[Pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. / La réhabilitation pulmonaire dans la bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive.

The current treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients must comprise, in addition to an optimal pharmacological treatment, a pulmonary rehabilitation, if possible multidisciplinary, and a program of post-rehabilitation in order to maintain the outcomes. Today pulmonary rehabilitation has proved to be effective in improving dyspnoea, exercise capacity and quality of life in COPD patients, and reducing the use of health services and thus the cost. In this article we want to present pulmonary rehabilitation, its indications and results, and the way by which it is held in the CHU of Liege.

Utilization of oral sucrose load during exercise in humans. Effect of the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose.

We investigated the hormonal and metabolic response to a 100-g sucrose load given 15 min after adaptation to moderate-intensity (50% VmaxO2) long-duration (4-h) exercise in healthy volunteers. The effect of a 100-mg dose of the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor Acarbose ingested with the sucrose load was also investigated. "Naturally labeled [13C] sucrose" was used to follow the conversion to expired-air CO2 of the sugar ingested by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. Circulating hormone and metabolite data were obtained in nine subjects, and indirect calorimetry and stable isotope methodology were applied to six of them. Under placebo, 93 +/- 4 g sucrose were entirely oxidized during the 4 h of exercise, total carbohydrate utilization was 235 +/- 14 g, endogenous carbohydrate utilization was 142 +/- 13 g, and total lipid oxidation was 121 +/- 7 g. A single oral dose of 100 mg Acarbose ingested with the sucrose load did not significantly modify total carbohydrate (239 +/- 2 g/4 h) or lipid (122 +/- 6 g/4 h) oxidation. In contrast, sucrose oxidation was reduced to 53 +/- 6 g/4 h and endogenous carbohydrate utilization increased to 186 +/- 7 g/4 h. Reduction of the rises in blood glucose and fructose and of the increases in plasma insulin and C peptide under Acarbose confirmed these effects, whereas lower circulating levels of alanine suggested a higher rate of gluconeogenesis. These data show that a 100-g glucose load ingested soon after initiation of exercise is a perfect available metabolic substrate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quantitative evaluation of the oxidation of an exogenous glucose load using naturally labeled 13C-glucose.

Maize glucose was used as a natural tracer for studies of metabolism. It is richer in 13C than common vegetables and foods derived from these, and the C02 formed from it is consequently richer in 13C than the CO2 expired by man fed on a diet of common vegetables. The quantitative results, obtained by measurement of delta 13C of the expired CO2 and of VCO2 during the oxidation of an exogenous glucose load (about 100 g) in eight normal subjects over 7 hr, have shown a consumption of 28.64 +/- 1.44 g of glucose (mean +/- SEM), which represents about 30% of the load given. A comparison is made with the results obtained from other methods and the originality and usefulness of this new quantitative procedure is outlined.

Glucose oxidation in relation to the size of the oral glucose loading dose.

Using "naturally labeled 13C-glucose" the conversion to expired air CO2 of 100, 66 and 33 g oral glucose loads was evaluated, during 7 hr, in 6 male healthy volunteers. The total amounts of exogenous glucose converted to expired air CO2 were proportional to the loading doses and averaged, in g/7 hr, 14.6 +/- 2.1 for 33 g, 20.8 +/- 2.1 for 66 g and 31.2 +/- 1.6 for 100 g. In contrast total glucose oxidation, evaluated by indirect calorimetry, was similar in the three groups and was not correlated with the dose of glucose given. The plasma insulin response was significantly correlated with the load of glucose (r = 0.86; p less than 0.001) whereas such correlation was not observed with the blood glucose response. Comparison with data available in the literature on the influence of the size of the oral glucose load on endogenous glucose production and on splanchnic glucose output suggests that the greater oxidation of exogenous glucose seen when the oral load of glucose is increased essentially results from a greater enrichment of the systemic glucose pool with exogenous glucose.

Remarkable metabolic availability of oral glucose during long-duration exercise in humans.

It was reported previously that glucose ingestion prior to or at the beginning of muscular exercise was a readily available metabolic substrate. The aim of this study was to see what percentage of carbohydrate utilization can be covered by glucose ingested regularly during exercise. Male healthy volunteers exercised for 285 min at approximately 45% of their individual maximal O2 uptake on a 10% uphill treadmill. After 15 min adaptation to exercise they received either 200 g (group G 200) or 400 g (group G 400) glucose (0.25 g X ml H2O-1) orally in eight equal doses repeated every 30 min (G 200 = 8 X 25 g, n = 4; G 400 = 8 X 50 g, n = 4). Indirect calorimetry was used to evaluate carbohydrate and lipid oxidation. Naturally labeled [13C]glucose was used to follow the oxidation of the exogenous glucose. Total carbohydrate oxidation was 341 +/- 22 and 332 +/- 32 g, lipid oxidation was 119 +/- 8 and 105 +/- 5 g, and exogenous glucose oxidation was 137 +/- 4 and 227 +/- 13 g (P less than 0.005) in groups G 200 and G 400, respectively. Endogenous glucose oxidation was about half in G 400 of what it was in G 200: 106 +/- 27 vs. 204 +/- 24 g (P less than 0.02). During the last hour of exercise, exogenous oxidation represented 55.3 and 87.5% of total carbohydrate oxidation for groups G 200 and G 400, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of osmolality on availability of glucose ingested during prolonged exercise in humans.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the osmolality of a glucose solution, ingested at the beginning of a prolonged exercise bout, affects exogenous glucose disposal. We investigated the hormonal and metabolic response to a 50-g glucose load dissolved in either 200 (protocol A), 400 (protocol B), or 600 (protocol C) ml of water and given orally 15 min after adaptation to exercise in five healthy male volunteers. Naturally labeled [13C]glucose was used to follow the conversion of the ingested glucose to expired-air CO2. Total carbohydrate oxidation (indirect calorimetry) was similar in the three protocols (A, 237 +/- 20; B, 258 +/- 17; C, 276 +/- 20 g/4 h), as was lipid oxidation (A, 128 +/- 4; B, 132 +/- 15; C, 124 +/- 12 g/4 h). Exogenous glucose oxidation rates were similar under the three experimental conditions, and the total amount of exogenous glucose utilized was slightly, but not significantly, increased with the more diluted solution (A, 42.6 +/- 4.4; B, 43.4 +/- 4.1; C, 48.7 +/- 7.2 g/4 h). The blood glucose response was similar in the three protocols. Thus, within the range investigated, the osmolality of the glucose solution ingested had no significant influence either on its oxidation (which was 86-98% of the load ingested) or on the utilization of endogenous carbohydrate, lipid, or protein stores.

Endogenous substrate oxidation during exercise and variations in breath 13CO2/12CO2.

This study attempted to induce a major shift in the utilization of endogenous substrates during exercise in men by the use of a potent inhibitor of adipose tissue lipolysis, Acipimox, and to see to what extent this affects the 13C/12C ratio in expired air CO2. Six healthy volunteers exercised for 3 h on a treadmill at approximately 45% of their maximum O2 uptake, 75 min after having ingested either a placebo or 250 mg Acipimox. The rise in plasma free fatty acids and glycerol was almost totally prevented by Acipimox, and no significant rise in the utilization of lipids, evaluated by indirect calorimetry, was observed. Total carbohydrate oxidation averaged 128 +/- 17 (placebo) and 182 +/- 21 g/3 h (Acipimox). Conversely, total lipid oxidation was 84 +/- 5 (placebo) and 57 +/- 6 g/3 h (Acipimox; P < 0.01). Under placebo, changes in expired air CO2 delta 13C were minimal, with only a 0.49/1000 significant rise at 30 min. In contrast, under Acipimox, the rise in expired air CO2 delta 13C averaged 1/1000 and was significant throughout the 3-h exercise bout; in these conditions calculation of a "pseudooxidation" of an exogenous sugar naturally or artificially enriched in 13C, but not ingested, would have given an erroneous value of 19.8 +/- 2.6 g/3 h. Thus under conditions of extreme changes in endogenous substrate utilization, an appropriate control experiment is mandatory when studying exogenous substrate oxidation by 13C-labeled substrates and isotope-ratio mass spectrometry measurements on expired air CO2.

Fructose utilization during exercise in men: rapid conversion of ingested fructose to circulating glucose.

The aim of the present study was to compare the metabolic fate of repeated doses of fructose or glucose ingested every 30 min during long-duration moderate-intensity exercise in men. Healthy volunteers exercised for 3 h on a treadmill at 45% of their maximal oxygen consumption rate. "Naturally labeled" [13C]glucose or [13C]fructose was given orally at 25-g doses every 30 min (total feeding: 150 g; n = 6 in each group). Substrate utilization was evaluated by indirect calorimetry, and exogenous sugar oxidation was measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry on expired CO2. Results were corrected for baseline drift in 13C/12C ratio in expired air due to exercise alone. Fructose conversion to plasma glucose was measured combining gas chromatography and isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Most of the ingested glucose was oxidized: 81 +/- 4 vs. 57 +/- 2 g/3 h for fructose (2P < 0.005). Exogenous glucose covered 20.8 +/- 1.4% of the total energy need (+/- 6.7 MJ) compared with 14.0 +/- 0.6% for fructose (2P < 0.005). The contribution of total carbohydrates was significantly higher and that of lipids significantly lower with glucose than with fructose. The blood glucose response was similar in both protocols. From 90 to 180 min, 55-60% of circulating glucose was derived from ingested fructose. In conclusion, when ingested repeatedly during moderate-intensity prolonged exercise, fructose is metabolically less available than glucose, despite a high rate of conversion to circulating glucose.

Changes in breath 13CO2/12CO2 during exercise of different intensities.

The measurement of breath 13CO2/12CO2 is commonly used during exercise to evaluate the oxidation rate of exogenous carbohydrates enriched in 13C. The aim of this study was to investigate whether exercise itself affects the 13C/12C ratio in expired air CO2 in relation to exercise intensity. The relative abundance of 13C and 12C in expired air CO2 was determined by isotoperatio mass spectrometry and expressed as delta 13C (in %o) by using Craig's formula and calibrated standards. Five healthy young men exercised on a treadmill after an overnight fast during > or = 105 min on four occasions and in a randomized order. Work rates were performed at approximately 30, 45, 60, and 75% of their maximal O2 uptake (VO2max). Delta 13C in expired air CO2 and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were determined every 15 or 30 min during exercise. At 30 and 45% VO2max, a slight and not statistically significant increase in delta 13C was observed at 30 min. In contrast, at 60 75% VO2max, the rise was statistically significant and averaged 0.83 and 0.99%o, respectively. Average delta 13C (between 0 and 105 min) progressively increased with the intensity of exercise. Individual values of delta 13C and RER were positively correlated (r = 0.653, P = 0.002) as were values of delta 13C and endogenous carbohydrates utilized (r = 0.752, P < 0.001). Factitious or "pseudooxidation" of a 13C-enriched exogenous glucose load (indeed noningested) was calculated from the changes in expired air delta 13C. Over the whole period of exercise it was not statistically significant at 30 and 40% VO2max. However, over the first 60 min of exercise, such pseudooxidation of exogenous glucose was significant at 30 and 45% VO2max. In conclusion, by modifying the mix of endogenous substrates oxidized, exercise at 60% VO2max and above significantly increases the 13C/12C ratio in expired air CO2. At these intensities, this could lead to overestimation of the oxidation of 13C-labeled substrates given orally. At lower intensities of exercise, such overestimation is much smaller an affects mainly the values recorded during the initial part of the exercise bout.

[Plasma histamine and exercise-induced bronchospasm]. / Histamine plasmatique et bronchospasme d'effort.

The pathogenesis of bronchospasm of effort is not yet elucidated and it is probable that is determined by multiple factors. In this study we have tested the role of mastocytes in taking as an index of their activation the fluctuation of plasma histamine levels during repeated exercise tests. We will show that asthmatic subjects who develop bronchospasm on effort have a significant rise (times 3) in their level of serum histamine whilst normal subjects don't show much change. Furthermore in a repeated effort test we have observed a strict parallelism between the occurrence of bronchospasm of effort and a rise in plasma histamine levels. These different observations enable us to consider that the activation of mastocytes and the liberation of mediators which follow play an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchospasm of effort.

[Doping in sports]. / Le dopage et le sport.

Doping consists in the use of artificial means or substances with the unique aim of improving performance despite adverse effects on health. Amphetamines stimulate the central nervous system by increasing motivation and vigilance. Often consumed in association with analgesics, they increase the fatigue threshold during prolonged or repeated exercise. Addiction and dependency to these substances are extremely rapid. Side-effects include insomnia, exhaustion, violence and can lead to serious heart diseases. By enhancing capacity for intensive training, anabolic steroids improve strength, alertness and speed. This action is often further strengthened by the use of growth hormones DHEA and IGF-1. Extremely high dosage is used and is in no way comparable with natural secretions or those necessary to re-balance an exhausted glandular system. During prolonged endurance exercise, doping aims at improving the circulation of oxygen in the blood and thus its availability to the muscles. Firstly, the blood haemoglobin concentration was increased by blood transfusions. At present the production of red blood cells is stimulated by repeated injections of exogenous erythropoietin. The extreme viscosity of the blood leads to a risk of vascular thromboses and high blood pressure and accentuates greatly and sometimes even fatally the possibility of brachycardia which is common with sportsmen.

[Exercise training in COPD]. / Le réentraînement à l'effort du patient BPCO.

Rehabilitation for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is well established and widely accepted as a means of enhancing standard therapy in order to alleviate symptoms and optimize function. The primary goal of rehabilitation is to restore the patient to the highest possible level of independent function. There is, however, no consensus on the optimal training modalities. Both walking and cycling improve exercise performance; there is substantial evidence that lower extremity exercise training should be included in rehabilitation programs for patients with COPD.