Release of ANP and fat oxidation in overweight persons during aerobic exercise in water.

Exercise in water compared to land-based exercise (LE) results in a higher release of natriuretic peptides, which are involved in the regulation of exercise-induced adipose tissue lipolysis. The present study was performed to compare the release of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and free fatty acids (FFA) during prolonged aerobic water-based exercise (WE) with the release after an identical LE. 14 untrained overweight subjects performed 2 steady state workload tests on the same ergometer in water and on land. Before and after exercise, venous blood samples were collected for measuring ANP, FFA, epinephrine, norepinephrine, insulin and glucose. The respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was determined for fat oxidation.The exercises resulted in a significant increase in ANP in LE (61%) and in WE (177%), and FFA increased about 3-fold in LE and WE with no significant difference between the groups. Epinephrine increased, while insulin decreased similarly in both groups. The RER values decreased during the exercises, but there was no significant difference between LE and WE. In conclusion, the higher ANP concentrations in WE had no additional effect on lipid mobilization, FFA release and fat oxidation. Moderate-intensity exercises in water offer no benefit regarding adipose tissue lipolysis in comparison to LE.

[Therapeutic muscle training]. / Therapeutisches Muskeltraining.

The needs and motives for a therapeutically oriented muscle training programme are quite varied. The attainment of the maximum possible muscle strength is not the decisive goal, but instead the achievement of motoric function permitting optimal performance during daily physical activities, supporting active participation in sports during leisure time, compensating for deficits in the musculo-skeletal system and counteracting a series of disturbances and limitations in general health. The following goals fall into the realm of a therapeutic muscle training programme: maintenance as well as improvement of muscle function--stabilization of the joints--increase in joint mobility--maintenance of the function of the total skeletal system--support of kinesthetics and body consciousness--promotion of emotional stability--prophylaxis of injury--improvement of the preconditions for total body training. From the above goals the following indications for a therapeutic muscle training programme can be deduced: maintenance of muscle strength and joint function during lack of physical activity and in advanced age--muscle building subsequent to periods of immobilization after injuries and surgery affecting the musculo-skeletal system--stabilization of the joint-muscle system in degenerative joint and spinal diseases, joint instability and hypermobility--treatment of muscular dysbalance, muscular insufficiency, postural abnormalities and weaknesses--mobilization of joints--prophylaxis and therapy of osteoporosis--calesthenics during pregnancy--therapy of urinary incontinence--adjuvant therapy for psychiatric disorders--part of a total body training regimen aimed at physical fitness and general health care.

A highly sensitive and rapid radioimmunoassay for the determination of arginine8-vasopressin.

A highly sensitive radioimmunossay for arginine8-vasopressin (argipressin; INN) measurement was developed using Amberlite XAD 2 resin columns to extract arginine8-vasopressin from acidified human plasma. Arginine8-vasopressin was determined by a rapid radioimmunoassay method (2 x 20 h) using a specific antibody and 125I-labelled antigen. The bound fraction was separated by adsorption of the free fraction onto bovine serum albumin-coated charcoal; this resulted in low unspecific binding of less than 2%. Recovery experiments in the physiological range resulted in a mean (+/- SEM) recovery of 88 +/- 3%. The radioimmunoassay consistently yielded a detection limit of 0.3 ng/l (ED90) and a mean 50% binding intercept (ED50) of 3.5 ng/l. Arginine8-vasopressin immunoreactivity was characterized by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography, which confirmed the specificity of the assay. Serial plasma dilution curves paralleled the standard curve. The intra- and inter-assay variations were 9.4% and 15%, respectively. Arginine8-vasopressin concentrations in healthy subjects were determined in normal hydration status (2.2 +/- 0.3 ng/l; n = 11), as well as during suppression by water immersion (1.5 +/- 0.2 ng/l; n = 11) or by water loading (1.6 +/- 0.2 ng/l; n = 8). Thus, this assay allows for a sensitive, accurate and rapid quantification of plasma arginine8-vasopressin concentrations.

[Muscle training by electrostimulation]. / Muskeltraining durch Elektrostimulation.

Repeated electrical stimulation of skeletal muscles with intact innervation can lead to increased muscular performance. This form of treatment is employed, for example, in atrophy prophylaxis, re-establishment of lost muscular power, and selective strengthening of isolated muscles or muscle groups, and has also been recommended for sport-related performance training. For the most part, it represents an adjuvant measure to active exercise. The selected current forms and stimulation parameters must be oriented to the laws of stimulation physiology. Suitable selection and positioning of electrodes, together with dosage are decisive for the success of treatment. Recent aspects of electrostimulation are so-called fiberspecific electrotraining and the question as to whether the use of certain stimulation frequencies can preferentially be used for phasic or tonic muscle fibers. Electrostimulation of denervated muscles is controversial.

[The diuretic effect of a bath. Study in healthy pregnant females and patients with edema and gestosis]. / Die "ausschwemmende" Wirkung des Bades. Untersuchung an gesunden Schwangeren und Patienten mit Odemen bzw. Gestose.

The effect of a 40 minute thermoneutral bath on diuretic function and blood volume in a total of 27 pregnant women (13 healthy and 14 pregnant women with edema rsep. EPH-gestosis) was investigated. In both groups water immersion led to a significant increase of urine flow, natriuresis, kaliuresis, osmotic and free water clearance. Plasma volume increased about 8-9%. The patients with gestosis showed a higher creatinine clearance. The same group also showed a higher osmotic clearance and relatively more sodium excretion. Regarding the flushing effect of bath, two mechanism of water immersion that originated in hydrostatic pressure have to be discussed-activation of renal functions and mobilisation of interstitial fluid.

Role of atrial natriuretic factor, cyclic GMP and the renin-aldosterone system in acute volume regulation of healthy human subjects.

The role of the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), its second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), and the counteracting renin-aldosterone system in acute volume regulation was investigated in 25 healthy human subjects. Central volume stimulation by 1-h head-out water immersion (WI) into a thermoneutral water-bath increased plasma levels of ANF (mean +/- SEM) from 6.0 +/- 0.6 to 13.6 +/- 2.6 fmol ml-1. This was paralleled by a rise of plasma cGMP levels from 1.9 +/- 0.2 to 2.8 +/- 0.4 pmol ml-1, and an increase of urinary cGMP excretion from 340 +/- 64 to 692 +/- 103 pmol min-1. Water immersion reduced plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) from 13.0 +/- 1.7 to 6.5 +/- 0.8 ng 100 ml-1 and plasma renin activity (PRA) from 5.3 +/- 0.9 to 2.4 +/- 0.3 ng AI ml-1 h-1. Volume stimulation markedly increased diuresis and natriuresis. Whereas the plasma cGMP increase correlated with plasma ANF stimulation, neither ANF nor PRA or PAC correlated with basal or stimulated renal parameters. Water immersion-induced changes in natriuresis and urinary cGMP excretion were correlated. These data suggest a role of ANF and cGMP in acute volume regulation of healthy human subjects.

[Training and conditioning in atopic patients following high altitude climate therapy]. / Training und Abhärtung bei Atopikern nach Hochgebirgsklimatherapie.

The subjective and objective values have changed after a four weeks treatment in high mountain areas under cool climatic conditions. "Terrainkuren" (mountain walking under guidance of a therapist) under cool climatic- and body temperature conditions show besides training results (in sport medicine) also favourable thermoregulatory adaptations. Improvements of the endurance training can be objectivated by means of the reduced heart frequency and the decrease in lactit acid under standardized physical exercises. The simultaneous changes of thermoregulation can be looked upon as part of the reaction of the whole body (also called inurement). Both, the improvement of the training condition and the thermoregulatory change seem to support each other. Thus patients can train more effectively under the same standardized physical training, but cooler conditions. The decrease of comfort temperature of patients is due to the thermoregulatory adaptation. There is a considerable decrease in the sensibility to cold. The training in high mountain areas causes an improvement in the well being and behaviour of the atopic patients which can still be manifested three months after the therapy.

Pharmacokinetics of methotrexate during regional hyperthermia in a pig model.

In the pig model, regional hyperthermia in the gluteus was combined with the infusion of 150 mg MTX over a period of 100-120 min. The pharmacokinetic data reveal that this approach is capable of simulating the situation that is necessary and achievable in medium-dose MTX therapy of human tumours. Under MTX infusion, serum levels in the region of 10(-5) M are attained. As an expression of a renal and hepatic MTX excretion, high levels of MTX are found both in the urine and in the bile. Especially high concentrations of MTX are found in the liver and kidney tissue. In the normothermic and hyperthermic muscle, very low MTX levels are found. The pharmacokinetic data obtained show that the selected model is suitable for the future investigation of the effect of regional hyperthermia and MTX on transplanted tumours.

An investigation of the microcirculation of the human tympanic membrane with laser-Doppler flowmetry.

The present investigation was performed to evaluate the use of laser-Doppler flowmetry as a means for measuring the blood flow of the microcirculation of the human tympanic membrane. The blood cell flux in the microvascular bed of the normal tympanic membrane was measured in healthy subjects. The laser-Doppler output signals continuously recorded showed a steady value ranging from 70 to about 120 V, as well as spontaneous oscillations (or rhythmical active vasomotion). Our findings show that the laser-Doppler instrument tested seems to be useful for evaluating blood flow changes in the microcirculation of the human tympanic membrane.

The effects of external CO2 application on human skin microcirculation investigated by laser Doppler flowmetry.

The effects of an aqueous solution of CO2 applied to a small skin site were investigated by means of a laser Doppler flowmeter. The circulatory response to CO2 was an increased blood flow, reaching a maximum level within approximately 2-3 minutes. In addition there was a marked stimulation of rhythmical vasomotion, especially an increase in amplitudes. The effects, strongly dependent on dose and temperature, ceased rapidly when the CO2 sample was withdrawn.

Intra- and extravascular volume changes in the human forearm after static hand grip exercise.

Studies have been conducted to evaluate intra- and extravascular volume changes and blood flow in the exercising human forearm by means of (1) combining plethysmographic and scintigraphic methods, (2) an indirect procedure using the relationship of blood flow and volume change from reactive hyperemia. A static hand grip exercise of 60% maximal voluntary contraction and 30 s duration increased the forearm volume by 3.03 +/- 0.65 ml/100 ml soft tissue, involving both the intra- and extravascular volume components. There is a quantitative and qualitative difference in the time course of change in these components, showing an extravascular part of about 50% for the 2-min post-exercise value and a substantially slower rate of recovery. Experiments involving muscle work at intervals (50% maximal voluntary contraction, 30 s duration, 2-min intervals) caused a further increase in extravascular volume. Furthermore, the study suggests that the flow-volume relationship from reactive hyperemia may be considered to be available for the determination of local blood volume changes in exercise hyperemia. The results are discussed in connection with the influence of anaerobic muscle metabolism and conclusions referring to this are drawn about the use of plethysmographic methods.

On electrolyte determinations in the pituitary and pineal gland: is there a diurnal rhythm?

At four different times during the day determinations of the electrolyte content of the anterior and posterior pituitary as well as of the pineal had been carried out by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy. There are significant differences in the sodium and potassium content between these organs. There are also distinct changes in the adenohypophysial Na+, K+ and Mg++ content between the light and the dark period. Values are low over the day and high during the night. In the light period there is also a significant higher sodium concentration in the neurohypophysis and a greater potassium concentration of the pineal tissue. Despite a similar phylogenetic development the neurohypophysis reveals a considerably less amount of univalent cations than the pineal gland. Data from the literature, however, let suggest that there are no greater differences in the water content of neurohypophysis and pineal. The possibly resulting "hypotonicity" of neurohypophysial tissue and its possible implications for the mode of the release of hormonal substances from the neurohypophysis are discussed.