Internal citrate ions reduce the membrane potential for contraction threshold in mammalian skeletal muscle fibers

Growth hormone secretagogues modulate the electrical and contractile properties of rat skeletal muscle through a ghrelin-specific receptor

(1) Growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) exhibit potent growth hormone (GH)-releasing activity through the activation of a pituitary receptor. Here, we consider the possibility that GHS can target a specific receptor in rat skeletal muscle and have a role in the control of muscle function. (2) By means of the intracellular microelectrode technique, we found that in vitro application of hexarelin and L-163,255 dose dependently reduced resting chloride (gCl) and potassium (gK) conductances in rat skeletal muscle. These effects were prevented by the GHS-receptor antagonist [D-Lys-3]-GHRP-6, and by either phospholipase C or protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors. Ghrelin, a natural ligand of GHS receptors, also induced a reduction of muscle gCl and gK, which was antagonised by [D-Lys-3]-GHRP-6. (3) Both GHS shifted the mechanical threshold for the contraction of muscle fibres towards more negative voltages. Accordingly, by means of FURA-2 fluorescent measurements, we demonstrated that L-163,255 induced a resting [Ca(2+)](i) increase, which was reversible and not blocked by nifedipine or removal of external Ca(2+). (4) Ageing is a condition characterised by a deficit of GH secretion, which in turn modifies the electrical and contractile properties of skeletal muscle. In contrast to GH, chronic treatment of aged rats with hexarelin or L-163,255 failed to restore the electrical and contractile muscle properties. Moreover, the two GHS applied in vitro were able to antagonise the beneficial effect on gCl and gK obtained through chronic treatment of aged animals with GH. (5) Thus, skeletal muscle expresses a specific GHS receptor able to decrease gCl and gK through a PKC-mediated intracellular pathway. This peripheral action may account for the lack of restoration of skeletal muscle function in long-term GHS-treated aged animals.

Alteration of excitation-contraction coupling mechanism in extensor digitorum longus muscle fibres of dystrophic mdx mouse and potential efficacy of taurine

No clear data is available about functional alterations in the calcium-dependent excitation-contraction (e-c) coupling mechanism of dystrophin-deficient muscle of mdx mice. By means of the intracellular microelectrode "point" voltage clamp method, we measured the voltage threshold for contraction (mechanical threshold; MT) in intact extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle fibres of dystrophic mdx mouse of two different ages: 8 - 12 weeks, during the active regeneration of hind limb muscles, and 6 - 8 months, when regeneration is complete. The EDL muscle fibres of 8 - 12-week-old wildtype animals had a more negative rheobase voltage (potential of equilibrium for contraction- and relaxation-related calcium movements) with respect to control mice of 6 - 8 months. However, at both ages, the EDL muscle fibres of mdx mice contracted at more negative potentials with respect to age-matched controls and had markedly slower time constants to reach the rheobase. The in vitro application of 60 mM taurine, whose normally high intracellular muscle levels play a role in e-c coupling, was without effect on 6 - 8-month-old wildtype EDL muscle, while it significantly ameliorated the MT of mdx mouse. HPLC determination of taurine content at 6 - 8 months showed a significant 140% rise of plasma taurine levels and a clear trend toward a decrease in amino acid levels in hind limb muscles, brain and heart, suggesting a tissue difficulty in retaining appropriate levels of the amino acid. The data is consistent with a permanent alteration of e-c coupling in mdx EDL muscle fibres. The alteration could be related to the proposed increase in intracellular calcium, and can be ameliorated by taurine, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of the amino acid.

Effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on excitation-contraction coupling of rat skeletal muscle

3-Hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors currently used as cholesterol-lowering drugs produce side effects in patients, one of which is myopathy. In the present study we compared the effect of a 3-month chronic treatment with two different compounds, simvastatin and pravastatin, on the excitation-contraction coupling of rat skeletal muscle fibers, the mechanism which links membrane depolarization to the movements of cytosolic Ca2+ from intracellular stores. The voltage threshold for mechanical activation of extensor digitorum longus muscle fibers in response to depolarizing pulses of various durations was studied in vitro by the two intracellular microelectrode method in 'point' voltage clamp mode. Simvastatin (5-50 mg/kg) modified the mechanical threshold of striated fibers in a dose-dependent manner. The muscle fibers of rats treated with 10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg of simvastatin needed significantly less depolarization to contract than did untreated fibers at each pulse duration, suggesting that levels of cytosolic Ca2+ were higher. Consequently, the rheobase voltage for fiber contraction was significantly shifted toward more negative potentials with respect to controls by 2.4 mV and 7.1 mV in the 10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg simvastatin-treated animals, respectively. Pravastatin treatment at 100 mg/kg did not produce any alteration of excitation-contraction coupling since the rheobase voltage was similar to that of controls. The different physicochemical properties of the two drugs may underlie the different effect observed because lipophilic agents, such as simvastatin, have been shown to affect sterol biosynthesis in many tissues, whereas the hydrophilic pravastatin is hepato-selective.

Control of zinc transfer between thionein, metallothionein, and zinc proteins

Metallothionein (MT), despite its high metal binding constant (KZn = 3.2 x 10(13) M-1 at pH 7.4), can transfer zinc to the apoforms of zinc enzymes that have inherently lower stability constants. To gain insight into this paradox, we have studied zinc transfer between zinc enzymes and MT. Zinc can be transferred in both directions-i.e., from the enzymes to thionein (the apoform of MT) and from MT to the apoenzymes. Agents that mediate or enhance zinc transfer have been identified that provide kinetic pathways in either direction. MT does not transfer all of its seven zinc atoms to an apoenzyme, but apparently contains at least one that is more prone to transfer than the others. Modification of thiol ligands in MT zinc clusters increases the total number of zinc ions released and, hence, the extent of transfer. Aside from disulfide reagents, we show that selenium compounds are potential cellular enhancers of zinc transfer from MT to apoenzymes. Zinc transfer from zinc enzymes to thionein, on the other hand, is mediated by zinc-chelating agents such as Tris buffer, citrate, or glutathione. Redox agents are asymmetrically involved in both directions of zinc transfer. For example, reduced glutathione mediates zinc transfer from enzymes to thionein, whereas glutathione disulfide oxidizes MT with enhanced release of zinc and transfer of zinc to apoenzymes. Therefore, the cellular redox state as well as the concentration of other biological chelating agents might well determine the direction of zinc transfer and ultimately affect zinc distribution.

Effect of taurine depletion on excitation-contraction coupling and Cl- conductance of rat skeletal muscle

The pharmacological action of taurine on skeletal muscle is to stabilize sarcolemma by increasing macroscopic conductance to Cl- (GCl), whereas a proposed physiological role for the amino acid is to modulate excitation-contraction coupling mechanism via Ca2+ availability. To get insight in the physiological role of taurine in skeletal muscle, the effects of its depletion were evaluated on voltage threshold for mechanical activation and GCl with the two intracellular microelectrode method in 'point' voltage clamp mode and current clamp mode, respectively. The experiments were performed on extensor digitorum longus muscle fibers from rats depleted of taurine by a chronic 4 week treatment with guanidinoethane sulfonate, a known inhibitor of taurine transporter. The treatment significantly modified the mechanical threshold of striated fibers; i.e. at each pulse duration they needed significantly less depolarization to contract and the fitted rheobase voltage was more negative by 10 mV with respect to untreated muscle fibers. In parallel, the treatment with guanidinoethane sulfonate produced a significant 40% lowering of GCl. In vitro application of 60 mM of taurine to such depleted muscles almost completely restored the mechanical threshold and increased GCl even above the value of untreated control. However, in vitro application of 60 mM of either taurine or guanidinoethane sulfonate to untreated control muscles did not cause any change of the mechanical threshold but increased GCl by 40% and 21%, respectively. Furthermore, 100 microM of the S-(-) enantiomer of 2-(p-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid almost fully blocked GCl but did not produce any change in the mechanical threshold of normal muscle fibers. The present results show that the large amount of intracellular taurine plays a role in the excitation-contraction coupling mechanism of striated muscle fibers. This action is independent from any effect involving muscle Cl- channels, but it is likely mediated by the proposed ability of taurine to modulate Ca2+ availability through the interaction with the Ca2+ transporters present on sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Sodium citrate ingestion and muscle performance in acute hypobaric hypoxia

Eight subjects were studied on four occasions following ingestion of a 300-ml solution containing either sodium citrate (C, 0.4 g.kg-1 body mass) or placebo (P, sodium chloride 0.045 g.kg-1 body mass), at local barometric pressure (N, PB approximately 740 mmHg, 98.7 kPa) or hypobaric hypoxia (HH, PB = 463 mmHg, 61.7 kPa). At 2 h after ingestion of the solution, the subjects performed prolonged isometric knee-extension at 35% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) measured either in N or HH. Results showed that ingestion of C led to an improvement in muscle endurance (P < 0.01). However, this increase in endurance time for knee extensor muscles was only significant in N (+22%, P < 0.05, compared to +15%, NS, at N and HH, respectively). Following ingestion of sodium citrate, pre-exercise bicarbonate concentrations and pH levels were significantly higher than those measured after P ingestion. A significant treatment effect was observed for blood lactate concentrations with values higher for C than for P after 4, 6 and 10 min of recovery (P < 0.05). Electromyographic signals (EMG) were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle during the prolonged isometric contraction at 35% MVC. The mean power frequency (MPF) significantly decreased in time under both N-P and N-C conditions. In HH, no significant decrease in MPF was observed with time. The results suggest that C ingestion was an ergogenic aid enhancing endurance during a sustained isometric contraction. In addition, it is suggested that fatigue during prolonged isometric contraction in HH was not directly related to factors determining the EMG signs of fatigue.

Effects of aging on the mechanical threshold of rat skeletal muscle fibers

Mechanical threshold was measured "in vitro" in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle fibers from rats of 3-4 and 29 months of age, by means of a two microelectrode "point" voltage clamp. The potential needed for evoking a barly visible contraction was determined using depolarizing command pulses of 5-500 ms duration. At each pulse duration, the EDL fibers from aged rats contracted at a significantly more negative potential than did those from the younger adult rats. Accordingly, the strength duration curve of the aged EDL was significantly shifted towards more negative potentials compared to that for adult rats. The rheobase voltages estimated from the fit of such curves were -62.6 +/- 0.81 mV and -57.1 +/- 0.87 mV in aged and adult EDL fibers, respectively. The data suggest that changes in excitation-contraction coupling parallel the prolongation of contractile times observed during aging in mammalian skeletal muscle. These results are consistent with the known reduction in rate and extent of Ca++ uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum in aged rats.

Enantiomeric effects on excitation-contraction coupling in frog skeletal muscle by a chiral phenoxy carboxylic acid

Aromatic monocarboxylic acids are known to significantly potentiate the mechanical response of skeletal muscle fibers. In this study we investigated the effects of enantiomers of 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid, chemically one of the simplest aromatic monocarboxylic acids with chiral properties, on mechanical threshold and charge movement in frog skeletal muscle. The R(+), but not the S(-), enantiomer lowered rheobase mechanical threshold and shifted charge movement to more negative potentials. The R(+) enantiomer also significantly slowed charge movement kinetics, with pronounced delays of the OFF charge transitions. These effects required high temperature for their production. The stereospecific actions of the R(+) enantiomer are interpreted in terms of a specific interaction of this compound at an anion-sensitive site involved in excitation-contraction coupling, most likely on the dihydropryidine-sensitive voltage sensor in the T-system.

The effect of citrate loading on exercise performance, acid-base balance and metabolism

Nine subjects (VO2max 65 +/- 2 ml.kg-1.min-1, mean +/- SEM) were studied on two occasions following ingestion of 500 ml solution containing either sodium citrate (C, 0.300 g.kg-1 body mass) or a sodium chloride placebo (P, 0.045 g.kg-1 body mass). Exercise began 60 min later and consisted of cycle ergometer exercise performed continuously for 20 min each at power outputs corresponding to 33% and 66% VO2max, followed by exercise to exhaustion at 95% VO2max. Pre-exercise arterialized-venous [H+] was lower in C (36.2 +/- 0.5 nmol.l-1; pH 7.44) than P (39.4 +/- 0.4 nmol.l-1; pH 7.40); the plasma [H+] remained lower and [HCO3-] remained higher in C than P throughout exercise and recovery. Exercise time to exhaustion at 95% VO2max was similar in C (310 +/- 69 s) and P (313 +/- 74 s). Cardiorespiratory variables (ventilation, VO2, VCO2, heart rate) measured during exercise were similar in the two conditions. The plasma [citrate] was higher in C at rest (C, 195 +/- 19 mumol.l-1; P, 81 +/- 7 mumol.l-1) and throughout exercise and recovery. The plasma [lactate] and [free fatty acid] were not affected by citrate loading but the plasma [glycerol] was lower during exercise in C than P. In conclusion, sodium citrate ingestion had an alkalinizing effect in the plasma but did not improve endurance time during exercise at 95% VO2max. Furthermore, citrate loading may have prevented the stimulation of lipolysis normally observed with exercise and prevented the stimulation of glycolysis in muscle normally observed in bicarbonate-induced alkalosis.

Single channel characteristics of a high conductance anion channel in "sarcoballs"

Previously undescribed high conductance single anion channels from frog skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) were studied in native membrane using the "sarcoball" technique (Stein and Palade, 1988). Excised inside-out patches recorded in symmetrical 200 mM TrisCl show the conductance of the channel's predominant state was 505 +/- 25 pS (n = 35). From reversal potentials, the Pcl/PK ratio was 45. The slope conductance vs. Cl- ion concentration curve saturates at 617 pS, with K0.5 estimated at 77 mM. The steady-state open probability (Po) vs. holding potential relationship produces a bell-shaped curve, with Po values reaching a maximum near 1.0 at 0 mV, and falling off to 0.05 at +/- 25 mV. Kinetic analysis of the voltage dependence reveals that while open time constants are decreased somewhat by increases in potential, the largest effect is an increase in long closed times. Despite the channel's high conductance, it maintains a moderate selectivity for smaller anions, but will not pass larger anions such as gluconate, as determined by reversal-potential shifts. At least two substates different from the main open level are distinguishable. These properties are unlike those described for mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channels or skeletal muscle surface membrane Cl channels and since SR Ca channels are present in equally high density in sarcoball patches, we propose these sarcoball anion channels originate from the SR. Preliminary experiments recording currents from frog SR anion channels fused into liposomes indicate that either biochemical isolation and/or alterations in lipid environment greatly decrease the channel's voltage sensitivity. These results help underline the potential significance of using sarcoballs to study SR channels. The steep voltage sensitivity of the sarcoball anion channel suggests that it could be more actively involved in the regulation of Ca2+ transport by the SR.