Effects of exercise on serum enzyme values and tissues of rats

Abstract

Young adult rats were exercised in a rotating drum for 16 hr. Immediately after the exercise, there was a two-to sixfold increase in serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum lactic dehydrogenase, serum aldolase, and blood urea nitrogen, and a decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase. Recovery of different enzymes from these altered values occurred at different rates during a period of 1 to more than 6 days. The rats also showed a 13% loss in body weight and severe depletion of liver glycogen. Pathologic studies revealed an abundant deposition of fine fat droplets in skeletal muscle fibers, liver cells, and renal tubular epithelium and lipid depletion of the adrenal cortex. Some animals showed small foci of inflammation and necrosis in the muscle fibers. The pathologic lesions were transient and disappeared before complete return of the serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase and serum aldolase values to normal levels.