Hyperoxia enhances metaboreflex sensitivity during static exercise in humans

Peripheral chemoreflex inhibition with hyperoxia decreases sympathetic nerve traffic to muscle circulation [muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA)]. Hyperoxia also decreases lactate production during exercise. However, hyperoxia markedly increases the activation of sensory endings in skeletal musc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology 2006-07, Vol.291 (1), p.66
Main Authors: Houssière, Anne, Najem, Boutaina, Cuylits, Nicolas, Cuypers, Sophie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blood pressure
Exercise
Medical disorders
Muscular system
Oxygen
Reflexes
Studies
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Summary:Peripheral chemoreflex inhibition with hyperoxia decreases sympathetic nerve traffic to muscle circulation [muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA)]. Hyperoxia also decreases lactate production during exercise. However, hyperoxia markedly increases the activation of sensory endings in skeletal muscle in animal studies. We tested the hypothesis that hyperoxia increases the MSNA and mean blood pressure (MBP) responses to isometric exercise. The effects of breathing 21% and 100% oxygen at rest and during isometric handgrip at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction on MSNA, heart rate (HR), MBP, blood lactate (BL), and arterial O^sub 2^ saturation (Sa^sub O^^sub 2^) were determined in 12 healthy men. The isometric handgrips were followed by 3 mm of postexercise circulatory arrest (PE-CA) to allow metaboreflex activation in the absence of other reflex mechanisms. Hyperoxia lowered resting MSNA, HR, MBP, and BL but increased Sa^sub O^^sub 2^ compared with normoxia (all P < 0.05). MSNA and MBP increased more when exercise was performed in hyperoxia than in normoxia (MSNA: hyperoxic exercise, 255 ± 100% vs. normoxic exercise, 211 ± 80%, P = 0.04; and MBP: hyperoxic exercise, 33 ± 9 mmHg vs. normoxic exercise, 26 ± 10 mmHg, P = 0.03). During PE-CA, MSNA and MBP remained elevated (both P < 0.05) and to a larger extent during hyperoxia than normoxia (P < 0.05). Hyperoxia enhances the sympathetic and blood pressure (BP) reactivity to metaboreflex activation. This is due to an increase in metaboreflex sensitivity by hyperoxia that overrules the sympathoinhibitory and BP lowering effects of chemoreflex inhibition. This occurs despite a reduced lactic acid production. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0363-6135
1522-1539