Temporal relationship between nerve-stump-length-dependent changes in the autophosphorylation of a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and the acetylcholine receptor content in skeletal muscle

The acetylcholine receptor (AChR) content and the autorphosphorylation of the regulatory subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase type II (R-II) were evaluated in rat soleus muscles at 24, 30 and 66 hr after surgical denervation by cutting the nerve at a short distance (short-nerve-stump) and at a long distance (long-nerve-stump) from the muscle. AChR content was based on the specific binding of [¹²⁵I]alpha-bungarotoxin (BUTX); changes in the autophosphorylation of R-II were based upon the predominant in vitro³²P-phosphorylation of a 56-Kd soluble protein in cytosolic fractions of solei. The AChR content and the³²P-autophosphorylation of R-II were increased in samples from short-nerve-stump solei, but not from long-nerve-stump solei, after a denervation-time of 30 hr. This nerve-stump-length dependency indicates that the two denervation effects are not related to the immediate halt of impulse-evoked muscle contractility. Furthermore, the results show that alterations in the³²P-autophosphorylation of R-II occurred before, as well as whenever, increases in the AChR content were found. Speculatively, this temporal relationship may be significant with respect to the potential role of R-II in gene expression.Abbreviations ACh acetylcholine - AChR acetylcholine receptor(s) - BUTX alpha-bungarotoxin - Kd kilodalton - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - R-II regulatory subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase type II - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate     

A computerized mechanical cell stimulator for tissue culture: Effects on skeletal muscle organogenesis

Summary A tissue culture system has been developed which can mechanically stimulate cells growing on a highly elastic plastic substratum in a 24-well cell growth chamber. The collagen-coated substratum to which the cells attach and grow in the Mechanical Cell Stimulator (Model I) can be repetitively stretched and relaxed by stepper motor with linear accuracy of 30 μm. The activity controlling unit is an Apple IIe computer interfaced with the cell growth chamber via optical data links and is capable of simulating many of the mechanical activity patterns that cells are subjected to in vivo. Primary avian skeletal myoblasts proliferate and fuse into multinucleated myotubes in this set-up in a manner similar to normal tissue culture dishes. Under static culture conditions, the muscle cells differentiate into networks of myotubes which show little orientation. Growing the proliferating muscle cells on a unidirectional stretching substratum causes the developing myotubes to orient parallel to the direction of movement. In contrast, growing the cells on a substratum undergoing continuous stretch-relaxation cycling orients the developing myotubes perpendicular to the direction of movement. Neither type of mechanical activity significantly affects the rate of cell proliferation of the rate of myoblast fusion into myotubes. These results indicate that during in vivo skeletal muscle organogenesis, when substantial mechanical stresses are placed on skeletal muscle cells by both continuous bone elongation and by spontaneous contractions, only bone elongation plays a significant role in proper fiber orientation for subsequent functional work. Supported by grants NS16753, AR36266, and RR05818 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.     

Cellular differences in the regeneration of murine skeletal muscle: a quantitative histological study in SJL/J and BALB/c mice

Summary Skeletal muscle regeneration in SJL/J and BALB/c mice subjected to identical crush injuries is markedly different: in SJL/J mice myotubes almost completely replace damaged myofibres, whereas BALB/c mice develop fibrotic scar tissue and few myotubes. To determine the cellular changes which contribute to these differential responses to injury, samples of crushed tibialis anterior muscles taken from SJL/J and BALB/c mice between 1 and 10 days after injury were analysed by light and electron microscopy, and by autoradiography. Longitudinal muscle sections revealed about a 2-fold greater total mononuclear cell density in SJL/J than BALB/c mice at 2 to 3 days after injury. Electron micrographs identified a similar proportion of cell types at 3 days after injury. Autoradiographic studies showed that the proportions of replicating mononuclear cells in both strains were similar: therefore greater absolute numbers of cells (including muscle precursors and macrophages) were proliferating in SJL/J muscle. Removal of necrotic muscle debris in SJL/J mice was rapid and extensive, and by 6 to 8 days multinucleated myotubes occupied a large part of the lesion. By contrast, phagocytosis was less effective in BALB/c mice, myotube formation was minimal, and fibrotic tissue conspicuous. These data indicate that the increased mononuclear cell density, more efficient removal of necrotic muscle, together with a greater capacity for myotube formation in SJL/J mice, contribute to the more successful muscle regeneration seen after injury.     

Characterization of macrophage-like cells in the external layers of human small and large intestine

Summary In the external layers of human small and large intestine macrophage-like cells were characterized by immunohistochemical, histochemical and electronmicroscopical methods. Using immunohistochemistry and a number of monoclonal antibodies, the presence and distribution of phenotypic subpopulations of macrophages were evaluated. In all locations macrophage-like cells were identified with antibody EBM11, which recognizes CD68 antigen, C3bi which recognizes CD11b, and partly with an antibody which recognizes protein 150,95 (CD11c). Macrophage-like cells in the external muscle layer were HLA-DR-positive (expressing the MHC class-II antigen), in contrast to macrophage-like cells in the subserosa and submucosa. Macrophage-like cells in the external muscle layer were mostly acid phosphatase-negative, and at the electron-microscopic level they were found to have features of macrophages: primary lysosomes, coated vesicles and pits. However, very few secondary lysosomes were present. Birbeck granules were not observed. It is concluded that in the external muscle layer of human small and large intestine numerous macrophages of a special type are present. It is discussed whether this cell type plays a role in gastrointestinal motility and/or has an immunological function.     

Amino acid metabolism in several tissues of the obese Zucker rat as indicated by the tissue accumulation of α-amino[1-14C]isobutyrate

Measurements of the tissue accumulation of α-amino[1-¹⁴C]isobutyrate [1-¹⁴C]AIB) in lean (+/?) and obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats showed an augmented tissue/plasma ratio in the liver of the obese animals. In contrast, brown adipose tissue AIB accumulation was lower in the fa/fa animals. In response to a 24h starvation period AIB accumulation was significantly elevated in the liver and plasma of the lean animals and was unchanged in the liver of the fa/fa animals. The circulating concentration of alanine and branched-chain amino acids was elevated in the fa/fa animals as compared to their lean counterparts. These observations suggest that amino acid uptake is not involved in the impaired muscle development observed in the obese Zucker rat and that the ability of brown adipose tissue for amino acid utilization is decreased in the obese animals suggesting that this may partially explain the impaired thermoregulatory capacity observed in brown adipose tissue of obese Zucker rats.     

Oscillations in glycolysis: multifactorial quantitative analysis in muscle extract

A multifactorial quantitative analysis of oscillations in glycolysis was conducted in the postmicrosomal supernatant of rat muscle homogenates incubated in the presence of yeast hexokinase. Oscillations in adenine nucleotides, D-fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, triose phosphates, L-glycerol 3-phosphate, ³HOH generation from D-[5-³H]glucose, NADH and L-lactate production were documented. The occurrence of such oscillations were found to depend mainly on the balance between the consumption of ATP associated with the phosphorylation of D-glucose, as catalyzed by both yeast and muscle hexokinase, and the net production of ATP resulting from the further catabolism of D-fructose 6-phosphate, as initiated by activation of phosphofructokinase. The oscillatory pattern was suppressed in the presence of D-fructose 2,6-bisphosphate. It is proposed that the quantitative information gathered in this study may set the scene for further studies in extracts of cells other than myocytes, e. g. hepatocytes and pancreatic islet cells, in which no oscillation of glycolysis was so far observed.     

Polyamines in liver and their influence on chromatin condensation after 17-β estradiol treatment of Atlantic salmon

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were treated with 17- estradiol to induce vitellogenin synthesis in liver. This led to an increase in liver wet weight and total DNA. After incubation with micrococcal nuclease (EC 3.1.31.1) less soluble chromatin was obtained from nuclei of the estradiol treated than the control fish, but active gene regions were solubilized by the nuclease. Thus, in the estradiol treated fish soluble mononucleosomes contained hybridizable vitellogenin gene sequences. As a result of estradiol treatment the content in total liver of putrescine rose 3-fold, that of spermidine 2-fold, while spermine was unchanged. In muscle no significant changes were observed. The regulatory functions of polyamines during gene expression were investigated by binding (¹⁴C)spermine to isolated liver nuclei depleted of endogenous polyamines. The number of binding sites was higher in nuclei of estradiol treated than control fish. (^14C)spermine associated preferentially with micrococcal nuclease insensitive chromatin. Thus, the high content of putrescine and spermidine in liver supported the view of polyamine accumulation in proliferating tissues. The preferential binding to condensed chromatin indicated a stabilizing effect of polyamines on the organization of inactive chromatin structures.Abbreviations MNase micrococcal nuclease - PMSF phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride     

Phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy of forearm flexor muscles in student rowers using an exercise protocol adjusted for differences in cross-sectional muscle area

To assess exercise energy metabolism of forearm flexor muscles in rowers, six male student rowers and six control subjects matched for age and sex were studied using phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS). Firstly, to adjust for the effect of differences in cross-sectional muscle area, the maximal cross-sectional area (CSAmax) of the forearm flexor muscles was estimated in each individual using magnetic resonance imaging. Multistage exercise was then carried out with an initial energy production of 1 J.cm-2 CSAmax for 1 min and an increment of 1 J.cm-2 CSAmax every minute to the point of muscle exhaustion. A series of measurements of 31P-MRS were performed every minute. The CSAmax was significantly greater in the student rowers than in the control subjects [19.8 (SD 2.2) vs 17.1 (SD 1.2) cm2, P less than 0.05]. The absolute maximal exercise intensity (J.min-1) was greater in the rowers than in the control subjects. However, the maximal exercise intensity per unit of muscle cross sectional area (J.min-1.cm-2) was not significantly different between the two groups. During mild to moderate exercise intensities, a decrease in phosphocreatine and an increase in inorganic phosphate before the onset of acidosis were significantly less in the rowers, indicating a requirement of less adenosine 5'-diphosphate to drive adenosine 5'-triphosphate production. The onset of acidosis was also significantly delayed in the rowers. No difference was observed in forearm blood flow between the two groups at the same exercise intensity (J.min-1.cm-2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The respiratory system as an exercise limiting factor in normal trained subjects

Recently, we have shown that an untrained respiratory system does limit the endurance of submaximal exercise (64% peak oxygen consumption) in normal sedentary subjects. These subjects were able to increase breathing endurance by almost 300% and cycle endurance by 50% after isolated respiratory training. The aim of the present study was to find out if normal, endurance trained subjects would also benefit from respiratory training. Breathing and cycle endurance as well as maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and anaerobic threshold were measured in eight subjects. Subsequently, the subjects trained their respiratory muscles for 4 weeks by breathing 85-160 l.min-1 for 30 min daily. Otherwise they continued their habitual endurance training. After respiratory training, the performance tests made at the beginning of the study were repeated. Respiratory training increased breathing endurance from 6.1 (SD 1.8) min to about 40 min. Cycle endurance at the anaerobic threshold [77 (SD 6) %VO2max] was improved from 22.8 (SD 8.3) min to 31.5 (SD 12.6) min while VO2max and the anaerobic threshold remained essentially the same. Therefore, the endurance of respiratory muscles can be improved remarkably even in trained subjects. Respiratory muscle fatigue induced hyperventilation which limited cycle performance at the anaerobic threshold. After respiratory training, minute ventilation for a given exercise intensity was reduced and cycle performance at the anaerobic threshold was prolonged. These results would indicate the respiratory system to be an exercise limiting factor in normal, endurance trained subjects.     

豚鼠肠系膜下神经节细胞电活动与结肠运动的关系

在豚鼠肠系膜下神经节(IMG)及其支配的结肠段联合标本上,对IMG细胞内电位与肠段纵肌或环肌舒缩活动进行了同步记录。实验结果表明:(1)肠段预置张力为零时,约50％IMG细胞有自发的快兴奋性突触后电位(EPSP)活动,切断结肠神经或以筒箭毒(50μmol/L)灌流IMG后消失;(2)筒箭毒或低钙高镁溶液阻断神经节传递时,环肌节律性收缩幅度增大,节律变慢,但对纵肌节律性收缩无明显影响,(3)串刺激节前神经,在IMG细胞引起一串快EPSP或动作电位并常跟随迟慢的EPSP,同时,纵肌在0.1-0.2s潜伏期后出现迅速的、时程基本与动作电位串一致的舒张波,后者在筒箭毒灌流IMG后消失,而环肌运动可见舒张、舒张波延长或收缩波增大。结果提示:IMG不仅中继经典的胆碱能传出功能,还参与以胆碱能传递为中介的肠-肠反射,该反射活动的传出效应主要在于抑制环肌收缩。