Abstract

Seven untrained male volunteers were studied to observe the effects of bicycle exercise (150 W for 30 Min) upon the levels of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity, copper, ceruloplasmin (CP), and 4 catecholamines (dopa, dopamine, norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine (E) in plasma. The values of all the parameters except for dopa showed significant increases immediately after exercise. DBH activity seemed to remain high after 30 min of rest. Since the changes in DBH activity did not correlate with those in copper concentration or CP concentration after exercise, it seemed likely that the changes in DBH activity may not be due to those in copper concentration. In addition, this study suggests that plasma DBH activity is a poor index of sympathoadrenal activity during physical exercise because of its much lesser increase than seen for NE or E. Due to its relatively long biological half-life, however, the activity of DBH in plasma may be a good index of chronic stress. Verf.-Referat