增加刺激频率不影响大鼠萎缩比目鱼肌强直收缩疲劳性

为观察模拟失重对大鼠比目鱼肌（soleus,SOL）与趾长伸肌（extensor digitorum longus,EDL）间断强直收缩功能的影响,以及对刺激频率的调节作用,采用离体骨骼肌条灌流技术,观测其产生强直收缩最大张力的最适刺激频率、疲劳性与疲劳后恢复过程。结果表明：对照组大鼠SOL强直收缩的最适刺激频率为60Hz,尾部悬吊1周大鼠SOL的最适刺激频率亦为60Hz,尾部悬吊2周后,其最适刺激频率增高为80Hz,4周后则为100Hz;在最适刺激频率作用下,悬吊大鼠SOL间断强直收缩的最大张力（Po）在悬吊1与2周未见改变,第4周才呈现显著性降低（P〈0．01）。间断强直收缩5min后,对照组大鼠SOL张力降低到22．8％Po：悬吊1、2与4周组疲劳性均增加,与其同步对照组相比均有显著性差异（P〈0．01）。疲劳性强直收缩后,在20min内对照大鼠SOL张力基本恢复到疲劳前水平,而悬吊1、2与4周组则不能完全恢复（P〈0．05）。对照组大鼠EDL的最适刺激频率为120Hz,悬吊1、2与4周组EDL的最适刺激频率、疲劳性以及疲劳后恢复过程均未发生改变。以上结果提示,增加刺激频率可对悬吊1与2周大鼠SOL强直收缩最大张力的降低有代偿作用,但不能代偿悬吊4周大鼠SOL最大收缩张力的降低,亦不影响悬吊大鼠SOL间断强直收缩疲劳性的增加与疲劳后恢复的减缓。     

在改变大鼠比目鱼肌纤维类型特征中不活动不同于去神经

在本工作中,用河豚毒素长期阻断坐骨神经,使大鼠快肌伸趾长肌(EDL)和慢肌比目鱼肌(SOL)完全不活动,观察了这些不活动肌肉在收缩特性,三磷酸腺苷酶(M-ATPase)组织化学染色和 Z-带宽度等方面的变化,并把它们与去神经产生的变化作了比较。在 EDL,不活动与去神经引起的变化相同,即收缩变慢,各类纤维比例和Z-宽度无明显变化,但是对于SOL,则有一些差别。去神经的SOL的收缩变慢,而不活动的SOL却变快。与此同时,去神经基本上不改变SOL中各类纤维比例,而不活动的SOL中,Ⅱ型纤维增加一倍。本文讨论了在改变大鼠比目鱼肌纤维类型特征中,不活动不同于去神经的可能原因。     

萎缩比目鱼肌间断强直收缩疲劳后恢复速率的影响因素

为研究模拟失重大鼠萎缩比目鱼肌强直收缩疲劳后恢复速率的影响因素,采用尾部悬吊模拟失重大鼠模型及离体骨骼肌条灌流技术,观测其在不同收缩模式下疲劳后的恢复过程。正常大鼠离体比目鱼肌条实验显示,10s短时程（S10P）与300s长时程（L10P）强直收缩轻度疲劳[强直收缩最大张力（P0）下降10％]后,在20min恢复期末,均可恢复至疲劳前P0,且恢复程度不受疲劳持续时间的影响;轻度疲劳后,在灌流液中加入10μmol／L钌红抑制肌浆网Ca^2＋释放功能,恢复速率减慢,恢复程度最大仅至94％P0,然后呈下降趋势,提示轻度疲劳可能仅抑制肌原纤维功能。60s短时程（S50P）与300s长时程（L50P）强直收缩中度疲劳（P0下降50％）后,在20min恢复期末,收缩张力分别恢复至95％P0和90％P0,表明中度疲劳持续时间影响恢复的速率;相同条件中度疲劳后,在灌流液中加入5mmol／L咖啡因促进肌浆网Ca62＋释放功能,恢复速率明显加快,无论疲劳持续时间长短,5min便可完全恢复,提示中度疲劳不仅抑制肌原纤维功能,还抑制肌浆网Ca^2＋释放功能。尾部悬吊1周的大鼠比目鱼肌明显萎缩,其重量／体重之比仅为对照大鼠的60％。采用短与长持续时间的轻与中度疲劳作用后,在20min恢复期末,收缩张力分别恢复至94％P0（S10P）、95％P0（L10P）、92％P0（S50P）、84％P0（L50P）,均与同步对照组有显著差异。以上结果提示：模拟失重1周大鼠萎缩的比目鱼肌,轻度与中度疲劳均可抑制肌原纤维功能与肌浆网Ca^2＋释放功能,使恢复速率减慢。     

肌球蛋白抑制剂BDM对骨骼肌收缩功能的非特异性作用

目的:探讨萎缩骨骼肌单位面积上等长收缩最大张力(Pt)降低的机理.方法:采用肌球蛋白ATP酶抑制剂BDM(Butanedione monoxime)灌流,观测其对离体骨骼肌肌条等长收缩功能的影响.结果:研究表明,BDM可使比目鱼肌(SOL)与趾长伸肌(EDL)等长收缩Pt明显降低,BDM对骨骼肌收缩功能的抑制呈剂量依赖性关系,且完全可逆.低浓度BDM(1 mmol/L)仅降低骨骼肌等长收缩的Pt而不影响其收缩时程,高浓度(10 mmol/L)下使收缩时程明显缩短.与SOL相比,在10mmol/LBDM作用下,使EDL等长收缩Pt降低一半的时间明显加快.无论在低浓度还是高浓度下,BDM对EDL肌球蛋白ATP酶活性的抑制作用均大于SOL.在相同浓度下,BDM对Pt的抑制程度远远大于对肌球蛋白ATP酶活性的抑制.结论:这些结果提示骨骼肌横桥功能降低可能是其等长收缩pt下降的原因之一;BDM并非特异型肌球蛋白ATP酶抑制剂,可对兴奋-收缩偶联的多个环节产生影响.     

痉挛型大鼠骨骼肌不同功能状态下表面肌电特征性变化的研究

目的:研究痉挛型瘫痪大鼠骨骼肌不同功能状态对其表面肌电特征性的影响。方法:选用健康5日龄新生wistar大鼠60只随机分为两组即:痉挛型瘫痪大鼠模型组和正常饲养组。复制痉挛型瘫痪大鼠模型成功后饲养30天,根据肌肉三种功能状态分为三组,分别为A组放松状态组、B向心性收缩状态组、C离心收缩状态组。每组包括痉挛型瘫痪大鼠10只,正常大鼠10只。检测工具采用Bio Trace+Software进行表面肌电的测试和分析;检测肌肉为伸膝肌群;检测指标为表面肌电均方根值(RMS);检测方式为电针刺激诱发不同收缩状态。结果采用SPSS17.0统计软件进行数据分析。结果:放松状态下痉挛大鼠RMS(2.76±0.09)v,正常大鼠RMS(2.82±0.07)v,独立样本的t检验P=0.1260.05;向心性收缩状态痉挛大鼠RMS(10.25±0.35)v,正常大鼠RMS(11.07±0.81)v,独立样本的t检验P=0.0120.05;离心性收缩状态痉挛大鼠RMS(3.32±0.27)v,正常大鼠RMS(4.0±3.045)v,独立样本的t检验P=0.0010.05。结论:痉挛型骨骼肌收缩时肌纤维的募集异于正常骨骼肌,表面肌电对鉴别肌痉挛有效。     

模拟失重条件下大鼠比目鱼肌肌梭神经营养因子3表达降低

本研究旨在探讨模拟失重对大鼠比目鱼肌肌梭神经营养因子3(neurotrophin-3,NT-3)表达的影响。采用大鼠尾部悬吊法建立模拟失重动物模型,按体重配对原则随机将大鼠分为5组,即尾悬吊3d组、7d组、14d组、21d组和正常同步对照组。采用免疫组织化学ABC染色法及酶联免疫吸附实验法(ELISA)检测大鼠比目鱼肌肌梭NT-3的表达。结果显示,大鼠比目鱼肌梭外肌中未见到NT-3表达;正常对照组大鼠比目鱼肌肌梭中,核袋1和核袋2纤维NT-3呈现强阳性表达;模拟失重后,梭内肌纤维的NT-3免疫染色反应进行性降低;NT-3的ELISA定量检测结果显示,正常组、尾悬吊3d组、7d组、14d组和21d组大鼠比目鱼肌NT-3的含量分别为(14.23±1.65)、(14.11±1.53)、(13.09±1.47)、(12.45±1.51)和(9.85±1.52)pg/mg。统计比较显示,尾悬吊14d后,大鼠比目鱼肌NT-3的含量较正常对照组明显减少(P<0.05);而尾悬吊21d后,大鼠比目鱼肌NT-3的表达进一步减少(P<0.01)。以上结果表明,模拟失重可致大鼠比目鱼肌肌梭NT-3的表达明显减少,并且随着模拟失重时...     

一种复方制剂对尾部悬吊大鼠比目鱼肌mATP酶活性升高及肌萎缩的对抗效应观察

目的:探讨一种中药复方制剂RC对模拟失重条件下大鼠比目鱼肌(SOL)的mATP酶活性及肌萎缩的影响.方法:尾部悬吊法建立大鼠模拟失重模型,测量比目鱼肌的湿重体重比(mg/g),以Ca2 -ATPase法测定比目鱼肌中mATP酶活性,计算Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型肌纤维的比例,测定比目鱼肌中Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型肌纤维的横截面积(CSA).结果:与吊尾 溶媒灌胃组相比,吊尾14天后,吊尾 RC灌胃组的湿重体重比增加了33.33%(P<0.01);比目鱼肌中Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型肌纤维CSA均显著增加(143.03%, P<0.01; 83.25%, P<0.01);比目鱼肌中Ⅰ型肌纤维比例明显升高,Ⅱ型肌纤维比例明显降低(P<0.01).结论:复方制剂RC对模拟失重条件下大鼠比目鱼肌mATP酶活性的升高与模拟失重引起的肌萎缩有显著的对抗作用.     

骨髓间充质干细胞对慢性环孢素肾病大鼠的治疗作用

目的观察骨髓间充质干细胞对慢性环孢素肾病(CCN)的治疗作用。方法实验大鼠分成3组:正常对照组(C组)、模型组(H组)、骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSC)治疗组(B组);动态监测肾脏功能[血清肌酐(Scr)、血清尿素氮(BUN)]及大鼠生长情况变化,28 d处死大鼠并切取肾脏进行组织形态学检查和肾间质纤维化(RIF)评估,RIF比较采用方差分析和大鼠体重、Scr、尿素水平采用两因素重复测量方差分析比较各组差异。结果与C组比较,H组和治疗组的Scr[(30.07±1.25)μmol/l vs(69.40±1.41)μmol/l,(51.04±1.38)μmol/l,P=0.00]、BUN水平[(9.05±0.57)mmol/l vs(16.80±0.51)mmol/l,(13.12±0.57)mmol/l,P=0.00]均显著升高,体重显著下降[(329.68±5.71)g vs(199.98±5.59)g,(226.22±5.91)g,P=0.00],差异具有统计学意义。与H组比较,B组对大鼠的Scr[(69.40±1.41)μmol/l vs(51.04±1.38)μmol/l,P=0.00]、BUN水平有明显下降[(16.80±0.51)mmol/l vs(13.12±0.57)mmol/l,P=0.00],体重增加[(199.98±5.59)g vs(226.22±5.91)g,P=0.00],差异具有统计学意义。肾组织形态上,与C组比较,模型组与治疗组都出现了明显的肾脏损害,肾间质纤维化(RIF)评分均显著升高(0.253±0.030 vs 2.662±0.025,2.256±0.027,P=0.00),差异具有统计学意义;与H组比较,B组RIF评分显著下降(2.662±0.025 vs 2.256±0.027,P=0.00),差异具有统计学意义。结论 BMSC对CCN大鼠有改善作用,可以显著减少大鼠Scr、BUN水平,改善大鼠体重情况。     

去负荷小鼠比目鱼肌收缩特性和纤维类型转化

目的:探讨去负荷后小鼠比目鱼肌的收缩特性与骨骼肌纤维类型转化之间的关系。方法:采用离体肌肉灌流技术和电刺激方法,在小鼠后肢去负荷28 d引起骨骼肌萎缩后,观察比目鱼肌单收缩、强直收缩能力和肌疲劳指标等收缩特性的改变,同时利用组织免疫荧光染色和实时定量聚合酶链式反应(real-time PCR)等技术检测去负荷后比目鱼肌快慢肌纤维组成和纤维类型转化的变化。结果:去负荷28 d后,小鼠比目鱼肌单收缩力、强直收缩能力和疲劳指数(fatigue index)均有显著性下降,同时伴有快肌纤维亚型的增加和慢肌纤维亚型的减少。结论:去负荷28 d后小鼠比目鱼肌收缩特性的改变和快慢肌纤维类型的转化有关。     

尾部悬吊对达乌尔黄鼠比目鱼肌形态及 mATP 酶活性的影响

采用尾部悬吊法建立后肢骨骼肌废用的动物模型,以肌球蛋白ATP酶(mATPase)法测定比目鱼肌的mATPase活性,依据mATPase染色结果进行肌纤维分型,并测量肌纤维横截面积(Cross-section area,CSA),首次观察了尾部悬吊对达乌尔黄鼠比目鱼肌湿重、CSA和梭外肌、梭内肌纤维mATPase活性的影响,并与尾部悬吊大鼠进行了比较。旨在探讨冬眠动物骨骼肌在废用状态下的变化。结果显示,尾部悬吊14d可使大鼠比目鱼肌湿重体重比下降35.52%(P<0.001),Ⅰ型肌纤维CSA和Ⅱ型肌纤维CSA分别下降18.91%和20.68%(P<0.05);肌纤维平均CSA减少20.45%(P<0.01)。比目鱼肌中Ⅰ型肌纤维的构成比由对照组的80.61%降低为66.83%,Ⅱ型肌纤维的构成比由19.39%增加到33.17%(P<0.001);梭内肌纤维mATPase活性增强,核袋1纤维的mATPase染色由阴性(-)转变为强阳性( ),核袋2纤维和核链纤维由阳性( )转变为强阳性( )。而达乌尔黄鼠在尾部悬吊14d后,比目鱼肌湿重仅比对照组下降0.05%,Ⅰ、Ⅱ型肌纤维CSA与平均CSA分别比对照组减少0.84%、0.63%和0.37%,均无明显差异(P>0.05);与对照组相比,比目鱼肌中Ⅰ型肌纤维的构成比从82.55%减少到77.30%,Ⅱ型肌纤维的构成比由17.45%增加到22.70%(P<0.05);梭内肌纤维mATPase活性亦明显升高,核袋1纤维的mATPase染色由对照组的阴性(-)转化为强阳性( ),核袋2纤维及核链纤维则由对照组的阳性( )转化为核袋2纤维呈阳性( ),核链纤维则呈弱阳性( )。结果表明:尾部悬吊可致大鼠比目鱼肌明显萎缩;达乌尔黄鼠比目鱼肌则无明显萎缩;两者比目鱼肌梭内、外肌mATPase活性均明显升高。     

Sarcolipin overexpression in rat slow twitch muscle inhibits sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake and impairs contractile function

Sarcolipin (SLN) is an inhibitor of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPases (SERCAs) in vitro, but its function in vivo has not been defined. NF-SLN cDNA (SLN tagged N-terminally with a FLAG epitope) was introduced into rat soleus muscle in one hindlimb by plasmid injection and electrotransfer. Western blotting showed expression and co-immunoprecipitation showed physical interaction between NF-SLN and SERCA2a. Contractile properties and SERCA2a function were assessed and compared with vector-injected contralateral soleus muscles. NF-SLN reduced both peak twitch force (P(t)) (123.9 +/- 12.5 versus 69.8 +/- 8.9 millinewtons) and tetanic force (P(o)) (562.3 +/- 51.0 versus 300.7 +/- 56.9 millinewtons) and reduced both twitch and tetanic rates of contraction (+dF/dt) and relaxation (-dF/dt) significantly. Repetitive stimulation (750-ms trains at 50 Hz once every 2 s for 3 min) showed that NF-SLN increased susceptibility to fatigue. These changes in contractile function were observed in the absence of endogenous phospholamban, and NF-SLN had no effect on either SERCA2a or SERCA1a expression levels. NF-SLN also decreased maximal Ca(2+) transport activity at pCa 5 by 31% with no significant change in apparent Ca(2+) affinity (6.36 +/- 0.07 versus 6.39 +/- 0.08 pCa units). These results show that NF-SLN expression impairs muscle contractile function by inhibiting SERCA function and diminishing sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) stores.     

Deficiency of alpha-sarcoglycan differently affects fast- and slow-twitch skeletal muscles

Alpha-sarcoglycan (Sgca) is a transmembrane glycoprotein of the dystrophin complex located at skeletal and cardiac muscle sarcolemma. Defects in the alpha-sarcoglycan gene (Sgca) cause the severe human-type 2D limb girdle muscular dystrophy. Because Sgca-null mice develop progressive muscular dystrophy similar to human disorder they are a valuable animal model for investigating the physiopathology of the disorder. In this study, biochemical and functional properties of fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and slow-twitch soleus muscles of the Sgca-null mice were analyzed. EDL muscle of Sgca-null mice showed twitch and tetanic kinetics comparable with those of wild-type controls. In contrast, soleus muscle showed reduction of twitch half-relaxation time, prolongation of tetanic half-relaxation time, and increase of maximal rate of rise of tetanus. EDL muscle of Sgca-null mice demonstrated a marked reduction of specific twitch and tetanic tensions and a higher resistance to fatigue compared with controls, changes that were not evident in dystrophic soleus. Contrary to EDL fibers, soleus muscle fibers of Sgca-null mice distinctively showed right shift of the pCa-tension (pCa is the negative log of Ca2+ concentration) relationships and reduced sensitivity to caffeine of sarcoplasmic reticulum. Both EDL and soleus muscles showed striking changes in myosin heavy-chain (MHC) isoform composition, whereas EDL showed a larger number of hybrid fibers than soleus. In contrast to the EDL, soleus muscle of Sgca-null mice contained a higher number of regenerating fibers and thus higher levels of embryonic MHC. In conclusion, this study revealed profound distinctive biochemical and physiological modifications in fast- and slow-twitch muscles resulting from alpha-sarcoglycan deficiency.     

Fatigue and contraction of slow and fast muscles in hypokinetic/hypodynamic rats

This investigation examined the effects of hypokinesia/hypodynamia (H/H) on fatigability and contractile properties of rat soleus (S) and gastrocnemius (G) muscles. Whole-body suspension for 1 wk was used to eliminate hindlimb load-bearing functions and simultaneously permit voluntary isotonic contractions. Train stimulations (45/min, 16 min) resulted in significantly (P less than 0.05) faster rates of fatigue to lower asymptotes in G from H/H rats. Fatigue in the S was minimal at this stimulation frequency and differences between H/H and control animals were not significant. Contractile properties (twitch and tetanic) were measured before and after train stimulations. H/H suspension resulted in an increased twitch tension in G. However, H/H did not change train or tetanic tensions per gram or other G contractile properties. Peak twitch, train, and tetanic tensions, time to peak tension, one-half relaxation time, and twitch and tetanic peak rates of tension development and decline were unchanged by H/H in S muscles. These results indicate that 1 wk of H/H-induced muscle atrophy significantly increases fatigability in G but does not effect contractile properties of fast-twitch (G) or slow-twitch (S) muscles.     

The effects of neuropeptide Y on skeletal muscle contractile properties in streptozotocin diabetic rats

Diabetes induces changes in the structural, biochemical, electrical, and contractile properties of skeletal muscles. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) administered locally can induce angiogenesis in a rat ischemic limb model and restore the contractile function of the ischemic muscle. The effects of NPY on the contractile characteristics of limb skeletal muscles were examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Rats were treated with sham pellets (control groups) or NPY-containing pellets (1 mg of NPY/pellet, 14 days releasing time) administered locally to the rat hind limb 2 months after induction of diabetes. Contractile properties and fatigability of the slow-twitch soleus and fast-twitch gastrocnemius medials muscle were compared in control (sham), control NPY, diabetic (sham), and diabetic NPY groups. In order to induce fatigue trains of repetitive tetanic stimulation were used (600 ms/1 s simulation-rest cycle per train, 112 trains at an 85-Hz fusion frequency). Two months of untreated diabetes significantly prolonged soleus contraction and slowed its relaxation, but had minimal effects on soleus tension. NPY ameliorated the diabetic effects on soleus speed-related contractile properties, restoring its contraction and relaxation times. Diabetes significantly reduced gastrocnemius medials tetanic tension, leaving its contractile characteristics mostly unaffected. NPY partially restored gastrocnemius tetanic tension production capacity. Diabetes significantly increased fatigability of both muscles, which was partially restored by NPY, as evidenced by restored endurance of soleus muscle. The results suggest that NPY administered locally tends to normalize muscle performance and improve fatigue resistance of skeletal muscles in streptozotocin diabetes. Further examination is needed to establish the mechanisms of local NPY action on muscle contractile properties in streptozotocin-induced diabetes.     

Neural Control of Myofibrillar ATPase Activity in Rat Skeletal Muscle

THE limb muscles of mammals such as the cat and rat can be divided into the fast-twitch muscles and the slow-twitch muscles. While the absolute contraction speeds vary from species to species the isometric twitch time (the time taken from the start of contraction until the instant of peak tension development) of a slow-twitch muscle is always about three times longer than the isometric twitch time of a fast-twitch muscle. Thus, at 37° C, the isometric twitch time of cat soleus muscle (a slow-twitch muscle) is approximately 70 ms while the isometric twitch time of the flexor hallucis longus muscle (a fast-twitch muscle) is approximately 20 ms. In the rat, the contraction times of the corresponding muscles would be of the order of 36 ms and 12 ms respectively.     

Models of disuse: a comparison of hindlimb suspension and immobilization

The effects of 1 and 2 wk of hindlimb suspension (HS) on rat skeletal muscle function were determined and the results compared with those obtained previously with hindlimb immobilization (HI). Both models of disuse (HS and HI) primarily affected slow-twitch muscle. Each decreased the isometric twitch duration in the slow-twitch soleus; however, the HS-mediated effect was entirely a result of a shortened contraction time (CT), whereas HI reduced one-half relaxation time (1/2 RT) as well as CT. Soleus muscle mass and peak tetanic tension (Po) declined with disuse. The HS effect on muscle mass and Po was variable, however, for all experiments HS produced atrophy equal to or greater than HI. A major difference existed in the effects of HS and HI on the maximal speed of soleus muscle shortening (Vmax). One and 2 wk of HS produced increases in Vmax to 4.45 +/- 0.34 and 6.83 +/- 0.74 fiber lengths/s, respectively, compared with control velocities of 3.05 +/- 0.08. By contrast over a similar time period, HI had no significant effect on soleus Vmax. The increase in Vmax at 14 days of HS was associated with, and perhaps caused by, the increased expression of a second faster migrating isozyme of myosin. The new native isozyme comigrated with fast myosin, but its light chain subunits contained only LC1s and LC2s. The mechanism responsible for the increase is unknown. One plausible explanation is that the apparent HS-mediated modification in muscle fiber type is dependent on the elimination of loadbearing or isometric contractions, a condition that does not exist during HI.     

The direct depressant effect of LCB29 (idrocilamide) on mechanical tension of rat soleus muscle fibers

The effect of LCB29 was tested on twitch characteristics, tetanic tension, and K+ and voltage-clamp contractures of rat soleus muscle fibers. In concentrations ranging from 10(-6) to 5 x 10(-4) M, LCB29 simultaneously inhibited the twitch amplitude, the maximum rate of tension development, and the maximum rate of relaxation. In concentrations ranging from 10(-5) to 10(-4) M, tetanic tension (100 Hz, 1 s) was inhibited by the same amount. The effect of 5 x 10(-5) M LCB29 was studied on K+ contractures and contractures induced, under voltage-clamp conditions, by long-lasting depolarizations. Its effect was significantly stronger than those on twitch and tetanic tension. In addition, LCB29 had a dual effect on strength--duration curves for mechanical threshold. It increased both the rheobasic potential and the steepness of the curve. It is concluded that LCB29 exerts a direct myorelaxant effect on rat soleus muscle; two sites of action are probably involved.     

Regulation of skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor gene expression by biomechanical unloading.

Biomechanical unloading of the rat soleus by hindlimb unweighting is known to induce atrophy and a slow- to fast-twitch transition of skeletal muscle contractile properties, particularly in slow-twitch muscles such as the soleus. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the expression of the dihydropyridine (DHP) receptor gene is upregulated in unloaded slow-twitch soleus muscles. A rat DHP receptor cDNA was isolated by screening a random-primed cDNA lambda gt10 library from denervated rat skeletal muscle with oligonucleotide probes complementary to the coding region of the rabbit DHP receptor cDNA. Muscle mass and DHP receptor mRNA expression were assessed 1, 4, 7, 14, and 28 days after hindlimb unweighting in rats by tail suspension. Isometric twitch contraction times of soleus muscles were measured at 28 days of unweighting. Northern blot analysis showed that tissue distribution of DHP receptor mRNA was specific for skeletal muscle and expression was 200% greater in control fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) than in control soleus muscles. A significant stimulation (80%) in receptor message of the soleus was induced as early as 24 h of unloading without changes in muscle mass. Unloading for 28 days induced marked atrophy (control = 133 +/- 3 vs. unweighted = 62.4 +/- 1.8 mg), and expression of the DHP receptor mRNA in the soleus was indistinguishable from levels normally expressed in EDL muscles. These changes in mRNA expression are in the same direction as the 37% reduction in time to peak tension and 28% decrease in half-relaxation time 28 days after unweighting. Our results suggest that muscle loading necessary for weight support modulates the expression of the DHP receptor gene in the soleus muscle.     

Contractile properties of cat skeletal muscle after repetitive stimulation

The isometric and force-velocity properties of the fast-twitch flexor digitorum longus (FDL) and slow-twitch soleus muscles were investigated immediately after and during recovery from a fatiguing stimulus regime (40 Hz for 330 ms every second for 180 s) in the anesthetized cat. The amplitude of the isometric twitch of FDL was unaffected but in soleus it remained depressed for much of the recovery period. Immediately after stimulation the twitch time to peak of FDL increased to 140% of the control (prefatigue) value and then reverted to control values. The maximum isometric tetanic tension (Po) developed by FDL was reduced to 67% of control values immediately after the stimulus regime, whereas soleus declined to 93% of control. Recovery of maximum force development was achieved after 45 min in FDL and after 15 min in soleus. The maximum speed of shortening of FDL was reduced to 63% of control values immediately after fatigue; despite some recovery within the first 30 min, it remained depressed during the remainder of the recovery period (up to 300 min). Maximum speed of shortening was unaltered in soleus. The a/Po value transiently increased to 176% of control values in FDL immediately after the fatigue regime but promptly returned to control values. Force-velocity properties of soleus were not affected by the stimulus regime. It is concluded that in FDL changes in the maximum speed of shortening and maximum isometric tension as a result of the stimulus regime are attributable to changes in the intrinsic behavior of cross-bridges and the metabolic status of the fibers, particularly in the fast-twitch fatigue-resistant fibers.