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Lieber RL, Meyer G. Structure-Function relationships in the skeletal muscle extracellular matrix. J Biomech 2023; 152:111593. [PMID: 37099932 PMCID: PMC10176458 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
The vast majority of skeletal muscle biomechanical studies have rightly focused on its active contractile properties. However, skeletal muscle passive biomechanical properties have significant clinical impact in aging and disease and are yet incompletely understood. This review focuses on the passive biomechanical properties of the skeletal muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) and suggests aspects of its structural basis. Structural features of the muscle ECM such as perimysial cables, collagen cross-links and endomysial structures have been described, but the way in which these structures combine to create passive biomechanical properties is not completely known. We highlight the presence and organization of perimysial cables. We also demonstrate that the analytical approaches that define passive biomechanical properties are not necessarily straight forward. For example, multiple equations, such as linear, exponential, and polynomial are commonly used to fit raw stress-strain data. Similarly, multiple definitions of zero strain exist that affect muscle biomechanical property calculations. Finally, the appropriate length range over which to measure the mechanical properties is not clear. Overall, this review summarizes our current state of knowledge in these areas and suggests experimental approaches to measuring the structural and functional properties of skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Lieber
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, and Hines VA Medical Center, Maywood IL, United States.
| | - Gretchen Meyer
- Program in Physical Therapy, and Departments of Neurology, Biomedical Engineering and Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Haug M, Ritter P, Michael M, Reischl B, Schurmann S, Prols G, Friedrich O. Structure-Function Relationships in Muscle Fibres: MyoRobot online Assessment of Muscle Fibre Elasticity and Sarcomere Length Distributions. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2021; 69:148-155. [PMID: 34133271 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2021.3089739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Muscle biomechanics is set by the spacing of repetitive striation patterns of individual sarcomeres within single muscle fibres of stacked myofibrils. Sarcomere lengths (SL) are rather unequally distributed than of equal distance. This non-uniformity may affect both, force production as well as passive-elastic deformation. However, online recording of SL during axially imposed strains is cumbersome due to a lack of compact technologies. METHODS To fuse SL pattern recognition with restoration force assessments during quasi-static axial stretch, we implemented live tracking of SL distributions simultaneous to voice-coil actuated stretch and restoration force recordings in our MyoRobot 2.0 automated biomechatronics platform. Both were obtained online during stretchrelaxation cycles of murine single muscle fibres. RESULTS Under quasi-static stretch conditions (∼1 μm/s fibre length changes), almost no apparent hysteresis was detected in single fibres. SL showed a non-uniform distribution. While mean SL varied between 2.6 μm and 3.4 μm upon 140% stretch, two populations of fibres were noticed: one showing a minor change in SL distribution with stretch, and one becoming more equally distributed upon stretch. CONCLUSION A roughly 5% SL variability under rest either diminishes or remains almost unaltered upon elastic axial deformation. This may reflect differential impact of mostly extra-sarcomeric components to stretch in this stretch range. SIGNIFICANCE The augmented functionality of the MyoRobot 2.0 towards online sarcomere analyses within single fibres shall provide a valuable tool for the muscle community to study the contribution of serial elastic and force producing elements in health and disease models.
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Pollmann C, Haug M, Reischl B, Prölß G, Pöschel T, Rupitsch SJ, Clemen CS, Schröder R, Friedrich O. Growing Old Too Early: Skeletal Muscle Single Fiber Biomechanics in Ageing R349P Desmin Knock-in Mice Using the MyoRobot Technology. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155501. [PMID: 32752098 PMCID: PMC7432536 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle biomechanics relies on active motor protein assembly and passive strain transmission through cytoskeletal structures. The desmin filament network aligns myofibrils at the z-discs, provides nuclear–sarcolemmal anchorage and may also serve as memory for muscle repositioning following large strains. Our previous analyses of R349P desmin knock-in mice, an animal model for the human R350P desminopathy, already depicted pre-clinical changes in myofibrillar arrangement and increased fiber bundle stiffness. As the effect of R349P desmin on axial biomechanics in fully differentiated single muscle fibers is unknown, we used our MyoRobot to compare passive visco-elasticity and active contractile biomechanics in single fibers from fast- and slow-twitch muscles from adult to senile mice, hetero- or homozygous for the R349P desmin mutation with wild type littermates. We demonstrate that R349P desmin presence predominantly increased axial stiffness in both muscle types with a pre-aged phenotype over wild type fibers. Axial viscosity and Ca2+-mediated force were largely unaffected. Mutant single fibers showed tendencies towards faster unloaded shortening over wild type fibers. Effects of aging seen in the wild type appeared earlier in the mutant desmin fibers. Our single-fiber experiments, free of extracellular matrix, suggest that compromised muscle biomechanics is not exclusively attributed to fibrosis but also originates from an impaired intermediate filament network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Pollmann
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3, 91052 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany; (C.P.); (B.R.); (G.P.); (O.F.)
| | - Michael Haug
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3, 91052 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany; (C.P.); (B.R.); (G.P.); (O.F.)
- Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies, Paul-Gordan-Str. 6, 91052 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Wallace Wurth Building, 18 High St, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Barbara Reischl
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3, 91052 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany; (C.P.); (B.R.); (G.P.); (O.F.)
| | - Gerhard Prölß
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3, 91052 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany; (C.P.); (B.R.); (G.P.); (O.F.)
| | - Thorsten Pöschel
- Institute of Multi Scale Simulation of Particulate Systems, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nägelbachstr. 49b, 91052 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany;
| | - Stefan J Rupitsch
- Institute of Sensor Technology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3/5, 91052 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany;
| | - Christoph S Clemen
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Linder Höhe, 51147 Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany;
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany;
- Insitute of Vegetative Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Robert-Koch-Street 39, 50931 Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Rolf Schröder
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany;
- Muscle Research Center Erlangen (MURCE), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Oliver Friedrich
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3, 91052 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany; (C.P.); (B.R.); (G.P.); (O.F.)
- Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies, Paul-Gordan-Str. 6, 91052 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Wallace Wurth Building, 18 High St, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Muscle Research Center Erlangen (MURCE), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Lowy Packer Building, 405 Liverpool St, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
- Optical Imaging Centre Erlangen OICE, Cauerstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
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MyoRobot 2.0: An advanced biomechatronics platform for automated, environmentally controlled skeletal muscle single fiber biomechanics assessment employing inbuilt real-time optical imaging. Biosens Bioelectron 2019; 138:111284. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2019.04.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Schneidereit D, Nübler S, Prölß G, Reischl B, Schürmann S, Müller OJ, Friedrich O. Optical prediction of single muscle fiber force production using a combined biomechatronics and second harmonic generation imaging approach. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2018; 7:79. [PMID: 30374401 PMCID: PMC6199289 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-018-0080-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is an archetypal organ whose structure is tuned to match function. The magnitude of order in muscle fibers and myofibrils containing motor protein polymers determines the directed force output of the summed force vectors and, therefore, the muscle's power performance on the structural level. Structure and function can change dramatically during disease states involving chronic remodeling. Cellular remodeling of the cytoarchitecture has been pursued using noninvasive and label-free multiphoton second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy. Hereby, structure parameters can be extracted as a measure of myofibrillar order and thus are suggestive of the force output that a remodeled structure can still achieve. However, to date, the parameters have only been an indirect measure, and a precise calibration of optical SHG assessment for an exerted force has been elusive as no technology in existence correlates these factors. We engineered a novel, automated, high-precision biomechatronics system into a multiphoton microscope allows simultaneous isometric Ca2+-graded force or passive viscoelasticity measurements and SHG recordings. Using this MechaMorph system, we studied force and SHG in single EDL muscle fibers from wt and mdx mice; the latter serves as a model for compromised force and abnormal myofibrillar structure. We present Ca2+-graded isometric force, pCa-force curves, passive viscoelastic parameters and 3D structure in the same fiber for the first time. Furthermore, we provide a direct calibration of isometric force to morphology, which allows noninvasive prediction of the force output of single fibers from only multiphoton images, suggesting a potential application in the diagnosis of myopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Schneidereit
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 7, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Nübler
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 7, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gerhard Prölß
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Reischl
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Schürmann
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 7, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Muscle Research Center Erlangen (MURCE), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Oliver J Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Kiel, Germany
| | - Oliver Friedrich
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Paul-Gordan-Str. 7, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Muscle Research Center Erlangen (MURCE), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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The MyoRobot: A novel automated biomechatronics system to assess voltage/Ca 2+ biosensors and active/passive biomechanics in muscle and biomaterials. Biosens Bioelectron 2017; 102:589-599. [PMID: 29245144 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 11/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We engineered an automated biomechatronics system, MyoRobot, for robust objective and versatile assessment of muscle or polymer materials (bio-)mechanics. It covers multiple levels of muscle biosensor assessment, e.g. membrane voltage or contractile apparatus Ca2+ ion responses (force resolution 1µN, 0-10mN for the given sensor; [Ca2+] range ~ 100nM-25µM). It replaces previously tedious manual protocols to obtain exhaustive information on active/passive biomechanical properties across various morphological tissue levels. Deciphering mechanisms of muscle weakness requires sophisticated force protocols, dissecting contributions from altered Ca2+ homeostasis, electro-chemical, chemico-mechanical biosensors or visco-elastic components. From whole organ to single fibre levels, experimental demands and hardware requirements increase, limiting biomechanics research potential, as reflected by only few commercial biomechatronics systems that can address resolution, experimental versatility and mostly, automation of force recordings. Our MyoRobot combines optical force transducer technology with high precision 3D actuation (e.g. voice coil, 1µm encoder resolution; stepper motors, 4µm feed motion), and customized control software, enabling modular experimentation packages and automated data pre-analysis. In small bundles and single muscle fibres, we demonstrate automated recordings of (i) caffeine-induced-, (ii) electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced force, (iii) pCa-force, (iv) slack-tests and (v) passive length-tension curves. The system easily reproduces results from manual systems (two times larger stiffness in slow over fast muscle) and provides novel insights into unloaded shortening velocities (declining with increasing slack lengths). The MyoRobot enables automated complex biomechanics assessment in muscle research. Applications also extend to material sciences, exemplarily shown here for spider silk and collagen biopolymers.
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Roux A, Laporte S, Lecompte J, Gras LL, Iordanoff I. Influence of muscle-tendon complex geometrical parameters on modeling passive stretch behavior with the Discrete Element Method. J Biomech 2016; 49:252-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Wheatley BB, Morrow DA, Odegard GM, Kaufman KR, Haut Donahue TL. Skeletal muscle tensile strain dependence: Hyperviscoelastic nonlinearity. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2015; 53:445-454. [PMID: 26409235 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2015.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Computational modeling of skeletal muscle requires characterization at the tissue level. While most skeletal muscle studies focus on hyperelasticity, the goal of this study was to examine and model the nonlinear behavior of both time-independent and time-dependent properties of skeletal muscle as a function of strain. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nine tibialis anterior muscles from New Zealand White rabbits were subject to five consecutive stress relaxation cycles of roughly 3% strain. Individual relaxation steps were fit with a three-term linear Prony series. Prony series coefficients and relaxation ratio were assessed for strain dependence using a general linear statistical model. A fully nonlinear constitutive model was employed to capture the strain dependence of both the viscoelastic and instantaneous components. RESULTS Instantaneous modulus (p<0.0005) and mid-range relaxation (p<0.0005) increased significantly with strain level, while relaxation at longer time periods decreased with strain (p<0.0005). Time constants and overall relaxation ratio did not change with strain level (p>0.1). Additionally, the fully nonlinear hyperviscoelastic constitutive model provided an excellent fit to experimental data, while other models which included linear components failed to capture muscle function as accurately. CONCLUSIONS Material properties of skeletal muscle are strain-dependent at the tissue level. This strain dependence can be included in computational models of skeletal muscle performance with a fully nonlinear hyperviscoelastic model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin B Wheatley
- Soft Tissue Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 1374 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Duane A Morrow
- Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55906, United States
| | - Gregory M Odegard
- Department of Mechanical Engineering - Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931, United States
| | - Kenton R Kaufman
- Motion Analysis Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55906, United States
| | - Tammy L Haut Donahue
- Soft Tissue Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, 1374 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States; School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States.
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Gras LL, Laporte S, Viot P, Mitton D. Experimental characterization of post rigor mortis human muscle subjected to small tensile strains and application of a simple hyper-viscoelastic model. Proc Inst Mech Eng H 2014; 228:1059-68. [DOI: 10.1177/0954411914555422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In models developed for impact biomechanics, muscles are usually represented with one-dimensional elements having active and passive properties. The passive properties of muscles are most often obtained from experiments performed on animal muscles, because limited data on human muscle are available. The aim of this study is thus to characterize the passive response of a human muscle in tension. Tensile tests at different strain rates (0.0045, 0.045, and 0.45 s−1) were performed on 10 extensor carpi ulnaris muscles. A model composed of a nonlinear element defined with an exponential law in parallel with one or two Maxwell elements and considering basic geometrical features was proposed. The experimental results were used to identify the parameters of the model. The results for the first- and second-order model were similar. For the first-order model, the mean parameters of the exponential law are as follows: Young’s modulus E (6.8 MPa) and curvature parameter α (31.6). The Maxwell element mean values are as follows: viscosity parameter η (1.2 MPa s) and relaxation time τ (0.25 s). Our results provide new data on a human muscle tested in vitro and a simple model with basic geometrical features that represent its behavior in tension under three different strain rates. This approach could be used to assess the behavior of other human muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure-Lise Gras
- Laboratoire de Biomécanique (LBM), Arts et Metiers ParisTech, Paris, France
- Université de Lyon, F-69622, Lyon, France
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- IFSTTAR, UMR_T9406, LBMC Laboratoire de Biomécanique et Mécanique des Chocs, F-69675, Bron, France
| | - Sébastien Laporte
- Laboratoire de Biomécanique (LBM), Arts et Metiers ParisTech, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Viot
- Arts et Metiers ParisTech, I2M-DuMAS, UMR 5295 CNRS, Talence, France
| | - David Mitton
- Université de Lyon, F-69622, Lyon, France
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- IFSTTAR, UMR_T9406, LBMC Laboratoire de Biomécanique et Mécanique des Chocs, F-69675, Bron, France
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Sarvazyan A, Rudenko O, Aglyamov S, Emelianov S. Muscle as a molecular machine for protecting joints and bones by absorbing mechanical impacts. Med Hypotheses 2014; 83:6-10. [PMID: 24810676 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2014.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2013] [Revised: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/12/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
We hypothesize that dissipation of mechanical energy of external impact to absorb mechanical shock is a fundamental function of skeletal muscle in addition to its primary function to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy. In physical systems, the common mechanism for absorbing mechanical shock is achieved with the use of both elastic and viscous elements and we hypothesize that the viscosity of the skeletal muscle is a variable parameter which can be voluntarily controlled by changing the tension of the contracting muscle. We further hypothesize that an ability of muscle to absorb shock has been an important factor in biological evolution, allowing the life to move from the ocean to land, from hydrodynamic to aerodynamic environment with dramatically different loading conditions for musculoskeletal system. The ability of muscle to redistribute the energy of mechanical shock in time and space and unload skeletal joints is of key importance in physical activities. We developed a mathematical model explaining the absorption of mechanical shock energy due to the increased viscosity of contracting skeletal muscles. The developed model, based on the classical theory of sliding filaments, demonstrates that the increased muscle viscosity is a result of the time delay (or phase shift) between the mechanical impact and the attachment/detachment of myosin heads to binding sites on the actin filaments. The increase in the contracted muscle's viscosity is time dependent. Since the forward and backward rate constants for binding the myosin heads to the actin filaments are on the order of 100s(-1), the viscosity of the contracted muscle starts to significantly increase with an impact time greater than 0.01s. The impact time is one of the key parameters in generating destructive stress in the colliding objects. In order to successfully dampen a short high power impact, muscles must first slow it down to engage the molecular mechanism of muscle viscosity. Muscle carries out two functions, acting first as a nonlinear spring to slow down impact and second as a viscous damper to absorb the impact. Exploring the ability of muscle to absorb mechanical shock may shed light to many problems of medical biomechanics and sports medicine. Currently there are no clinical devices for real-time quantitative assessment of viscoelastic properties of contracting muscles in vivo. Such assessment may be important for diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of various muscle disorders such as muscle dystrophy, motor neuron diseases, inflammatory and metabolic myopathies and many more.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Oleg Rudenko
- Department of Physics, Moscow State University, Vorob'evy Gory, Moscow 119992, Russia
| | - Salavat Aglyamov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Stanislav Emelianov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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Rehorn MR, Schroer AK, Blemker SS. The passive properties of muscle fibers are velocity dependent. J Biomech 2013; 47:687-93. [PMID: 24360198 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2013.11.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Revised: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The passive properties of skeletal muscle play an important role in muscle function. While the passive quasi-static elastic properties of muscle fibers have been well characterized, the dynamic visco-elastic passive behavior of fibers has garnered less attention. In particular, it is unclear how the visco-elastic properties are influenced by lengthening velocity, in particular for the range of physiologically relevant velocities. The goals of this work were to: (i) measure the effects of lengthening velocity on the peak stresses within single muscle fibers to determine how passive behavior changes over a range of physiologically relevant lengthening rates (0.1-10Lo/s), and (ii) develop a mathematical model of fiber viscoelasticity based on these measurements. We found that passive properties depend on strain rate, in particular at the low loading rates (0.1-3Lo/s), and that the measured behavior can be predicted across a range of loading rates and time histories with a quasi-linear viscoelastic model. In the future, these results can be used to determine the impact of viscoelastic behavior on intramuscular stresses and forces during a variety of dynamic movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Rehorn
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, PO Box 800759, Health system, Charlottesville, VA 22908, United States
| | - Alison K Schroer
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, PO Box 800759, Health system, Charlottesville, VA 22908, United States
| | - Silvia S Blemker
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, PO Box 800759, Health system, Charlottesville, VA 22908, United States; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, United States.
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Gras LL, Mitton D, Viot P, Laporte S. Viscoelastic properties of the human sternocleidomastoideus muscle of aged women in relaxation. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2013; 27:77-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2013.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Tamura Y, Ito A, Cresswell AG. A systematic muscle model covering regions from the fast ramp stretches in the muscle fibres to the relatively slow stretches in the human triceps surae. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2013; 18:97-106. [DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2013.790016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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14
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Gras LL, Mitton D, Viot P, Laporte S. Hyper-elastic properties of the human sternocleidomastoideus muscle in tension. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2012; 15:131-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2012.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Revised: 06/01/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Meyer GA, McCulloch AD, Lieber RL. A nonlinear model of passive muscle viscosity. J Biomech Eng 2012; 133:091007. [PMID: 22010742 DOI: 10.1115/1.4004993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The material properties of passive skeletal muscle are critical to proper function and are frequently a target for therapeutic and interventional strategies. Investigations into the passive viscoelasticity of muscle have primarily focused on characterizing the elastic behavior, largely neglecting the viscous component. However, viscosity is a sizeable contributor to muscle stress and extensibility during passive stretch and thus there is a need for characterization of the viscous as well as the elastic components of muscle viscoelasticity. Single mouse muscle fibers were subjected to incremental stress relaxation tests to characterize the dependence of passive muscle stress on time, strain and strain rate. A model was then developed to describe fiber viscoelasticity incorporating the observed nonlinearities. The results of this model were compared with two commonly used linear viscoelastic models in their ability to represent fiber stress relaxation and strain rate sensitivity. The viscous component of mouse muscle fiber stress was not linear as is typically assumed, but rather a more complex function of time, strain and strain rate. The model developed here, which incorporates these nonlinearities, was better able to represent the stress relaxation behavior of fibers under the conditions tested than commonly used models with linear viscosity. It presents a new tool to investigate the changes in muscle viscous stresses with age, injury and disuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Meyer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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YANG W, FUNG TC, CHIAN KS, CHONG CK. INVESTIGATIONS OF THE VISCOELASTICITY OF ESOPHAGEAL TISSUE USING INCREMENTAL STRESS-RELAXATION TEST AND CYCLIC EXTENSION TEST. J MECH MED BIOL 2011. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219519406001984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The time-dependent mechanical properties of porcine esophagus were investigated experimentally and theoretically. It was hypothesized that the viscoelasticity was quasi-linear. The incremental stress-relaxation test was conducted to identify the material constants included in the quasi-linear viscoelastic (QLV) model. To verify the predictive ability of the model, the incremental cyclic test was performed. Hysteresis was calculated and compared with that predicted by the model. Results showed that stresses relaxed by 20–30% within the first 10 s and stabilized at 50% at 300 s. The QLV model was shown to be able to describe the viscoelasticity of esophagus across various stretch levels. The model could also predict the hysteresis during cyclic test well. It suggested that the QLV could be used as the material characterization of esophageal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- W. YANG
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - T. C. FUNG
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - K. S. CHIAN
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - C. K. CHONG
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
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Kobelev AV, Smoluk LT, Lookin ON, Balakin AA, Protsenko YL. Modeling of steady-state and relaxation elastic properties of the papillary muscle at rest. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2011. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006350911030122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Meyer GA, Kiss B, Ward SR, Morgan DL, Kellermayer MS, Lieber RL. Theoretical predictions of the effects of force transmission by desmin on intersarcomere dynamics. Biophys J 2010; 98:258-66. [PMID: 20338847 PMCID: PMC2808486 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2009.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2009] [Revised: 10/02/2009] [Accepted: 10/07/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmin is an intermediate filament protein in skeletal muscle that forms a meshlike network around Z-disks. A model of a muscle fiber was developed to investigate the mechanical role of desmin. A two-dimensional mesh of viscoelastic sarcomere elements was connected laterally by elastic elements representing desmin. The equations of motion for each sarcomere boundary were evaluated at quasiequilibrium to determine sarcomere stresses and strains. Simulations of passive stretch and fixed-end contractions yielded values for sarcomere misalignment and stress in wild-type and desmin null fibers. Passive sarcomere misalignment increased nonlinearly with fiber strain in both wild-type and desmin null simulations and was significantly larger without desmin. During fixed-end contraction, desmin null simulations also demonstrated greater sarcomere misalignment and reduced stress production compared with wild-type. In simulations with only a fraction of wild-type desmin present, fixed-end stress increased as a function of desmin concentration and this relationship was influenced by the cellular location of the desmin filaments. This model suggests that desmin stabilizes Z-disks and enables greater stress production by providing a mechanical tether between adjacent myofibrils and to the extracellular matrix and that the significance of the tether is a function of its location within the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen A. Meyer
- Departments of Bioengineering and Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Balázs Kiss
- Department of Biophysics, University of Pécs, Faculty of Medicine Szigeti, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Samuel R. Ward
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - David L. Morgan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Miklós S.Z. Kellermayer
- Department of Biophysics, University of Pécs, Faculty of Medicine Szigeti, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Richard L. Lieber
- Departments of Bioengineering and Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, La Jolla, California
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Modeling of the passive mechanical properties of the musculo-articular complex: acute effects of cyclic and static stretching. J Biomech 2009; 42:767-73. [PMID: 19264311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2008.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2008] [Revised: 12/15/2008] [Accepted: 12/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The primary aim of this study was to implement a rheological model of the mechanical behavior of the passive musculo-articular complex (MAC). The second objective was to adapt this model to simulate changes in the passive MAC's mechanical properties induced by passive stretching protocols commonly performed in sport and rehabilitation programs. Nine healthy subjects performed passive ankle dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion cycles at different velocities (from 0.035 to 2.09 rads(-1)) on an isokinetic dynamometer. This procedure enabled the articular angle to be controlled and the passive torque developed by the MAC in resistance to stretch to be measured. Our rheological model, dependent on nine parameters, was composed of two non-linear (exponential) springs for both plantar- and dorsi-flexion, a linear viscoelastic component and a solid friction component. The model was implemented with the Simulink software package, and the nine parameters were identified, for each subject, by minimizing the square-difference between experimental torque-angle relationships and modeled curves. This model is in good agreement with experiment, whatever the considered stretching velocity. Finally, the model was adapted to incorporate static stretching (4x2.5 min) and cyclic stretching (five loading/unloading cycles) protocols. Our results indicate that the model could be used to simulate the effects of stretching protocols by adjusting a single (different) parameter for each protocol.
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Yang W, Fung TC, Chian KS, Chong CK. Viscoelasticity of Esophageal Tissue and Application of a QLV Model. J Biomech Eng 2006; 128:909-16. [PMID: 17154693 DOI: 10.1115/1.2372473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The time-dependent mechanical properties of the porcine esophagus were investigated experimentally and theoretically. It was hypothesized that the viscoelasticity was quasilinear, i.e., the time and strain effects were independent. In order to verify the separability of time and strain effects, the stress-relaxation test was conducted at various strains and the data were fitted with the Fung’s quasilinear viscoelastic (QLV) model. By using the material parameters obtained from the stress relaxation test, the cyclic peak stress and hysteresis were predicted. Results showed that the stress relaxed by 20–30% of the peak stress within the first 10s and stabilized at ∼50% at the time of 300s. The relative stress relaxation R2 (i.e., the difference of stress at a particular time to the final equilibrium stress normalized by the total difference of the peak and final stress) was not different significantly for various strains. It was also found that, by using the stress-time data during both the ramp and relaxation phases, the correlation between parameters was substantially reduced. The model could also predict the cyclic peak stress and hysteresis except for the underestimate of valley stress. We conclude that the QLV model could be used as the material characterization of the esophageal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Yang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
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Nishimura S, Nagai S, Katoh M, Yamashita H, Saeki Y, Okada JI, Hisada T, Nagai R, Sugiura S. Microtubules Modulate the Stiffness of Cardiomyocytes Against Shear Stress. Circ Res 2006; 98:81-7. [PMID: 16306445 DOI: 10.1161/01.res.0000197785.51819.e8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Although microtubules are involved in various pathological conditions of the heart including hypertrophy and congestive heart failure, the mechanical role of microtubules in cardiomyocytes under such conditions is not well understood. In the present study, we measured multiple aspects of the mechanical properties of single cardiomyocytes, including tensile stiffness, transverse (indentation) stiffness, and shear stiffness in both transverse and longitudinal planes using carbon fiber–based systems and compared these parameters under control, microtubule depolymerized (colchicine treated), and microtubule hyperpolymerized (paclitaxel treated) conditions. From all of these measurements, we found that only the stiffness against shear in the longitudinal plane was modulated by the microtubule cytoskeleton. A simulation model of the myocyte in which microtubules serve as compression-resistant elements successfully reproduced the experimental results. In the complex strain field that living myocytes experience in the body, observed changes in shear stiffness may have a significant influence on the diastolic property of the diseased heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Nishimura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
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El-Rich M, Shirazi-Adl A, Arjmand N. Muscle activity, internal loads, and stability of the human spine in standing postures: combined model and in vivo studies. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2004; 29:2633-42. [PMID: 15564912 DOI: 10.1097/01.brs.0000146463.05288.0e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN The load in active and passive spinal components as well as the stability margin in standing postures +/- load in hands are studied using both computational model and in vivo studies. OBJECTIVE To investigate muscle activity, spinal loads, and system stability in standing postures. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Study of the human trunk yields a redundant system, the satisfactory solution of which remains yet to be done. Existing biomechanical models are often oversimplified or attempt to solve the problem by equilibrium of loads at only one cross section along the spine. METHODS In vivo measurements are performed to obtain kinematics (by skin markers) as input data into model and EMG activity (by surface electrodes) for validation of predictions. A thoracolumbar model, while accounting for nonlinear ligamentous properties and trunk musculature, solved the redundant active-passive system by a novel kinematics-based approach that used both the posture and gravity/external loads as input data. In both studies, neutral standing posture was considered with weights up to 380 N held in hands with arms extended close to the body either in front or on sides. RESULTS Predicted muscle forces were in satisfactory agreement with measured EMG activities. The activity in extensor muscles significantly increased with the load magnitude when held in front, a trend that disappeared as loads were held on sides. Abdominal muscles remained relatively silent. Large compression forces of approximately 2000 N were computed in lower lumbar levels when 380 N was held in front. Coactivity in abdominal muscles markedly increased internal loads and stability margin. CONCLUSION A tradeoff exists between lower loads in passive tissues (i.e., tissue risk of failure) and higher stability margins as both increase with greater muscle coactivation. Greater muscle activity observed under load held in front did not necessarily yield larger stability margin as the position of load appeared to play an important role as well. The strength of the proposed model is in realistic consideration of both passive-active structures under postures and gravity/external loads, yielding results that satisfy kinematics, equilibrium, and stability requirements in all directions along the spine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwan El-Rich
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Balogh J, Li Z, Paulin D, Arner A. Desmin filaments influence myofilament spacing and lateral compliance of slow skeletal muscle fibers. Biophys J 2004; 88:1156-65. [PMID: 15542565 PMCID: PMC1305120 DOI: 10.1529/biophysj.104.042630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Intermediate filaments composed of desmin interlink Z-disks and sarcolemma in skeletal muscle. Depletion of desmin results in lower active stress of smooth, cardiac, and skeletal muscles. Structural functions of intermediate filaments in fast (psoas) and slow (soleus) skeletal muscle were examined using x-ray diffraction on permeabilized muscle from desmin-deficient mice (Des-/-) and controls (Des+/+). To examine lateral compliance of sarcomeres and cells, filament distances and fiber width were measured during osmotic compression with dextran. Equatorial spacing (x-ray diffraction) of contractile filaments was wider in soleus Des-/- muscle compared to Des+/+, showing that desmin is important for maintaining lattice structure. Osmotic lattice compression was similar in Des-/- and Des+/+. In width measurements of single fibers and bundles, Des-/- soleus were more compressed by dextran compared to Des+/+, showing that intermediate filaments contribute to whole-cell compliance. For psoas fibers, both filament distance and cell compliance were similar in Des-/- and Des+/+. We conclude that desmin is important for stabilizing sarcomeres and maintaining cell compliance in slow skeletal muscle. Wider filament spacing in Des-/- soleus cannot, however, explain the lower active stress, but might influence resistance to stretch, possibly minimizing stretch-induced cell injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Balogh
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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