NaHCO sub(3)-induced alkalosis reduces the phosphocreatine slow component during heavy-intensity forearm exercise

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) Vol. 99; no. 5; pp. 1668 - 1675
• Main Authors: bes, S C, Raymer, G H, Kowalchuk, J M, Marsh, G D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.11.2005
• ISSN: 8750-7587

During heavy-intensity exercise, the mechanisms responsible for the continued slow decline in phosphocreatine concentration ([PCr]) (PCr slow component) have not been established. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a reduced intracellular acidosis would result in a greater oxidative flux and, consequently, a reduced magnitude of the PCr slow component. Subjects (n = 10) performed isotonic wrist flexion in a control trial and in an induced alkalosis (Alk) trial (0.3g/kg oral dose of NaHCO sub(3), 90 min before testing). Wrist flexion, at a contraction rate of 0.5 Hz, was performed for 9 min at moderate- (75% of onset of acidosis; intracellular pH threshold) and heavy-intensity (125% intracellular pH threshold) exercise. super(31)P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure intracellular [H super(+)], [PCr], [P sub(i)], and [ATP]. The initial recovery data were used to estimate the rate of ATP synthesis and oxidative flux at the end of heavy-intensity exercise. In repeated trials, venous blood sampling was used to measure plasma [H super(+)], [HCO sub(3) super(-)], and [Lac super(-)]. Throughout rest and exercise, plasma [H super(+)] was lower (P < 0.05) and [HCO sub(3) super(-)] was elevated (P < 0.05) in Alk compared with control. During the final 3 min of heavy-intensity exercise, Alk caused a lower (P < 0.05) intracellular [H super(+)] [246 (SD 117) vs. 291 nmol/l (SD 129)], a greater (P < 0.05) [PCr] [12.7 (SD 7.0) vs. 9.9 mmol/l (SD 6.0)], and a reduced accumulation of [ADP] [0.065 (SD 0.031) vs. 0.098 mmol/l (SD 0.059)]. Oxidative flux was similar (P > 0.05) in the conditions at the end of heavy-intensity exercise. In conclusion, our results are consistent with a reduced intracellular acidosis, causing a decrease in the magnitude of the PCr slow component. The decreased PCr slow component in Alk did not appear to be due to an elevated oxidative flux.