Skeletal muscle characteristics in sedentary black and Caucasian males

1986 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 1758-1761 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Ama ◽  
J. A. Simoneau ◽  
M. R. Boulay ◽  
O. Serresse ◽  
G. Theriault ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Oxidative Enzymes ◽  
Type I ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Black African ◽  
Significant Difference

Twenty-three male Black African and 23 male Caucasian subjects, ascertained as sedentary, participated in this study designed to determine whether there were differences in skeletal muscle histochemical and biochemical characteristics between racial groups. Muscle fiber type proportions (I, IIa, and IIb), fiber areas and activities of several enzyme markers of different energy metabolic pathways were determined from a biopsy of the vastus lateralis. Results indicated that Caucasians had a higher percent type I (8%, P less than 0.01) and a lower percent type IIa (6.7%, P less than 0.05) fiber proportions than Africans. No significant differences were observed between the two racial groups in the type IIb fiber proportion or in the three fiber type areas. Enzymes catalyzing reactions in phosphagenic [creatine kinase (CK)] and glycolytic [hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] metabolic pathways had significantly higher activities (about 30–40%) in the Black African group than in the Caucasian group (P less than 0.01). No significant difference was noted in the activities of oxidative enzymes [malate dehydrogenase (MDH), oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH), and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HADH)]. Consequently, the PFK/OGDH ratio was significantly elevated in Africans (P less than 0.05). The racial differences observed between Africans and Caucasians in fiber type proportion and enzyme activities of the phosphagenic and glycolytic metabolic pathways may well result from inherited variation. These data suggest that sedentary male Black individuals are, in terms of skeletal muscle characteristics, well endowed for sport events of short duration.

In vitro human masseter muscle hypersensitivity: a possible explanation for increase in masseter tone

1996 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 1547-1553 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Adnet ◽  
H. Reyford ◽  
B. M. Tavernier ◽  
T. Etchrivi ◽  
I. Krivosic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Masseter Muscle ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Threshold Concentration ◽  
Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽  
Type I ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Maximal Tension

To determine whether a difference in fiber-type caffeine and Ca2+ sensitivities exists between human masseter and vastus lateralis skeletal muscle, we compared the fiber-type caffeine sensitivities in chemically skinned muscle fibers from 13 masseter and 18 vastus lateralis muscles. Caffeine sensitivity was defined as the threshold concentration inducing > 10% of the maximal tension obtained after the fiber was loaded with a 1.6 x 10(-2) mM Ca2+ solution for 30 s. Significant difference in the mean caffeine sensitivity was found between type I masseter fibers [2.57 +/- 1.32 (SD) mM] vs. type I (6.02 +/- 1.74 mM) and type II vastus lateralis fibers (11.25 +/- 3.13 mM). Maximal Ca(2+)-activated force per cross-sectional area was significantly different between masseter and vastus lateralis fibers. However, the Ca2+ concentration corresponding to half-maximal tension (pCa50) was not significantly different between type I masseter (pCa50 5.9 +/- 0.02) and type I vastus lateralis muscle (pCa50 6.01 +/- 0.08). These results suggest that the increase in caffeine sensitivity of masseter muscle reflects the presence of a low reactivity threshold of the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Human and Rat Skeletal Muscle Adaptations to Spinal Cord Injury

2003 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris M. Gregory ◽  
Krista Vandenborne ◽  
Michael J. Castro ◽  
G. Alton Dudley
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Type I ◽  
Glycerol Phosphate ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Muscle Plasticity ◽  
Cord Injury

Results of studies of rodent skeletal muscle plasticity are often extrapolated to humans. However, responses to "disuse" may be species specific, in part because of different inherent properties of anatomically similar muscles. Thus, this study quantified human and rat m. vastus lateralis (VL) fiber adaptations to 11 weeks of spinal cord injury (SCI). The m. VL was taken from 8 young (54 d) male Charles River rats after T-9 laminectomy (n = 4) or sham surgery (n = 4). In addition, the m. VL was biopsied in 7 able-bodied and in 7 SCI humans (31.3 ± 4.7 years, mean ± SE). Samples were sectioned and fibers were analyzed for type (I, IIa, IIb/x), cross-sectional area (CSA), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), α-glycerol-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), and actomyosin adenosine triphosphatase (qATPase) activities. Rat fibers had 1.5- to 2-fold greater SDH and GPDH activities while their fibers were 60% the size of those in humans. The most striking differences, however, were the absence of slow fibers in the rat and its four-fold greater proportion of IIb/x fibers (80% vs. 16% of the CSA) compared to humans. SCI decreased SDH activity more in rats whereas atrophy and IIa to IIb/x fiber shift occurred to a greater extent in humans. It is suggested that the rat is a reasonable model for studying the predominant response to SCI, atrophy. However, its high proportion of IIb/x fibers limits evaluation of the mechanical consequences of shifting to "faster" contractile machinery after SCI. Key words: enzyme, fiber type, disuse, biopsy

Do skeletal muscle phenotypic characteristics of Xhosa and Caucasian endurance runners differ when matched for training and racing distances?

2007 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 932-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tertius A. Kohn ◽  
Birgitta Essén-Gustavsson ◽  
Kathryn H. Myburgh
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽  
Type I ◽  
Endurance Running ◽  
Exercise Tests ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Endurance Runners

Although East African black athletes dominate endurance running events, it is unknown whether black and white endurance runners with similar racing ability, matched for training, may differ in their skeletal muscle biochemical phenotype. Thirteen Xhosa (XR) and 13 Caucasian (CR) endurance runners were recruited and matched for 10-km performance, average preferred racing distance (PRDA), and training volume. Submaximal and maximal exercise tests were done, and vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were taken. XR were significantly lighter and shorter than CR athletes but had similar maximum oxygen consumption corrected for body weight and peak treadmill speed (PTS). XR had lower plasma lactate concentrations at 80% PTS ( P < 0.05) compared with CR. Also, XR had more type IIA (42.4 ± 9.2 vs. 31.3 ± 11.5%, P < 0.05) and less type I fibers (47.8 ± 10.9 vs. 63.1 ± 13.2%, P < 0.05), although oxidative enzyme activities did not differ. Furthermore, XR compared with CR had higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in homogenate muscle samples (383 ± 99 vs. 229 ± 85 μmol·min−1·g dry weight−1, P < 0.05) and in both type IIa ( P < 0.05) and type I ( P = 0.05) single-fiber pools. A marked difference ( P < 0.05) in the composition of LDH isoform content was found between the two groups with XR having higher levels of LDH5-4 isoforms (skeletal muscle isozymes; LDH-M) than CR, which was not accounted for by fiber-type differences alone. These results confirm differences in muscle phenotype and physiological characteristics, particularly associated with high-intensity running.

Variablity in vastus lateralis fiber type distribution, fiber size and myonuclear content along and the between legs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Horwath ◽  
Helena Envall ◽  
Julia Röja ◽  
Eric Bengt Emanuelsson ◽  
Gema Sanz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Human Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Domain Size ◽  
Type I ◽  
Longitudinal Orientation ◽  
Type Composition ◽  
Fiber Size ◽  
Myonuclear Domain

Human skeletal muscle characteristics such as fiber type composition, fiber size and myonuclear content are widely studied in clinical and sports related contexts. Being aware of the methodological and biological variability of the characteristics is a critical aspect in study design and outcome interpretation, but comprehensive data on the variability of morphological features in human skeletal muscle is currently limited. Accordingly, in the present study, m. vastus lateralis biopsies (10 per subject) from young and healthy individuals, collected in a systematic manner, were analyzed for various characteristics using immunohistochemistry (n=7) and SDS-PAGE (n=25). None of the analyzed parameters; fiber type % (FT%), type I and II CSA (fCSA), percentage fiber type area (fCSA%), myosin heavy chain composition (MyHC%), type IIX content, myonuclear content or myonuclear domain varied in a systematic manner longitudinally along the muscle or between the two legs. The average within subject coefficient of variation for FT%, fCSA, fCSA%, and MyHC% ranged between 13-18%, but was only 5% for fiber specific myonuclear content, which reduced the variability for myonuclear domain size to 11-12%. Pure type IIX fibers and type IIX MyHC were randomly distributed and present in <24% of the analyzed samples, with the average content being 0.1 and 1.1%, respectively. In conclusion, leg or longitudinal orientation does not seem to be an important aspect to consider when investigating human vastus lateralis characteristics. However, single muscle biopsies should preferably not be used when studying fiber type and fiber size related aspects given the notable sample to sample variability.

Metabolic and anthropometric factors related to skeletal muscle UCP3 gene expression in healthy human adults

2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (4) ◽  
pp. E631-E637 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Calsbeek ◽  
T. L. Thompson ◽  
J. A. Dahl ◽  
N. R. Stob ◽  
J. T. Brozinick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Stepwise Multiple Regression ◽  
Staining Procedure ◽  
Type I ◽  
Healthy Human ◽  
Plasma Leptin

This cross-sectional investigation sought to determine the relationship between selected metabolic, endocrine, and anthropometric factors and skeletal muscle UCP3 mRNA in healthy adult humans. Twenty-four healthy adults (13 male and 11 female) across a range of aerobic capacity, age, and body composition were studied. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis, from which UCP3 mRNA was quantified by Northern blot, and fiber type was determined by use of the myosin ATPase staining procedure. In addition, resting energy expenditure and maximum rate of oxygen consumption were determined by indirect calorimetry, body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and fasting plasma leptin and insulin were determined by ELISA. UCP3 mRNA was correlated positively with the percent type I fibers ( r = 0.842, P < 0.001), plasma leptin ( r = 0.454, P = 0.026), and plasma insulin ( r = 0.615, P < 0.001) and inversely to age ( r = −0.411, P = 0.046). Stepwise multiple regression analysis determined that percent type I muscle fibers was the best predictor of vastus lateralis UCP3 mRNA, and no other variable entered the equation (model r 2 = 0.66). This study suggests that of the variables measured, UCP3 mRNA is primarily related to skeletal muscle fiber type in healthy adults. The factors that contribute to fiber-specific differences in UCP3 mRNA expression will need to be examined in future studies.

Operation Everest II: adaptations in human skeletal muscle

1989 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 2454-2461 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Green ◽  
J. R. Sutton ◽  
A. Cymerman ◽  
P. M. Young ◽  
C. S. Houston
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Succinic Dehydrogenase ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Distribution Type

Adaptations in skeletal muscle in response to progressive hypobaria were investigated in eight male subjects [maximal O2 uptake = 51.2 +/- 3.0 (SE) ml.kg-1.min-1] over 40 days of progressive decompression to the stimulated altitude of the summit of Mt. Everest. Samples of the vastus lateralis muscle extracted before decompression (SL-1), at 380 and 282 Torr, and on return to sea level (SL-2) indicated that maximal activities of enzymes representative of the citric acid cycle, beta-oxidation, glycogenolysis, glycolysis, glucose phosphorylation, and high-energy phosphate transfer were unchanged (P greater than 0.05) at 380 and 282 Torr over initial SL-1 values. After exposure to 282 Torr, however, representing an additional period of approximately 7 days, reductions (P less than 0.05) were noted in succinic dehydrogenase (21%), citrate synthetase (37%), and hexokinase (53%) between SL-2 and 380 Torr. No changes were found in the other enzymes. Capillarization as measured by the number of capillaries per cross-sectional area (CC/FA) was increased (P less than 0.05) in both type I (0.94 +/- 0.8 vs. 1.16 +/- 0.05) and type II (0.84 +/- 0.07 vs. 1.05 +/- 0.08) fibers between SL-1 and SL-2. This increase was mediated by a reduction in fiber area. No changes were found in fiber-type distribution (type I vs. type II). These findings do not support the hypothesis, at least in humans, that, at the level of the muscle cell, extreme hypobaric hypoxia elicits adaptations directed toward maximizing oxidative function.

Single-fiber expression and fiber-specific adaptability to short-term intense exercise training of Na+-K+-ATPase α- and β-isoforms in human skeletal muscle

2015 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. 699-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. L. Wyckelsma ◽  
M. J. McKenna ◽  
F. R. Serpiello ◽  
C. R. Lamboley ◽  
R. J. Aughey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Human Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Single Fiber ◽  
Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽  
Type I ◽  
Fiber Types ◽  
Functional Roles

The Na+-K+-ATPase (NKA) plays a key role in muscle excitability, but little is known in human skeletal muscle about fiber-type-specific differences in NKA isoform expression or adaptability. A vastus lateralis muscle biopsy was taken in 17 healthy young adults to contrast NKA isoform protein relative abundance between type I and IIa fibers. We further investigated muscle fiber-type-specific NKA adaptability in eight of these adults following 4-wk repeated-sprint exercise (RSE) training, comprising three sets of 5 × 4-s sprints, 3 days/wk. Single fibers were separated, and myosin heavy chain (I and IIa) and NKA (α1–3 and β1–3) isoform abundance were determined via Western blotting. All six NKA isoforms were expressed in both type I and IIa fibers. No differences between fiber types were found for α1-, α2-, α3-, β1-, or β3-isoform abundances. The NKA β2-isoform was 27% more abundant in type IIa than type I fibers ( P < 0.05), with no other fiber-type-specific trends evident. RSE training increased β1 in type IIa fibers (pretraining 0.70 ± 0.25, posttraining 0.84 ± 0.24 arbitrary units, 42%, P < 0.05). No training effects were found for other NKA isoforms. Thus human skeletal muscle expresses all six NKA isoforms and not in a fiber-type-specific manner; this points to their different functional roles in skeletal muscle cells. Detection of elevated NKA β1 after RSE training demonstrates the sensitivity of the single-fiber Western blotting technique for fiber-type-specific intervention effects.

Human skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake and muscle function with aging and strength training

1999 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 1858-1865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra K. Hunter ◽  
Martin W. Thompson ◽  
Patricia A. Ruell ◽  
Alison R. Harmer ◽  
Jeanette M. Thom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Atpase Activity ◽  
High Resistance ◽  
Elderly Women ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Type I ◽  
Fiber Types

This study investigated the adaptations of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ uptake, relaxation, and fiber types in young (YW) and elderly women (EW) to high-resistance training. Seventeen YW (18–32 yr) and 11 EW (64–79 yr) were assessed for 1) electrically evoked relaxation time and rate of the quadriceps femoris; and 2) maximal rates of SR Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+-ATPase activity and relative fiber-type areas, analyzed from muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis. EW had significantly slower relaxation rates and times, decreased SR Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+-ATPase activity, and a larger relative type I fiber area than did YW. A subgroup of 9 young (YWT) and 10 elderly women (EWT) performed 12 wk of high-resistance training (8 repetition maximum) of the quadriceps and underwent identical testing procedures pre- and posttraining. EWT significantly increased their SR Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+-ATPase activity in response to training but showed no alterations in speed of relaxation or relative fiber-type areas. In YWT none of the variables was altered after resistance training. These findings suggest that 1) a reduced SR Ca2+ uptake in skeletal muscle of elderly women was partially reversed with resistance training and 2) SR Ca2+ uptake in the vastus lateralis was not the rate-limiting mechanism for the slowing of relaxation measured from electrically evoked quadriceps muscle of elderly women.

Lower limb skeletal muscle function after 6 wk of bed rest

1997 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 182-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. E. Berg ◽  
L. Larsson ◽  
P. A. Tesch
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Bed Rest ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Type I ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Function

Berg, H. E., L. Larsson, and P. A. Tesch. Lower limb skeletal muscle function after 6 wk of bed rest. J. Appl. Physiol. 82(1): 182–188, 1997.—Force, electromyographic (EMG) activity, muscle mass, and fiber characteristics were studied in seven healthy men before and after 6 wk of bed rest. Maximum voluntary isometric and concentric knee extensor torque decreased ( P < 0.05) uniformly across angular velocities by 25–30% after bed rest. Maximum quadricep rectified EMG decreased by 19 ± 23%, whereas submaximum (100-Nm isometric action) EMG increased by 44 ± 28%. Knee extensor muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), assessed by using magnetic resonance imaging, decreased by 14 ± 4%. Maximum torque per knee extensor CSA decreased by 13 ± 9%. Vastus lateralis fiber CSA decreased 18 ± 14%. Neither type I, IIA, and IIB fiber percentages nor their relative proportions of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms were altered after bed rest. Because the decline in strength could not be entirely accounted for by decreased muscle CSA, it is suggested that the strength loss is also due to factors resulting in decreased neural input to muscle and/or reduced specific tension of muscle, as evidenced by a decreased torque/EMG ratio. Additionally, it is concluded that muscle unloading in humans does not induce important changes in fiber type or MHC composition or in vivo muscle contractile properties.

Influence of complete spinal cord injury on skeletal muscle within 6 mo of injury

1999 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 350-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Castro ◽  
David F. Apple ◽  
Robert S. Staron ◽  
Gerson E. R. Campos ◽  
Gary A. Dudley
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽  
Type I ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Lateralis Muscle ◽  
Type I Fibers ◽  
Femoris Muscle ◽  
Over Time

This study examined the influence of spinal cord injury (SCI) on affected skeletal muscle. The right vastus lateralis muscle was biopsied in 12 patients as soon as they were clinically stable (average 6 wk after SCI), and 11 and 24 wk after injury. Samples were also taken from nine able-bodied controls at two time points 18 wk apart. Surface electrical stimulation (ES) was applied to the left quadriceps femoris muscle to assess fatigue at these same time intervals. Biopsies were analyzed for fiber type percent and cross-sectional area (CSA), fiber type-specific succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activities, and myosin heavy chain percent. Controls showed no change in any variable over time. Patients showed 27–56% atrophy ( P = 0.000) of type I, IIa, and IIax+IIx fibers from 6 to 24 wk after injury, resulting in fiber CSA approximately one-third that of controls. Their fiber type specific SDH and GPDH activities increased ( P ≤ 0.001) from 32 to 90% over the 18 wk, thereby approaching or surpassing control values. The relative CSA of type I fibers and percentage of myosin heavy chain type I did not change. There was apparent conversion among type II fiber subtypes; type IIa decreased and type IIax+IIx increased ( P ≤ 0.012). Force loss during ES did not change over time for either group but was greater ( P = 0.000) for SCI patients than for controls overall (27 vs. 9%). The results indicate that vastus lateralis muscle shows marked fiber atrophy, no change in the proportion of type I fibers, and a relative independence of metabolic enzyme levels from activation during the first 24 wk after clinically complete SCI. Over this time, quadriceps femoris muscle showed moderately greater force loss during ES in patients than in controls. It is suggested that the predominant response of mixed human skeletal muscle within 6 mo of SCI is loss of contractile protein. Therapeutic interventions could take advantage of this to increase muscle mass.

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