Distribution of microspheres in plantaris muscles of resting and exercising rats as a function of fiber type

The purpose of this study was to determine histologically the distribution of microspheres (MSs) (14 micron), and hence the relative distribution of blood flow, in rat plantaris muscle relative to the fiber types (fast-twitch-oxidative-glycolytic FOG], fast-twitch-glycolytic FG], and slow-twitch-oxidative SO]). Three conditions were investigated: 1) preexercise standing; 2) treadmill locomotion at 15 m/min (fast walking); and 3) treadmill locomotion at 60 m/min (moderate galloping). The MS suspension (containing 1 x 10(6) MSs) was infused into the ascending aorta via a catheter in the carotid artery under each of the 3 conditions so that MSs were distributed to the tissues in proportion to their respective blood flows. Sections (20 micron) of the plantaris muscle were cut and assayed for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase (NADH-TR) and myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities so the fibers could be typed as SO, FOG, or FG. MSs were located in the NADH-TR sections, and the fibers next to the MSs were classified and counted. The observed numbers of fibers of each type in each condition that were adjacent to MSs were compared to the predicted number of adjacent fibers based on the assumption the MSs were randomly distributed in the tissue. This analysis demonstrated that MSs (and blood flows) were preferentially distributed to SO fibers during preexercise, to SO and FOG fibers during slow locomotion, and to FOG fibers during fast locomotion. The data support the contention that blood flow is distributed in muscles of conscious animals as functions of fiber type and exercise intensity.