Stimulation of beta-adrenoceptors in the exercising human forearm.

In order to study the effects of local stimulation of beta-adrenoceptors on limb blood flow during exercise and on muscle metabolism, the non-selective beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoprenaline, was infused intra-arterially into the forearm of six healthy, young subjects. Isoprenaline caused a marked increase in forearm blood flow not only at rest but also during dynamic forearm exercise. The forearm release of lactate increased considerably during drug infusion whereas glucose uptake decreased. The net uptake of free fatty acids during exercise decreased. There were no systemic effects of isoprenaline. These findings suggest that the resistance vessels are responsive to beta-adrenergic vasodilatation also during muscle exercise. The increase in blood flow through the exercising forearm may be secondary to an increased muscle metabolism. The increased lactate release from the exercising muscles indicates an increased muscle glycogen breakdown during beta-adrenoceptor stimulation.