Sympathetic reinnervation of the sinus node and exercise hemodynamics after cardiac transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Sympathetic cardiac reinnervation occurs variably after cardiac transplantation (CT) in humans. We hypothesized that sinus node reinnervation would partially restore normal chronotropic response to exercise. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirteen recent CT recipients, 28 late CT recipients (> or =1 year after CT), and 20 control subjects were studied. Sinus node sympathetic reinnervation was determined by heart rate (HR) change after tyramine injection into the artery that perfused the sinus node. HR changes of <5 and > or =15 bpm were defined, respectively, as denervation and marked reinnervation. During treadmill exercise, HR, blood pressure, and expired O(2) and CO(2) were measured. All early transplant recipients exhibited features typical of denervation (basal HR, 88+/-2 bpm; peak HR, 132+/-4 bpm, peaking 1.8+/-0.3 minutes after exercise cessation and slowly declining after exercise). A similar pattern was found in the 12 late transplant recipients with persistent sinus node denervation. However, in patients with marked reinnervation, exercise HR rose more (peak HR, 142+/-4 and 141+/-2 bpm), peaked earlier after cessation of exercise (0.7+/-0.4 and 0. 3+/-0.1 minute), and fell more rapidly. Exercise duration and maximal oxygen consumption were not related significantly to reinnervation status, but a trend existed for longer exercise time in markedly reinnervated patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present studies suggest that sympathetic reinnervation of the sinus node is accompanied by partial restoration of normal HR response to exercise. Both maximal oxygen consumption and exercise duration were markedly shorter in CT patients than in control subjects, and most of the difference was not related to innervation status.

Measurement of functional cholinergic innervation in rat heart with a novel vesamicol receptor ligand.

Regional differences in cholinergic activity in the cardiac conduction system have been difficult to study. We tested the utility of (+)-m-[125I]iodobenzyl)trozamicol(+)-[125I]MIBT), a novel radioligand that binds to the vesamicol receptor located on the synaptic vesicle in presynaptic cholinergic neurons, as a functional marker of cholinergic activity in the conduction system. The (+)-[125I]MIBT was injected intravenously into four rats. Three hours later, the rats were killed and their hearts were frozen. Quantitative autoradiography was performed on 20-micron-thick sections that were subsequently stained for acetylcholinesterase to identify specific conduction-system elements. Marked similarities existed between (+)-[125I]MIBT uptake and acetylcholinesterase-positive regions. Optical densitometric analysis of regional (+)-[125I]MIBT uptake revealed significantly greater (+)-[125I]MIBT binding (nCi/mg) in the atrioventricular node (AVN) and His bundle regions compared with other conduction and contractile elements (AVN: 3.43 +/- 0.37; His bundle: 2.16 +/- 0.30; right bundle branch: 0.95 +/- 0.13; right atrium: 0.68 +/- 0.05; right ventricle: 0.57 +/- 0.03; and left ventricle: 0.57 +/- 0.03; p < 0.05 comparing conduction elements with ventricular muscle). This study demonstrates that (+)-[125I]MIBT binds avidly to cholinergic nerve tissue innervating specific conduction-system elements. Thus, (+)-[125I]MIBT may be a useful functional marker in studies on cholinergic innervation in the cardiac conduction system.

Effects of aging per se on arterial stiffness: systemic and regional compliance in beagles.

Although previous studies have suggested that aging results in an increase in vascular stiffness, diseases that increase in prevalence with advanced age may have confounded the results of some of this past research. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether aging per se results in reduced arterial compliance by using animals that are resistant to atherosclerosis and do not develop hypertension or hyperlipidemias with advanced age. We evaluated systemic and regional (femoral) arterial compliance in older (110 +/- 8 months old) and in younger (27 +/- 2 months old) female beagle dogs by using a computer-based assessment of the diastolic decay of arterial pressure waveforms and a modified Windkessel model of the circulation. Although systemic arterial pressure was very similar in both age groups, cardiac output was 29% lower (p = 0.03) and systemic vascular resistance was 24% higher (p = 0.02) in the older dogs. Moreover, there was an age-related reduction in systemic arterial compliance, derived both from the exponential decay in the arterial pulse (C1) (p = 0.05) and that derived from the oscillatory component of the diastolic pulse wave (C2) (p = 0.04). By contrast, although femoral vascular resistance was 25% higher in the older dogs (p = 0.04), regional (femoral) vascular compliance measured after femoral arterial occlusion was also 25% reduced but was not significantly changed with age (p = 0.14). These results demonstrate that systemic arterial compliance is reduced with age in dogs, extending this finding to animals without age-related diseases that frequently occur in older human beings. Regional compliance, evaluated in the isolated femoral vascular bed, also tends to be reduced with age, but variability in this parameter in dogs reduces the significance of this finding.

Comparison of exertion required to perform standard and active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: Active compression-decompression (ACD) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) utilizes a hand-held suction device with a pressure gauge that enables the operator to compress as well as actively decompress the chest. This new CPR method improves hemodynamic and ventilatory parameters when compared with standard CPR. ACD-CPR is easy to perform but may be more labor intensive. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare the work required to perform ACD and standard CPR. METHODS: Cardiopulmonary testing was performed on six basic cardiac life support- and ACD-trained St. Paul, MN fire-fighter personnel during performance of 10 min each of ACD and standard CPR on a mannequin equipped with a compression gauge. The order of CPR techniques was determined randomly with > 1 h between each study. Each CPR method was performed at 80 compressions/min (timed with a metronome), to a depth of 1.5-2 inches, and with a 50% duty cycle. RESULTS: Baseline cardiopulmonary measurements were similar at rest prior to performance of both CPR methods. During standard and ACD-CPR, respectively, rate-pressure product was 18.2 +/- 3.0 vs. 23.8 +/- 1.7 (x 1000, P < 0.01); mean oxygen consumption 15.98 +/- 2.29 vs. 20.07 +/- 2.10 ml/kg/min or 4.6 +/- 0.7 vs. 5.7 +/- 0.6 METS (P < 0.01); carbon dioxide production 1115.7 +/- 110 vs. 1459.1 +/- 176 ml/min; respiratory exchange ratio 0.88 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.92 +/- 0.04 (P = NS); and minute ventilation 35.5 +/- 5.1 vs. 45.6 +/- 9.2 l/min (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 25% more work is required to perform ACD-CPR compared with standard CPR. Both methods require subanaerobic energy expenditure and can therefore be sustained for a sufficient length of time by most individuals to optimize resuscitation efforts. Due to the slightly higher work requirement, ACD-CPR may be more difficult to perform compared with standard CPR for long periods of time, particularly by individuals unaccustomed to the workload requirement of CPR, in general.

Aging and vasoreactivity: in vivo responses in the beagle hindlimb.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether vasodilator responses are attenuated and whether vasoconstriction is augmented with age in resistance vessels in the hindlimb of the dog. We examined blood flow (FAF) and pressure (FAP) responses in the femoral arterial system in older (109 +/- 8-mo-old) and younger mature (31 +/- 3-mo-old) female beagles during pentobarbital anesthesia. Vasodilator responses were evaluated during the intra-arterial administration of acetylcholine (ACh), which produces endothelium-dependent vasodilation, and albuterol, which mediates relaxation in vascular smooth muscle via beta-adrenoceptors. The vasoconstrictor response to phenylephrine (PE), an alpha-adrenergic agonist, was also examined. ACh and albuterol each induced dose-dependent vasodilation in the older and in the younger dogs. Resultant changes in neither FAF nor FAP were affected by age in response to either of these vasodilator substances. Likewise, reductions in femoral vascular resistance (FVR) in response to ACh or to albuterol were not age dependent. Vasodilation following induced hindlimb ischemia resulted in similar increases in FAF in both groups, but produced a greater reduction in FAP in older vs. younger dogs (P = 0.05). Similarly, FVR decreased more in the older beagles (P = 0.02). Vasoconstriction mediated by PE resulted in similar reductions in FAF in both age groups, but the increase in FAP was less at several PE doses in older vs. younger dogs (P < 0.05). However, increases in FVR in response to PE were not statistically different in the younger and older beagles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pectus excavatum: abnormal exercise scintigraphy with normal coronary arteries.

Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital abnormality of the chest wall, and is frequently associated with chest pain. The invasive, as well as the ECG and echocardiographic assessment of possible coronary artery disease (CAD) in adults with moderate to severe forms of this deformity, is often complicated by the associated displacement of the heart in the chest cavity in these patients. We present findings in a 67-yr-old male that demonstrate that the predictive accuracy of positive stress radionuclide ventriculogram (RVG) and SPECT scintigraphic studies may be significantly reduced in patients with moderate to severe forms of this abnormality. Our findings also suggest, however, that either lateral or even a shallow left posterior oblique detector positioning during RVG, a significantly revised SPECT acquisition orbit, or planar imaging may provide a more accurate means to assess possible CAD in these patients. Like-wise, physician input would appear to be invaluable in determining the optimal mode of imaging and the acquisition protocol for patients with pectus excavatum.

Alpha-adrenergic-mediated reflex responses to induced muscular contraction are changed with age in dogs.

Aging significantly affects reflex cardiovascular (CV) responses to induced muscular contraction in anesthetized dogs. To further investigate whether age-related changes in alpha-adrenergic-mediated responses to muscular contraction contribute to these previously reported age-related changes in CV responses associated with advanced age, hemodynamic and regional blood flow (BF) responses at baseline and during hindlimb contraction (HLC) were evaluated both before and after alpha-blockade (alpha-AB) in older (8-14 yr old) and in younger (2-3 yr old) beagles during alpha-chloralose anesthesia. alpha-AB with phentolamine resulted in significant (P < 0.05) reductions in mean arterial pressure before and during HLC, regardless of age. However, age-related differences in the systemic vascular resistance, cardiac output, and stroke volume responses to HLC, observed before alpha-AB, were eliminated after phentolamine as the result of an age-related difference in each of these responses to alpha-AB. Baseline BF (microspheres) was unchanged after alpha-AB in seven of eight abdominal organs, regardless of age. However, reductions in BF during HLC were attenuated in seven of eight abdominal organs in the younger dogs after alpha-AB, but in none of these organs in the older dogs, indicative of diminished alpha-mediated vasoconstriction in these organs in the older dogs during HLC. Furthermore, the age-related difference in the combined BF reduction to all eight abdominal organs before alpha-AB was eliminated after alpha-AB. Finally, BF increases to two of four contracting muscles, as well as the combined increase in blood flow to all four contracting muscles, were attenuated after alpha-AB, regardless of age. These results demonstrate that alpha-blockade eliminates many of the age-related differences in CV responses to HLC observed before alpha-AB and suggest that alpha-adrenergic-mediated responses to HLC change with age in beagles.

Effects of age on beta-adrenergic-mediated reflex responses to induced muscular contraction in beagles.

Aging significantly affects reflex cardiovascular (CV) responses to induced muscular contraction in anesthetized dogs. To further investigate whether age-related changes in beta-adrenergic responsiveness contribute to these previously reported changes in reflex CV responses associated with advanced age, hemodynamic and regional blood flow (BF) responses to static hindlimb contraction (HLC) were evaluated during alpha-chloralose anesthesia before and after beta-adrenergic blockade (AB) in younger (2-3 years) and older (8-14 years) beagles. AB with propranolol resulted in significant (P < or = 0.05) reductions in cardiac output, heart rate and mean arterial pressure at baseline, regardless of age. However, baseline stroke volume and systemic vascular resistance were only changed by AB in the older dogs. During HLC, AB had a similar effect (or lack of effect) on each of the five hemodynamic responses evaluated in both age groups. AB did not significantly change baseline BF (microspheres) to any of the individual abdominal organs evaluated in the younger dogs, but resulted in a reduction in baseline BF to five of eight abdominal organs in the older dogs. By contrast, AB resulted in attenuated, rather than accentuated, BF reductions during HLC to six of eight abdominal organs in the younger dogs but in only one of eight abdominal organs in the older dogs. Likewise, the combined BF reduction to all eight abdominal regions during HLC was attenuated only in the younger dogs, probably reflecting age-related changes in reflex sympathetic nerve responses to HLC rather than the effects of age on beta-adrenergic mediated CV responses. Baseline BF was reduced in three of eight muscles after AB only in the older beagles. However, the BF response to three of four contracting muscles was unchanged after AB, regardless of age. These results demonstrate that baseline differences in the level of beta-adrenergic stimulation and/or function in younger and older dogs are generally not associated with age-related differences in CV responses to HLC initiated in contracting muscles and mediated by reflex beta-adrenergic CV stimulation.

Effect of age on cardiovascular responses to static muscular contraction in beagles.

Induced muscular contraction in anesthetized animals results in significant hemodynamic and regional blood flow (RBF) changes. Although reflex cardiovascular responses initiated in contracting muscle have been firmly established, little is known about the effects of age on these responses. Because other reflex responses that involve sympathetic activation appear to be attenuated with age, it was hypothesized that reflex efferent cardiovascular responses that normally occur during muscular contraction would be impaired in senescent dogs. Therefore, hemodynamic and RBF responses to induced static hindlimb contraction (HLC) were evaluated in 8- to 14- and 2- to 3-yr-old beagles during alpha-chloralose anesthesia. Most baseline hemodynamic parameters were similar in both groups, but heart rate was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in old dogs. During HLC, heart rate and blood pressure increased in the young and old dogs. However, increases in stroke volume and cardiac output were greater in old dogs, combined with a reduction in systemic vascular resistance not observed in young dogs. No age-related difference in baseline RBF (microspheres) was observed in six of eight abdominal regional circulations and in each of four skeletal muscle groups. During HLC, RBF reductions occurred in six of eight abdominal organs in young and old dogs. However, the reduction in RBF and concomitant increase in vascular resistance in all eight abdominal regions combined was almost twice as great in young vs. old dogs. In noncontracting skeletal muscle, RBF decreased and vascular resistance increased four times more in young vs. old dogs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Reduced exercise capacity in senescent beagles: an evaluation of the periphery.

This study investigated the effect of age on peripheral factors involved in the systemic response to maximal exercise. Skeletal muscle was analyzed and regional blood flow distribution was determined at rest and during maximal exercise in senescent (old) and in younger mature (young) beagles. Maximal exercise capacity was significantly reduced (P less than 0.05) in old and was associated with a reduction in cardiac output (CO), as well as a tendency for arteriovenous O2 difference to be reduced, with a concomitant reduction in maximal O2 consumption. In each regional circulation evaluated, resting blood flow was similar in young and old. During exercise, blood flow was similar in young and old to the diaphragm, heart, tongue, and six of seven locomotory muscles. Concomitant blood flow reductions in splanchnic regions tended to be more pronounced in old than in young. Skeletal muscle analyses of triceps, semitendinosus, and gastrocnemius muscles disclosed similar percent fiber type distribution in young and old but a reduction in type II fiber area in old. In addition, both muscle capillary density and capillary-to-fiber ratio were reduced in old. These results demonstrate that age-related changes in blood flow distribution during maximal exercise enable skeletal muscle blood flow to be maintained in old, despite reductions in maximal CO and in muscle capillary density. However, this pattern of blood flow distribution only partially compensates for the combined effects of age-related changes in metabolic potential of the periphery, O2 content of arterial blood, and cardiac function during maximal exercise in old.

Dynamic exercise in senescent beagles: oxygen consumption and hemodynamic responses.

Seven senescent beagles and seven younger mature beagles were studied at rest, as well as during maximal and submaximal exercise on a motor-driven treadmill. Maximal exercise capacity was significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced, and maximal total body O2 consumption (VO2 max) was 31% lower in senescent beagles. VO2 was also significantly reduced in old dogs, when directly compared at the same relative workloads in old and younger mature dogs. However, VO2 was very similar in both groups during each of the absolute levels of directly comparable exercise. The observed age-related reduction in VO2 max was associated with a significant 25% reduction in maximal cardiac output (CO) in senescent beagles, and with an 11% reduction in maximal arteriovenous O2 difference. CO was also significantly reduced in old dogs at the same relative levels of submaximal exercise evaluated. Combined effects of reductions in stroke volume and in heart rate both contributed to the observed reductions in CO observed in senescent dogs during maximal exercise, as well as during relative levels of submaximal exercise. However, CO responses at each absolute level of submaximal exercise were similar in senescent and younger mature beagles, and the relationship between CO and VO2 was also similar in both groups. Increases in stroke volume significantly contributed to observed increases in CO beginning at the same relative level of exercise in both old and young dogs. Results of this study demonstrate that significant age-related changes in VO2max and in other associated hemodynamic parameters occur during maximal exercise. Many of these changes are also apparent when relative levels of submaximal exercise are directly compared in senescent and in younger mature beagles. However, most hemodynamic responses during absolute levels of exercise are similar in both groups, unless these parameters reflect the relative workload performed, indicating that these responses are appropriate for each absolute level of work that can be performed in the senescent dogs.

Cardiovascular effects of dobutamine during exercise in dogs.

To test the hypothesis that stimulation of adrenergic receptors in the heart is maximal during maximal exercise, and to determine whether generalized stimulation of adrenergic receptors during strenuous exercise produces significant alterations in the normal regional distribution of blood flow that occurs during exercise, we evaluated the cardiovascular effects of the infusion of dobutamine (40 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) in mongrel dogs during treadmill running. During maximal exercise, the dobutamine infusion resulted in a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in heart rate. Exercise capacity, total body O2 consumption (VO2), and maximal arteriovenous O2 difference, however, each were reduced during the infusion of this drug. A concomitant reduction in maximal blood flow to locomotive skeletal muscle occurred. The infusion of dobutamine also resulted in an increase in heart rate at a strenuous level of submaximal exercise. However, unlike during maximal exercise, VO2 was unchanged. Blood flow to locomotive skeletal muscle increased, and there was a concomitant reduction in arteriovenous O2 difference. Blood flow reductions that normally occur in splanchnic circulations during strenuous and during maximal exercise were generally somewhat attenuated during the infusion of this drug. Thus, dobutamine, a sympathomimetic agent, produces significant cardiovascular effects when infused in high doses during exercise. Our results demonstrate that beta-adrenergic receptor reserve exists in the heart during maximal exercise in dogs. In addition, the peripheral responses that occur during the infusion of the drug provide additional evidence that different degrees of adrenergic receptor reserve normally appear to be present within different regional circulations during strenuous and during maximal exercise.

Regional distribution of blood flow of dogs during graded dynamic exercise.

The regional blood flow response to progressive treadmill exercise was measured with radioactive microspheres in 25 untrained mongrel dogs. Incremental increases in work intensity resulted in corresponding increases in blood flows to the gracilis, gastrocnemius, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus muscles of the hindlimb and to the heart. During maximal exercise, blood flow was greatest in the semimembranosus muscle and lowest in the semitendinosus muscle (342 and 134 ml-1.100 g tissue-1.min-1, respectively). Exercise produced a decrease in blood flow to the temporalis muscle, which was classified as nonlocomotive in function. Blood flows to the stomach, pancreas, and large intestine decreased at the lowest exercise work load and remained diminished throughout the continuum to maximal exercise. Blood flows to the small intestine and spleen were maintained during submaximal exercise but were reduced by 50% at maximal O2 consumption (VO2max). No changes in blood flows to the kidneys, adrenal glands, liver, and brain were found. These results demonstrate that 1) renal blood flow is maintained at resting levels during exercise in untrained dogs; 2) blood flow changes in the various organs of the splanchnic region of dogs during exercise are heterogeneous; and 3) blood flows to the working skeletal muscles of dogs progressively increase with increasing work loads up to VO2max.

Training effects on regional blood flow response to maximal exercise in foxhounds.

The effect of training on the regional blood flow response to maximal exercise was investigated in the foxhound. Training consisted of 8-12 wk of treadmill running at 80% of maximal heart rate 1 h/day for 5 days/wk and resulted in a 31% increase in maximal O2 consumption, a 28% increase in maximal cardiac output, and a 23% decrease in systemic vascular resistance during maximal exercise. Blood flow to the heart, diaphragm, brain, skin, and 9 of 10 muscles investigated was similar during maximal exercise pre- and posttraining; however, blood flow to the gastrocnemius muscle was greater posttraining than it was pretraining. Blood flow to the stomach, small intestine, and pancreas decreased during maximal exercise pre- and posttraining; however, blood flow to the large intestine, spleen, liver, adrenal glands, and kidneys decreased during maximal exercise only posttraining. In addition, a larger decrease in blood flow to the stomach during maximal exercise was found posttraining compared with pretraining. These results demonstrate that blood flow to skeletal muscle, the kidneys, and the splanchnic region of the foxhound during maximal exercise can be significantly altered by dynamic exercise training.

Arterial blood gases and acid-base status of dogs during graded dynamic exercise.

The objective of this study was to determine whether arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) decreases or remains unchanged from resting levels during mild to moderate steady-state exercise in the dog. To accomplish this, O2 consumption (VO2) arterial blood gases and acid-base status, arterial lactate concentration ([LA-]a), and rectal temperature (Tr) were measured in 27 chronically instrumented dogs at rest, during different levels of submaximal exercise, and during maximal exercise on a motor-driven treadmill. During mild exercise [35% of maximal O2 consumption (VO2 max)], PaCO2 decreased 5.3 +/- 0.4 Torr and resulted in a respiratory alkalosis (delta pHa = +0.029 +/- 0.005). Arterial PO2 (PaO2) increased 5.9 +/- 1.5 Torr and Tr increased 0.5 +/- 0.1 degree C. As the exercise levels progressed from mild to moderate exercise (64% of VO2 max) the magnitude of the hypocapnia and the resultant respiratory alkalosis remained unchanged as PaCO2 remained 5.9 +/- 0.7 Torr below and delta pHa remained 0.029 +/- 0.008 above resting values. When the exercise work rate was increased to elicit VO2 max (96 +/- 2 ml X kg-1 X min-1) the amount of hypocapnia again remained unchanged from submaximal exercise levels and PaCO2 remained 6.0 +/- 0.6 Torr below resting values; however, this response occurred despite continued increases in Tr (delta Tr = 1.7 +/- 0.1 degree C), significant increases in [LA-]a (delta [LA-]a = 2.5 +/- 0.4), and a resultant metabolic acidosis (delta pHa = -0.031 +/- 0.011). The dog, like other nonhuman vertebrates, responded to mild and moderate steady-state exercise with a significant hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effect of pericardiectomy on maximal oxygen consumption and maximal cardiac output in untrained dogs.

To test the hypothesis that the pericardium limits maximal oxygen consumption by limiting stroke volume and cardiac output, we studied 10 untrained dogs during submaximal and maximal exercise before and after pericardiectomy. Seven additional dogs were studied before and after a sham operation. All dogs were instrumented chronically with aortic and pulmonary artery catheters. Dogs were tested by running on a motor-driven treadmill, 4-6 times before and after pericardiectomy or sham operation. We measured cardiac output (dye dilution), heart rate, and arteriovenous oxygen difference. Oxygen consumption and stroke volume were calculated from these variables. After pericardiectomy, there were significant (P less than 0.01) increases in maximal oxygen consumption, maximal cardiac output, and maximal stroke volume. Maximal oxygen consumption decreased significantly in the sham group. There was no change in maximal heart rate following pericardiectomy, or in maximal cardiac output, heart rate, or stroke volume following sham operation. Both groups of dogs experienced similar significant decreases in hematocrit, arterial and venous oxygen contents, and arteriovenous oxygen difference. Neither pericardiectomy nor sham operation had any effect on oxygen consumption during submaximal exercise. However, the sham group had significant increases in cardiac output and heart rate during submaximal exercise, and the pericardiectomy group demonstrated a trend toward an increased cardiac output during submaximal exercise. These results support the hypothesis that the pericardium limits maximal oxygen consumption by limiting stroke volume and cardiac output during maximal exercise in untrained dogs. Further, these findings suggest that maximal oxygen consumption is limited by the oxygen transport capacity of the cardiovascular system, and not by the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle in the untrained dog.

Dynamic exercise training in foxhounds. I. Oxygen consumption and hemodynamic responses.

Ten foxhounds were studied during maximal and submaximal exercise on a motor-driven treadmill before and after 8-12 wk of training. Training consisted of working at 80% of maximal heart rate 1 h/day, 5 days/wk. Maximal O2 consumption (VO2max) increased 28% from 113.7 +/- 5.5 to 146.1 +/- 5.4 ml O2 X min-1 X kg-1, pre- to posttraining. This increase in VO2max was due primarily to a 27% increase in maximal cardiac output, since maximal arteriovenous O2 difference increased only 4% above pretraining values. Mean arterial pressure during maximal exercise did not change from pre- to posttraining, with the result that calculated systemic vascular resistance (SVR) decreased 20%. There were no training-induced changes in O2 consumption, cardiac output, arteriovenous O2 difference, mean arterial pressure, or SVR at any level of submaximal exercise. However, if post- and pretraining values are compared, heart rate was lower and stroke volume was greater at any level of submaximal exercise. Venous lactate concentrations during a given level of submaximal exercise were significantly lower during posttraining compared with pretraining, but venous lactate concentrations during maximal exercise did not change as a result of exercise training. These results indicate that a program of endurance training will produce a significant increase in VO2max in the foxhound. This increase in VO2max is similar to that reported previously for humans and rats but is derived primarily from central (stroke volume) changes rather than a combination of central and peripheral (O2 extraction) changes.

Dynamic exercise training in foxhounds. II. Analysis of skeletal muscle.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether 8-12 wk of endurance training produces biochemical and histochemical adaptations in skeletal muscle in foxhounds. Analyses were performed on samples removed from gastrocnemius, triceps, and semitendinosus muscles of foxhounds before and after a treadmill running program. Biochemical analysis showed that training did not alter the activities of phosphofructokinase, beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, or total phosphorylase. Histochemical analysis of myofibrillar actomyosin ATPase demonstrated three distinct classes of type II fibers and one type I fiber in the semitendinosus and triceps muscles and two type II and two type I fibers in the gastrocnemius muscle. Fiber type distribution and oxidative and glycolytic potentials, as indicated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase or alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase staining intensity, were unaltered by training. Similarly, capillary density, capillary-to-fiber ratios, and capillary area-to-fiber area ratios did not change with training. Thus, unlike humans and other mammals (i.e., rat), these foxhounds did not manifest biochemical or histochemical adaptations in skeletal muscle as the result of endurance training. This is consistent with the results of the study in which endurance training produced a 27% increase in maximal cardiac output and a 4% increase in maximal arteriovenous O2 extraction in foxhounds.