scholarly journals A novel technique for nonvolitional assessment of quadriceps muscle endurance in humans

2007 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 739-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. B. Swallow ◽  
H. R. Gosker ◽  
K. A. Ward ◽  
A. J. Moore ◽  
M. J. Dayer ◽  
...  

Assessment of quadriceps endurance is of interest to investigators studying human disease. We hypothesized that repetitive magnetic stimulation (rMS) of the intramuscular branches of the femoral nerve could be used to induce and quantify quadriceps endurance. To test this hypothesis, we used a novel stimulating coil to compare the quadriceps endurance properties in eight normal humans and, to confirm that the technique could be used in clinical practice, in eight patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To validate the method, we compared in vivo contractile properties of the quadriceps muscle with the fiber-type composition and oxidative enzyme capacity. We used a Magstim Rapid2 magnetic nerve stimulator with the coil wrapped around the quadriceps. Stimuli were given at 30 Hz, a duty cycle of 0.4 (2 s on, 3 s off), and for 50 trains. Force generation and the surface electromyogram were measured throughout. Quadriceps twitch force, elicited by supramaximal magnetic stimulation of the femoral nerve, was measured before and after the protocol. Quadriceps muscle biopsies were analyzed for oxidative (citrate synthase, CS) and glycolytic (phosphofructokinase, PFK) enzyme activity and myosin heavy chain isoform protein expression. The time for force to fall to 70% of baseline (T70) was shorter in the COPD group than the control group: 55.6 ± 26.0 vs. 121 ± 38.7 s ( P = 0.0014). Considering patients and controls together, positive correlations were observed between T70 and the proportion of type I fibers ( r = 0.68, P = 0.004) and CS-to-PFK ratio (CS/PFK) ( r = 0.67, P = 0.005). We conclude that quadriceps endurance assessed using rMS is feasible in clinical studies.

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 226-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Pereira ◽  
R. Curi ◽  
E. Kokubun ◽  
E. J. Bechara

5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a heme precursor that accumulates in acute intermittent porphyria patients and lead-exposed individuals, has previously been shown to autoxidize with generation of reactive oxygen species and to cause in vitro oxidative damage to rat liver mitochondria. We now demonstrate that chronically ALA-treated rats (40 mg/kg body wt every 2 days for 15 days) exhibit decreased mitochondrial enzymatic activities (superoxide dismutase, citrate synthase) in liver and soleus (type I, red) and gastrocnemius (type IIb, white) muscle fibers. Previous adaptation of rats to endurance exercise, indicated by augmented (cytosolic) CuZn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) and (mitochondrial) Mn-SOD activities in several organs, does not protect the animals against liver and soleus mitochondrial damage promoted by intraperitoneal injections of ALA. This is suggested by loss of citrate synthase and Mn-SOD activities and elevation of serum lactate levels, concomitant to decreased glycogen content in soleus and the red portion of gastrocnemius (type IIa) fibers of both sedentary and swimming-trained ALA-treated rats. In parallel, the type IIb gastrocnemius fibers, which are known to obtain energy mainly by glycolysis, do not undergo these biochemical changes. Consistently, ALA-treated rats under swimming training reach fatigue significantly earlier than the control group. These results indicate that ALA may be an important prooxidant in vivo.


1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (6) ◽  
pp. C1699-C1713 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Schluter ◽  
R. H. Fitts

Mechanical properties were measured in single skinned fibers from rat hindlimb muscle to test the hypothesis that the fast type IIb fiber exhibits a higher maximal shortening velocity (Vo) than the fast type IIa fiber and that the difference is directly attributable to a higher myofibrillar adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activity in the type IIb fiber. Additional measurements were made to test the hypotheses that regular endurance exercise increases and decreases the Vo of the type I and IIa fiber, respectively, and that the altered Vo is associated with a corresponding change in the fiber ATPase activity. Rats were exercised by 8-12 wk of treadmill running for 2 h/day, 5 day/wk, up a 15% grade at a speed of 27 m/min. Fiber Vo was determined by the slack test, and the ATPase was measured fluorometrically in the same fiber. The myosin isozyme profile of each fiber was subsequently determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The mean +/- SE Vo (7.9 +/- 0.22 fiber lengths/s) of the type IIb fiber was significantly greater than the type IIa fiber (4.4 +/- 0.21 fiber lengths/s), and the higher Vo was associated with a higher ATPase activity (927 +/- 70 vs. 760 +/- 60 microM.min-1.mm-3). The exercise program induced cardiac hypertrophy and an approximately twofold increase in the mitochondrial marker enzyme citrate synthase. Exercise had no effect on fiber diameter or peak tension per cross-sectional area in any fiber type, but, importantly, it significantly increased (23%) both the Vo and the ATPase activity of the slow type I fiber of the soleus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


2003 ◽  
Vol 284 (3) ◽  
pp. E541-E548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Ann Petersen ◽  
Patrick T. Fueger ◽  
Deanna P. Bracy ◽  
David H. Wasserman ◽  
Amy E. Halseth

The aim of this study was to determine barriers limiting muscle glucose uptake (MGU) during increased glucose flux created by raising blood glucose in the presence of fixed insulin. The determinants of the maximal velocity ( V max) of MGU in muscles of different fiber types were defined. Conscious rats were studied during a 4 mU · kg−1 · min−1insulin clamp with plasma glucose at 2.5, 5.5, and 8.5 mM. [U-14C]mannitol and 3- O-methyl-[3H]glucose ([3H]MG) were infused to steady-state levels ( t = −180 to 0 min). These isotope infusions were continued from 0 to 40 min with the addition of a 2-deoxy-[3H]glucose ([3H]DG) infusion. Muscles were excised at t = 40 min. Glucose metabolic index (Rg) was calculated from muscle-phosphorylated [3H]DG. [U-14C]mannitol was used to determine extracellular (EC) H2O. Glucose at the outer ([G]om) and inner ([G]im) sarcolemmal surfaces was determined by the ratio of [3H]MG in intracellular to EC H2O and muscle glucose. Rg was comparable at the two higher glucose concentrations, suggesting that rates of uptake near V max were reached. In summary, by defining the relationship of arterial glucose to [G]om and [G]im in the presence of fixed hyperinsulinemia, it is concluded that 1) V max for MGU is limited by extracellular and intracellular barriers in type I fibers, as the sarcolemma is freely permeable to glucose; 2) V max is limited in muscles with predominantly type IIb fibers by extracellular resistance and transport resistance; and 3) limits to Rg are determined by resistance at multiple steps and are better defined by distributed control rather than by a single rate-limiting step.


1993 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 264-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Walters ◽  
S. H. Constable

We examined the effect of long-term intermittent cold exposure on the fiber type composition of the predominantly type I soleus and the predominantly type IIb extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of rats. Cold exposure was accomplished by submerging the rats in shoulder-deep water, maintained at 20 +/- 0.5 degrees C, for 1 h/day, 5 days/wk, for < or = 19 wk. The efficacy of the treatment was tested by subjecting both groups to 20 degrees C water for 45 min while rectal temperature (Tre) and O2 consumption (VO2) were measured. The cold-exposed group displayed a 22% smaller reduction in Tre (P < 0.05) at the end of the exposure and 23% greater VO2 (P < 0.05) during the same period. Fiber type composition was determined using routine histochemical methods for myosin-adenosinetriphosphatase. In the soleus muscle of the cold-exposed rats, the number of type IIa fibers increased 156% (P < 0.05) and the number of type I fibers decreased 24% (P < 0.05). Cold exposure had no significant influence on the fiber type composition of the EDL muscle. Cold exposure resulted in an increase in citrate synthase activity of 20 and 22% in the soleus and EDL muscles, respectively (P < 0.05). The present study demonstrates that intermittent cold exposure induces a type I-to-type IIa transformation in the soleus muscle while having no influence on the EDL muscle.


1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (5) ◽  
pp. R1093-R1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Powers ◽  
D. Criswell ◽  
F. K. Lieu ◽  
S. Dodd ◽  
H. Silverman

Limited data exist concerning the effects of exercise training on cellular oxidative capacity in the diaphragm of senescent animals. In this study we examined the changes in cellular oxidative capacity, muscle cell cross-sectional area (CSA), and capillarity within the costal diaphragm of senescent animals after a 10-wk endurance-training program. Twelve 24-mo-old female Fischer 344 rats were divided into either a sedentary control group (n = 6) or exercise training group (n = 6). The trained animals exercised on a motor-driven treadmill (60 min/day, 5 days/wk) at a work rate equal to approximately 55-65% VO2max. Capillaries were identified histologically and fiber types determined using adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) histochemistry. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and CSA in individual fibers were measured using a computerized image analysis system. Exercise training did not increase (P > 0.05) the capillary-to-fiber ratio for any fiber type. However, training significantly decreased CSA (P < 0.05) and increased capillary density (capillary number/CSA) (P < 0.05) in type I, type IIa, and type IIb fibers. Furthermore, exercise training resulted in small but significant increase in SDH activity (P < 0.05) in type I and IIa fibers, whereas training did not alter SDH activity (P > 0.05) in type IIb fibers. These data demonstrate that endurance training in senescent animals results in small relative improvements in both oxidative capacity and capillary density in costal diaphragmatic type I and IIa muscle fibers. The increase in both capillary density and fiber SDH activity was largely due to a reduction in fiber CSA.


2019 ◽  
Vol 316 (5) ◽  
pp. E837-E851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyan Wang ◽  
Edward B. Arias ◽  
Kentaro Oki ◽  
Mark W. Pataky ◽  
Jalal A. Almallouhi ◽  
...  

Earlier research using muscle tissue demonstrated that postexercise elevation in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (ISGU) occurs concomitant with greater insulin-stimulated Akt substrate of 160 kDa (AS160) phosphorylation (pAS160) on sites that regulate ISGU. Because skeletal muscle is a heterogeneous tissue, we previously isolated myofibers from rat epitrochlearis to assess fiber type-selective ISGU. Exercise induced greater ISGU in type I, IIA, IIB, and IIBX but not IIX fibers. This study tested if exercise effects on pAS160 correspond with previously published fiber type-selective exercise effects on ISGU. Rats were studied immediately postexercise (IPEX) or 3.5 h postexercise (3.5hPEX) with time-matched sedentary controls. Myofibers dissected from the IPEX experiment were analyzed for fiber type (myosin heavy chain isoform expression) and key phosphoproteins. Isolated muscles from the 3.5hPEX experiment were incubated with or without insulin. Myofibers (3.5hPEX) were analyzed for fiber type, key phosphoproteins, and GLUT4 protein abundance. We hypothesized that insulin-stimulated pAS160 at 3.5hPEX would exceed sedentary controls only in fiber types characterized by greater ISGU postexercise. Values for phosphorylation of AMP-activated kinase substrates (acetyl CoA carboxylaseSer79 and AS160Ser704) from IPEX muscles exceeded sedentary values in each fiber type, suggesting exercise recruitment of all fiber types. Values for pAS160Thr642 and pAS160Ser704 from insulin-stimulated muscles 3.5hPEX exceeded sedentary values for type I, IIA, IIB, and IIBX but not IIX fibers. GLUT4 abundance was unaltered 3.5hPEX in any fiber type. These results advanced understanding of exercise-induced insulin sensitization by providing compelling support for the hypothesis that enhanced insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of AS160 is linked to elevated ISGU postexercise at a fiber type-specific level independent of altered GLUT4 expression.


Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoyoshi Doki ◽  
Tomoyo Tarusawa ◽  
Tsutomu Hohdatsu ◽  
Tomomi Takano

Background: The cationic amphiphilic drug U18666A inhibits the proliferation of type I FIPV in vitro. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo antiviral effects of U18666A by administering it to SPF cats challenged with type I FIPV. Methods: Ten SPF cats were randomly assigned to two experimental groups. FIPV KU-2 were inoculated intraperitoneally to cats. The control group was administered PBS, and the U18666A-treated group was administered U18666A subcutaneously at 2.5 mg/kg on day 0, and 1.25 mg/kg on days 2 and 4 after viral inoculation. Results: Two of the five control cats administered PBS alone developed FIP. Four of the five cats administered U18666A developed no signs of FIP. One cat that temporarily developed fever, had no other clinical symptoms, and no gross lesion was noted on an autopsy after the end of the experiment. The FIPV gene was detected intermittently in feces and saliva regardless of the development of FIP or administration of U18666A. Conclusions: When U18666A was administered to cats experimentally infected with type I FIPV, the development of FIP might be suppressed compared with the control group. However, the number of animals with FIP is too low to establish anti-viral effect of U18666A in cats.


1994 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 1636-1642 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Dubelaar ◽  
J. F. Glatz ◽  
Y. F. De Jong ◽  
F. H. Van der Veen ◽  
W. C. Hulsmann

In the first part of this study, in four dogs the left latissimus dorsi was equipped to perform in vivo contraction measurements and the right latissimus dorsi served as control. After a control period, the dogs received L-carnitine intravenously for 8 wk. We found that carnitine caused the percentage of type I fibers to increase from 30 to 55% in the left latissimus dorsi but no change in the right latissimus dorsi. In the left latissimus dorsi, the contraction speed (percentage ripple) decreased from 75 to 30% and cytochrome-c oxidase activity increased 1.6-fold. No changes occurred in the right latissimus dorsi. To verify these observations, we performed a second study with placebo control for 8 wk, and only the left latissimus dorsi was subjected to weekly electrical stimulation. In the carnitine-treated dogs, the stimulated muscle showed an increase in the percentage of type I fibers from 16 to 35% and the ripple decreased from 92 to 77%. These measures did not change in the placebo-treated dogs. We concluded that weekly short-term stimulation does not lead to a change in fiber type; however, carnitine combined with minimal stimulation of the muscle leads to a significant shift in muscle fiber type composition toward a muscle with an increased content of type I fibers.


2004 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 619-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. M. Beltman ◽  
A. J. Sargeant ◽  
W. van Mechelen ◽  
A. de Haan

Voluntary activation levels during lengthening, isometric, and shortening contractions (angular velocity 60°/s) were investigated by using electrical stimulation of the femoral nerve (triplet, 300 Hz) superimposed on maximal efforts. Recruitment of fiber populations was investigated by using the phosphocreatine-to-creatine ratio (PCr/Cr) of single characterized muscle fibers obtained from needle biopsies at rest and immediately after a series of 10 lengthening, isometric, and shortening contractions (1 s on/1 s off). Maximal voluntary torque was significantly higher during lengthening (270 ± 55 N·m) compared with shortening contractions (199 ± 47 N·m, P < 0.05) but was not different from isometric contractions (252 ± 47 N·m). Isometric torque was higher than torque during shortening ( P < 0.05). Voluntary activation level during maximal attempted lengthening contractions (79 ± 8%) was significantly lower compared with isometric (93 ± 5%) and shortening contractions (92 ± 3%, P < 0.05). Mean PCr/Cr values of all fibers from all subjects at rest were 2.5 ± 0.6, 2.0 ± 0.7, and 2.0 ± 0.7, respectively, for type I, IIa, and IIax fibers. After 10 contractions, the mean PCr/Cr values for grouped fiber populations (regardless of fiber type) were all significantly different from rest (1.3 ± 0.2, 0.7 ± 0.3, and 0.8 ± 0.6 for lengthening, isometric, and shortening contractions, respectively; P < 0.05). The cumulative distributions of individual fiber populations after either contraction mode were significantly different from rest ( P < 0.05). Curves after lengthening contractions were less shifted compared with curves from isometric and shortening contractions ( P < 0.05), with a smaller shift for the type IIax compared with type I fibers in the lengthening contractions. The results indicate a reduced voluntary drive during lengthening contractions. PCr/Cr values of single fibers indicated a hierarchical order of recruitment of all fiber populations during maximal attempted lengthening contractions.


2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (4) ◽  
pp. C1031-C1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mônica Senna Salerno ◽  
Mark Thomas ◽  
Davanea Forbes ◽  
Trevor Watson ◽  
Ravi Kambadur ◽  
...  

Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth, and absence of the functional myostatin protein leads to the heavy muscle phenotype in both mouse and cattle. Although the role of myostatin in controlling muscle mass is established, little is known of the mechanisms regulating the expression of the myostatin gene. In this study, we have characterized the murine myostatin promoter in vivo. Various constructs of the murine myostatin promoter were injected into the quadriceps muscle of mice, and the reporter luciferase activity was analyzed. The results indicate that of the seven E-boxes present in the 2.5-kb fragment of the murine myostatin promoter, the E5 E-box plays an important role in the regulation of promoter activity in vivo. Furthermore, the in vitro studies demonstrated that MyoD preferentially binds and upregulates the murine myostatin promoter activity. We also analyzed the activity of the bovine and murine promoters in murine skeletal muscle and showed that, despite displaying comparable levels of activity in murine myoblast cultures, bovine myostatin promoter activity is much weaker than murine myostatin promoter in mice. Finally, we demonstrate that in vivo, the 2.5-kb region of the murine myostatin promoter is sufficient to drive the activity of the reporter gene in a fiber type-specific manner.


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