[Comparison of 3 latest-generation glucose micro-reflectometers]. / Vergleich von drei Glucose-Kleinreflektometern der neuesten Generation.

Three glucose reflectance meters (Reflolux II = Accu-Chek II, Glucometer II and Hypocount GA) were tested for precision and accuracy when used by medical personnel of a diabetic outpatient department and for self-monitoring at home. In addition, the visual readability of the appropriate reagent strip was checked. All three systems were sufficiently valid for reflectometric reading, while visual evaluation showed a higher deviation. The precision of Accu-Chek II under optimal conditions in the outpatient department was comparable to the precision of laboratory examinations (CV 3.3%). When used by patients themselves, Accu-Chek II and Glucometer II were sufficiently precise (CV 4.8% [corrected] and 5.3% respectively). These devices are recommended for blood glucose self-monitoring.

Effects of temperature and water immersion on plasma catecholamines and circulation.

The effects of environmental air temperature of 6 degrees C and 26 degrees C on catecholamines (CA) and circulation were studied in eight male subjects during rest and during bicycle exercise at WOBLA for 45 min each. We found that resting at 6 degrees C increased the norepinephrine (NE) levels to the same levels as endurance exercises at 6 degrees C. The increase of CA levels was 2.5 to 3 times higher during work at 26 degrees C compared with 6 degrees C. During both rest and exercise at 6 degrees C we found a higher stroke volume of the heart and a reduced heart rate (HR) with no or only small effects on the oxygen uptake and blood lactate levels compared with 26 degrees C. Measurements of the skin temperatures showed large differences both at rest and during work; those of core temperature showed no changes at rest and a slightly more pronounced increase during work at 26 degrees C compared with 6 degrees C. The behavior of CA, plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone (PA), and circulation were studied in 13 top class swimmers and 12 recreational swimmers during immersion into water of 27 degrees C for 10 min. The recreational swimmers were additionally immersed into water of 21 degrees C and 33 degrees C. Even immersion at 33 degrees C induced a small but significant increase of NE levels and of blood pressure (BP) values with no effect on the HR and blood lactate values. Epinephrine (EPI) showed a tendency to decrease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differences in sympathoadrenal, hormonal, and metabolic adaptation to submaximal and maximal arm and leg work compared with whole stroke in breast-style swimming.

During work on land adaptational reactions of circulation and hormones are influenced by the body position, the activated muscle mass, and the working extremities. The aim of this study was to explore the additional effect of water immersion during swimming on cardiocirculatory, metabolic, and hormonal regulation under different working conditions. Twelve young men not specifically trained in swimming underwent swimming tests on 3 different days. They had to swim breast stroke in total as well as isolated with legs or arms only each for 10 min at submaximal intensity and 150 m or 100 m at maximal intensity. This study was focused on changes of catecholamines (CA), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), glucose, lactate, plasma renin activity (PRA), and plasma aldosterone (PA). Additionally, parameters of the electrolyte-volume homeostasis were investigated. Norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) increased during swimming under submaximal and maximal conditions. The augmentation of CA and HR was the highest after swimming whole stroke and the lowest after swimming arm stroke only. They were related to intensity within one type of swimming and showed a dependence on muscle mass independent from lactate or glucose levels when the different types of swimming were compared, although a positive correlation between CA and lactate levels was found. The BP was higher after leg work than after arm work, contrary to observations done on land regarding the comparable submaximal work loads. We suppose that this is an effect of water immersion and the horizontal body position whereby the central hemodynamic circulation becomes stabilized.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)