Experimental Physiology最新文献

{"title":"Ovariectomy, but not moderate intermittent hypoxia, promotes respiratory instability and risk of obesity in adult female rats.","authors":"Marianne Gagnon, Stéphanie Fournier, François Marcouiller, Natalie J Michael, Vincent Joseph, Richard Kinkead","doi":"10.1113/EP094077","DOIUrl":"10.1113/EP094077","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sleep apnoea (SA) is a prevalent and complex respiratory disorder associated with recurrent interruptions of air flow during sleep. SA causes sleep fragmentation and intermittent hypoxia which leads to numerous negative health consequences. While SA is typically more common in men, its prevalence in women increases sharply after menopause, implicating the loss of ovarian hormones in its pathogenesis. Despite the potential of hormone replacement therapy to modulate SA, the physiological mechanisms linking loss of ovarian function to SA remain unclear. Using an integrative approach, we investigated the combined effects of surgical removal of the ovaries (ovariectomy; OVX) and a 7-day moderate intermittent hypoxia protocol (IH; 30s at <math><msub><mi>F</mi> <mrow><mi>i</mi> <msub><mi>O</mi> <mn>2</mn></msub> </mrow> </msub> </math> 0.10, 10 cycles/h, 8 h/day) on respiratory, metabolic, cardiovascular and neuroendocrine regulation, including hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation and leptin levels in adult female rats. OVX increased apnoea frequency, respiratory instability and ventilatory responses to O₂ (10%, 120 s) but not CO₂ (5%, 10 min). However, contrary to our hypothesis, moderate IH did not worsen metabolic or cardiorespiratory dysfunction caused by OVX. OVX did not affect mean arterial pressure or heart rate but augmented weight gain and activated the HPA axis. Thus, our results indicate that OVX independently promotes apnoeas and activation of the stress axis and this is not worsened by additional exposure to moderate IH. This underscores the predominant role of ovarian hormone deficiency in SA-related pathophysiologies, highlighting menopause as a critical window for vulnerability to respiratory problems.</p>","PeriodicalId":12092,"journal":{"name":"Experimental Physiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13612877/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149037150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus have preserved sensory nerve-mediated dilatation in the cutaneous microvasculature.","authors":"Grace S Maurer, Kelsey S Schwartz, Diana I Jalal, Anna E Stanhewicz","doi":"10.1113/EP093827","DOIUrl":"10.1113/EP093827","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease than healthy control (HC) women who had an uncomplicated pregnancy. Microvascular endothelial dysfunction, mediated by reduced nitric oxide (NO)-dependent mechanisms, persists after GDM. However, it is unknown whether cutaneous sensory nerve-mediated dilatation is similarly reduced in these women. We hypothesised that women with a history of GDM would exhibit attenuated sensory nerve-mediated vasodilatation compared with HC women. One intradermal microdialysis fibre was placed in the ventral forearm of 30 HC and 22 GDM women for the local delivery of lactated Ringer's solution during a local heating protocol (42°C; 0.1°C s^-1). The heater remained at 42°C until blood flow plateaued (∼40 min). Next, the site was perfused with 15 mM N^G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (a NO synthase inhibitor; ∼40 min) to determine NO-dependent dilatation. Red blood cell flux was measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF). Cutaneous vascular conductance was calculated (CVC = LDF/mean arterial pressure) and normalized to maximum (28 mM sodium nitroprusside + local heat 43°C). The initial sensory nerve-mediated peak response was not different between groups (P = 0.623). The endothelium-dependent plateau (P < 0.001) and NO contribution to the plateau (P < 0.01) were attenuated in GDM compared with HC women. Our findings suggest that despite reductions in endothelium- and NO-dependent dilatation, women who had GDM do not exhibit impairments in local cutaneous sensory nerve-mediated vasodilatation compared with HC women.</p>","PeriodicalId":12092,"journal":{"name":"Experimental Physiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13599599/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149024435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction to \"Running economy and lower-limb anthropometry in adult male Kenyan and Danish middle- and long-distance runners and in untrained adolescents\".","authors":"","doi":"10.1113/EP094364","DOIUrl":"10.1113/EP094364","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12092,"journal":{"name":"Experimental Physiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13589601/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149008032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of 1 Gray radiation on the biophysical properties of the tibia and femur from hindlimb-suspended rats.","authors":"Brent J F Hill, Rahul Mehta","doi":"10.1113/EP093760","DOIUrl":"10.1113/EP093760","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Long-term space travel (e.g. travel to Mars) will greatly exceed the recommended lifetime radiation dose of 600 millisieverts (mSv) and have a detrimental effect on skeletal fragility. Our objective was to determine if 1 Gray (GY) radiation impacts the biomechanical properties of the tibia and femur from rats under microgravity. Hindlimb-suspended male Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated (IR) with 1 GY (+IR) or used as control (-IR); after 4 weeks they were sacrificed to obtain the femur and tibia. Using the three-point bending technique, we found radiation had no effect on the flexure force/bending and stiffness of the femur. However, the tibias from the +IR rats demonstrated 37% less flexure force/bending and stiffness than -IR rats. Bone elemental analysis was determined using a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy; there was no difference in the calcium/phosphorus ratio between +IR and -IR groups. This study provides pilot data which suggest that low dose radiation exposure has a greater impact on the smaller hindlimb bones from hindlimb-suspended rats.</p>","PeriodicalId":12092,"journal":{"name":"Experimental Physiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13589404/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149008038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Increased corticospinal excitability after rest with short term motor performance.","authors":"Quinn McCallion, Alistair R Clark, Bryan S Barry, Emelia E Duchow, Brach Poston, Zachary A Riley","doi":"10.1113/EP093874","DOIUrl":"10.1113/EP093874","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Motor skill performance is associated with early changes in corticospinal excitability (CSE), yet the influence of rest periods surrounding motor activity on these neurophysiological responses remains unclear. This study examined how matched pre- and post-activity rest intervals influence CSE following novel fine motor task performance. Twenty-one healthy adults (18-39 years) participated in a single-session, within-subject protocol consisting of a 30-min rest period (R1), 30 min of videogame-based motor activity using a guitar controller (A1), and a second 30-min rest period (R2). Transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with surface electromyography assessed corticospinal excitability and activity of intracortical circuits in the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and abductor digiti minimi (ADM). Gameplay performance significantly improved during the activity block, demonstrating short-term performance improvements took place. The 1mVSTIM MEP measure in FDI demonstrated a significant main effect across the three time points in the block, and pairwise comparisons showed that the 1mVSTIM MEP was significantly larger after R2 when compared with R1, and for R2 compared to A1. There were no significant changes in long interval intra-cortical inhibition, short intracortical inhibition or intracortical facilitation for the FDI. No changes were detected in the ADM. These findings suggest that adequate pre- and post-task rest may facilitate increased corticospinal excitability following novel motor task performance without altering measures of inhibition or facilitation.</p>","PeriodicalId":12092,"journal":{"name":"Experimental Physiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13588547/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149001560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"No evidence of higher peak heat tolerance in the afternoon or with opportunity for thermal behaviour during low-intensity work in uncompensable heat.","authors":"Tiarna Stothers, Travis Dylan Gibbons, Kate Nicole Thomas, Emma Jones, Holly Ann Campbell, James David Cotter","doi":"10.1113/EP092803","DOIUrl":"10.1113/EP092803","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Heat tolerance is known to be limited by high brain temperature, but most findings pertain to strenuous exercise following artificially altered baseline temperature or with limited opportunity for behaviour. Therefore, we investigated the hypotheses that thermal perceptions, hyperventilation and cerebrovascular responses would be exacerbated in: (1) the afternoon relative to morning; and (2) the absence of opportunity for behavioural thermoregulation. Thirteen habitually active participants (seven females) cycled at 25% peak power wearing a water-perfused suit (∼48°C) until volitional tolerance on three occasions, once in the morning (AM) and twice in the afternoon (PM), with or without access to face fanning with mist (∼1.7 m/s). Heating took ∼2 h. Core temperature (T_c) was 0.35°C lower in AM at baseline (95% confidence interval: -0.55°C, -0.16°C; P < 0.001, Hedges' g = 1.673) but not at tolerance (39.10°C ± 0.71°C vs. 39.11°C ± 0.50°C; P = 0.947, g = 0.024), hence the rise was greater (95% confidence interval: 0.00°C, 0.80°C; P = 0.047, g = 0.651). The fan did not confer higher T_c tolerance (95% confidence interval: -0.44°C, 0.24°C; P = 0.764, g = 0.050). The modelled T_c thresholds for heat discomfort and hyperventilation were ∼0.23°C lower in AM, but sensitivities did not differ reliably or with fan availability (P ≥ 0.098). Internal carotid artery flow was similar across time of day (P = 0.904) and showed little effect of heating. Changes in estimated intracranial pressure did not differ reliably between conditions. In conclusion, thermal reserve was smaller in PM by virtue of higher baseline, and psychophysical, ventilatory and cerebrovascular responses were not reliably different. For most individuals, an opportunity for behaviour did not improve discomfort, hyperventilation or tolerance.</p>","PeriodicalId":12092,"journal":{"name":"Experimental Physiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13577609/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148976103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clearance of p16-positive cardiac cells improves age-related cardiac remodeling in mice.","authors":"Mozhdeh Mehdizadeh, Martin Mackasey, Kimia Gharagozloo, Martin Aguilar, Patrice Naud, Allan Ochs, Nhung Vuong-Robillard, Eric Thorin, Gerardo Ferbeyre, Jean-Claude Tardif, Martin G Sirois, Jean Francois Tanguay, Stanley Nattel","doi":"10.1113/EP093551","DOIUrl":"10.1113/EP093551","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Senescent cells are characterized by expression of markers like p16 and secretion of profibrotic and proinflammatory factors. The role of cellular senescence in age-related cardiac remodeling and dysfunction is incompletely understood. This study aimed to: (i) evaluate the effect of p16- positive cell clearance on cardiac function and structure in aging mice, and (ii) assess the role of different cardiac cell-types in the response. Hypertrophy markers, ion channels and calcium handling protein gene expression. Statistical analysis for all panels: one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test, significance level P<0.05 (N=6 for each group). Each point represents results from one mouse; bars and horizontal lines are means and SD. NK-ATTAC mice, permitting targeted clearance of p16-positive cells upon exposure to the dimerizing agent AP20187 (AP), were treated with AP or vehicle from 12 to 18 months of age. Cardiac function and structure were assessed with echocardiography, hemodynamics with a Millar catheter. p16-positive cells in various cardiac cell populations were analyzed with Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) and immunofluorescence imaging. Echocardiography revealed significant attenuation of aging-associated increases in left ventricular mass to diameter at end-diastole (LVDd) and anterior wall thickness at end diastole (LVAWTd) in Aged-AP mice versus Aged-Vehicle. Diastolic dysfunction in vehicle mice normalized with AP treatment. FACS results indicated clearance of p16-positive fibroblasts with AP. Immunofluorescence imaging indicated reduced p16-positive fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes with AP, implicating them in the effects of p16-positive cell clearance on age-related cardiac remodeling. Exposure of cardiomyocytes to senescent fibroblast products led to upregulation of hypertrophy markers, pointing to paracrine effects on cardiomyocytes. This study highlights the potential contribution of senescent fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes to age-related cardiac remodeling. Modulating senescence might provide a new approach to age-related cardiac diseases like heart failure.</p>","PeriodicalId":12092,"journal":{"name":"Experimental Physiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13573716/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148963274","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Thermophysiological and perceptual responses to exercise heat stress in people with cystic fibrosis on Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor.","authors":"Lauren J Clayton, Jo Corbett, Anthony I Shepherd, Heather Massey, Don S Urquhart, Neil Maxwell, Gary Connett, Mark Allenby, Julian Legg, Thomas Daniels, Zoe L Saynor","doi":"10.1113/EP093605","DOIUrl":"10.1113/EP093605","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this study was to investigate thermophysiological and perceptual responses to exercise heat stress in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) on Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ETI) versus healthy controls, and to explore their lived experiences of heat stress. This mixed-methods, multi-study project comprised: (i) a laboratory study where pwCF (n = 6) and matched controls (n = 6) completed two 30 minutes cycling bouts in the heat (35°C, 30% relative humidity), at 150 and 250 W·m^-2 metabolic heat production. Measures included sweat sodium chloride ([Na⁺Cl^-]), local and whole body sweat rate, deep body and skin temperatures, heart rate (HR), forearm and finger skin blood flow (SkBF), and perceptual responses (exertion, thermal sensation and comfort, thirst, heat-illness symptom index (HISI)); and (ii) a pilot e-survey (n = 30) exploring free-living sweating, heat experiences, hydration and salt-supplementation practices. Laboratory data showed no significant differences in sweat [Na⁺Cl^-] (CON: 45 (36-106) mmol·L^-1; pwCF: 75 (59-92) mmol·L^-1, P = 0.45), sweating rate, deep body and skin temperature, HR, SkBF, perceived exertion, thermal comfort, thermal sensation, or HISI (P > 0.05). However, pwCF reported greater thirst at baseline (P = 0.045) and after 30 minutes cycling (P = 0.01), despite comparable hydration status. Survey responses indicated some pwCF perceive reduced sweating since starting ETI, yet their salt supplementation is unchanged. PwCF treated with ETI show thermophysiological/perceptual responses equivalent to healthy individuals during exercise heat stress. Together with survey insights, this suggests ETI may reduce previous heat-related vulnerabilities and better prepare pwCF for exercise in hot conditions. Updated evidence is needed to refine salt-replacement and hydration strategies, modernise clinical guidance, and support safe physical activity in a warming climate.</p>","PeriodicalId":12092,"journal":{"name":"Experimental Physiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13570782/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148955205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feeling the weight of post-COVID fatigue.","authors":"Demetris S Soteropoulos, Mark R Baker","doi":"10.1113/EP094274","DOIUrl":"10.1113/EP094274","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12092,"journal":{"name":"Experimental Physiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13559596/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148918889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Translating gut microbiome research into therapies for type 1 diabetes.","authors":"Shanti P Kok, Max Nieuwdorp, Elena Rampanelli","doi":"10.1113/EP093273","DOIUrl":"10.1113/EP093273","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterised by the loss of functional pancreatic β-cells, for which lifelong insulin therapy remains the standard of care. Given that the gut microbiome can influence host health and that shifts in gut microbial profiles have been observed in T1D, growing interest has emerged in the role of the gut microbiome in T1D, particularly for its therapeutic potential. The current review aims to provide an overview of existing knowledge on the gut microbial metabolic pathways and microbiota-derived metabolites that are dysregulated or altered in T1D. Subsequently, we address recent advances in gut microbiome-based therapies, ranging from prebiotics to faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in both preclinical and clinical studies. Observational studies in T1D have demonstrated alterations in short-chain fatty acid, secondary bile acid and tryptophan metabolism, as well as changes in the abundance of certain gut microbes and the expression of microbial genes involved in these metabolic pathways. Moreover, gut microbiome-targeting strategies have been shown to improve certain glycaemic and immunological parameters in T1D as well as the gut microbial community composition. Nonetheless, findings are highly heterogeneous among studies, also depending on the characteristics of the population studied. While microbiome-based interventions hold promise as a novel therapeutic approach for T1D, expanding the repertoire of gut microbiome-based therapies and conducting more robust clinical trials are crucial steps to substantiate current findings and establish their efficacy before these interventions can be applied as adjunctive therapies in T1D.</p>","PeriodicalId":12092,"journal":{"name":"Experimental Physiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13559605/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148918881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}