Effect of daily intense exercise on asymmetry in sympathoadrenomedullary activity

Abstract

In this study we tested changes in quantity of phenylethanolamine Nmethyltransferase (PNMT), a "rate limiting" enzyme in the synthesis of adrenaline (A), as an indicator of sympatho-adrenomedullary activity in the left and right adrenal medulla of control animals and animals exposed to intensive physical activity. We utilised the model of chronic forced running (CFR: 12 weeks of treadmill running), which according to intensity and duration falls under intensive physical activity. The tested parameters were quantified by using the Western blot. We discovered that CFR considerably increases the level of PNMT proteins in the right adrenal medulla, which suggests that, in the conditions of daily intensive exercise, the sympatho-medullary link greatly influences the right adrenal medulla. The considerable increase of PNMT proteins in the right adrenal medulla confirms that the left hemisphere of the brain is much more sensitive to intensive physical activity.