Combined infusion of epinephrine and norepinephrine during moderate exercise reproduces the glucoregulatory response of intense exercise.
Intense exercise (IE) (>80% O(2max)) causes a seven- to eightfold increase in glucose production (R(a)) and a fourfold increase in glucose uptake (R(d)), resulting in hyperglycemia, whereas moderate exercise (ME) causes both to double. If norepinephrine (NE) plus epinephrine (Epi) infusion during ME produces the plasma levels and R(a) of IE, this would prove them capable of mediating these responses. Male subjects underwent 40 min of 53% O(2max) exercise, eight each with saline (control [CON]), or with combined NE + Epi (combined catecholamine infusion [CCI]) infusion from min 26-40. In CON and CCI, NE levels reached 7.3 +/- 0.7 and 33.1 +/- 2.9 nmol/l, Epi 0.94 +/- 0.08 and 7.06 +/- 0.44 nmol/l, and R(a) 3.8 +/- 0.4 and 12.9 +/- 0.8 mg. kg(-1). min(-1) (P < 0.001), respectively, at 40 min. R(d) increased to 3.5 +/- 0.4 vs. 11.2 +/- 0.8 mg. kg(-1). min(-1) and glycemia 5.2 +/- 0.2 mmol/l in CON vs. 6.5 +/- 0.2 mmol/l in CCI (P < 0.001). The glucagon-to-insulin ratio did not differ. Comparing CCI data to those from 14-min IE (n = 16), peak NE (33.6 +/- 5.1 nmol/l), Epi (5.32 +/- 0.93 nmol/l), and R(a) (13.0 +/- 1.0 mg. kg(-1). min(-1)) were comparable. The induced increments in NE, Epi, and R(a), all of the same magnitude as in IE, strongly support that circulating catecholamines can be the prime regulators of R(a) in IE.
Kreisman
Stuart H
SH
McGill Nutrition and Food Science Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, 687 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1A1.
Halter
Jeffrey B
JB
Vranic
Mladen
M
Marliss
Errol B
EB
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D005934:Glucagon; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine