Length-dependent activation of in situ canine skeletal muscle

1979 ◽  
Vol 237 (1) ◽  
pp. C38-C42 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Lambert ◽  
L. B. Gladden ◽  
W. N. Stainsby
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Muscle Group ◽  
Plantaris Muscle ◽  
Tension Development ◽  
Inotropic State ◽  
Isometric Twitch ◽  
Length Dependent Activation ◽  
Different Levels

This study was designed to assess the contribution of length-dependent activation to the peak isometric twitch tension developed and the maximal rate of tension development (dP/dt) of in situ canine skeletal muscle. Length-developed tension and length-dP/dt relationships were generated for the dog gastrocnemius-plantaris muscle group at three different levels of inotropic state as determined by stimulation frequency. These relationships were then normalized with respect to maximal developed tension and maximal dP/dt and the normalized curves were superimposed for comparison. At progressively shorter muscle lengths the augmentation of tension production by a given increment in inotropic state was greater as measured by either developed tension or dP/dt. Thus, a given change in muscle length produced a greater change in performance in less potentiated muscles. These findings are similar to those from studies of isolated cardiac muscle and illustrate the lack of independence between activational state and muscle length for in situ skeletal muscle.

Caffeine and length dependence of staircase potentiation in skeletal muscle

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 975-982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilson E Rassier ◽  
L Aaron Tubman ◽  
Brian R MacIntosh
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Negative Slope ◽  
Muscle Twitch ◽  
Optimal Length ◽  
Length Dependence ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Isometric Twitch ◽  
The Relationship

Skeletal muscle sensitivity to Ca2+ is greater at long lengths, and this results in an optimal length for twitch contractions that is longer than optimal length for tetanic contractions. Caffeine abolishes this length dependence of Ca2+ sensitivity. Muscle length (ML) also affects the degree of staircase potentiation. Since staircase potentiation is apparently caused by an increased Ca2+ sensitivity of the myofilaments, we tested the hypothesis that caffeine depresses the length dependence of staircase potentiation. In situ isometric twitch contractions of rat gastrocnemius muscle before and after 10 s of 10-Hz stimulation were analyzed at seven different lengths to evaluate the length dependence of staircase potentiation. In the absence of caffeine, length dependence of Ca2+ sensitivity was observed, and the degree of potentiation after 10-Hz stimulation showed a linear decrease with increased length (DT = 1.47 - 0.05ML, r2 = 0.95, where DT is developed tension). Length dependence of Ca2+ sensitivity was decreased by caffeine when caffeine was administered in amounts estimated to result in 0.5 and 0.75 mM concentrations. Furthermore, the negative slope of the relationship between staircase potentiation and muscle length was diminished at the lower caffeine dose, and the slope was not different from zero after the higher dose (DT = 1.53 - 0.009ML, r2 = 0.43). Our study shows that length dependence of Ca2+ sensitivity in intact skeletal muscle is diminished by caffeine. Caffeine also suppressed the length dependence of staircase potentiation, suggesting that the mechanism of this length dependence may be closely related to the mechanism for length dependence of Ca2+ sensitivity.Key words: skeletal muscle, twitch contraction, Ca2+ sensitivity, muscle length, staircase.

Endothelial modulation of skeletal muscle blood flow andV˙o 2 during low- and high-intensity contractions

2002 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 461-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl E. King-VanVlack ◽  
J. D. Mewburn ◽  
C. K. Chapler ◽  
P. H. MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Methyl Ester ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Muscle Blood Flow ◽  
Tension Development ◽  
Anesthetized Dogs ◽  
Isometric Twitch ◽  
Oxide Synthase

In the present study, we determined whether endothelin (ET)-1 contributed to the observed reduction in muscle blood flow (Q˙) during contractions with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition and whether muscle O2 uptake (V˙o 2) would be affected by the decrease in muscle Q˙ with NOS inhibition at different contraction intensities. Muscle Q˙,V˙o 2, O2 extraction ratio (OER), and tension development (TD) were studied in the in situ gastrocnemius muscle preparation in anesthetized dogs. A decrease in the V˙o 2-to-TD ratio (V˙o 2/TD) was used as an indicator of O2 limitation. Three contraction protocols were used: 1) isometric twitch contractions at 2 twitches (tw)/s, 2) the same contractions at 4 tw/s, and 3) pretreatment with an ETA-receptor antagonist (BQ-123) before 2 tw/s contractions. The muscle was stimulated to contract, and measures were obtained at steady state (∼5–8 min). NOS inhibition ( N ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester) was then induced, and measures were repeated at 2, 5, 10, and 15 min. During 2 tw/s contractions, NOS inhibition reduced Q˙with and without ETA-receptor blockade. In both groups, OER increased in response to the fall in Q˙, with the result being no change in V˙o 2/TD. NOS inhibition also decreased Q˙ during 4 tw/s contractions, but OER did not increase, resulting in a reduction inV˙o 2/TD 5 and 15 min after N ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. These data indicated that 1) a reciprocal increase in ET-1 during NOS inhibition does not influence active hyperemia in skeletal muscle, and 2) during 4 tw/s contractions, the ischemia with NOS inhibition was associated with either an O2 limitation or an alteration in the efficiency of muscle contractions.

Fatigue from incompletely fused tetanic contractions in skeletal muscle in situ

1983 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 976-982 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. R. MacIntosh ◽  
W. N. Stainsby ◽  
L. B. Gladden
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Contractile Response ◽  
Muscle Group ◽  
Energy Availability ◽  
Tetanic Contraction ◽  
Plantaris Muscle ◽  
Pentobarbital Sodium ◽  
Peak Tension ◽  
The Difference

The purpose of this study was to investigate the contractile response of skeletal muscle in situ when stimulation results in an unfused tetanic contraction. The left gastrocnemius-plantaris muscle group of anesthetized (pentobarbital sodium) dogs (n = 16) was connected to an isometric lever and stimulated indirectly for 30 min. During 10-Hz stimulation, total tension (the peak of each oscillation in tension) increased during the first 2 min of stimulation (staircase), then decreased during the remaining 28 min of stimulation. Since relaxation was incomplete at this rate of stimulation, the developed tension, the difference between peak tension and the lowest tension between successive contractions, did not follow the same pattern of staircase and fatigue as the peak tension did. Developed tension (delta T) decreased during the staircase response then increased from 2 to 10 min before finally decreasing again during the last 20 min, ending at 56 +/- 15 (mean +/- SE) % of the initial (first contraction) delta T. At 2 min of 10-Hz contractions, half-relaxation time (1/2 RT) was too long to measure (insufficient relaxation between contractions), but later, 1/2 RT decreased from greater than 65 ms to less than 40 ms. Increased 1/2 RT has been associated with reduced energy availability. If an increased 1/2 RT is an indication of insufficient energy, then it can be concluded that fatigue continued in spite of a recovery of energy supplies. This suggests a possible dissociation of fatigue and energy availability.

Length dependence of staircase potentiation: interactions with caffeine and dantrolene sodium

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilson E Rassier ◽  
Brian R MacIntosh
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Repetitive Stimulation ◽  
Mammalian Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Optimal Length ◽  
Dantrolene Sodium ◽  
Length Dependence ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Isometric Twitch

In skeletal muscle, there is a length dependence of staircase potentiation for which the mechanism is unclear. In this study we tested the hypothesis that abolition of this length dependence by caffeine is effected by a mechanism independent of enhanced Ca2+ release. To test this hypothesis we have used caffeine, which abolishes length dependence of potentiation, and dantrolene sodium, which inhibits Ca2+ release. In situ isometric twitch contractions of rat gastrocnemius muscle before and after 20 s of repetitive stimulation at 5 Hz were analyzed at optimal length (Lo), Lo - 10%, and Lo + 10%. Potentiation was observed to be length dependent, with an increase in developed tension (DT) of 78 ± 12, 51 ± 5, and 34 ± 9% (mean ± SEM), at Lo - 10%, Lo, and Lo + 10%, respectively. Caffeine diminished the length dependence of activation and suppressed the length dependence of staircase potentiation, giving increases in DT of 65±13, 53 ± 11, and 45 ± 12% for Lo - 10%, Lo, and Lo + 10%, respectively. Dantrolene administered after caffeine did not reverse this effect. Dantrolene alone depressed the potentiation response, but did not affect the length dependence of staircase potentiation, with increases in DT of 58 ± 17, 26 ± 8, and 18 ± 7%, respectively. This study confirms that there is a length dependence of staircase potentiation in mammalian skeletal muscle which is suppressed by caffeine. Since dantrolene did not alter this suppression of the length dependence of potentiation by caffeine, it is apparently not directly modulated by Ca2+ availability in the myoplasm.

Muscle shortening increases sensitivity of fatigue to severe hypoxia in canine diaphragm

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 2309-2316 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. T. Ameredes ◽  
M. W. Julian ◽  
T. L. Clanton
Keyword(s):  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Isometric Tension ◽  
Severe Hypoxia ◽  
Mean Power ◽  
Tension Development ◽  
Moderate Hypoxia ◽  
O2 Supply ◽  
Mean Power Output

The effects of inspired O2 on diaphragm tension development during fatigue were assessed using isovelocity (n = 6) and isometric (n = 6) muscle contractions performed during a series of exposures to moderate hypoxia [fraction of inspired O2 (FIO2) = 0.13], hyperoxia (FIO2 = 1), and severe hypoxia (FIO2 = 0.09). Muscle strips were created in situ from the canine diaphragm, attached to a linear ergometer, and electrically stimulated (30 Hz) to contract (contraction = 1.5 s/relaxation = 2 s) from optimal muscle length (Lo = 8.9 cm). Isovelocity contractions shortened to 0.70 Lo, resulting in a mean power output of 210 mW/cm2. Fatigue trials of 35 min duration were performed while inspired O2 was sequentially changed between the experimental mixtures and normoxia (FIO2 = 0.21) for 5-min periods. In this series, severe hypoxia consistently decreased isovelocity tension development by an average of 0.1 kg/cm2 (P less than 0.05), which was followed by a recovery of tension (P less than 0.05) on return to normoxia. These responses were not consistently observed in isometric trials. Neither isovelocity nor isometric tension development was influenced by moderate hypoxia or hyperoxia. These results demonstrate that the in situ diaphragm is relatively insensitive to rapid changes in O2 supply over a broad range and that the tension development of the shortening diaphragm appears to be more susceptible to severe hypoxia during fatigue. This may reflect a difference in either the metabolic or blood flow characteristics of shortening contractions of the diaphragm.

Plasma catecholamines and their effect on blood lactate and muscle lactate output

1984 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. N. Stainsby ◽  
C. Sumners ◽  
G. M. Andrew
Keyword(s):  
Venous Blood ◽  
Plasma Catecholamines ◽  
Muscle Group ◽  
O2 Uptake ◽  
Plantaris Muscle ◽  
Muscle Lactate ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Lactate Output ◽  
Before And After

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) increase net muscle lactate output (L) of in situ gastrocnemius-plantaris muscle group during contractions. Plasma [E] and [NE] were measured before and after the surgical isolation of the muscle and at 10-min intervals during the 60-min experiments. Plasma [E] and [NE] were increased threefold by intravenous infusions of E (n = 3) or NE (n = 3) at a rate of 1.5 micrograms X kg body wt-1 X min-1. Arterial and muscle venous blood samples for O2 and lactate concentrations were also obtained. The infusions began at min 11 and repetitive isometric contractions (4 tw/s) began at min 31. The presurgery plasma [E] and [NE] averaged 0.34 and 0.52 ng/ml, respectively, and rose to 1.12 and 1.19 ng/ml 10 min after surgery. Arterial and venous lactate concentrations (CaL and CvL) increased continuously during E infusion but remained constant during NE infusion. Maximal L during the first 10 min of contractions was significantly increased compared with an identical earlier study without infusions. O2 uptake was not changed by the infusions. It is concluded that E causes CaL to rise and that both E and NE increase maximal net lactate output during contractions.

Enhanced arteriolar α-adrenergic constriction impairs dilator responses and skeletal muscle perfusion in obese Zucker rats

2004 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 764-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson C. Frisbee
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Muscle Blood Flow ◽  
Zucker Rats ◽  
Metabolic Demand ◽  
Obese Zucker Rats ◽  
Isometric Twitch ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscles

The present study tested the hypothesis that enhanced vascular α-adrenergic constriction in obese Zucker rats (OZR) impairs arteriolar dilation and perfusion of skeletal muscle at rest and with increased metabolic demand. In lean Zucker rats (LZR) and OZR, isolated gracilis arterioles were viewed via television microscopy, and the contralateral cremaster muscle or gastrocnemius muscle was prepared for study in situ. Gracilis and cremasteric arterioles were challenged with dilator stimuli under control conditions and after blockade of α-adrenoreceptors with prazosin, phentolamine, or yohimbine. Gastrocnemius muscles performed isometric twitch contractions of increasing frequency, and perfusion was continuously monitored. In OZR, dilator responses of arterioles to hypoxia (gracilis), wall shear rate (cremaster), acetylcholine, and iloprost (both) were impaired vs. LZR. Treatment with prazosin and phentolamine (and in cremasteric arterioles only, yohimbine) improved arteriolar reactivity to these stimuli in OZR, although responses remained impaired vs. LZR. Gastrocnemius muscle blood flow was reduced at rest in OZR; this was corrected with intravenous infusion of phentolamine or prazosin. At all contraction frequencies, blood flow was reduced in OZR vs. LZR; this was improved by infusion of phentolamine or prazosin at low-moderate metabolic demand only (1 and 3 Hz). At 5 Hz, adrenoreceptor blockade did not alter blood flow in OZR from levels in untreated rats. These results suggest that enhanced α-adrenergic constriction of arterioles of OZR contributes to impaired dilator responses and reduced muscle blood flow at rest and with mild-moderate (although not with large) elevations in metabolic demand.

Functional and metabolic consequences of skeletal muscle remodeling in hypothyroidism

1991 ◽  
Vol 260 (2) ◽  
pp. E272-E279 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. McAllister ◽  
R. W. Ogilvie ◽  
R. L. Terjung
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Type I ◽  
Tetanic Contraction ◽  
Plantaris Muscle ◽  
Tension Development ◽  
Fiber Area ◽  
And Control ◽  
Muscle Remodeling

Functional and metabolic responses of hypothyroid skeletal muscle were evaluated during steady-state isometric contraction conditions, using an isolated perfused rat hindlimb preparation. Treating rats with propylthiouracil (PTU) for 4-5 mo resulted in a 55% decrease (P less than 0.001) in citrate synthase activity in plantaris muscle and phenotypic remodeling of the plantaris, evident by a threefold increase in type I fiber area and a 13% decrease in type II fiber area. Perfusion of PTU (n = 9) and control (n = 9) rat hindlimbs of similar size, with similar inflow (approximately 10 ml/min) and oxygen content (approximately 20 g/100 ml), resulted in similar oxygen deliveries to the contracting muscles (PTU 11.4 +/- 0.58, control 9.54 +/- 0.75 mumol.min-1.g-1; P greater than 0.05). Ten-minute tetanic contraction (100 ms at 100 Hz) periods at 4, 8, 15, 30, and 45 tetani/min were elicited in consecutive ascending order. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was lower in the PTU group at all contraction frequencies (P less than 0.005), with a decrease in peak VO2 of 44% (PTU 3.01 +/- 0.29, control 5.35 +/- 0.42 mumol.min-1.g-1; P less than 0.001). Oxygen extraction by the PTU muscle was only approximately 25% of that delivered. Developed tension was initially less (15%; P less than 0.05) in the PTU group but declined in a similar manner, as a percent of initial, to that of the control group. The slightly lower absolute tension development of the PTU muscle could not account for the large reduction in VO2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

scholarly journals Arsenazo III and antipyrylazo III calcium transients in single skeletal muscle fibers.

1982 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 679-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Palade ◽  
J Vergara
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Voltage Clamp ◽  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Calcium Transients ◽  
Arsenazo Iii ◽  
Tension Development ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Fibers ◽  
Concentration Changes

The metallochrome calcium indicators arsenazo III and antipyrylazo III have been introduced individually into cut single frog skeletal muscle fibers from which calcium transients have been elicited either by action potential stimulation or by voltage-clamp pulses of up to 50 ms in duration. Calcium transients recorded with both dyes at selected wavelengths have similar characteristics when elicited by action potentials. Longer voltage-clamp pulse stimulation reveals differences in the late phases of the optical signals obtained with the two dyes. The effects of different tension blocking methods on Ca transients were compared experimentally. Internal application of EGTA at concentrations up to 3 mM was demonstrated to be efficient in blocking movement artifacts without affecting Ca transients. Higher EGTA concentrations affect the Ca signals' characteristics. Differential effects of internally applied EGTA on tension development as opposed to calcium transients suggest that diffusion with binding from Ca++ release sites to filament overlap sites may be significant. The spectral characteristics of the absorbance transients recorded with arsenazo III suggest that in situ recorded signals cannot be easily interpreted in terms of Ca concentration changes. A more exhaustic knowledge of the dye chemistry and/or in situ complications in the use of the dye will be necessary.

Length-dependent potentiation and myosin light chain phosphorylation in rat gastrocnemius muscle

1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (1) ◽  
pp. C198-C204 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Rassier ◽  
L. A. Tubman ◽  
B. R. MacIntosh
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Repetitive Stimulation ◽  
Mammalian Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Optimal Length ◽  
Regulatory Light Chains ◽  
Dependent Change

Changes in muscle length affect the degree of staircase potentiation in skeletal muscle, but the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that length-dependent change in staircase is modulated by phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chains (RLC), since this is believed to be the main mechanism of potentiation. In situ isometric contractile responses of rat gastrocnemius muscle during 10 s of repetitive stimulation at 10 Hz were analyzed at optimal length (Lo), Lo - 10%, and Lo + 10%. The degree of enhancement of developed tension during 10 s of repetitive stimulation was observed to be length dependent, with increases of 118.5 +/- 7.8, 63.1 +/- 3.9, and 45.6 +/- 4.1% (means +/- SE) at Lo - 10%, Lo, and Lo + 10%, respectively. Staircase was accompanied by increases in the average rate of force development of 105.6 +/- 7.7, 55.6 +/- 4.1, and 37.2 +/- 4.4% for Lo - 10%, Lo, and Lo + 10%, respectively. RLC phosphorylation after 10 s of 10-Hz stimulation was higher than under resting conditions but not different among Lo - 10% (40 +/- 3.5%), Lo (35 +/- 3.5%), and Lo + 10% (41 +/- 3.5%). This study shows that there is a length dependence of staircase potentiation in mammalian skeletal muscle that may not be directly modulated by RLC phosphorylation. Interaction of RLC phosphorylation with length-dependent changes in Ca2+ release and intermyofilament spacing may explain these observations.

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