Effects of moderate ethanol drinking on the GH and cortisol responses to physical exercise.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of moderate amounts of ethanol on the GH and cortisol responses to physical exercise.


METHODS
Ten normal men underwent three bicycle ergometer tests. Test were carried out in basal conditions (control test) or after drinking 0.5 or 0.75 g/kg BW ethanol. Tests lasted 15 min in all subjects; the workload was increased at 3 min intervals from time 0 until exhaustion. Non-endocrine physiological parameters (NEPP), such as heart rate, blood pressure, ventilation, frequency of breathing, tidal volume, oxygen consumption, carbon oxide production and respiratory exchange ratio were measured from time 0 until exhaustion. Serum GH and cortisol levels were evaluated in blood samples taken at 5-10 min intervals over a 50 min period from time 0.


RESULTS
Neither basal values, nor exercise-induced changes in NEPP were altered by ethanol drinking. Both GH and cortisol levels significantly rose during the exercise control test. The hormonal responses did not change after 0.5 g/kg BW ethanol, whereas they significantly decreased after 0.75 g/kg BW ethanol.


CONCLUSIONS
Modification of the GH and cortisol responses to exercise represents an "endocrine window" of the effects that even moderate ethanol drinking produces in the CNS. The data show that 0.75 g/kg BW ethanol is the minimal amount producing significant inhibitory effects on the GH and cortisol responses to physical exercise. In view of the important roles played by GH and cortisol during physical activity, even moderate ethanol drinking must be avoided before sport.
Coiro
Vittorio
V
Department of Internal Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. vittorio.coiro@unipr.it
Casti
Amos
A
Saccani Jotti
Gloria
G
Rubino
Pasquale
P
Manfredi
Guido
G
Maffei
Maria Ludovica
ML
Di Gennaro
Cristiana
C
Melani
Andrea
A
Chiodera
Paolo
P
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male
D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D000431:Ethanol; D006854:Hydrocortisone