保存原来神经支配的快肌和慢肌在长期刺激影响下的精细结构变化

本文以模拟慢肌神经发放模式的刺激(简称慢型刺激)连续刺激大白鼠伸趾长肌(EDL)28—30天和以模拟快肌神经发放模式的刺激(简称快型刺激)连续刺激比目鱼肌(SOL)23—26天,然后对其肌纤维的终板区进行电镜观察。发现受长期慢型刺激的 EDL 肌纤维,除 Z-带宽度接近正常 SOL 肌纤维的 Z-带宽度和线粒体(尤其是肌膜下)明显增多外,神经末梢的形态,特别是突触后褶的稀、密程度也变得和正常 SOL 肌纤维的相似,并在约40%的终板区内看到卫星细胞。就是说,肌纤维的精细结构发生了由原来的快肌型向慢肌型的根本转变。与此相反,在长期受快型刺激的 SOL 肌纤维,则看不到上述超微结构特征由原来的慢肌型向快肌型的转变。上述结果与我们在双神经支配的肌纤维上所作的观察可以互相佐证,即比目鱼肌纤维在接受外加 EDL 神经支配后组织化学和精细结构类型不变,而 EDL 纤维在接受外加的 SOL 神经支配后则组织化学和精细结构类型发生彻底的改造。     

兼受快肌和慢肌两种神经支配的大白鼠肌纤维的精细结构类型

本文报告我们对兼受快肌和慢肌两种神经支配(简称双神经支配)的大白鼠比目鱼肌(SOL)和伸趾长肌(EDL)的肌纤维所作的电镜观察。结果表明,在双神经支配下,SOL 的慢肌纤维和 EDL 的快肌纤维表现截然不同,形成鲜明的对比:双神经支配的 SOL 肌纤维的超微结构(Z-带宽度以及线粒体密度、接头褶间隔、终板周围卫星细胞出现频率等)保持原来类型不变,而双神经支配的 EDL 肌纤维则发生向 SOL 的完全转变。但是,不论曾否发生变化,在同一根纤维上,在由 SOL 神经建立的终板附近和由 EDL 神经建立的终板附近,肌纤维的超微结构特征没有区别,表明这种特征在整根纤维上是均匀的。本文的电镜观察与前文的组织化学观察所得的结果完全一致。用这样两种完全不同的方法得出相同的结果,大大地加强了这结果的可靠性,给神经通过活动模式来决定肌纤维类型的假说以有力的支持。     

兼受快肌和慢肌两种神经支配的大白鼠伸趾长肌纤维的组织化学类型和收缩特性

前文报告了双神经支配的比目鱼肌(SOL)纤维的研究,此文与前文平行,研究双神经支配的伸趾长肌(EDL)纤维。双神经支配的 SOL 纤维保持其原来的肌原纤维三磷酸腺苷酶(M-ATP_(ase))组织化学类型不变,而双神经支配的 EDL 纤维则与此成鲜明的对比,其组织化学类型彻底地从原来的快型变为慢型。但是双神经支配的 EDL 纤维的组织化学类型虽然发生了彻底的改造,整根纤维的组织化学特性仍然是均一的,这一点与双神经支配的 SOL纤维一样。双神经支配的 EDL 纤维的收缩变得慢一些,但变的程度远不如单被 SOL 神经交叉支配的 EDL 纤维之大。我们认为,此文结果,与前文从双神经支配的 SOL 纤维得到的结果放在一起,给运动神经控制骨胳肌肌纤维类型的途径可能完全是通过控制肌肉活动这个假说以有力的支持。     

兼受快肌和慢肌两种神经支配的大白鼠比目鱼肌纤维的组织化学类型和收缩特性

大白鼠比目鱼肌(SOL)在其原来神经被夹断暂时处于去神经状态期间,可以从预先埋置好的伸趾长肌(EDL)神经得到外加的神经支配。在这样的肌肉中有一部分肌纤维兼受快肌和慢肌两种神经支配。我们检查了这种肌纤维的组织化学类型和收缩特性。主要结果是:SOL 肌纤维,在原有神经支配之外加上了 EDL 神经的支配,保持原来慢肌型的肌原纤维 ATP_(ase)组织化学特性不变。在历时长短很不同(夹 SOL 神经后20至120天,有一例是402天)的实验,这个结果都是一样。另一方面,有外加 EDL 神经支配的 SOL 肌纤维收缩加快,虽然改变的程度不大。考虑到影响肌肉收缩速度的因素不限于肌原纤维 ATP_(ase)的活力,而所用组织化学方法在反映 ATP_(ase)活力变化方面又有其局限性,上述两方面的结果并不矛盾。尽管一根肌纤维上有由两种不同神经支配形成的两个完全分开的终板,但整根纤维从一端到另一端的组织化学染色是均一的,看不出两个终板各自周围的染色有何差别。虽然这观察倾向于支持肌原纤维 ATP_(ase)类型为肌肉活动所决定的假说,每种神经支配对收缩系统是否还有其特殊营养性影响的问题尚未解决,还需要用更精细的检测肌纤维类型的方法作进一步的研究。     

大鼠快、慢肌终板乙酰胆碱受体的比较及去神经后的变化

经化学方法合成的辣根过氧化酶-α-银环蛇毒复合物(HRP-α-BuTx)能专一地结合乙酰胆碱受体,从而显示肌纤维终板区,可作组织化学观察,DAB 棕色沉淀的深度反映了 ACh受体的密度。实验结果表明,大白鼠趾伸长肌的终板 ACh 受体密度无例外的比比目鱼肌的板终 ACh 受体密度高;正常终板具有很多分枝的沟糟结构,DAB 沉淀分布于沟糟内壁。切断神经后终板结构变得不甚清晰。与正常相比,去神经 SOL 的终板 ACh 受体密度显著升高,去神经 EDL 的终板 ACh 受体密度虽也有升高,但由于 EDL 的终板 ACh 受体密度本来较高,差别没有 SOL 的显著。     

因交叉神经支配或长期刺激而处于改造中的肌纤维的组织化学观察

本文报告以碱(pH10.4)和酸(pH4.1)预处理的 M-ATP_(ase)组织化学方法,观察大白鼠伸趾长肌(EDL)神经交叉支配的比目鱼肌(SOL)纤维和长期低频(10Hz)间接刺激的 EDL 肌纤维的改造过程。结果表明,纤维从典型慢型至典型快型或相反的改造过程中,按组织化学染色深度至少能分辨出三个过渡等级,在处于过渡之中的同一肌纤维内同时具有耐酸性和耐碱性 M-ATP_(ase)活性。此外,在受交叉神经支配不同阶段的 SOL 平切片上,整根肌纤维的组织化学染色都是均一的,不存在终板区和终板外区域有什么差异。     

在鸡慢肌神经支配下由快肌碎片形成的新生肌肉保持快肌的某些性质

本工作使用肌肉的切碎移植的方法来作快、慢肌肉的运动神经的交叉支配。将鸡右侧前背阔肌(慢)摘除而使其神经留在原位,再将左侧后背阔肌(快)取出切碎并放在右前肌的空位(第一组),在另一组动物是将右前肌摘出切碎后仍放回原位(第二组)。数月后用电刺激慢神经并用等长杠杆记录肌肉的收缩。第一组动物的新生肌肉的单收缩显然比第二组快些,而且在高频(250/s)刺激下表现抑制现象。第二组动物的新生肌肉不但收缩较慢,而且与前背阔肌一样不产生高频抑制。上述现象证明鸡的由快肌碎片形成的新生肌肉仍保持快肌的某些性质,而且在慢肌神经支配下仍能如此。本工作也进一步提供了维金斯基抑制与神经无关而与肌肉有关的证据。本文推测肌肉很可能是通过其卫星细胞而把某些性质传给新生肌肉的。     

哺乳动物不活动化肌纤维的动作电位

用河豚毒素(TTX)慢性阻断大鼠坐骨神经的冲动传导,使后肢不活动,经过不同时间(最长7d)后离体观察了快肌伸趾长肌(EDL)和慢肌比目鱼肌(SOL)肌纤维终板区的诱发动作电位。我们发现在不活动期间动作电位超射和上升速率逐步下降,并从第4天起部分肌纤维能在含有1×10~(-7)g/ml TTX的溶液中被诱发产生动作电位(称抗TTX动作电位),待至第7天时全部SOL肌纤维和90％的EDL肌纤维都能被诱发出抗TTX动作电位。与去神经肌纤维相比,不仅抗TTX动作电位出现较晚,并且其超射和上升速率较低。在去掉TTX阻断使肌肉恢复活动后,动作电位超射和上升速率渐趋恢复,抗TTX动作电位逐渐消失。无论是动作电位的恢复还是抗TTX动作电位的消失,EDL肌纤维均快于SOL肌纤维。本文还讨论了不活动化使肌纤维动作电位变化以及快、慢肌差别的可能原因。     

慢性刺激改变正常肌纤维乙酰胆碱敏感区分布的初步观察

交叉神经支配的实验,已为这一观点提供了较为直接的证据,即哺乳动物骨胳肌肌纤维的许多特性是受其运动神经所控制的。但是,神经是怎样控制肌纤维特性的呢?这还是个不清楚的问题。用埋藏电极以模拟慢肌神经冲动发放的频率刺激快肌,或以模拟快肌神经冲动发放的频率刺激慢肌,也可使肌肉的某些特性得到一定程度的改造,使     

去神经对快,慢肌纤维肌球蛋白ATPase影响的组织化学观察

本文用组织化学方法观察了豚鼠比目鱼肌(SOL)和腓骨第三肌(PT)在去神经后其快、慢纤维肌球蛋白ATPase特性的变化。在正常肌肉中Ⅰ型(慢)纤维和Ⅱ型(快)纤维分别具有酸和碱稳定ATPase活性。慢纤维在去神经后出现了碱稳定ATPase活性,而快纤维则无明显变化。结果表明,只有慢纤维的肌球蛋白ATPase特性才与神经支配有关。     

Regenerated rat fast muscle transplanted to the slow muscle bed and innervated by the slow nerve,exhibits an identical myosin heavy chain repertoire to that of the slow muscle

 The hypothesis that the limited adaptive range observed in fast rat muscles in regard to expression of the slow myosin is due to intrinsic properties of their myogenic stem cells was tested by examining myosin heavy chain (MHC) expression in regenerated rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (SOL) muscles. The muscles were injured by bupivacaine, transplanted to the SOL muscle bed and innervated by the SOL nerve. Three months later, muscle fibre types were determined. MHC expression in muscle fibres was demonstrated immunohistochemically and analysed by SDS-glycerol gel electrophoresis. Regenerated EDL transplants became very similar to the control SOL muscles and indistinguishable from the SOL transplants. Slow type 1 fibres predominated and the slow MHC-1 isoform was present in more than 90% of all muscle fibres. It contributed more than 80% of total MHC content in the EDL transplants. About 7% of fibres exhibited MHC-2a and about 7% of fibres coexpressed MHC-1 and MHC-2a. MHC-2x/d contributed about 5–10% of the whole MHCs in regenerated EDL and SOL transplants. The restricted adaptive range of adult rat EDL muscle in regard to the synthesis of MHC-1 is not rooted in muscle progenitor cells; it is probably due to an irreversible maturation-related change switching off the gene for the slow MHC isoform. Accepted: 11 June 1996     

Quantitative investigation of the neuromuscular junction of rat skeletal muscle fibres after double innervation

Summary In normal (untreated) rats the mean length ratio of postsynaptic to presynaptic membrane was 2.7±0.8 for neuromuscular junctions of slow-twitch soleus muscle fibres and 4.2±1.0 for neuromuscular junctions of fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus muscle fibres; this difference was significant (P<0.001). After experimental double innervation by fast and slow muscle nerves for four months, the ratio was (1) 2.9±0.8 for the original slow-twitch fibre end-plate and 2.8±0.8 for the newly established one, both not significantly different from that of the normal slow-twitch fibres; and (2) 2.2±0.5 for the original fast-twitch fibre end-plate and 2.2±0.7 for the newly established one, both significantly smaller than that of the normal fast-twitch fibres (P<0.001). This means that the double innervated slow-twitch muscle fibres retained their original neuromuscular junction type, whereas the doubly-innervated fast-twitch muscle fibres underwent a dramatic transformation of their neuromuscular junction from the fast-muscle to the slow-muscle type. In both doubly innervated fibres, the ultrastructural characteristics of neuromuscular junctions, whether altered or not, were identical at both end-plate regions.     

Interactions between intrinsic regulation and neural modulation of acetylcholinesterase in fast and slow skeletal muscles

1. Initiation of subsynaptic sarcolemmal specialization and expression of different molecular forms of AChE were studied in fast extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and slow soleus (SOL) muscle of the rat under different experimental conditions in order to understand better the interplay of neural influences with intrinsic regulatory mechanisms of muscle cells. 2. Former junctional sarcolemma still accumulated AChE and continued to differentiate morphologically for at least 3 weeks after early postnatal denervation of EDL and SOL muscles. In noninnervated regenerating muscles, postsynaptic-like sarcolemmal specializations with AChE appeared (a) in the former junctional region, possibly induced by a substance in the former junctional basal lamina, and (b) in circumscribed areas along the whole length of myotubes. Therefore, the muscle cells seem to be able to produce a postsynaptic organization guiding substance, located in the basal lamina. The nerve may enhance the production or accumulation of this substance at the site of the future motor end plate. 3. Significant differences in the patterns of AChE molecular forms in EDL and SOL muscles arise between day 4 and day 10 after birth. The developmental process of downregulation of the asymmetric AChE forms, eliminating them extrajunctionally in the EDL, is less efficient in the SOL. The presence of these AChE forms in the extrajunctional regions of the SOL correlates with the ability to accumulate AChE in myotendinous junctions. The typical distribution of the asymmetric AChE forms in the EDL and SOL is maintained for at least 3 weeks after muscle denervation. 4. Different patterns of AChE molecular forms were observed in noninnervated EDL and SOL muscles regenerating in situ. In innervated regenerates, patterns of AChE molecular forms typical for mature muscles were instituted during the first week after reinnervation. 5. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that intrinsic differences between slow and fast muscle fibers, concerning the response of their AChE regulating mechanism to neural influences, may contribute to different AChE expression in fast and slow muscles, in addition to the influence of different stimulation patterns.     

Diversification of the myofibrillar M-band in rat skeletal muscle during postnatal development

Summary The fine structure of the M-band in soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles in newborn and four-week-old rats was studied using electron-microscopic techniques. In newborn rats, all myotubes and fibres in both muscles had an identical myofibrillar appearance. A five-line M-band pattern was seen in longitudinal sections and distinct M-bridges in cross-sections. The Z-discs were of medium width. On the other hand, in four-week-old rats, different muscle fibre types were observed on the basis of their myofibrillar pattern. In SOL two fibre types were distinguished in longitudinal sections. One had a four-line M-band pattern and very broad Z-discs, whereas the other type had five lines in the M-band and broad Z-discs. In EDL, three different myofibrillar patterns were observed. The M-bands were composed of three, four or five lines. Fibres had either thin, broad or medium Z-disc widths, respectively. In cross-sections of the SOL muscle one group of fibres showed indistinct M-bridges, whereas distinct M-bridges were seen in the other fibres and in all observed EDL muscle fibres. We conclude that initially there seems to be a single intrinsic program for M-band genesis; this program becomes modified upon the induction of functionally differentiated fibres.     

Nerve injury affects the capillary supply in rat slow and fast muscles differently

The goal of this study was to determine the acute effects of permanent denervation on the length density of the capillary network in rat slow soleus (SOL) and fast extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles and the effect of short-lasting reinnervation in slow muscle only. Denervation was performed by cutting the sciatic nerve. Both muscles were excised 2 weeks later. Reinnervation was studied 4 weeks after nerve crush in SOL muscle only. Capillaries and muscle fibres were visualised by triple immunofluorescent staining with antibodies against CD31 and laminin and with fluorescein-labelled Griffonia (Bandeira) simplicifolia lectin. A recently developed stereological approach allowing the estimation of the length of capillaries adjacent to each individual fibre (Lcap/Lfib) was employed. Three-dimensional virtual test grids were applied to stacks of optical images captured with a confocal microscope and their intersections with capillaries and muscle fibres were counted. Interrelationships among capillaries and muscle fibres were demonstrated with maximum intensity projection of the acquired stacks of optical images. The course of capillaries in EDL seemed to be parallel to the fibre axes, whereas in SOL, their preferential direction deviated from the fibre axes and formed more cross-connections among neighbouring capillaries. Lcap/Lfib was clearly reduced in denervated SOL but remained unchanged in EDL, although the muscle fibres significantly atrophied in both muscle types. When soleus muscle was reinnervated, capillary length per unit fibre length was completely restored. The physiological background for the different responses of the capillary network in slow and fast muscle is discussed. This study was supported by the Slovenian Research Agency and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic (KONTAKT grant no. 19/2005).     

Physiological, histological and biochemical properties of rat skeletal muscles in response to hindlimb suspension.

In previous study, we found that the reduced exercise-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) reported in slow-oxidative muscle of hypoxemic rats and also in chronic hypoxemic patients did not simply result from deconditioning. In control rats and after a 3-week period of hindlimb suspension (HS), the slow-oxidative (Soleus, SOL) and fast-glycolytic skeletal muscles (Extensor digitorum longus, EDL) were sampled. We determined the response to direct muscle stimulation (twitch stimulation (TS), Maximal force (Fmax)), twitch amplitude and maximal relaxation rate, tetanic frequency, endurance to fatigue after muscle stimulation (MS), the different fibre types based on their myofibrillar adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activity, and the intra-muscular redox status (Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Sustances: TBARS, reduced glutathione: GSH, reduced ascorbic acid: RAA). After the 3-w HS period: (1) the contractile properties were modified in SOL only (reduced Fmax and twitch amplitude, increased tetanic frequency); (2) the fibre typology was modified in both muscles (in SOL: increased proportion of IIa and IIc fibres, in EDL: increased proportion of IId/x fibres but decreased proportion of IIb fibres); and (3) only in SOL, the TBARS level increased and the GSH and RAA concentrations decreased at rest and after fatiguing MS. Thus, HS accentuates the exercise-induced ROS production in slow-oxidative muscle in a direction opposite to that measured in chronic hypoxemic rats. This strongly suggests that hypoxemia reduces the ROS production independently from any muscle disuse.     

Glucocorticoid-induced glycogen increases in extensor digitorum longus and soleus grafts in the rat

The purpose of the present study was to compare dexamethasone-induced glycogen increases in normal EDL and SOL muscles with that in free muscle grafts. Glycogen in mature EDL and SOL grafts in the rat equalled control concentrations irrespective of whether the graft was a nerve-intact (NI), nerve-crushed (NC), reimplanted, or cross-transplanted graft. The grafts also possessed the glycogen-regulatory mechanisms to respond to the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX), which increases muscle glycogen. The increase in glycogen induced by DEX in the EDL and SOL grafts resembled that of the EDL and SOL muscles, respectively, whether the grafted muscle was originally an EDL or SOL. DEX induced an approximate twofold increase in glycogen concentration in control muscles and nerve-intact SOL grafts, and a smaller but significant increase in all other free grafts. Nerve crushing prior to grafting resulted in no significant change in muscle weight, glycogen concentration, or DEX-induced glycogen increase in these grafts. The data suggest that skeletal muscle grafts are qualitatively similar to normal muscles in terms of metabolic responsiveness to hormones. Leaving the nerve intact during grafting quantitatively enhances the graft's hormonal sensitivity but the technique of nerve crushing prior to grafting has no such effect.     

Arrest of developmental conversion of type II to type I fibres after suspension hypokinesia

Summary The effects of hypokinesia and of the lack of gravity on muscle fibres, fibre type composition and myosin light chain pattern, as well as on muscle mechanoreceptors were investigated in the slow-twitch soleus (SOL) and fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of young growing and adult rats after suspension hypokinesia (SH) of their hind limbs. The animals were suspended by their tail so that their hind limbs were relieved of their normal weight-bearing function for 3–6 weeks.In normal 3-to 4-week-old rats the SOL contained about 50% type I fibres and their percentage increased up to about 80% until the 10th week, with simultaneous reduction of type IIA fibres. After 3 to 6 weeks of suspension treatment maintained from 3-to, 4-week-old rats up to 6 to 10 weeks of age, the SOL still only contained about 50% of type I fibres. The content of fast LC₁ and LC₂ in the SOL of 6-week-old rats after 3 weeks of suspension was higher than that of control litter-mates reflecting the higher occurrence of IIA fibres in the suspended solei. No changes in fibre type composition were observed after SH performed in adult rats.SH thus leads, in young animals, to the arrest of conversion of type IIA to type I fibres resulting in the persistence of the fibre type composition and of the myosin light chain pattern corresponding to those present in the SOL at the time of the onset of suspension. In both young and adult rats, SH markedly decreased the mass and the mean cross-sectional area of the SOL, mainly due to the severe atrophy of type I fibres. We observed no signs indicating conversion of type I back to type IIA muscle fibres due to the SH either in young or adult animals.In contrast to profound changes in the SOL, no significant differences were found in the EDL in any of the parameters studied.No changes in the investigated parameters of muscle spindles and tendon organs were observed after SH, performed either in young or in adult rats.We thus conclude that SH leads to muscle atrophy and that it influences mainly or exclusively type I fibres in muscles with a postural function such as the SOL. It is suggested that in young rats SH arrests changes in the SOL motoneurones, which remain unable to ensure the normal developmental transformation of type IIA into type I fibres, thus preventing conversion of the SOL into a typical slow-twitch muscle.