Inhibiton and gamma-aminobutyric acid-induced conductance on locust (Schistocerca gregaria) extensor tibiae muscle fibres

• 1.1. Increases in membrane conductance (g_m) were induced by GABA in distal bundles 32, 33 and 34 of extensor tibiae muscles of the locust (Schistocerca gregaria).
• 2.2. Bath application of GABA (10⁻⁵−5 × 10⁻³ M) induced reductions in muscle fibre space constant (λ).
• 3.3. GABA (5 × 10⁻³ M) induced additional membrane conductance of 2.21 ± 0.03 × 10⁻⁶ S/mm, 0.38 ± 0.03 × 10⁻⁶ S/mm and 0.29 ± 0.06 × 10⁻⁶ S/mm on muscle bundles 34, 33 and 32 respectively. The greater sensitivity of muscle fibres in bundle 34 to GABA is due at least in part to a larger number of GABA receptors on bundle 34 muscle fibres.
• 4.4. The decrement of electrotonic potentials in the presence of GABA were measured over distances of both half fibre length and whole fibre length. Good agreement was obtained between changes in space constant produced by GABA using half fibre length and whole fibre length data.
• 5.5. By taking into account changes in space constant induced by GABA it was possible to demonstrate that presynaptic GABA receptors were involved in the inhibition of slow excitatory postsynaptic potentials by GABA.
• 6.6. “Slow” excitatory postsynaptic potentials recorded under current clamp were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by GABA. This inhibition was not dependent on muscle-fibre GABA sensitivity and could not be completely accounted for by GABA-induced changes in the cable properties of the muscle fibres.

     

Calcium binding by sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria isolated from an annelid visceral muscle in relation to whole muscle calcium influx and efflux

• 1.1. Nereis pharangeal visceral muscle is composed of obliquely striated fibres with low mitochondrial density and moderately developed sarcoplasmic reticulum.
• 2.2. Isolated mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum showed moderate passive calcium binding but only low ATP-promoted calcium binding which was inhibited by caffeine.
• 3.3. Whole fibres preloaded with Ca⁴⁵ showed a two compartment efflux. The slow, presumably intracellular, compartment accounted for only 10% of total Ca⁴⁵ activity.
• 4.4. Both acetylcholine and high KCl treatments stimulated calcium influx, causing contractures while calcium-free and EGTA treatments inhibited both these contractures and normal spontaneous contractions.
• 5.5. Lanthanum inhibited normal contractility and KCl contractures. Lanthanum also inhibited Ca⁴⁵ influx but was without effect on Ca⁴⁵ efflux.
• 6.6. It is concluded that there is little calcium storage capacity in these visceral muscle fibres and that normal contractions are strongly dependent upon extracellular calcium influx.

     

Morphological and electrophysiological characteristics of a dorsal unpaired median neuron of the cricket,Acheta domesticus

• 1.1. The dorsal unpaired median neuron (DUMDL) of the metathoracic dorsal longitudinal flight muscle was studied using cobalt and neutral red staining, various pharmacological agents and extracellular recording of electrical activity.
• 2.2. The soma of DUMDL is posterior in the group of dorsal unpaired median neurons of the metathoracic ganglion; DUMDL does not degenerate following histolysis of its muscle.
• 3.3. Slow, regular spontaneous activity of DUMDL is generated in the isolated metathoracic ganglion and is suppressed following stimulation of DUMDL and by discharges of the flight motor neurons. This spontaneous activity is increased by acetylcholine and eserine and blocked by anticholinesterase agents.
• 4.4. The neurite of DUMDL appears to have several impulse initiation zones characterized by a low safety factor.

     

Early increase in autolysis in homogenates of denervated skeletal muscle

• 1.1. Autolysis was studied in incubated homogenates of normal and denervated rat extensor digitorum longus muscle by measuring the net release of tyrosine and Folin phenol reagent-positive material.
• 2.2. No significant difference between denervated and control muscles was found 24 hr after nerve section, but by 48 and 72 hr the degradation of endogenous muscle substrates in the acid pH range was consistently increased over control values. Degradation in the neutral and basic pH ranges was unchanged by denervation.
• 3.3. The non-protein tyrosine content of denervated muscles was increased 48 and 72 hr. but not 24 hr after denervation.

     

Time course of tension decay after stretch and unloaded shortening velocity in molluscan catch muscle at various physiological states

• 1.1. The anterior byssus retractor muscle of Mytilus was stimulated to contract with ACh, and the time courses of tension decay after an applied stretch (6% of l₀), as well as the unloaded shortening velocity, were examined at various states, i.e. (1) at the peak of initial tension development, (2) during the prolonged application of ACh, (3) after washout of ACh, (4) in the sucrose-hypertonic solution and (5) in the NaCl-hypertonic solution.
• 2.2. The tension decay after stretch was resolved into three exponential components.
• 3.3. The relationship between the amplitudes of three exponential components and the unloaded shortening velocity was examined in the above five states. It was shown that the intermediate component and the slow one were related to active and tonic contractions, respectively.

     

Diversity of native myosin and myosin heavy chain in fish skeletal muscles

• 1.1. Polymorphism of native myosin and myosin heavy chain (MHC) of fish skeletal muscles was analysed by pyrophosphate and SDS-gel electrophoreses.
• 2.2. Depending on the species, three or four myosin isoforms were detected in the white muscle, one or two isoforms in the pure red muscle, and four isomyosins were found in the red muscle composed of red and pink (intermediate) fibres.
• 3.3. It is suggested that all main types of fish muscle fibre (red, intermediate and white) differ in myosin isoform content.
• 4.4. Myosin heavy chain of the red muscle is a distinct protein from that of the white muscle. However, structural differences between these proteins vary among species.

     

Two kinds of peripheral afferent neurons in the earthworm reflex arc

• 1.1. Two kinds of neurons were identified in the body-wall longitudinal muscle layer of the earthworm, Amynthas hawayanus, by the simultaneous potential recording and Lucifer Yellow-CH injection method with a single microelectrode.
• 2.2. Both kinds of neurons have their somata, neuntes and longitudinal processes imbedded in the longitudinal muscle layer. Those with two circular processes extending into the third segmental nerve trunk are tentatively named “intra-nerve-trunk” neurons and those with four circular processes extending into four setae shafts are tentatively named “intramural” neurons.
• 3.3. Both kinds of neurons responded to electrical and mechanical stimuli applied in an afferent direction to them.
• 4.4. The “intra-nerve-trunk” neuron decreased its response amplitudes to these stimuli after the third nerve trunk was sectioned in correlation to the response amplitude decrease recorded from the nerve trunk after it was sectioned.
• 5.5. The response amplitude decrease due to denervation implies a nonlinear structure of the earthworm reflex circuits.
• 6.6. The “intramural” neurons are believed to be primary sensory neurons connected to the mechanoreceptors in the setae.

     

Carbonic anhydrase III content in various equine muscles

• 1.1. In this study, carbonic anhydrase III (CA-III) content in 18 equine muscles was determined by enzyme immunoassay.
• 2.2. It was found to differ in several muscles.
• 3.3. That in external intercostal muscle, rectus abdominis muscle and splenius muscle from four horses was very high.
• 4.4. Although the masseter muscle had only type I fibers, CA-III content was similar to that in mixed-fiber type muscles such as the biceps femoris muscle.
• 5.5. It thus appear that equine type I fibers can be further subgrouped.

     

Metabolic capacity,fibre type area and capillarization of rat plantaris muscle. Effects of age,overload and training and relationship with fatigue resistance

• 1.1. The influences of age (5, 13 and 25-month-old rats), overload as obtained by denervation of synergists, and training on the metabolic capacity, relative muscle cross-sectional area occupied by each fibre type, capillarization and fatigue resistance of the rat m. plantaris were investigated.
• 2.2. Creatine kinase, phosphorylase and citrate synthase activities were lower in muscles of 25 than in those of 13-month-old rats (P < 0.001).
• 3.3. Overload resulted in an increased relative area of type I and II a fibres at all ages (P = 0.001).
• 4.4. Capillary density decreased with overload and increasing age (P < 0.001).
• 5.5. Fatigue resistance was higher in muscles of 13 than in those of 5-month-old rats (P < 0.05), and increased with overload (P < 0.05) at all ages.
• 6.6. Fatigue resistance of the whole muscle was not closely related to its oxidative capacity in contrast to what is generally found for single fibres or motor units.

     

Aerobic metabolism,octopine production and phosphoarginine as sources of energy in the phasic and catch adductor muscles of the giant scallop placopecten magellanicus during swimming and the subsequent recovery period

• 1.1. The energy contributions of aerobic metabolism, phosphoarginine, ATP and octopine in the adductor muscles of P. magellanicus were examined during swimming and recovery.
• 2.2. A linear relationship was observed between the size of the phosphoarginine pool and the number of valve snaps. A linear increase in arginine occurred during the same period.
• 3.3. Octopine was formed during the first few hours of recovery, particularly in the phasic muscle.
• 4.4. The restoration of the phosphoarginine pool appeared to be by aerobic metabolism.
• 5.5. It is concluded that the role of octopine formation is to supply energy when the tissues are anoxic and to operate at such a rate as to maintain the basal rate of energy production.

     

A study of excitatory efferent fibres in the intestinal nerve of the fowl (Gallus domesticus)

• 1.1. The intestinal nerve of the fowl was studied in vitro.
• 2.2. A significantly larger amplitude spike discharge was recorded in side branches of the nerve which innervate the gut when the aboral end of the main nerve trunk was stimulated than when the oral end was stimulated.
• 3.3. Postganglionic autonomic neurones innervating the smooth muscle of the ileum are not located in the intestinal nerve. Evidence is presented, however, supporting the idea that such neurones innervating the rectum are located in the rectal position of the nerve.
• 4.4. The increase in intraluminal pressure and circular muscle tension in the ileum was greater following aboral nerve stimulation than following oral nerve stimulation.
• 5.5. It is suggested that excitatory efferent nerve fibres ascend the intestinal nerve to innervate the ileum.

     

The physiological and morphological features of M. thyroarytenoideus internus and externus of the rabbit in relation to the activity of the vocal cord

• 1.1. Electrical, mechanical and morphological properties of M. thyroarytenoideus internus and externus (Int. M. and Ext. M., respectively) of the rabbit were investigated.
• 2.2. The membrane potentials of Int. M. and Ext. M. were −80.1 and −77.2 mV, respectively, and both muscles generated the overshoot action potentials by electrical stimulation. The electrical properties of both muscles were essentially the same.
• 3.3. The critical membrane potential to trigger the potassium-induced (K⁺) contracture was −52mV in Int. M. On the other hand, in Ext. M., the contracture was hardly developed, but when it was developed, the critical membrane potential was −25mV. The K⁺ contracture was facilitated in both muscles by substitution of Cl⁻ by Br⁻, NO⁻₃ or SCN⁻.
• 4.4. Both muscles generated twitch contraction by electrical stimulation, and Ext. M. showed faster contraction than Int. M.
• 5.5. Active state for the tension development of both muscles was compared. The decay time of Ext. M. was much shorter than that of Int. M. Substitution of Cl⁻ by foreign anions (Br⁻, NO⁻₃ and SCN⁻) and treatment with caffeine enhanced the amplitude and prolonged the duration of the active state of both muscles.
• 6.6. Histochemical analysis (succinic dehydrogenase and myosin ATPase staining methods) revealed that Ext. M. was composed of solely white fibres, while Int. M. was composed of several types of fibres. The electron microscopic observation revealed that Int. M. was composed of red and intermediate fibres and Ext. M. was of white ones.
• 7.7. The results suggest that the differences of mechanical properties were presumably due to the differences of development of sarcoplasmic reticulum in both muscle tissues. The specific features of these muscles were discussed in relation to vocal cord activity.

     

Fiber type composition and enzyme activities of muscles in two models of obese rats

• 1.1. In oxidative (soleus) and glycolytic (extensor digitorum longus) muscles of obese Zucker rats, a significant decrease in the percentage of relative area occupied by glycolytic fibers was observed.
• 2.2. The activity of citrate synthase and β-hydroxy-acyl-CoA-dehydrogenase was significantly higher in muscles of obese than of lean Zucker rats.
• 3.3. In rats, 6 weeks after lesion of the ventromedial hypothalamus, no changes were observed.
• 4.4. This indicates that neither the proportion of oxidative fibers, nor the oxidative capacities are decreased in skeletal muscles of obese rats suggesting that insulin resistance cannot be ascribed to a higher glycolytic-oxidative fiber ratio.

     

Reduced muscle protein breakdown in septic rats following treatment with interleukin-1 receptor antagonist

• 1.1. The role ofinterleukin-1 (IL-1) in sepsis-induced muscle proteolysis was assessed by treating septic rats with recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist (rIL-Ira).
• 2.2. In initial experiments, we tested the effectiveness of IL-Ira in preventing muscle proteolysis induced by administration of IL-1.
• 3.3. When normal rats were treated with rIL-α (three intraperitoneal doses of 100 μ g/kg body weight each over 16 hr), total and myofibrillar muscle protein breakdown rates, measured as release oftyrosine and 3-methylhistidine, respectively, by incubated extensor digitorum longus muscles, were significantly increased.
• 4.4. This metabolic response to IL-α was completely abolished by rIL-Ira, administered as three intraperitoneal doses of 3 mg/kg body weight each over 16hr.
• 5.5. In subsequent experiments, sepsis was induced in rats by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP); non-septic rats were sham-operated.
• 6.6. Treatment of septic rats over 16hr with a total dose of 25mg/kg body weight of rIL-Ira reduced, but did not normalize, the increased muscle protein breakdown rates seen during sepsis.
• 7.7. When the dose of rIL-Ira was more than doubled and given as a constant infusion at a rate of 4.2 mg/kg body weight/hr for 16 hr, the increased rate of muscle proteolysis in septic rats was normalized.
• 8.8. The present study offers the first direct evidence that IL-1 is involved in the regulation of muscle proteolysis during sepsis.

     

Proteolysis of skeletal muscle in yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares): Evidence of calpain activation

• 1.1. White muscle of yellowfin tuna is subject to a form of deterioration known as “burnt tuna”.
• 2.2. TEM and SDS-PAGE were used to quantify cellular differences in deteriorated white muscle of yellowfin tuna.
• 3.3. Electron micrographs showed a significant loss of Z-disc integrity and an increase in intracellular edema in burnt tuna.
• 4.4. Electrophoresis established that a specific doublet of proteins, 42 kD and 46 kD was lost.
• 5.5. Proteolysis of isolated myofibrils incubated in calpain (EC 3.4.22.17) was greatest at pH 7.5 and was selective for intermediate molecular weight proteins.
• 6.6. This evidence suggests that burnt tuna is a specific and limited proteolysis of myofibrillar structural proteins characteristic of calpain proteolysis.

     

The physiological basis for pitch-induced antennule movements in the blue crab,Callinectes sapidus

• 1.1. Measurements of the compensatory response of antennular basal segments to pitch were made in the crab Callinectes sapidus.
• 2.2. Electrical recordings were obtained from efferent fibers in promotor and remoter bundles of the antennular basal segments.
• 3.3. Most of the phasic response to pitch seen in these fibers is the result of input from thread hairs in the ipsilateral statocyst.
• 4.4. Most of the tonic activity occurring during static placement of crabs in positions about the pitch axis is the result of hook hair input from the ipsilateral statocyst.

     

Pathways mediating abdominal phasic flexor muscle activity in crayfish with chronically cut nerve cords

1. Nerve cord transection abolishes the ability of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) to produce tailflips in response to gradually applied tactile or proprioceptive stimulation of the abdomen, but this ability eventually returns. To determine the time-course of this return and to analyze its underlying neural pathways, we made behavioral observations, electromyographic recordings from abdominal phasic flexor muscles, and intracellular recordings from motoneurons in crayfish with cord lesions between the thorax and the abdomen.
2. Abdominal stimulation activated the phasic flexor muscles in the rostral 5 abdominal segments and their homologs in the 6th segment, the posterior telson flexor muscles. Nearly one-quarter of cord-transected animals responded to the stimuli with phasic flexor muscle activity by one week after the lesion, and almost 90% were responsive by 3 weeks.
3. Regeneration of axons across the lesion played little or no role in the recovery of phasic flexor muscle responsiveness. In addition, the lateral giant axons were not activated by the gradually applied stimuli that triggered phasic flexor muscle contractions. These results suggest that non-giant pathways confined to the abdominal nervous system become functional following chronic cord transection.
4. Retransection of the nerve cord below the original lesion showed that smaller subsets of the abdominal cord, including a single ganglion, could develop the ability to generate phasic flexor muscle contractions in response to gradually applied stimuli.
5. Phasic flexor motoneurons in cord-transected animals could be excited by stimulation of afferents throughout the abdomen. The sensory pathways producing this activation appear to project through the nerve cord without much cross-over between left and right sides.

     

The high intracellular ph buffering of hagfish (Eptatretus cirrhatus) dental plate retractor muscle cannot be attributed to the known histidine-related compounds present in other vertebrates

• 1.1. Intracellular pH buffering capacity of hagfish (Eplatretus cirrhatus) dental plate retractor muscles is among the highest reported for any vertebrate muscle.
• 2.2. Over 80% of the pH buffering capacity of hagfish retractor and myotome muscle is due to components other than proteins and phosphate.
• 3.3. The muscles have less than 0.5 μmol/g wet weight of l-histidine, and lack l-l-methyl histidine, l-3-methyl histidine and the histidine-containing dipeptides anserine, carnosine and ophidine.
• 4.4. Instead, they contain an unidentified low molecular weight acid-soluble compound to which the high pH buffering capacity can be attributed.

     

Biomines-stimulated phosphorylation and (Na+, K+-ATPase in the gills of the chinese crab,Eriocheir sinensis

• 1.1. Subcellular distribution of (NA⁺, K⁺-ATPase and ouabain-insensitive ATPase (Mg²⁺-ATPase) are compared in branchial tissues of the euryhaline crab, Eriocheir sinensis, acclimated to fresh water.
• 2.2. Both the anterior and posterior gills contain cAMP-dependent protein kinase and endogenous protein substrate for phosphorylation.
• 3.3. Phosphorylation occurs in both “particulate” and “soluble” subcellular fractions but its stimulation by cAMP is restricted to the “soluble” fraction.
• 4.4. serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine receptors are present only in the “light particulate” fraction isolated from the posterior gills.

• 1.(a) Serotonin and dopamine have no effect on the phosphorylation observed in a subcellular fraction alone.
• 2.(b) Activation of the phosphorylation by serotonin and dopamine is found when the soluble fraction (source of cAMP-dependent protein kinase) is added to the fraction P₃ from the posterior gills.
• 3.(c) No activation occurs with the fractions P₃ as well as P₁ or P₂ (not shown) from anterior gills of fresh water crab.
• 4.(d) Cyproheptadine, a serotonin receptor antagonist, inhibits the 5-HT dependent increase in phosphorylation.
• 5.(e) The dopamine receptor antagonist, chlorpromazine, inhibits dopamine-stimulated phosphorylation.
• 6.5. Ouabain mimics the effect of cyproheptadine on the serotonin-stimulated phosphorylation found in the posterior gills.

     

Biochemical and physiological aspects of anhydrobiosis

• 1.1. The biochemical and physiological mechanisms which are involved in anhydrobiotic survival have been reviewed.
• 2.2. The physical state of water within hydrated and dehydrated organisms is discussed in relation to the concepts of “free” and “bound” water and to the “vicinal water network model” of Clegg (1979) Cell Associated Water. Academic Press, New York.
• 3.3. Evidence is presented for the replacement of “bound” water by glycerol in dried embryos of Artemia salina, but the role of high glycerol content in the free-living nematode Aphelenchus avenae has yet to be evaluated.
• 4.4. The adaptive significance of trehalose is shown to lie in the fact that because it is a non-reducing sugar, it will not participate in a “browing” reaction between reduced groups of sugars and free amino groups of dry proteins. Trehalose also inhibits “browning” reactions between reducing sugars and dry proteins.
• 5.5. The effect of dehydration on membrane permeability suggests that dried organisms suffer mostly if placed directly into a revival medium due to leakage through structurally deformed membrane systems.
• 6.6. Glycerol and trehalose may interact with lipid membranes and reduce the amount of leakage.
• 7.7. Damage to membranes caused by lipid peroxidation is discussed.
• 8.8. Results suggest that the role of high lipid contents in nematode anhydrobiotes is essentially that of a food reserve, although the morphological distribution of such lipid may be important in maintaining the spatial distribution of body tissues in the absence of bulk water.