In vivo human myocardial metabolism during aerobic exercise by phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

A few studies have been made in vivo on human myocardial energy metabolism. Hence, no discussion has taken place on metabolism during exercise or of training effects on metabolism. We examined human myocardial energy metabolism at rest and during exercise, and also training effects on the metabolism by phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (³¹P NMR)-spectroscopy. Six sedentary male students (Cont) and six male long distance runners (Tr) were the subjects. Energy metabolism data were obtained from myocardium during rest and exercise by the region selection method using ³¹P NMR. Rotation of the legs while riding a bicycle, which was fitted with an ergometer we had made ourselves for NMR, imposed given exercise intensities. The heart rate was measured in a stationary phase during exercise. Although the heart rate at rest in the Tr group was significantly lower [Tr, 52.5 (SD 3.1) beat · min⁻¹; Cont, 67.1 (SD 2.9) beat · min⁻¹], no significant difference was observed in myocardial energy metabolism using the ³¹P NMR method [Tr, phosphocreatine/β-adenosine 5′-triphosphate (PCr/β-ATP); 1.51 (SD 0.02); Cont, 1.51 (SD 0.01)]. When NMR measurements were investigated at two different intensities of exercise, heart rates in the Cont group were significantly higher by about 20 beat · min ⁻¹ than those in the Tr group at both exercise intensities, while no difference in energy metabolism was observed between the groups or between rest and exercise [Tr, 75.9 (SD 3.6), 88.3 (SD 3.7) beat · min⁻; PCr/β-ATP 1.51 (SD 0.03), 1.51 (SD 0.03); Cont, 95.9 (SD 2.4), 115.1 (SD 3.5) beat · min⁻¹ PCr/β-ATP 1.51 (SD 0.01), 1.51 (SD 0.04)]. Thus, during submaximal exercise as employed in this study, it would seem that the high energy phosphate level normally observed during rest may still be maintained. From these results, the absence of change in the myocardial PCr: ATP ratio suggested that adenosine 5′-diphosphate was not the primary regular of the increased metabolism needed to meet the higher cardiac workload during aerobic exercise in either group.