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Popov A, Lyakhovetskii V, Gorskii O, Kalinina D, Pavlova N, Musienko P. Effect of Hindlimb Unloading on Hamstring Muscle Activity in Rats. BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2024; 99:86-95. [PMID: 38412843 DOI: 10.1159/000537776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The changes in knee axial rotation play an important role in traumatic and non-traumatic knee disorders. It is known that support afferentation can affect the axial rotator muscles. The condition of innervation of the semitendinosus (ST) and biceps femoris posterior (BFp) has changed in non-terrestrial and terrestrial vertebrates in evolution; thus, we hypothesized this situation might be replayed by hindlimb unloading (HU). METHODS In the present study, the EMG activity of two hamstring muscles, m. ST and m. BFp, which are antagonists in axial rotation of the tibia, was examined before and after 7 days of HU. RESULTS During locomotion and swimming, the ST flexor burst activity increased in the stance-to-swing transition and in the retraction-protraction transition, respectively, while that of BFp remained unchanged. Both ST and BFp non-burst extensor activity increased during stepping and decreased during swimming. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that (1) the flexor burst activity of ST and BFp depends differently on the load-dependent sensory input in the step cycle; (2) shift of the activity gradient towards ST in the stance-to-swing transition could produce excessive internal tibia torque, which can be used as an experimental model of non-traumatic musculoskeletal disorders; and (3) the mechanisms of activity of ST and BFp may be based on reciprocal activity of homologous muscles in primary tetrapodomorph and depend on the increased role of supraspinal control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Popov
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation,
| | | | - Oleg Gorskii
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Daria Kalinina
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Sirius National Technical University, Neuroscience Program, Sochi, Russian Federation
| | - Natalia Pavlova
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Pavel Musienko
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Life Improvement by Future Technologies Center "LIFT", Moscow, Russian Federation
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Popov A, Lyakhovetskii V, Bazhenova E, Gorskii O, Kalinina D, Merkulyeva N, Musienko P. The role of load-dependent sensory input in the control of balance during gait in rats. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:271196. [PMID: 34350950 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Locomotor activity requires fine balance control that strongly depends on the afferent input from the load receptors. Following hindlimb unloading (HU), the kinematic and EMG activity of the hindlimbs is known to change significantly. However, the effects of HU on the integrative control mechanisms of posture and locomotion are not clear. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the center of mass (CoM) dynamic stabilization and associated adaptive changes in the trunk and hindlimb muscle activity during locomotion after 7 days of HU. The EMG signals from the muscles of the low lumbar trunk [m. longissimus dorsi (VERT)] and the hind limb [m. tibialis anterior (TA), m. semitendinosus (ST), m. soleus (SOL)] were recorded together with the hindquarter kinematics during locomotion on a treadmill in six rats before and after HU. The CoM lateral shift in the step cycle significantly increased after HU and coincided with the enhanced activity of the VERT. The mean EMG of the TA and the ST flexor activity increased significantly with reduction of their burst duration. These data demonstrate the disturbances of body balance after HU that can influence the basic parameters of locomotor activity. The load-dependent mechanisms resulted in compensatory adjustments of flexor activity toward a faster gait strategy, such as a trot or gallop, which presumably have supraspinal origin. The neuronal underpinnings of these integrative posture and locomotion mechanisms and their possible reorganization after HU are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Popov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, 7-9 Universitetskaya emb., 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia.,Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, 6 Makarov emb., 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Elena Bazhenova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, 7-9 Universitetskaya emb., 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Oleg Gorskii
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, 7-9 Universitetskaya emb., 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia.,Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, 6 Makarov emb., 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Daria Kalinina
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, 7-9 Universitetskaya emb., 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Natalia Merkulyeva
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, 7-9 Universitetskaya emb., 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia.,Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, 6 Makarov emb., 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Pavel Musienko
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, 7-9 Universitetskaya emb., 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia.,Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, 6 Makarov emb., 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia.,Sirius National Technical University, Neuroscience Program, 1 Olympic pr., 354340 Sochi, Russia
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Yang W, Zhang H. Effects of hindlimb unloading on neurotrophins in the rat spinal cord and soleus muscle. Brain Res 2015; 1630:1-9. [PMID: 26529644 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.10.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/25/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of hindlimb unloading (HU) on the expression of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), together with the expression of their high-affinity receptors tropomyosin receptor kinase C (TrkC) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), in lumbar (L4-6) segment of the spinal cord and in the soleus muscle. The mRNA and protein levels of the genes of interest were compared using quantitative PCR and western blot assays. Immunohistochemistry for NT-3 and BDNF was used to detect the levels of protein in the motoneurons in the lateral motor column. In this study, NT-3 and BDNF mRNA and protein expression were significantly increased in the spinal cord and soleus muscle after HU. NT-3 immunoreactivity, but not BDNF immunoreactivity, was significantly increased in the large motoneurons located in lateral motor column after 14 days of HU. The level of TrkC protein in the spinal cord and soleus muscle were significantly elevated after both 7 days and 14 days of HU. However, TrkC mRNA, TrkB mRNA and TrkB protein levels did not change significantly. Elevated BDNF, NT-3 and TrkC levels in the neuromuscular system indicate that neurotrophins are involved in HU-induced neuromuscular plasticity. NT-3 is a candidate to mediate the synaptic efficacy between alpha motoneurons and group Ia afferents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yang
- Department of Physiology, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
| | - Hao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Marusiak J, Jaskólska A, Budrewicz S, Koszewicz M, Jaskólski A. Increased muscle belly and tendon stiffness in patients with Parkinson's disease, as measured by myotonometry. Mov Disord 2011; 26:2119-22. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.23841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2011] [Revised: 05/19/2011] [Accepted: 05/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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A 3D analysis of fore- and hindlimb motion during overground and ladder walking: Comparison of control and unloaded rats. Exp Neurol 2009; 218:98-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2009.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2009] [Revised: 03/18/2009] [Accepted: 04/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Canu MH, Carnaud M, Picquet F, Goutebroze L. Activity-dependent regulation of myelin maintenance in the adult rat. Brain Res 2008; 1252:45-51. [PMID: 19041295 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.10.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2008] [Revised: 10/29/2008] [Accepted: 10/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Hindlimb unloading (HU) is known to induce changes in the neuromuscular system. However, no data describing the effects of HU on morphological characteristics of peripheral nerve have been reported so far. Therefore, we used soleus and radial nerves obtained from control and rats submitted to 14 days of HU to study the consequences of a decrease (soleus) or an increase (radial) in neural activity on its morphology. The mean number of fibers was not changed after HU. The soleus nerve axon diameter was weakly affected after HU, whereas the myelin thickness was reduced. For the radial nerve, both axon and fiber diameter were increased, and the myelin thickness and internodal distance were higher in HU rats. These results suggest that regulation of myelin maintenance undergoes plastic mechanisms. Neural activity and/or neural pattern might be essential in the maintenance of myelin sheath in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Hélène Canu
- Laboratoire de Plasticité Neuromusculaire, EA 4345, IFR 147, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq cedex, France.
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Rosant C, Nagel MD, Pérot C. Adaptation of rat soleus muscle spindles after 21 days of hindlimb unloading. Exp Neurol 2006; 200:191-9. [PMID: 16624292 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2006.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2005] [Revised: 01/16/2006] [Accepted: 02/06/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Spindle discharges are affected by muscle unloading, and changes in passive stiffness of the muscle-tendon unit may contribute to the changes in spindle solicitation. To test this hypothesis, we determined the spindle sensitivity from electroneurograms of the soleus nerve, and, concomitantly, we measured the incremental passive muscle tension. Both measurements were done from ramp and hold stretches imposed to the soleus muscle after the Achilles tendon was severed. The ratio between the spindle sensitivity and the passive stiffness gave a "spindle efficacy index" (SEI). The experiments were conducted on control rats (C, n = 12) and on rats that had undergone hindlimb unloading (HU, n = 12) for 21 days. The muscle threshold lengths for electroneurogram to discharge (neurogram length, Ln) and for detecting passive tension (slack length, Ls) were determined, and, when these lengths differed, the stretches were imposed at these two initial lengths. The contralateral muscles were used to count muscle spindles and spindle fibers (ATPase staining) and to identify MyHC isoforms by immunostaining. Ln and Ls values were identical for the C muscles, while after HU, Ln was significantly shorter than Ls, which indicated that spindle afferents were more sensitive since they discharged before any passive tension was developed by the soleus muscle. At Ln, spindle sensitivity and passive stiffness did not differ for C and HU muscles. Consequently, when calculated at this relatively short initial muscle length, the SEI was maintained (or even slightly increased) after HU. This held under dynamic conditions (ramp phase of the stretch) and under static conditions (hold phase of the stretch). At Ls, the dynamic and static incremental stiffness values increased significantly after HU. Under dynamic conditions, the spindle sensitivity also increased after HU but to a less degree than incremental stiffness, which led to a significant decrease in SEI. Under static conditions, the spindle sensitivity presented a high increase, and, consequently, SEI was not modified. These functional changes were associated with structural adaptations: HU did not alter the total number of muscle spindles, but the number of spindles containing three nuclear chain fibers increased significantly. The main change in intrafusal MyHC content concerned the slow type I MyHC isoform. In conclusion, after a period of muscle unloading, the spindle discharges were maintained or even enhanced in several experimental conditions. This may be due to a better transmission of the external stretch to muscle spindles through stiffer elastic structures but also to own muscle spindle adaptations which reinforce the spindle sensitivity, notably under static conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Rosant
- UMR-CNRS 6600 Biomécanique et Génie Biomédical, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, BP 20529, F-60205 Compiègne, France
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