NaHCO3-induced alkalosis reduces the phosphocreatine slow component during heavy-intensity forearm exercise

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 NaHCO3, 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. P-31-magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure intracellular [H+], [PCr], [Pi], 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+], [HCO3-], and [Lac(-)]. Throughout rest and exercise, plasma [H+] was lower ( P < 0.05) and [HCO3-] 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+] [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.