Dietary energy source affects glucose kinetics in trained Arabian geldings at rest and during endurance exercise.
Abstract: Advances in modeling and tracer techniques provide new perspective into glucose utilization and potential consequences to health or exercise performance. This study used stable isotope and compartmental modeling to evaluate how adaptation to a feed high in sugar and starch (SS) compared with a feed high in fat and fiber (FF) affects glucose kinetics at rest and during exercise in horses. Six trained Arabians adapted to each feed underwent similar tests at rest and while running approximately 4 m/s on a treadmill. For both tests, horses received 100 micromol/kg body weight [6,6-(2)H]glucose through a venous catheter. Circulating tracer glucose was described for 150 min by exponential decay curves and compartmental analysis. All parameters of glucose transfer increased with exercise (P < or = 0.004). Compared with FF horses, SS horses had higher circulating glucose (P = 0.022) and fractional glucose transfer rates (min(-1)) at rest (P = 0.055). Exercise increased glucose irreversible loss (mmol/min) more in SS horses (P = 0.037). Total glucose transfer during exercise tended to be greater in SS horses (0.027 +/- 0.002 mmol/min) compared with FF horses (0.023 +/- 0.002 mmol/min) (P = 0.109). This study characterized the effect of diet on glucose kinetics in resting and exercising horses using new modeling methods. Horses adapted to a fat-supplemented feed utilized less glucose during low-intensity exercise. Fat supplementation in horses may therefore promote greater flexibility in the selection of substrate to meet energy demands for optimal health and performance.
Publication Date: 2008-04-22 PubMed ID: 18424608DOI: 10.1093/jn/138.5.964Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article investigates how a diet high in sugar and starch (SS) affects glucose kinetics in comparison to a diet high in fat and fiber (FF) in horses both at rest and during exercise. Stable isotope and compartmental modeling was employed, and results showed that horses on a fat-supplemented diet used lesser glucose during a low-intensity exercise, signaling the possibility of a dietary approach for optimal health and performance in horses.
Research Methodology
- In this study, six trained Arabian horses were adapted to diets high in either sugar and starch (SS) or high in fat and fiber (FF).
- These horses underwent tests both at rest and while running at approximately 4m/s on a treadmill.
- The horses received a dose of tracer glucose through a venous catheter, the concentration of the circulating tracer glucose was observed over a period of 150 min.
- The behavior of this tracer glucose in the system was described using exponential decay curves and compartmental analysis.
Findings
- The study found that all parameters of glucose transfer increased during exercise.
- Horses on a diet high in sugar and starch (SS) had higher circulating glucose levels and higher fractional glucose transfer rates at rest as compared to horses on a diet high in fat and fiber (FF).
- The increase in the irreversible loss of glucose during exercise was significantly higher in SS horses.
- Horses adapted to a high fat diet exhibited lesser glucose usage during lower-intensity exercises. This could suggest a superior substrate selection strategy to meet energy demands.
Implications
- The research provides a clear demonstration of how diet impacts glucose kinetics in horses during rest and varied intensities of exercise.
- Fat-supplemented diets may potentially offer a more efficient energy substrate selection for horses, thereby offering better health and improved performance metrics.
- The findings of this study broaden our understanding of equine nutrition and fitness, and suggest dietary modifications for more efficient energy usage.
- This research may also offer insights into similar studies for other animals or human athletes.
Cite This Article
APA
Treiber KH, Geor RJ, Boston RC, Hess TM, Harris PA, Kronfeld DS.
(2008).
Dietary energy source affects glucose kinetics in trained Arabian geldings at rest and during endurance exercise.
J Nutr, 138(5), 964-970.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/138.5.964 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. lyradorn@hotmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Glucose / metabolism
- Body Weight
- Deuterium
- Diet
- Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage
- Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
- Dietary Fiber / administration & dosage
- Dietary Sucrose / administration & dosage
- Energy Intake
- Horses / blood
- Kinetics
- Male
- Physical Endurance / physiology
- Physical Exertion / physiology
- Starch / administration & dosage
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Li G, Lee P, Mori N, Yamamoto I, Arai T. Long term intensive exercise training leads to a higher plasma malate/lactate dehydrogenase (M/L) ratio and increased level of lipid mobilization in horses.. Vet Res Commun 2012 Jun;36(2):149-55.
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