Metabolic and hormonal response to intermittent high-intensity and continuous moderate intensity exercise in individuals with type 1 diabetes: a randomised crossover study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: To investigate exercise-related fuel metabolism in intermittent high-intensity (IHE) and continuous moderate intensity (CONT) exercise in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: In a prospective randomised open-label cross-over trial twelve male individuals with well-controlled type 1 diabetes underwent a 90 min iso-energetic cycling session at 50% maximal oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]), with (IHE) or without (CONT) interspersed 10 s sprints every 10 min without insulin adaptation. Euglycaemia was maintained using oral (13)C-labelled glucose. (13)C Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) served to quantify hepatocellular and intramyocellular glycogen. Measurements of glucose kinetics (stable isotopes), hormones and metabolites complemented the investigation. RESULTS: Glucose and insulin levels were comparable between interventions. Exogenous glucose requirements during the last 30 min of exercise were significantly lower in IHE (p = 0.02). Hepatic glucose output did not differ significantly between interventions, but glucose disposal was significantly lower in IHE (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in glycogen consumption. Growth hormone, catecholamine and lactate levels were significantly higher in IHE (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: IHE in individuals with type 1 diabetes without insulin adaptation reduced exogenous glucose requirements compared with CONT. The difference was not related to increased hepatic glucose output, nor to enhanced muscle glycogen utilisation, but to decreased glucose uptake. The lower glucose disposal in IHE implies a shift towards consumption of alternative substrates. These findings indicate a high flexibility of exercise-related fuel metabolism in type 1 diabetes, and point towards a novel and potentially beneficial role of IHE in these individuals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02068638 FUNDING: Swiss National Science Foundation (grant number 320030_149321/) and R&A Scherbarth Foundation (Switzerland).

Metabolic Effects of Glucose-Fructose Co-Ingestion Compared to Glucose Alone during Exercise in Type 1 Diabetes.

This paper aims to compare the metabolic effects of glucose-fructose co-ingestion (GLUFRU) with glucose alone (GLU) in exercising individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Fifteen male individuals with type 1 diabetes (HbA1c 7.0% ± 0.6% (53 ± 7 mmol/mol)) underwent a 90 min iso-energetic continuous cycling session at 50% VO2max while ingesting combined glucose-fructose (GLUFRU) or glucose alone (GLU) to maintain stable glycaemia without insulin adjustment. GLUFRU and GLU were labelled with 13C-fructose and 13C-glucose, respectively. Metabolic assessments included measurements of hormones and metabolites, substrate oxidation, and stable isotopes. Exogenous carbohydrate requirements to maintain stable glycaemia were comparable between GLUFRU and GLU (p = 0.46). Fat oxidation was significantly higher (5.2 ± 0.2 vs. 2.6 ± 1.2 mg·kg-1·min-1, p < 0.001) and carbohydrate oxidation lower (18.1 ± 0.8 vs. 24.5 ± 0.8 mg·kg-1·min-1p < 0.001) in GLUFRU compared to GLU, with decreased muscle glycogen oxidation in GLUFRU (10.2 ± 0.9 vs. 17.5 ± 1.0 mg·kg-1·min-1, p < 0.001). Lactate levels were higher (2.2 ± 0.2 vs. 1.8 ± 0.1 mmol/L, p = 0.012) in GLUFRU, with comparable counter-regulatory hormones between GLUFRU and GLU (p > 0.05 for all). Glucose and insulin levels, and total glucose appearance and disappearance were comparable between interventions. Glucose-fructose co-ingestion may have a beneficial impact on fuel metabolism in exercising individuals with type 1 diabetes without insulin adjustment, by increasing fat oxidation whilst sparing glycogen.

Accuracy of continuous glucose monitoring during differing exercise conditions.

AIM: Depending on intensity, exercise may induce a strong hormonal and metabolic response, including acid-base imbalances and changes in microcirculation, potentially interfering with the accuracy of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The present study aimed at comparing the accuracy of the Dexcom G4 Platinum (DG4P) CGM during continuous moderate and intermittent high-intensity exercise (IHE) in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). METHODS: Ten male individuals with well-controlled T1DM (HbA1c 7.0 ± 0.6% [54 ± 6 mmol/mol]) inserted the DG4P sensor 2 days prior to a 90 min cycling session (50% VO2peak) either with (IHE) or without (CONT) a 10s all-out sprint every 10 min. Venous blood samples for reference glucose measurement were drawn every 10 min and euglycemia (target 7 mmol/l) was maintained using an oral glucose solution. Additionally, lactate and venous blood gas variables were determined. RESULTS: Mean reference blood glucose was 7.6 ± 0.2 mmol/l during IHE and 6.7 ± 0.2 mmol/l during CONT (p<0.001). IHE resulted in significantly higher levels of lactate (7.3 ± 0.5 mmol/l vs. 2.6 ± 0.3 mmol/l, p<0.001), while pH values were significantly lower in the IHE group (7.27 vs. 7.38, p=0.001). Mean absolute relative difference (MARD) was 13.3 ± 2.2% for IHE and 13.6 ± 2.8% for CONT suggesting comparable accuracy (p=0.90). Using Clarke Error Grid Analysis, 100% of CGM values during both IHE and CONT were in zones A and B (IHE: 77% and 23%; CONT: 78% and 22%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed good and comparable accuracy of the DG4P CGM system during intermittent high intensity and continuous moderate intensity exercise, despite marked differences in metabolic conditions. This corroborates the clinical robustness of CGM under differing exercise conditions. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02068638.