The Influence of Cerebral Blood Flow and PETCO2 on Neuromuscular Function During Passive Heat Stress

Increased core temperature (hyperthermia) has been associated with impaired neuromuscular performance; however, the mechanisms associated with these performance decrements and their potential synergies remain unclear. While the majority of research suggests that the observed fatigue is related to the central nervous system, the influence of changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and associated changes in cerebral alkalosis (estimated by end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide; PETCO2) remains unexamined. In response to hyperthermia, humans hyperventilate as means of heat dissipation, resulting in a hypocapnia (reduced PETCO2) mediated decrease in CBF and consequently, cerebral alkalosis (increased cerebral pH). Previous research suggests that hyperventilation induces changes in neural excitability and synaptic transmission; however, it remains unclear if these changes are related to hypocapnia mediated decrease in CBF or decreased PETCO2 or both.

The purpose of the proposed research program is to examine the influence of changes in CBF and cerebral alkalosis on neuromuscular function during passive heat stress. The research project will consist of 3 separate experimental trials: (a) poikilocapnic hyperthermia (increased core temperature; decrease CBF; decrease PETCO2), (b) isocapnic hyperthermia (increased core temperature; no change CBF; no change PETCO2) and (c) isocapnic hyperthermia + indomethacin (increased core temperature; decrease CBF; no change PETCO2). During each manipulation, neuromuscular function will be evaluated and compared to baseline (normothermic) conditions using a repeated measures design.

It is hypothesized that changes in PETCO2 and therefore, changes in cerebral alkalosis will contribute to neuromuscular fatigue independent of changes in CBF or increases in core temperature.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy Males; Neuromuscular Function
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Placebo; Drug: Indomethacin

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 8
• Phase: Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • St Catharines, Ontario, Canada, L2S 3A1
      • Brock University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 45 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 to 45 yrs old; healthy males

Exclusion Criteria:

• diagnosed medical condition; NSAID allergy; smoker; high altitude exposure; implants

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Drug; Indomethacin, 1.2 mg kg 1 dose	Drug: Indomethacin
Placebo Comparator: Placebo; generic flour placebo capsule	Drug: Placebo

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Resting motor threshold	Motor evoked potentials are recorded from muscles following transcranial magnetic stimulation of motor cortex. The resting motor threshold is defined as the minimum stimulation intensity required to elicit a motor evoked potential. Resting motor threshold will be quantified in millivolts.	Change from baseline 90-minutes
H-Reflex Amplitude	The H-Reflex is an indirect measure of motor neuron excitability. Initially, a maximal M-wave (M-max) will be elicited by stimulating (1 ms in duration; 15 s between stimuli) the median nerve incrementally (2 V increments) until the largest waveform is observed. The peak-to-peak amplitude of this waveform is considered M-max. Using similar procedures as above, a sub-maximal M-wave of 5% M-max will be elicited and the amplitude of the resultant H-reflex (a small waveform observed following the submaximal M-wave) will be calculated. The amplitude of the H-reflex will be quantified in millivolts.	Change from baseline 90-minutes
Maximal Voluntary Contraction	During maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) testing, the participants' right arm will be secured in a custom made device used to isolate forearm flexion and to measure force production by the flexor carpi radialis muscle. Participants will be asked to produce a 5-second MVC and will be verbally encouraged to maintain maximal force production throughout the duration of the contraction. MVC will be quantified as the maximum force production in newton meters.	Change from baseline 90-minutes
H-Reflex latency	The H-Reflex is an indirect measure of motor neuron excitability. Initially, a maximal M-wave (M-max) will be elicited by stimulating (1 ms in duration; 15 s between stimuli) the median nerve incrementally (2 V increments) until the largest waveform is observed. The peak-to-peak amplitude of this waveform is considered M-max. Using similar procedures as above, a sub-maximal M-wave of 5% M-max will be elicited and the amplitude of the resultant H-reflex (a small waveform observed following the submaximal M-wave) will be calculated. The onset latency of the H-reflex will be quantified in milliseconds.	Change from baseline 90-minutes
Voluntary Activation	The level of neural drive to muscle during contraction is termed voluntary activation and will be estimated by interpolation of a single supramaximal motor evoked potential during the 5-second MVC contraction. If extra force is evoked by the 'superimposed' stimulus then either the stimulated axons were not all recruited voluntarily or they were discharging at sub-tetanic rates. Therefore, voluntary activation will be quantified as the amplitude of maximal voluntary force production, relative to the amplitude of the supramaximal MEP.	change from baseline 90-minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Middle Cerebral Artery Blood Flow Velocity	Middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocity will be measured non-invasively by a 2-MHz transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound probe, attached bilaterally to a comfortable headband and secured anterior to the zygomatic arch, rostral of the pinna. Doppler probes will be paced over the temporal windows (near the ear) and will remain in place throughout the duration of the experimental protocol. MCA velocity will be quantified in cm/s.	Change from baseline 90-minutes
Blood Pressure	Beat by beat blood pressure will be calculated from the blood pressure waveform using finger photoplethysmography (Nexfin, bmeye), with a finger cuff placed directly over the middle finger on the left hand. Blood pressure will be quantified in mmHg.	Change from baseline 90-minutes
Heart rate	Heart rate will be measured by electrocardiogram. Heart rate will be quantified in beats per minute.	Change from baseline 90-minutes
End-tidal Gas concentrations	The end-tidal concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide will be measured and reported in mmHg.	change from baseline 90-minutes
Rectal Temperature	Rectal temperature will be measured in degrees Celsius	change from baseline 90-minutes
Skin Temperature	skin temperature will be measured in degrees Celsius	change from baseline 90-minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Brock University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: May 1, 2013
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 1, 2015
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 3, 2013
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 3, 2013
• First Posted (Estimate): May 7, 2013

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 29, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 25, 2018
• Last Verified: January 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Heat Stress Disorders; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Enzyme Inhibitors; Analgesics; Sensory System Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antirheumatic Agents; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Reproductive Control Agents; Gout Suppressants; Tocolytic Agents; Indomethacin
• Other Study ID Numbers: EEL 073.3