EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON PLASMA NONESTERIFIED FATTY-ACIDS AND FREE AMINO-ACIDS IN ARCTIC CHAR (SALVELINUS-ALPINUS)

The plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and free amino acids (AA) of exercised and rested Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) were measured. Total nonesterified fatty acids, total saturated fatty acids and total monoenes were significantly elevated in the plasma of the exercised group. Plasma levels of palmitate (16:0) were also significantly elevated in the exercised fish. No significant changes with exercise were observed in the total polyenes. The total plasma free amino acid and total nonessential amino acid levels were significantly elevated in the exercised group. The concentrations of glutamate, alanine, taurine, and tryptophan increased with exercise. The percent contribution of total essential amino acids to total free amino acids in the exercised fish was lower than that of the rested group. It is suggested that mobilization of specific nonesterified fatty acids and amino acids largely reflect increased oxidation of metabolic substrates by exercising red muscle. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.