Effects of 8 days acclimation on biological and performance response in a tropical climate.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine the acclimation process elicited by exposure to a tropical climate. METHODS: Nine triathletes performed 3 outdoor indirect continuous running multistage tests in both thermoneutral and tropical conditions. Before travelling to the tropical area (Martinique Island, FWI), the triathletes performed the thermoneutral test (TN) in 14 degrees C and 45% rh conditions. The tropical tests were performed 2 and 8 days after arrival (T2 and T8, performed at a mean environmental temperature of 33.4 degrees C and 75.5% rh). The day before T8, blood samples were drawn for biochemical analysis. During each test, tympanic temperature, sweat rate, weight loss, heart rate (HR), and performance were recorded. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that: 1) the mean tympanic temperature was greater in T2 (p<0.001) and T8 (p<0.01) than in TN; 2) the mean sweat rate was significantly greater (p<0.001) in T2 and T8 than in TN and significantly greater in T8 than in T2 (p<0.03); 3) the weight loss after trials was significantly greater (p<0.001) in T2 and T8 than in TN and in T8 than in T2 (p<0.04); 4) the mean HR and the HR at rest were significantly greater in T2 than in TN (p<0.001) and T8 (p<0.005); 6) significant reductions were observed in T8 vs TN in red cell count (p<0.05) and plasma proteins (p<0.04), the consequence of a 7.5% plasma volume expansion; and 7) the performance was significantly lower in both T2 (p<0.02) and T8 (p<0.03) than in TN. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that 8 days exposure to hot/wet conditions induced impairments in physiological responses and performance that were still evident on the 8th day. Further and longer outdoor studies are needed to investigate if return to optimal performance levels after adaptation to hot/wet conditions is possible.

Insulin and non-insulin-dependent glucose disposal in middle-aged and young athletes versus sedentary men.

The purpose of this study was to delineate the respective roles of aging and endurance training on glucose disposal. Thirty-two subjects (16 middle-aged men: 8 cyclists [MAcy], and 8 sedentary men [MAsed] and 16 young men: 8 cyclists [Ycy] and 8 sedentary men [Ysed]) were compared in this study. After overnight fasting, glucose was administered intravenously (0.5 g. kg(-1), 30% solution) and insulin-glucose interactions were assessed by measuring indices of insulin sensitivity (SI) and glucose effectiveness (Sg) using Bergman's minimal model. Sg includes basal insulin effectiveness (BIE) and glucose effectiveness at zero insulin (GEZI). Endurance training improved SI and Sg in all subjects, regardless of age (P <.05), but an increase in GEZI was found only in young men (P <.05). An effect of aging was found in sedentary subjects, who exhibited a lower SI (P <.05) when older. However, this effect disappeared with training, in which SI was nearly identical in young and middle-aged subjects. There was a correlation between SI and &Vdot;omicron(2max) in middle-aged men (r =.76, P <.01). These data suggest that the higher glucose uptake in endurance-trained male cyclists was mostly attributable to an increase in non-insulin-dependent glucose uptake in the young men and to an increase in its insulin-dependent component in the middle-aged men.

[Utilization of different microbiological markers in the study of Haemophilus influenzae]. / Utilización de diferentes marcadores microbiológicos en el estudio de Haemophilus influenzae.

The present study includes 178 Haemophilus influenzae strains isolated in different pediatric hospitals from Havana, Cuba, during 1991-1994, associated to divers infections (meningitis, respiratory sepsis, primary bacteremia). A combination of various typing and subtyping methods was used as epidemiological markers: serotyping (slide agglutination with diagnostical serum a-f and latex agglutination), biotyping according to Killian's procedures (by determination of indole production, urease and ornithine decarboxylase activity), subtyping by fermentative profiles according to Roberts' methods (glucose, maltose, xylose and fructose) and outer membrane protein profile subtyping (vesicles extraction by a modified Barenkamp's method, analysis by lineal and gradient SDS-PAGE and assessment according to our own classification system). Serotype b was identified in 89.3%, biotype I was the most frequent (79.1%), other biotypes (II, III, IV and V) were also identified. Fermentative profile D (glucose, maltose, xylose and fructose positive) was the most frequent (52.8%) while profile G (glucose, maltose, xylose positive and fructose negative) represented 20.2%. Other known profiles were present. PA2 (33.7%) was the most frequent OMP subtype. Even though 11 different protein subtypes were found, the 77.5% of the strains were located in only three OMP electrophoretic subtypes (PA2, PC1, LA2).

Changes in blood ammonia and lactate levels during a triathlon race.

Blood ammonia and lactate concentrations were analyzed in 7 volunteer male athletes before and immediately after each segment of an endurance triathlon. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of triathlon on ammonia and lactate blood levels and the possible correlation between both in each different event. Concentrations of blood ammonia were increased after each of the three segments, reaching a peak after the 40 km bicycle ride. Concentrations of blood lactate were also increased over baseline. However, there was a higher increase after the 1.4 km lake swim, than after the 40 km bicycle ride or after the 10 km run. No correlation was found between the levels of ammonia and lactate, suggesting that ammonia and lactate follow different metabolic patterns.

Plasma and red blood cell magnesium levels and plasma creatinine after a 100 km race.

Magnesium homeostasis is critical for exercise performance. In this report the effect of long distance race on the erythrocyte and plasma magnesium concentration is determined in a group of 7 well-trained male amateur runners. After a 100 km race the plasma Mg2+ levels increased significantly from 0.845 +/- 0.074 to 0.934 +/- 0.099 mmol.l-1 (p < 0.05). However, the intra-erythrocyte Mg2+ concentrations were not modified significantly (2.10 +/- 0.2 mmol.l-1 versus 2.14 +/- 0.12 mmol.l-1). Creatinine plasma levels increased significantly from 73.4 +/- 3.5 mumol.l-1 to 117.6 +/- 19.4 mumol.l-1 (p < 0.01), suggesting impairment of the renal function. A significant positive correlation between plasma magnesium and plasma creatinine, r = +0.65 (p < 0.01) was found. These results suggest that an increase in the magnesium plasma levels could be related to renal failure during long-distance running.

Activity of citrulline malate on acid-base balance and blood ammonia and amino acid levels. Study in the animal and in man.

An experimental evaluation of citrulline malate (Stimol, CAS 54940-97-5), an anti-fatigue compound, was undertaken in man and in the animal in order to study the pharmacological activity of the substance at hepatic and renal level. In man, the protocol involved a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over technique. The study in the animal was blind and placebo-controlled with two randomized parallel groups. Results showed that citrulline malate stimulates hepatic ureogenesis and favorizes the renal reabsorption of bicarbonates. These metabolic actions had a protective effect against acidosis and ammonia poisoning and explain the anti-fatigue properties of citrulline malate in man.

Characterization of a halothane-induced humoral immune response in rabbits.

An animal model of halothane-induced liver injury has been developed in the rabbit to study the production of humoral immunity towards a biotransformation intermediate of halothane. Rabbits exposed many times to halothane in a 75% O2/25% N2 atmosphere produce an antibody that cross-reacts with the trifluoroacetyl moiety of trifluoroacetylated rabbit serum albumin (TFA-RSA). The generation of this halothane-induced immunogen is dependent upon high oxygen tension as shown by the minimal anti-TFA antibody response seen in rabbits exposed to halothane in a 14% O2/86% N2 atmosphere. In addition, halothane exposure of rabbits specifically immunized with the metabolite-carrier complex, TFA-RSA, induces a secondary antibody response toward the immunogen. In rabbits, either immunized with TFA-RSA or not, multiple halothane exposures induce populations of antibodies with varying specificities. Evidence suggests that predominance of the metabolic intermediate, the ensuing immunogen, and the subsequent antibody response depends upon the oxygen tension during successive exposures to halothane. These successive exposures could potentially generate many different immunogens resulting in varied antibody specificities.

The role of complement in experimental silicosis.

The role of the complement system in the pathogenesis of crystal-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis was evaluated using a mouse model of silicosis and congenitally complement-deficient mice. Mice lacking the fifth component of complement (B10.D2/o) were compared to C5-sufficient animals (B10.D2/n) for pulmonary changes following intratracheal instillation of silica crystals. Complement-deficient mice demonstrated a significant reduction compared to complement-sufficient mice in both cell number and protein content of lung lavage fluid throughout the 12 weeks following silica exposure. Lung hydroxyproline content (indicative of collagen deposition) was equivalent for both strains and significantly higher than controls at all time points following silica instillation. Moreover, studies in vitro have shown that silica crystals are capable of activating complement via the alternative pathway. These studies indicate that the complement system may be responsible for some of the pulmonary inflammation, but not fibrosis elicited by silica exposure.

Kinetics of inflammatory and fibrotic pulmonary changes in a murine model of silicosis.

A murine model of experimental silicosis has been developed after the intratracheal injection of alpha-quartz crystals. Pulmonary inflammation was monitored by increases in wet lung weight and cell number and protein content of the lung lavage fluid; fibrosis was assessed by measuring increases in hydroxyproline content of the lungs. Acute pulmonary cellular inflammation occurred between weeks 1 and 2, followed by a chronic inflammatory response at week 12. Lung hydroxyproline content, an indication of collagen deposition, was initiated as early as 1 week after silica injection and continued to increase steadily over time. The inflammatory and fibrotic changes induced by silica appeared to be a specific effect of the injection of this toxic particulate and not the result of the introduction of a foreign body, because mice injected with silica crystals were found to have significantly greater increases in acute cellular inflammation and chronic collagen deposition than did mice injected with latex beads. A possible role for the immune system in modulating silica-induced damage was suggested by the variability in response of six different strains of mice (C3H/He, CBA/J, Balb/c, DBA/2, C57BL/6, C57BL/10), which differed at specific genetic loci. Both strains with high (DBA/2) and low (C3H/He) response demonstrated similar patterns of inflammation and fibrosis over a period of 12 weeks. This model demonstrates great potential in future studies for elucidating the role of the immune system in the development of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis induced by toxic inorganic particulates.

Immunogenetics of BCG-induced anergy in mice. Control by Igh- and H-2-linked genes.

We previously reported that BCG-induced anergy in mice (evaluated by delayed hypersensitivity to sheep erythrocytes) is unigenic and influenced by genes linked to the immunoglobulin heavy chain allotype (Igh). Using congenic mice (either H-2k or H-2b), we could not detect H-2-linked control of anergy. The current study re-examines this issue by using both BXD (H-2b or H-2d) and BXH (H-2b or H-2k) recombinant inbred (RI) mice as well as H-2 recombinant mice of different haplotypes. BXD RI (H-2b) mice were more anergic than BXD RI (H-2d) animals. Also, BXD RI (Ighb animals were more anergic than BXD RI (Ighc) mice. By evaluating combinations of H-2 haplotypes and Igh allotypes, we found the most anergic animals to be H-2b, Ighb. BCG-induced anergy then appears to be influenced by genes linked to both the H-2 and Igh complexes. BCG-induced anergy developed in H-2 recombinant mice (C57BL/10 background) that were either H-2b or H-2k, but not in H-2d animals. Experiments in the B10.A mouse suggested that genes within the H-2K through H-2I were influential. A more definitive map is presented of Igh-linked genes influencing anergy, suggesting that these genes are approximately 23 recombination units on the centromeric side of Igh-1 between Igh-Src and Lyb-7.

Estimation of mouse mammary tumor virus gp52 abundance by protein A assay: a comparison of viral antigen expression on C3H and GR mammary tumor cells.

An adherent cell isotopic staphylococcal protein A test (ISPAT) was used to estimate the abundance of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) gp52 cell surface antigen (CSA)on mammary tumor cells. Protein A assays were first utilized, not strictly as a means of antigen detection, but as a means to determine the kinetics of dexamethasone-mediated changes in gp52 cell surface expression. Results indicated increases in gp52 CSA within 4 h of dexamethasone treatment and maximal levels of antigen expression within 12-24 h after treatment. Comparison of gp52 determinants on dexamethasone-stimulated mammary tumor cells demonstrated a greater abundance on C3H Mm5mt/cl than on GR-MMTV cultures. Parallel antigen assays with gp52 and Rauscher murine leukemia virus (R-MuLV) antisera demonstrated that GR-MMTV cells expressed fewer C-type determinants and thus a more preferential expression of gp52 determinants than other cell lines tested. The gp52/R-MuLV binding ratio was only 2.4:1 for C3H cultures in contrast to 5.7:1 for GR cultures. In addition, a comparison of gp52 expression on viral producer and nonproducer cells provided a quantitative estimate of the extent of expression which occurred in a retrovirus nonproducer culture. Results of ISPAT demonstrated that 75% of the gp52 detected on producer cells was present on nonproducer cultures. Comparison of the expression of gp52 CSA and the release of gp 52 into culture fluids during hormone treatments demonstrated that both assays (ISPAT and gp 52 radioimmunoassay) detect and quantitate coordinate changes in the expression and release of MMTV gp52. In antibody excess, protein A assays provided quantitative estimates of CSA abundance not offered by alternative methods of CSA detection.

Detection and characterization of mouse mammary tumor virus cell surface antigens: estimation of antigen abundance by protein A assay.

Antisera against the following mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) structural proteins were used to detect MMTV cell surface antigens: (i) the 27,000-dalton nucleoid protein, p27; (ii) the 36,000-dalton envelope glycoprotein, gp36; and (iii) the 52,000-dalton exterior envelope glycoprotein, gp52. We report here the development of an adherent-cell isotopic staphylococcal protein A (SPA) test (ISPAT) for MMTV structural proteins which allows for the detection of an MMTV membrane-associated antigen as well as an estimate of its relative abundance on the cell surface. This test demonstrated that the gp52 was the predominant MMTV cell surface antigen detected on both C3H and GR mouse mammary tumor cells. In a comparative study with anti-gp52 and anti-gp36 sera, SPA-specific binding with anti-gp36 serum was found to be only 5 to 6% of that obtained for the external virion glycoprotein, gp52. Both direct and indirect ISPAT indicated the presence of a low but detectable number of gp36 determinants on GR-MMTV cells; however, these gp36 determinants, unlike gp52 determinants, appeared to be exposed by the fixation procedure used. Only 0.9 to 1.1% of the gp52-specific binding was detected when anti-gp36 serum was allowed to react with viable cells. The binding of [125I]SPA achieved with anti-p27 serum was even less than that detected with gp36-directed reagents, indicating that p27 is not a cell surface antigen. The use of fluoresceinated SPA further demonstrated that p27 and gp36 reactivity was only associated with a small number of cells in each of the mammary cultures tested. When N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazoly]-formamide-induced C3H bladder tumor cells were subjected to a gp52-directed ISPAT, the failure to detect gp52-specific binding demonstrated the specificity of this assay for MMTV gp52-expressing cells. In addition to detecting and characterizing MMTV cell surface antigens, the newly developed adherent cell assay could measure changes in the abundance of cell surface gp52. When dexamethasone-treated and untreated GR cells were compared, measurements of gp52-specific SPA binding indicated that dexamethasone stimulation leads to a 12.2-fold increase in the amount of cell surface gp52 detected.

[Effect of a tissue oxygenator (almitrine + raubasine) on the metabolism of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate of rabbits submitted by hypoxia]. / Effet d'un oxygénateur tissulaire (almitrine + raubasine) sur le métabolisme du 2,3-diphosphoglycérate du lapin soumis à une hypoxie.

In normoxic rabbits, the intravenous injection (1 mg/kg) of the product (almitrine + raubasine) do not modify the erythrocytic level of 2,3-DPG. But, after hypoxia (the rabbits being submitted to an oxygen pressure of 7,8 kPa during 20 minutes) the same dose of this product induce a durable rise of erythrocytic 2,3-DPG level which remain, 24 hours latter, + 15% above normal.

2,3-2, 3-. / Effets de l'hypoxie sur le métabolisme érythrocytaire du 2,3-diphosphoglycerate chez le lapin soumis a une épreuve d'effort

Erythrocityc variations of glycolytic intermediates and 2,3-DPG levels in rabbits performing strenuous exercise under hypoxic conditions are correlated with blood pH variations. The hypoxia alone is not able to induce directly an increase of erythrocytic 2,3-DPG level which would facilitate tissue oxygenation.

[Measurement of differences in oxygen between arteries and veins. Application to the study of cerebral metabolism]. / Mesure des différences artério-veineuses en oxygène. Application à l'étude du métabolisme cérébral

The cerebral metabolic exploration requires a precises measurement of the arterio-venous differences and this, for each metabolite. As far as oxygen is concerned, there are many techniques to measure the blood contents (CaO2 - CvO2). Direct methods give accurate results but their high technicality makes it difficult to adapt them to the increasing medical demand. The authors report the principle and the technique of the indirect method based upon the measurement of the total hemoglobin concentration and the saturation in oxygen. They recall the possible causes of errors, the main of which - induced by an insufficient homogenization of the sample - is (by the way) to be found in both groups of methods although to a lesser degree in the indirect method. Therefore, the latter, that all normally equipped laboratories can carry into practice, seems quite adapted to the "hospital demand" and its validity confirmed by an experience that now belongs to the past.