing 0, 20, 39 or 64 g CHO·h-1 at a fluid intake rate of 1 L·h-1. Performance was assessed by time to complete the time trial task, mean power output sustained, and pacing strategy used. Mean task completion time (min:sec ± SD) for 39 g·h-1 (34:19.5 ± 03:07.1, p=0.006) and 64 g·h-1 (34:11.3 ± 03:08.5 p=0.004) of CHO were significantly faster than control (37:01.9 ± 05:35.0). The mean percentage improvement from control was -6.1% (95% CI: -11.3 to -1.0) and -6.5% (95% CI: -11.7 to -1.4) in the 39 and 64 g·h-1 trials respectively. The 20 g·h-1 (35:17.6 ± 04:16.3) treatment did not reach statistical significance compared to control (p = 0.126) despite a mean improvement of -3.7% (95% CI -8.8 to 1.5%). These data demonstrate that consuming CHO at a rate between 39 to 64 g·h-1 is likely to be optimal for most individuals looking to utilise a single source CHO as an ergogenic aid during endurance performances lasting less than 3 hrs. Attempts have been made to try and understand the acute metabolic regulation that occurs when ingesting increasing amounts of CHO. However, no one study has fully investigated the metabolic mechanisms underlying graded increments of CHO ingestion. In Chapter 3 we aimed to utilise stable isotopes and blood metabolite profiles to examine the integrated physiological responses to CHO ingestion when ingested at rates throughout the range where performance gains appear greatest. Twenty well-trained male cyclists completed 2 h constant load ride (95% lactate threshold, 185 ± 25W) where one of three CHO beverages, or a control (water), were administered every 15 min, providing participants with 0, 20, 39 or 64 g CHO·h-1 at a fixed fluid intake rate of 1L·h-1. Dual glucose tracer techniques (6,6,2H2 glucose and U13C labelled glucose) were used to determine glucose kinetics and exogenous carbohydrate oxidation (EXO) during exercise. Endogenous CHO contribution was suppressed in the second hour of exercise when consuming 39 and 64 g·h-1 in comparison to 0 g·h-1 (-7.3%, 95%CI: -13.1 to -1.6 and -11.2%, 95%CI: -16.9 to -5.5 respectively). Additionally, consuming 64 g·h-1 suppressed the endogenous CHO contribution by -7.2% (95%CI: -1.5 to -13.0) compared to the 20 g·h-1 treatment. Exogenous CHO oxidation rate increased by 0.13 g·min-1 (95%CI: 0.10 to 0.15) and 0.29 g·min-1 (95%CI: 0.27 to 0.31) when consuming 39 and 64 g·h-1 in comparison to 20 g·h-1 of CHO. Peak exogenous CHO oxidation rates were 0.34 (0.06), 0.54 (0.09) and 0.78 (0.19) g·min-1 for 20, 39 and 64 g·h-1 respectively. Plasma NEFA concentration was 0.10 (95%CI: 0.07 to 0.13), 0.12 (95%CI: 0.10 to 0.16) and 0.16 (95%CI: 0.13 to 0.19) mmol.L-1 higher when consuming 0 g·h-1 in comparison to 20, 39 and 64 g·h-1 respectively. Both 39 and 64 g·h-1 were effective at sparing endogenous CHO stores of which it is estimated that most of this is liver glycogen sparing, but the measured response was highly variable between individuals. Consuming 39 g·h-1 of CHO appears to be the minimum ingestion rate required to have a significant metabolic effect that results in an increase in performance. Recent research has indicated a key role of endogenous CHO sensing and oral glucose sensing in maintaining central drive and peripheral function during endurance exercise tasks. Consuming 39 and 64 g·h-1 of CHO elicits the greatest improvements in performance and also demonstrate a similar metabolic response. The improvement in subsequent time trial performance when consuming 39 and 64 g·h-1 coincided with significant alterations in whole body substrate usage that lead to endogenous CHO sparing at the same ingestion rates. In Chapter 4 we aimed to utilise gold standard neuromuscular function assessment techniques, alongside novel measures, to investigate the effect of consuming different rates of CHO on neuromuscular function during and following prolonged cycling exercise. In a double-blind, randomised cross-over design, well-trained male cyclists (n=20, mean±SD, age 34 ± 10 y, mass 75.8 ± 9 kg, peak power output 394 ± 36 W, V̇O2max 62 ± 9 ml·kg-1·min-1) completed 2 familiarisation trials then 4 experimental trials. Trials involved a 2 h submaximal ride followed by a high intensity time trial task lasting approx. 35 min with each of 0, 20, 39 and 64 g·h-1 CHO ingestion rates during submaximal exercise. Each trial involved pre and post exercise assessments (MVC, Mwave twitch potentiation and force, motor unit recruitment and firing rate assessment using high density EMG) and during exercise (gross EMG amplitude). MVC peak torque values were reduced post exercise by -20.4 nM (95%CI: -26.5 to -14.4) in comparison to pre value on all trials with no differences between trials. The firing rates of early recruited motor units significantly increased by 1.55 pps (95%CI: 0.51 to 2.59) following exercise in comparison to pre-exercise rates. Gross EMG during the 2 h cycling bout revealed a main effect of treatment (p<0.01) but post hoc comparisons provided no clarity and likely reflect methodological issues. Consuming CHO at ingestion rates between 20 and 64 g·h-1 had little to no impact on the neuromuscular function of well-trained cyclists when comparing pre and post fatiguing exercise values. Despite differences in time trial completion time between trials, following exercise to fatigue in an endurance task, no post exercise differences were detected.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:22:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 4611.pdf: 1042877 bytes, checksum: b9b33a5c88aa13696432ae2d728a0a21 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-22 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Previous animal s research has shown that many protocols with aimed to mimic human exercise has been used. The endurance protocols are studied very often however, some difficulties are encountered to produce resistance exercise protocols. Some animal models of resistance training have been used, as jumping exercise. Among these, stands out the rat model performed on ladder with healthy and unhealthy animals. However, the energy system and acute physiological responses associated with this protocol have not been determined. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute metabolic characteristics and the acute effects on indirect biomarkers of muscular microtrauma of acute resistance exercise performed on ladder. Fifty males Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: Exercise (E) and Control (C). The animals of E group climbed a vertical ladder with weights attached to their tails. The session was performed once with 4 9 climbs. The lactate concentration increased at the beginning of training and there was a tendency to stabilize the blood lactate during the exercise session. Serum corticosterone found in E group was significantly higher (59%; p<0.05) when compared to C group. There was no difference between free fatty acids (24% p=0.109), in the liver (8%; p=0.575) and in the gastrocnemius fatty acids content (17%; p=0.219). The glycogen in liver (42%; p<0.05) and soleus (56%; p<0.05) were different between groups. Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) and Creatine Kinase (CK) activities were significantly higher (LDH 32%; CK 27%; p<0.05) in the E than in the C group. The results suggest that this protocol is a high intensity exercise able to induce an increase in the lactate concentration at the beginning of exercise. Moreover, there were increases in indirect markers of muscle microtrauma in rats after a single exhaustive session. However, the lactate concentration was low, suggesting that the aerobic metabolism is an important factor during the intervals between the series of climbing. / Atualmente, pesquisas com animais usam muitos protocolos de exercícios, com o objetivo de mimetizar as condições de exercícios realizados por humanos. Os protocolos de endurance (aeróbios) são estudados com grande frequência, no entanto algumas dificuldades são encontradas no sentido de produzir um protocolo de exercício resistido para animais. Alguns protocolos foram criados, utilizando principalmente modelos onde os animais realizam saltos. Um protocolo que tem se destacado é o de escalada e tem sido largamente utilizado em animais saudáveis e não saudáveis. Entretanto, as respostas fisiológicas agudas desse protocolo não foram determinadas até o momento. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as características metabólicas agudas do exercício resistido realizado em escada, e examinar os efeitos agudos em marcadores indiretos de lesão muscular. Foram utilizados 50 ratos Wistar divididos randomicamente em dois grupos: Controle (C) e Exercício Resistido (ER). Os animais do grupo ER escalaram uma escada vertical de 1,1 m com pesos fixados em suas caudas. Foi realizada somente uma sessão com 4-9 escaladas. Os níveis de lactato foram maiores nas primeiras escaladas em relação ao repouso, e se mantiveram constantes até o final do exercício. As concentrações de corticosterona encontradas no grupo ER foram maiores (59%; p<0,05) quando comparadas ao grupo C. Não houve diferença significativa no conteúdo de ácidos graxos do plasma (24% p=0,109), do fígado (8%; p=0,575) e do músculo gastrocnêmio (17%; p=0,219). O conteúdo de glicogênio hepático (42%; p<0,05) e muscular (sóleo) (56%; p<0,05) foi diferente entre os grupos. Os níveis de Lactato Desidrogenase (LDH) e Creatina Kinase (CK) foram maiores (LDH 32%; CK 27%; p<0,05) no grupo ER quando comparados ao grupo C. Os resultados sugerem que esse protocolo de exercício resistido é um exercício de alta intensidade, visto que a concentração de lactato aumentou no início do exercício e houve um maior nível de microlesão muscular após o exercício. No entanto, a concentração do lactato foi baixa, sugerindo que o metabolismo aeróbio contribui de forma importante durante os intervalos entre as séries de escalada.