Influence of Sex and Obesity on Plasma Catecholamine Response to Isometric Exercise*

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Abstract
The effects of obesity and gender on plasma catecholamine levels were studied in 10 lean men, 10 lean women, and 10 obese women. Measurements (mean ± SE) were obtained sequentially after 30 min of bedrest, 10 min of standing, and 5 min of sustained handgrip, and following 15 min of rest while standing. The supine plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels were comparable among the 3 groups, whereas plasma epinephrine (E) was lowest in obese women (14 ± 2 pg⁄ml), intermediate in lean women (19 ± 2 pg⁄ml), and highest in lean men (29 ± 5 pg⁄ ml). Peak plasma levels were reached during handgrip. E valuesin men (139 ± 27 pg⁄ml) exceeded those in lean women (71 ± 9 pg⁄ml; P< 0.05), and both were higher than the E response in obese women (38 ± 7 pg⁄ml; P< 0.01). While peak plasma NE levels in lean women (654 ± 62 pg⁄ml) and obese women (524 ± 46 pg⁄ml) were comparable, both were significantly lower than the NE response in lean men (1014 ± 114 pg⁄ml; P < 0.02). Increments in plasma FFA during handgrip were 21‰ and 28‰ above values during standing (P< 0.005) in lean men and lean women, respectively, whereas no net increment occurred in obese women. The excursion of plasma β-hydroxybutyrate in recovery was 59‰ above the standing concentration for lean women (P < 0.05), but no net increments were observed in obesewomen or lean men. We conclude that obesity in women is attended by suppressed plasma E responses to isometric exercise, which may explain subnormal excursions of plasma FFA and β- hydroxybutyrate during handgrip and recovery, respectively. Lean men have greater plasma elevations of E and NE duringisometric exertion than women, suggesting an influence of sex on plasma catecholamine regulation. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab55:703,1982)

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