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Human adipose tissue blood flow during prolonged exercise II.
Pflugers Archiv : European Journal of Physiology
|August 25, 1978
Summary
Exercise significantly increases blood flow to subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissues, with elevated levels persisting post-exercise. This increase is independent of body temperature changes, suggesting a direct response to physical exertion.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Metabolism
Background:
- Adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) regulation during exercise is not fully understood.
- Previous studies have yielded conflicting results regarding the impact of exercise on ATBF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of prolonged moderate-intensity exercise on subcutaneous and perirenal ATBF.
- To determine if exercise-induced ATBF changes are related to alterations in core body temperature.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the 133Xe washout technique to measure ATBF in subcutaneous and perirenal depots.
- Subjects performed 4 hours of cycling exercise at approximately 50% of VO2 max.
- Measured plasma glycerol concentrations and core/skin temperatures throughout the protocol.
Main Results:
- Subcutaneous ATBF increased by 300-400% and perirenal ATBF by 700% during exercise.
- Elevated ATBF persisted for at least one hour post-exercise in most measurement sites.
- Plasma glycerol increased eightfold, indicating lipolysis, while core temperature rose by 0.9°C.
- Passive heating did not alter subcutaneous ATBF or plasma glycerol, decoupling these variables from body temperature.
Conclusions:
- Exercise significantly elevates ATBF in both subcutaneous and perirenal depots.
- The observed increase in ATBF during exercise is likely a direct response to physical activity, not a thermoregulatory mechanism.
- Sustained ATBF post-exercise may support ongoing metabolic demands.