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Effect of Hindlimb Unloading on Rat Soleus Fiber Force, Stiffness, and Calcium SensitivityThe purpose of this study was to examine the time course of change in soleus muscle fiber peak force (N), tension (P(sub 0), kN/sq m), elastic modulus (E(sub 0)), and force-pCa and stiffness - pCa relationships. After 1, 2, or 3 wk of Hindlimb Unloading (HU), single fibers were isolated and placed between a motor arm and a transducer, and fiber diameter, peak absolute force, P(sub 0), E(sub 0), and force-pCa and stiffness-pca relationships were characterized. One week of HU resulted in a significant reduction in fiber diameter (68 +/- 2 vs. 57 +/- 1 micrometer), force (3.59 +/- 0.15 vs. 2.19 +/- 0.12 x 10(exp -4) N), P(sub 0) (102 +/- 4 vs. 85 +/- 2 kN/sq m), and E(sub 0) (1.96 +/- 0.12 vs. 1.37 +/- 0.13 X 10(exp 7) N/sq m) and 2 wk of HU caused a further decline in fiber diameter (45 +/- 1 micrometer), force (1.31 +/- 0.06 x 10(exp -4) N), and E(sub 0)(0.96 +/- 0.09 x 10(exp 7) N/sq m). Although the mean fiber diameter and absolute force continued to decline through 3 wk of HU, P(sub 0) recovered to values not significantly different from control. The P(sub 0)/E(sub 0) ratio was significantly increased after 1 (5.5 +/- 0.3 to 7.1 +/- 0.6), 2, and 3 wk of HU, and the 2-wk (9.5 +/- 0.4) and 3-wk (9.4 +/- 0.8) values were significantly greater than the 1-wk values. The force-pCa and stiffness-pCa curves were shifted right- ward after 1, 2, and 3 wk of HU. At 1 wk of HU, the Ca(2+) sensitivity of isometric force, assessed by Ca(2+) concentration required for half-maximal force, was increased from the control value of 1.83 +/- 0.12 to 2.30 +/- 0.10 micrometers. In conclusion, after HU, the decrease in soleus fiber P(sub 0) can be explained by a reduction in the number of myofibrillar cross bridges per cross-sectional area. Our working hypothesis is that the loss of contractile protein reduces the number of cross bridges per cross-sectional area and increases the filament lattice spacing. The increased spacing reduces cross-bridge force and stiffness, but P(sub 0)/E(sub 0) increases because of a quantitatively greater effect on stiffness.
Document ID
19970022817
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
McDonald Kerry S.
(Marquette Univ. Milwaukee, WI United States)
Fitts, Robert H.
(Marquette Univ. Milwaukee, WI United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
June 12, 1995
Publication Information
Publisher: American Physiological Society
ISSN: 0161-7567
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:204850
NASA-CR-204850
Accession Number
97N23255
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGw-4376
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-212
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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