A Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Contusion Injury Model in Non-Human Primates (Macaca mulatta)

The development of a non-human primate (NHP) model of spinal cord injury (SCI) based on mechanical and computational modeling is described. We scaled up from a rodent model to a larger primate model using a highly controllable, friction-free, electronically-driven actuator to generate unilateral C6-C7 spinal cord injuries. Graded contusion lesions with varying degrees of functional recovery, depending upon pre-set impact parameters, were produced in nine NHPs. Protocols and pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to optimize the predictability of outcomes by matching impact protocols to the size of each animal's spinal canal, cord, and cerebrospinal fluid space. Post-operative MRI confirmed lesion placement and provided information on lesion volume and spread for comparison with histological measures. We evaluated the relationships between impact parameters, lesion measures, and behavioral outcomes, and confirmed that these relationships were consistent with our previous studies in the rat. In addition to providing multiple univariate outcome measures, we also developed an integrated outcome metric describing the multivariate cervical SCI syndrome. Impacts at the higher ranges of peak force produced highly lateralized and enduring deficits in multiple measures of forelimb and hand function, while lower energy impacts produced early weakness followed by substantial recovery but enduring deficits in fine digital control (e.g., pincer grasp). This model provides a clinically relevant system in which to evaluate the safety and, potentially, the efficacy of candidate translational therapies.

Neural influence on slow muscle properties: inactivity with and without cross-reinnervation

The effects of altering (cross-reinnervation, CR) and/or eliminating (spinal isolation, SI) the activation-dependent neural input to the cat soleus for 8 months on its mechanical and biochemical properties were determined. The percent fast fibers was 0, 27, 38, and 54% for normal control (NC), NC-CR, SI, and SI-CR cats. Calcium-activated whole muscle myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase activity was higher in SI-CR and NC cats. Isometric twitch speed properties and frequency of stimulation:tension response were faster in all experimental groups compared to NC. Maximum twitch and tetanic (Po) force, physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), and specific tension (Po/PCSA) were unaffected in NC-CR cats, but reduced in SI and SI-CR cats. The soleus was more fatigable in SI-CR compared to NC cats. Alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity was higher in all experimental groups compared to NC. All eight parameters reflecting the type of muscle were shifted toward those observed in a "faster" muscle in SI-CR vs. SI cats. These data suggest that electrically silent motoneurons can influence type-related skeletal muscle properties.

Relative independence of metabolic enzymes and neuromuscular activity

Effects of spinal cord transection in 2-wk-old cats on the metabolic, histochemical, and fatigue properties of a fast- and a slow-twitch muscle were determined. Chronic (6-12 mo) spinalization (Sp) resulted in an increased ratio of fast-twitch, oxidative-glycolytic (FOG) to slow-twitch, oxidative (SO) fibers in soleus (SOL). In medial gastrocnemius (MG), Sp produced a histochemical profile suggesting that fast fibers were increased at the expense of slow fibers. Changes in biochemical markers for oxidative (citrate synthase) and glycolytic (GPD) potential were consistent with the histochemical findings. The fatigue index of Sp MG and SOL remained normal and was consistent with the type and degree of fiber type change. Daily treadmill exercise did not markedly alter any of the adaptations. The metabolic and fatigue properties of skeletal muscle of Sp cats are consistent with the view that as some fibers develop "faster-like" characteristics, the oxidative and the glycolytic potential is also enhanced. As was true of the contractile properties and related biochemical data, the changes observed suggest that significant changes occurred within as well as across fiber types. These data, in conjunction with that of chronic EMG recordings, provide evidence that there is a relative independence of both the oxidative potential and the fatigability of a muscle relative to its quantity of activation.

Muscle fiber type distribution and architecture of the cat diaphragm

Three types of diaphragmatic muscle fibers were identified histochemically in the sternal, costal, and crural regions of the cat diaphragm. Differences in the proportion of each muscle fiber type were observed between the abdominal and thoracic surfaces of the diaphragm but not among the different regions. A higher percentage of slow-twitch oxidative fibers was noted on the abdominal surface, whereas more fast-twitch fibers (fast-twitch oxidative-glycolytic and fast-twitch glycolytic) were found on the thoracic surface. Differences in muscle architecture were observed between diaphragmatic regions, but not between abdominal and thoracic sides. Overall, muscle fibers were longer in the crural regions, with the longest fibers being found in the crossing-band area of the crura. In the costal regions, fibers were longest in the center and became shorter toward the ventral and dorsal extent of these regions. Fiber lengths were similar throughout the sternal region. In each diaphragmatic region, the length of fibers extended from the origin of the muscle to its insertion. We conclude that functional differences between diaphragmatic regions could be attributed to fiber length and/or orientation, but not to differences in fiber-type composition.

Modulation of MHC isoforms in functionally overloaded and exercised rat plantaris fibers

The effects of 1 and 10 wk of functional overload (FO) of the rat plantaris with (FOTr) and without daily endurance treadmill training on its myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition were studied. After 1 and 10 wk of FO, plantaris mass was 22 and 56% greater in FO and 37 and 94% greater, respectively, in FOTr rats compared with age-matched controls. At 1 wk, pure type I and pure type IIa MHC fibers were hypertrophied in FO (39 and 44%) and FOTr (70 and 87%) rats. By 10 wk all fiber types comprising >5% of the fibers sampled showed a hypertrophic response in both FO groups. One week of FO increased the percentage of hybrid (containing both type I and type IIa MHC) fibers and of fibers containing embryonic MHC. By 10 wk, the percentage of pure type I MHC fibers was approximately 40% in both FO groups compared with 15% in controls, and the percentage of fibers containing embryonic MHC was similar to that in controls. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses showed an increase in type I MHC and a decrease in type IIb MHC in both FO groups at 10 wk, whereas little change was observed at 1 wk. These data are consistent with hypertrophy and transformation from faster to slower MHC isoforms in chronically overloaded muscles. The additional overload imposed by daily endurance treadmill training employed in this study (1.6 km/day; 10% incline) results in a larger hypertrophic response but appears to have a minimal effect on the MHC adaptations.

Spaceflight suppresses exercise-induced release of bioassayable growth hormone

We have reported that bed rest suppressed the release of bioassayable growth hormone (BGH) that normally occurs after an acute bout of unilateral plantar flexor exercise (G. E. McCall, C. Goulet, R. E. Grindeland, J. A. Hodgson, A. J. Bigbee, and V. R. Edgerton. J. Appl. Physiol. 83: 2086-2090, 1997). In the present study, the effects of spaceflight on the hormonal responses to this exercise protocol were examined. Four male astronauts on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shuttle Transport System (STS-78) mission completed the exercise protocol before, during, and after a 17-day spaceflight. The maximal voluntary contraction torque output at the onset of exercise was similar on all test days. Before spaceflight, plasma BGH increased 114-168% from pre- to postexercise. During spaceflight and after 2 days recovery at normal gravity (1 G), the BGH response to exercise was absent. After 4 days of recovery, this response was restored. Plasma concentrations of immunoassayable growth hormone were similar at all time points. The preexercise plasma immunoassayable insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels were elevated after 12 or 13 days of microgravity, and a approximately 7% postexercise IGF-I increase was independent of this spaceflight effect. The suppression of the BGH response to exercise during spaceflight indicates that some minimum level of chronic neuromuscular activity and/or loading is necessary to maintain a normal exercise-induced BGH release. Moreover, these results suggest that there is a muscle afferent-pituitary axis that can modulate BGH release.

Contractile responses of rat fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles to glucocorticoid treatment

In an attempt to determine whether chronic glucocorticoid treatment affects speed- and strength-related properties of fast-twitch muscle and slow-twitch muscle, in-situ contractile properties of soleus and gastrocnemius muscles were measured in rats after 14 days on a regiment of triamcinolone acetonide injected at a dosage of 2 mg/kg/day. No effects on contractile speed or strength were noted for either muscle. The time to peak tension in soleus muscle was significantly longer in the treated group (43.0 +/- 1.0 msec) than in the control group (38.7 +/- 0.7 msec); however, this was attributed to a prolongation of "active state" duration, as suggested by the fact that treated muscles also showed significantly elevated twitch-tetanus ratios. The treatment-induced enhancement of the specific twitch tension was more pronounced in the gastrocnemius muscles (198% +/- 19% of control) than in the soleus muscles (153% +/- 9% of control). The difference in response to steroid treatment may reflect structural and functional differences in fast- and slow-muscle membrane systems.

Is resistance of a muscle to fatigue controlled by its motoneurones?

The original experiment of Buller et al. and the many subsequent confirmatory reports clearly show that the time-to-peak tension and many other speed-related parameters of slow and fast muscle fibres are dictated by the motoneurone. It has been concluded that the motoneurone exerts this control of the physiological and associated biochemical properties by the frequency at which it excites the muscle fibre. However, no studies have been reported on the fatigue properties and the associated biochemical characteristics after cross-reinnervation. Based on the 'size principle' of motoneurones, it would be reasonable to assume that a muscle fibre reinnervated by a small motoneurone would be active often and that this would be manifested biochemically as an elevated oxidative capacity. Also, it has been shown repeatedly that the mitochondrial content of a muscle fibre can be modified by daily endurance type exercise. Thus, it would seem that the motoneurone at least indirectly also controls the mitochondrial content of a muscle fibre by controlling the degree of activity. We have now tested this hypothesis using self- and cross-reinnervated muscles in cats. We found that fast- and slow-twitch muscles retained their characteristic fatigue resistance properties regardless of whether the nerve to which they had become connected had originally innervated a fatigue-resistant or relatively fatiguable muscle.

Fiber type and fiber size of cat ankle, knee, and hip extensors and flexors following low thoracic spinal cord transection at an early age

Effects of low thoracic spinal transection on muscle weights, fiber type distributions, and fiber cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of selected cat hind limb mixed-fast flexors and extensors and slow extensors were studied. Cats were spinalized at T12 at 2 weeks of age and maintained for 6 to 12 months. In general spinalization resulted in a decrease in muscle weights of extensors, while the weights of those muscles that function as either flexors or as both flexors and extensors were maintained. The percentages of fast-twitch [fast glycolytic (FG) and fast oxidative-glycolytic (FOG)] fibers increased and slow oxidative (SO) fibers decreased as a result of spinalization. However, FG fibers had a smaller CSA after spinal transection in both extensors and flexors. The total relative CSA of FG fibers per whole muscle was similar in spinalized and control cats. The relative muscle CSA occupied by SO fibers decreased in extensors and flexors as a result of a lower proportion of SO fibers and/or smaller SO fibers in spinalized cats. These findings suggest that muscles become more "fast-like" histochemically while little change occurs in the oxidative staining properties in either extensors or flexors in 6- to 12-month-old cats transected at 2 weeks of age. Further, these data suggest that the amount of muscle atrophy that occurs as a result of spinal transection is not closely related to the percentage reduction in SO fibers.

Periodic weight support effects on rat soleus fibers after hindlimb suspension

The morphological and histochemical properties of the rat soleus were studied after 1 wk of hindlimb suspension, one model that removes the weight-bearing function of the hindlimbs. To examine the effectiveness of weight support activity in maintaining soleus mass, fiber size, and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, the hindlimbs of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were suspended (HS) and half of these rats were walked on a treadmill for 40 min/day (10 min every 6 h) at 5 m/min and a 19 degree grade (HS-WS). Significant reductions in soleus mass and fiber size were found after 1 wk of HS. Weight support activity decreased the atrophic response by approximately 50%. In the alkaline myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) dark-staining fibers, SDH activity was higher in the HS than control rats, whereas it was similar to control in the HS-WS rats. Total SDH activity (SDH activity X cross-sectional area) in fibers staining lightly for ATPase in HS and HS-WS rats was lower than in control rats, whereas in the darkly stained ATPase fibers it was similar among the three groups. No changes were observed in fiber type percentages after 1 wk of HS or HS-WS. The results suggest that short-duration, daily weight support activity can ameliorate, but not prevent, soleus atrophy induced by HS. Furthermore, fiber cross-sectional area is more responsive to periodic weight support in dark than light ATPase fibers. These results also demonstrate that muscle fiber atrophy need not be associated with a loss in SDH activity.

Effects of 14 days of spaceflight and nine days of recovery on cell body size and succinate dehydrogenase activity of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

The cross-sectional areas and succinate dehydrogenase activities of L5 dorsal root ganglion neurons in rats were determined after 14 days of spaceflight and after nine days of recovery. The mean and distribution of the cross-sectional areas were similar to age-matched, ground-based controls for both the spaceflight and for the spaceflight plus recovery groups. The mean succinate dehydrogenase activity was significantly lower in spaceflight compared to aged-matched control rats, whereas the mean succinate dehydrogenase activity was similar in age-matched control and spaceflight plus recovery rats. The mean succinate dehydrogenase activity of neurons with cross-sectional areas between 1000 and 2000 microns2 was lower (between 7 and 10%) in both the spaceflight and the spaceflight plus recovery groups compared to the appropriate control groups. The reduction in the oxidative capacity of a subpopulation of sensory neurons having relatively large cross-sectional areas immediately following spaceflight and the sustained depression for nine days after returning to 1 g suggest that the 0 g environment induced significant alterations in proprioceptive function.

MHC and sarcoplasmic reticulum protein isoforms in functionally overloaded cat plantaris muscle fibers

To determine whether the adaptations in myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform expression after functional overload (FO) are accompanied by commensurate adaptations in protein isoforms responsible for relaxation [sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (SERCA) and phospholamban (PHL)] in single muscle fibers, the isoforms of MHC and SERCA and the presence or absence of PHL were determined for cat plantaris fibers 3 mo after FO. In control plantaris the relative MHC isoform composition was 23% type I, 21% type IIa, and 56% type IIb. FO resulted in a shift toward slower isoforms (33% type I, 44% type IIa, and 23% type IIb). In the deep region of the plantaris the proportions of type I MHC and hybrid MHC fibers (containing type I and II MHCs) were 40 and 200% greater in FO cats, respectively. FO resulted in a 47% increase in the proportion of fibers containing only the slow SERCA isoform (SERCA2) and a 41% increase in the proportion of fibers containing PHL. The proportions of fibers containing type I MHC, SERCA2, and PHL in control and FO plantaris were linearly correlated. These data show that adaptations in MHC isoform expression are accompanied by commensurate adaptations in sarcoplasmic reticulum protein isoforms in single muscle fibers after FO.

Coordination of motor pools controlling the ankle musculature in adult spinal cats during treadmill walking

The coordination of the motor pools of two ankle plantar-flexor, i.e. the soleus (Sol) and medial gastrocnemius (MG), and an ankle dorsiflexor, i.e. the tibialis anterior (TA) was quantified by comparing the EMG amplitude relationships in muscle pairs in normal and trained adult spinalized cats during treadmill walking across a range of relatively slow speeds (0.1 to 1.0 m/s). The effects of increased tactile stimulation or loading on locomotor performance were also studied in the spinal cats. Joint probability density distributions in the spinalized cats showed a low level of MG activation relative to Sol which did not change as speed increased. In general, the coordination between Sol and MG was similar in normal and spinal cats. However, towards the final phase of the extensor burst, the MG EMG amplitude decayed prematurely in spinal cats, particularly at higher speeds. Preferential elevation of MG relative to Sol activity was seen as a result of tactile stimulation. An elevated load resulted in a higher level of MG activation relative to Sol, prolonged MG activity at the end of the extensor burst, and the reduction in the clonic pattern of EMG typical of spinal cats. Spinalized cats showed an increased incidence of Sol-TA coactivation, especially at the higher speeds, due in part to the tonic activity in the TA. However, the overall reciprocal relationship between these antagonists was maintained. This reciprocity was preserved, but the high level of coactivation was unaffected by tactile stimulation. An elevated load, however, resulted in less Sol-TA coactivation. These results suggest that the coordination between synergists (Sol-MG) and between antagonists (Sol-TA and MG-TA), as well as the level of activation are modulated in the adult spinal cat similar to that observed in the normal cat. Further, there are specific types of proprioceptive-cutaneous information that can affect selected phases of the step cycle such that full weight-supporting stepping is significantly improved.

Mechanical properties of rat soleus aponeurosis and tendon during variable recruitment in situ

The in vitro mechanical properties of tendons are well described, whereas little data exist for conditions mimicking those found in vivo. Descriptions of the in situ mechanical properties of aponeuroses are more common, but the results are variable. Our goal was to examine the mechanical properties of these tissues under conditions mimicking the in vivo state. Tissue strains were measured in the rat (Rattus norvegicus) soleus muscle directly from the spacing of metal markers implanted within the tissues of interest using an X-ray video microscope. Strains were measured for the tendon and three regions (proximal, middle and distal) of the aponeurosis. Muscle stimulation was accomplished through isolated ventral rootlets, allowing force to be graded in seven repeatable increments independent of muscle-tendon unit length. Peak strains (during maximal tetanic contraction at optimum length; P(o)) were approximately 5% in tendon and approximately 12% in all regions of the aponeurosis. At forces above 50% of P(o), tissue stiffness was nearly constant in all regions, and a pronounced toe region was observed only at forces below approximately 25% of P(o). Stiffness increased in all regions as the muscle-tendon unit was lengthened. These results suggest that using mechanical properties measured ex vivo or during single contractile events in situ to estimate the in vivo behavior of tendon and aponeurosis may lead to errors in estimating the distribution of strain among the contractile and series elastic elements of the muscle.

Mechanical properties of the electrically silent adult rat soleus muscle

The isometric and isotonic in situ mechanical properties of the soleus muscle of adult female rats were determined after 60 days of inactivity induced by spinal cord isolation (SI). Compared to control, the absolute muscle mass, physiological cross-sectional area, and maximum tetanic tension of the soleus in SI rats were reduced by 69%, 66%, and 77%, respectively. Isometric twitch time-to-peak-tension and half-relaxation times were 41% and 60% shorter in SI than control rats. The maximum velocity of shortening (mm/s), as determined using the afterloaded technique, was 66% faster in SI than control rats, whereas unloaded shortening velocity was similar in the two groups (9% faster in SI rats). Peak power was 48% lower in SI than control rats. The SI soleus was 39% more fatigable than control. Thus, the soleus became a smaller, faster, and more fatigable muscle following 60 days of inactivity. In general, the results indicate that the adaptations are of a lesser magnitude than those reported previously following denervation for the same duration. These data provide a baseline for future efforts to experimentally define the mechanisms of neurally mediated, but activity-independent, regulation of the mechanical properties of the rat soleus muscle.

A sensitive electrophoretic method for the quantification of myosin heavy chain isoforms in horse skeletal muscle: histochemical and immunocytochemical verifications

In adult horses, three myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms can be identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunohistochemistry using specific anti-MyHC monoclonal antibodies. This report studies the suitability of a consistent SDS-PAGE technique for quantifying MyHC profiles in homogenized cryostate sections of equine gluteus medius muscle biopsies (n = 18). The method used (previously described by R. J. Talmadge and R. R. Roy; J. Appl. Physiol. 1993, 75, 2337-2340) resolved MyHCs in three bands: I, IIB or IIX, and IIA from the fastest to the slowest migration band. The success rate of the protocol for yielding three well-differentiated MyHC bands was 100% and a subsequent quantification by densitometry for each MyHC isoform was obtained in all 18 muscle biopsies. The results obtained with this electrophoretic method were compared with routine myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase histochemistry and immunohistochemistry using specific anti-MyHC monoclonal antibodies. The percent composition of the three electrophoretically separated MyHC isoforms (I, IIA and IIB or IIX) showed strong positive correlation with percentages of the area occupied in the biopsies by the three major fiber types (I, IIA, and IIB) identified histochemically (r = 0.96, P < 0.001) and immunohistochemically (r = 0.94, P < 0.01). It can be concluded that the electrophoretic method used here for measuring MyHC content is a valid alternative for muscle fiber typing in horses. As it is less costly and time-consuming than both qualitative histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, the method offers new prospects for application in equine experimental studies and veterinary medicine.

Expression of a fast fiber enzyme profile in the cat soleus after spinalization

This study was designed to determine the effects of reduced neuromuscular activity on the expression of proteins associated with contractile and metabolic functions and the size of single muscle fibers in the cat soleus. Adult cats were spinalized (Sp) at T12-T13 and maintained in a healthy condition for 6 months. Some of the cats were trained to weight-support (Sp-WS) for 30 minutes per day beginning one month posttransection. Cross-sectional area (CSA), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPD), and myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities were determined in a population of single fibers identified in frozen serial cross-sections. Each fiber was categorized as either light or dark based on its staining density for qualitative myosin ATPase, alkaline preincubation (pH 8.75). The Sp (45%) and Sp-WS (31%) groups had significantly higher percentages of dark ATPase fibers than control (less than 1%). All dark ATPase fibers were shown to react positively for a fast myosin heavy chain monoclonal antibody, while some of these fibers showed a reaction to both fast and slow myosin heavy chain antibodies. Overall mean fiber CSA were significantly smaller (approximately 25%) than control in both Sp groups. In the Sp-WS, but not the Sp cats, the dark fibers were larger than the light fibers (P less than 0.05), suggesting a preferential effect of postural training on the ATPase converted fibers. There were no significant differences among the three groups in any of the mean enzyme activities for either ATPase type fiber. However, there was a general tendency for the Sp cats to have elevated GPD and ATP activities per muscle; this appeared to be directly related to the percentage of fibers staining darkly for myosin ATPase. These data indicate that 6 months after spinalization some of the fibers of the slow muscle developed fast myosin staining patterns and oxidative and glycolytic enzyme profiles that are normally exhibited in fast fatigue-resistant motor units. Periods of daily weight-support appear to ameliorate some of these adaptations to spinalization. Further, the observation that SDH activities are maintained at control values in spinalized adult cats as well as in spinalized kittens (unpublished observations) suggest that, at least in the soleus, skeletal muscle fibers can maintain their oxidative potential even though there is a marked reduction in neuromuscular activity for 6 months.

Enzyme and size profiles in chronically inactive cat soleus muscle fibers

Spinal isolation (SI), i.e., the isolation of the lumbar spinal cord via a rostral and a caudal cord transection and bilateral dorsal rhizotomy, was used to determine the effects of chronic (6 months) inactivity on the size and metabolic properties of fibers in the cat soleus. Fibers were classified as dark or light, based on their staining reactions to myosin ATPase, alkaline preincubation, and immunohistochemically as expressing fast and/or slow myosin heavy chains (MHC). Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) activities were assessed histochemically. Following SI, both the light and the dark ATPase fibers in the SI cats were significantly smaller than the light ATPase fibers in the controls. Normally 100% of the fibers were light ATPase and reacted exclusively with the slow antibody. After SI, approximately 45% of the fibers were dark ATPase fibers, many reacting with both fast and slow MHC antibodies. The total amount and concentration of GPD were higher in the light and dark ATPase fibers in SI compared with light ATPase fibers in controls. In contrast, although the total amount of SDH per fiber was decreased, reflecting the decrease in fiber size, the mean SDH concentration per fiber was unchanged following SI. These data indicate that there is a close coordination in the regulation of GPD activity and the type of myosin. SDH activity, on the other hand, appears to be resistant to decreased levels of activity and unloading, i.e., there seems to be a minimum level of oxidative potential in the soleus that is independent of activity level. Fiber sizes, however, are very sensitive to less-than-normal amounts of neuromuscular activity and/or loading.

Circadian force and EMG activity in hindlimb muscles of rhesus monkeys

Continuous intramuscular electromyograms (EMGs) were recorded from the soleus (Sol), medial gastrocnemius (MG), tibialis anterior (TA), and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles of Rhesus during normal cage activity throughout 24-h periods and also during treadmill locomotion. Daily levels of MG tendon force and EMG activity were obtained from five monkeys with partial datasets from three other animals. Activity levels correlated with the light-dark cycle with peak activities in most muscles occurring between 08:00 and 10:00. The lowest levels of activity generally occurred between 22:00 and 02:00. Daily EMG integrals ranged from 19 mV/s in one TA muscle to 3339 mV/s in one Sol muscle: average values were 1245 (Sol), 90 (MG), 65 (TA), and 209 (VL) mV/s. The average Sol EMG amplitude per 24-h period was 14 microV, compared with 246 microV for a short burst of locomotion. Mean EMG amplitudes for the Sol, MG, TA, and VL during active periods were 102, 18, 20, and 33 microV, respectively. EMG amplitudes that approximated recruitment of all fibers within a muscle occurred for 5-40 s/day in all muscles. The duration of daily activation was greatest in the Sol [151 +/- 45 (SE) min] and shortest in the TA (61 +/- 19 min). The results show that even a "postural" muscle such as the Sol was active for only approximately 9% of the day, whereas less active muscles were active for approximately 4% of the day. MG tendon forces were generally very low, consistent with the MG EMG data but occasionally reached levels close to estimates of the maximum force generating potential of the muscle. The Sol and TA activities were mutually exclusive, except at very low levels, suggesting very little coactivation of these antagonistic muscles. In contrast, the MG activity usually accompanied Sol activity suggesting that the MG was rarely used in the absence of Sol activation. The results clearly demonstrate a wide range of activation levels among muscles of the same animal as well as among different animals during normal cage activity.

Expression of heat shock protein 72 in atrophied rat skeletal muscles

Changes in the expression of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) in response to atrophic-inducing perturbations of muscle involving chronic mechanical unloading and denervation were determined. Adult male Wistar rats were assigned randomly to a sedentary cage control (CON), hind limb unloading (HU, via tail suspension), HU plus tenotomy (HU + TEN), HU plus denervation (HU + DEN), or HU + TEN + DEN group. Tenotomy and DEN involved cutting the Achilles tendon and removing a segment of the sciatic nerve, respectively. After 5 days, HSP72 levels in the soleus of the HU + DEN and HU + TEN + DEN groups were 42 (P < 0.05) and 53% (P < 0.01) less than CON, respectively. Soleus weight decreased in both groups. Heat shock protein 72 levels in the plantaris of the HU + TEN, HU + DEN, and HU + TEN + DEN groups were 31, 25, and 30% lower than CON, respectively (P < 0.05). Plantaris weight decreased in the HU + DEN and HU + TEN + DEN, but not in the HU + TEN group. Hind limb unloading alone had little effect on the HSP72 level in either muscle. Reduced levels of HSP72 were associated with a decreased soleus (r=0.62, P < 0.01) and plantaris (r=0.78, P < 0.001) weight. These results indicate that the levels of HSP72 in both a slow and a fast rat plantarflexor are responsive to a chronic decrease in the levels of loading and/or activation and suggest that the neuromuscular activity level and the presence of innervation of a muscle are important factors that induce HSP72 expression.

Guinea pig soleus and gastrocnemius electromyograms at varying speeds, grades, and loads

The purpose of the study was to describe changes that occur in the usage of fast-twitch and slow-twitch guinea pig hindlimb muscles, as estimated using chronically implanted electromyogram (EMG) electrodes, during voluntary locomotion under various conditions. Guinea pigs, in which fine wire electrodes were implanted in soleus (SOL) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscles, were exercised at various speeds (13.4, 26.8, 40.2 m/min), grades (0-30%) and in some conditions loads (50-150 g) on a motor-driven treadmill. Bipolar EMG signals were rectified-averaged (RA-EMG) and analyzed for burst duration, amplitude, and the integral of each burst (IEMG). For each condition and muscle, total IEMG/min (IEMG/step x steps/min) was calculated and expressed as a percent of the maximum IEMG recorded. With increasing speed at 0% grade, the ratio of LG to SOL IEMG, each expressed as percent of maximum, remained constant at about 0.82. An increased stepping rate of 150 (at 13.4 m/min) to 225 (at 40.2 m/min) steps/min was accompanied by a 37% decrease in burst duration in LG and SOL. When the treadmill belt speed was increased from 13.4 to 4.02 m/min at 30% grade, the LG/SOL ratio increased from 0.83 to 1.03, whereas burst duration decreased by 49% (SOL) and 51% (LG). Soleus IEMG did not change significantly with increases in speed or grade; LG IEMG increased significantly with speed at 10% grade and with grade increase at the highest speed (40.2 m/min). These data provide some insight into how modifications of work load on a treadmill affect overall muscle activity and may assist in the interpretation of training-induced muscle biochemical alterations previously noted by other investigators.

Bed rest suppresses bioassayable growth hormone release in response to muscle activity

Hormonal responses to muscle activity were studied in eight men before (-13 or -12 and -8 or -7 days), during (2 or 3, 8 or 9, and 13 or 14 days) and after (+2 or +3 and +10 or +11 days) 17 days of bed rest. Muscle activity consisted of a series of unilateral isometric plantar flexions, including 4 maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs), 48 contractions at 30% MVC, and 12 contractions at 80% MVC, all performed at a 4:1-s work-to-rest ratio. Blood was collected before and immediately after muscle activity to measure plasma growth hormone by radioimmunoassay (IGH) and by bioassay (BGH) of tibia epiphyseal cartilage growth in hypophysectomized rats. Plasma IGH was unchanged by muscle activity before, during, or after bed rest. Before bed rest, muscle activity increased (P < 0.05) BGH by 66% at -13 or -12 days (2,146 +/- 192 to 3,565 +/- 197 microg/l) and by 92% at -8 or -7 days (2,162 +/- 159 to 4,161 +/- 204 microg/l). After 2 or 3 days of bed rest, there was no response of BGH to the muscle activity, a pattern that persisted through 8 or 9 days of bed rest. However, after 13 or 14 days of bed rest, plasma concentration of BGH was significantly lower after than before muscle activity (2,594 +/- 211 to 2,085 +/- 109 microg/l). After completion of bed rest, muscle activity increased BGH by 31% at 2 or 3 days (1,807 +/- 117 to 2,379 +/- 473 microg/l; P < 0.05), and by 10 or 11 days the BGH response was similar to that before bed rest (1,881 +/- 75 to 4,160 +/- 315 microg/l; P < 0.05). These data demonstrate that the ambulatory state of an individual can have a major impact on the release of BGH, but not IGH, in response to a single bout of muscle activity.

Use of c-fos to identify activity-dependent spinal neurons after stepping in intact adult rats

STUDY DESIGN

An investigation of c-fos activation pattern in spinal neurons of intact adult rats after acute bouts of treadmill locomotion.

OBJECTIVES

To map spinal neurons that are involved in quadrupedal treadmill stepping of intact adult rats by using c-fos as a marker.

SETTINGS

Los Angeles, CA, USA.

METHODS

Spinal cord sections of rats that were not stepped (n = 4) were used to map the FOS-positive (+) neurons under basal conditions. The stepped group (n = 16) was placed on a treadmill to step quadrupedally for varying durations to induce c-fos activity. Spinal cord sections of thoracic and lumbar segments of Stp and Nstp rats were processed using a c-fos antibody, choline acetyl transferase and heat shock protein 27 for identifying motoneurons.

RESULTS

Stepping induced a greater number of FOS+ neurons than was observed in rats that did not step on the treadmill. There was a rostrocaudal and a dorsoventral gradient of FOS labeled neurons. The number of FOS+ neurons increased with the duration of treadmill stepping. Significant increases in FOS+ neurons were in the most medial parts of laminae IV, V, and VII. FOS+ motoneurons increased with treadmill stepping, particularly in large motoneurons (> or = 700 microm2).

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that FOS can be used to identify activity-dependent neuronal pathways in the spinal cord that are associated with treadmill stepping, specifically in lamina VII and in alpha motoneurons.

SPONSORSHIP

NIH NS16333, NS40917, and the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF VEC 2002).