Force-length relation of isometric sarcomeres in fixed-end tetani

1993 ◽  
Vol 264 (1) ◽  
pp. C19-C26 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Horowitz ◽  
G. H. Pollack

The higher force observed in fixed-end tetani relative to sarcomere-isometric tetani is commonly attributed to sarcomere length inhomogeneity; sarcomeres in the end regions of the fiber shorten extensively at the expense of the central sarcomeres. By shortening, these sarcomeres supposedly attain higher force production capacity and can thus account for the extra force. However, the fibers could also contain sarcomeres that stay isometric throughout most of the tetanic force plateau. If such sarcomeres undergo slight shortening before their isometric phase, their force-length relation should be elevated (A. Horowitz, H. P. M Wussling, and G. H. Pollack. Biophys. J. 63: 3-17, 1992). These sarcomeres may therefore account for the higher force in fixed-end tetani. To test this possibility, single frog semitendinosus fibers were tetanized under fixed-end conditions. Sarcomere length change during the tetanus was measured at different locations along the fiber by optical diffraction. Fibers stretched to average sarcomere lengths between 2.2 and 3.2 microns contained sarcomeres that, except for some initial shortening during the early part of the tetanus, remained isometric. These sarcomeres were located between the ends and the central region of the fibers. Their force-length relation was higher than the linear force-length relation based on sarcomere length clamps by an average of 14% between sarcomere lengths of 2.4-3.2 microns. Thus slight (1-5%) shortening may explain the relatively higher fixed-end force-length relation.

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 374-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urs Granacher ◽  
Markus Gruber ◽  
Albert Gollhofer

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Raoof ◽  
I Kraincanic

Using theoretical parametric studies covering a wide range of cable (and wire) diameters and lay angles, the range of validity of various approaches used for analysing helical cables are critically examined. Numerical results strongly suggest that for multi-layered steel strands with small wire/cable diameter ratios, the bending and torsional stiffnesses of the individual wires may safely be ignored when calculating the 2 × 2 matrix for strand axial/torsional stiffnesses. However, such bending and torsional wire stiffnesses are shown to be first order parameters in analysing the overall axial and torsional stiffnesses of, say, seven wire stands, especially under free-fixed end conditions with respect to torsional movements. Interwire contact deformations are shown to be of great importance in evaluating the axial and torsional stiffnesses of large diameter multi-layered steel strands. Their importance diminishes as the number of wires associated with smaller diameter cables decreases. Using a modified version of a previously reported theoretical model for analysing multilayered instrumentation cables, the importance of allowing for the influence of contact deformations in compliant layers on cable overall characteristics such as axial or torsional stiffnesses is demonstrated by theoretical numerical results. In particular, non-Hertzian contact formulations are used to obtain the interlayer compliances in instrumentation cables in preference to a previously reported model employing Hertzian theory with its associated limitations.


2001 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 734-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Wang ◽  
Peter D. Paré ◽  
Chun Y. Seow

The ability of rabbit trachealis to undergo plastic adaptation to chronic shortening or lengthening was assessed by setting the muscle preparations at three lengths for 24 h in relaxed state: a reference length in which applied force was ∼1–2% of maximal active force (Po) and lengths considerably shorter and longer than the reference. Passive and active length-tension ( L-T) curves for the preparations were then obtained by electrical field stimulation at progressively increasing muscle length. Classically shaped L-T curves were obtained with a distinct optimal length ( L o) at which Podeveloped; however, both the active and passive L-T curves were shifted, whereas Po remained unchanged. L o was 72% and 148% that of the reference preparations for the passively shortened and lengthened muscles, respectively. The results suggest that chronic narrowing of the airways could induce a shift in the L-T relationship of smooth muscle, resulting in a maintained potential for maximal force production.


1956 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-508
Author(s):  
R. A. Di Taranto

Abstract Herein is presented a means for calculating the static deflections, slopes, moments, and shears of a nonuniform beam on two supports for any end conditions and on three simple supports when subjected to concentrated loads and/or concentrated moments. The method is an extension of a simple tabular procedure as used by Myklestad (1) for use on a desk calculator or electronic digital computer. The procedure is such that it may be easily carried out by one who need not have any knowledge of beam theory. Influence coefficients may be easily and directly calculated for nonuniform beams on two and three elastic supports. The two-support beam is formulated for simply supported one overhang, two supports with linear and torsional springs, and fixed-fixed end conditions. Extensions of this method to any other boundary conditions are indicated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricarda M. Haeger ◽  
Dilson E. Rassier

AbstractWhen a muscle is stretched during a contraction, the resulting steady-state force is higher than the isometric force produced at a comparable sarcomere length. This phenomenon, also referred to as residual force enhancement, cannot be readily explained by the force-sarcomere length relation. One of the most accepted mechanisms for the residual force enhancement is the development of sarcomere length non-uniformities after an active stretch. The aim of this study was to directly investigate the effect of non-uniformities on the force-producing capabilities of isolated myofibrils after they are actively stretched. We evaluated the effect of depleting a single A-band on sarcomere length non-uniformity and residual force enhancement. We observed that sarcomere length non-uniformity was effectively increased following A-band depletion. Furthermore, isometric forces decreased, while the percent residual force enhancement increased compared to intact myofibrils (5% vs. 20%). We conclude that sarcomere length non-uniformities are partially responsible for the enhanced force production after stretch.


2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean Culver ◽  
Bryan Glaz ◽  
Samuel Stanton

Abstract Animal skeletal muscle exhibits very interesting behavior at near-stall forces (when the muscle is loaded so strongly that it can barely contract). Near this physical limit, the myosin II proteins may be unable to reach advantageous actin binding sites through simple attractive forces. It has been shown that the advantageous utilization of thermal agitation is a likely source for an increased force-production capacity and reach in myosin-V (a processing motor protein), and here we explore the dynamics of a molecular motor without hand-over-hand motion including Brownian motion to show how local elastic energy well boundaries may be overcome. We revisit a spatially two-dimensional mechanical model to illustrate how thermal agitation can be harvested for useful mechanical work in molecular machinery inspired by this biomechanical phenomenon without rate functions or empirically inspired spatial potential functions. Additionally, the model accommodates variable lattice spacing, and it paves the way for a full three-dimensional model of cross-bridge interactions where myosin II may be azimuthally misaligned with actin binding sites. With potential energy sources based entirely on realizable components, this model lends itself to the design of artificial, molecular-scale motors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S M Cox ◽  
K L Easton ◽  
M Cromie Lear ◽  
R L Marsh ◽  
S L Delp ◽  
...  

Synopsis A muscle’s performance is influenced by where it operates on its force–length (F–L) curve. Here we explore how activation and tendon compliance interact to influence muscle operating lengths and force-generating capacity. To study this, we built a musculoskeletal model of the lower limb of the guinea fowl and simulated the F–L operating range during fixed-end fixed-posture contractions for 39 actuators under thousands of combinations of activation and posture using three different muscle models: Muscles with non-compliant tendons, muscles with compliant tendons but no activation-dependent shift in optimal fiber length (L0), and muscles with both compliant tendons and activation-dependent shifts in L0. We found that activation-dependent effects altered muscle fiber lengths up to 40% and increased or decreased force capacity by up to 50% during fixed-end contractions. Typically, activation-compliance effects reduce muscle force and are dominated by the effects of tendon compliance at high activations. At low activation, however, activation-dependent shifts in L0 are equally important and can result in relative force changes for low compliance muscles of up to 60%. There are regions of the F–L curve in which muscles are most sensitive to compliance and there are troughs of influence where these factors have little effect. These regions are hard to predict, though, because the magnitude and location of these areas of high and low sensitivity shift with compliance level. In this study we provide a map for when these effects will meaningfully influence force capacity and an example of their contributions to force production during a static task, namely standing.


2005 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 1753-1760 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. P. Wright ◽  
P. F. Klawitter ◽  
D. F. Iscru ◽  
A. J. Merola ◽  
T. L. Clanton

Acute exposure to severe hypoxia depresses contractile function and induces adaptations in skeletal muscle that are only partially understood. Previous studies have demonstrated that antioxidants (AOXs) given during hypoxia partially protect contractile function, but this has not been a universal finding. This study confirms that specific AOXs, known to act primarily as superoxide scavengers, protect contractile function in severe hypoxia. Furthermore, the hypothesis is tested that the mechanism of protection involves preservation of high-energy phosphates (ATP, creatine phosphate) and reductions of Pi. Rat diaphragm muscle strips were treated with AOXs and subjected to 30 min of hypoxia. Contractile function was examined by using twitch and tetanic stimulations and the degree of elevation in passive force occurring during hypoxia (contracture). High-energy phosphates were measured at the end of 30-min hypoxia exposure. Treatment with the superoxide scavengers 4,5-dihydroxy-1,3-benzenedisulfonic acid (Tiron, 10 mM) or Mn(III)tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphyrin pentachloride (50 μM) suppressed contracture during hypoxia and protected maximum tetanic force. N-acetylcysteine (10 or 18 mM) had no influence on tetanic force production. Contracture during hypoxia without AOXs was also shown to be dependent on the extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Although hypoxia resulted in only small reductions in ATP concentration, creatine phosphate concentration was decreased to ∼10% of control. There were no consistent influences of the AOX treatments on high-energy phosphates during hypoxia. The results demonstrate that superoxide scavengers can protect contractile function and reduce contracture in hypoxia through a mechanism that does not involve preservation of high-energy phosphates.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document