Diaphragmatic proteasome function is maintained in the ageing Fisher 344 rat

Breathing and Oxygen Carrying Capacity in Ts65Dn and Down Syndrome

Individuals with Down syndrome (Ds) are at increased risk of respiratory infection, aspiration pneumonia, and apnea. The Ts65Dn mouse is a commonly used model of Ds, but there have been no formal investigations of awake breathing and respiratory muscle function in these mice. We hypothesized that breathing would be impaired in Ts65Dn vs. wild-type (WT), and would be mediated by both neural and muscular inputs. Baseline minute ventilation was not different at 3, 6, or 12 mo of age. However, VT/Ti, a marker of the neural drive to breathe, was lower in Ts65Dn vs. WT and central apneas were more prevalent. The response to breathing hypoxia was not different, but the response to hypercapnia was attenuated, revealing a difference in carbon dioxide sensing, and/or motor output in Ts65Dn. Oxygen desaturations were present in room air, demonstrating that ventilation may not be sufficient to maintain adequate oxygen saturation in Ts65Dn. We observed no differences in arterial PO2 or PCO2, but Ts65Dn had lower hemoglobin and hematocrit. A retrospective medical record review of 52,346 Ds and 52,346 controls confirmed an elevated relative risk of anemia in Ds. We also performed eupneic in-vivo electromyography and in-vitro muscle function and histological fiber typing of the diaphragm, and found no difference between strains. Overall, conscious respiration is impaired in Ts65Dn, is mediated by neural mechanisms, and results in reduced hemoglobin saturation. Oxygen carrying capacity is reduced in Ts65Dn vs. WT, and we demonstrate that individuals with Ds are also at increased risk of anemia.

Respiratory muscle contractile inactivity induced by mechanical ventilation in piglets leads to leaky ryanodine receptors and diaphragm weakness

Respiratory muscle contractile inactivity during mechanical ventilation (MV) induces diaphragm muscle weakness, a condition referred to as ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD). Although VIDD pathophysiological mechanisms are still not fully understood, it has been recently suggested that remodeling of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium release channel/ryanodine receptors (RyR1) in the diaphragm is a proximal mechanism of VIDD. Here, we used piglets, a large animal model of VIDD that is more relevant to human pathophysiology, to determine whether RyR1 alterations are observed in the presence of diaphragm weakness. In piglets, diaphragm weakness induced by 72 h of respiratory muscle unloading was associated with SR RyR1 remodeling and abnormal resting SR Ca²⁺ leak in the diaphragm. Specifically, following controlled mechanical ventilation, diaphragm contractile function was reduced. Moreover, RyR1 macromolecular complexes were more oxidized, S-nitrosylated and phosphorylated at Ser-2844 and depleted of the stabilizing subunit calstabin1 compared with controls on adaptive support ventilation that maintains diaphragmatic contractile activity. Our study strongly supports the hypothesis that RyR1 is a potential therapeutic target in VIDD and the interest of using small molecule drugs to prevent RyR1-mediated SR Ca²⁺ leak induced by respiratory muscle unloading in patients who require controlled mechanical ventilation.

Targeting Heat Shock Proteins Mitigates Ventilator Induced Diaphragm Muscle Dysfunction in an Age-Dependent Manner

Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are often overtly subjected to mechanical ventilation and immobilization, which leads to impaired limb and respiratory muscle function. The latter, termed ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD) has recently been related to compromised heat shock protein (Hsp) activation. The administration of a pharmacological drug BGP-15 acting as a Hsp chaperone co-inducer has been found to partially alleviate VIDD in young rats. Considering that the mean age in the ICU is increasing, we aimed to explore whether the beneficial functional effects are also present in old rats. For that, we exposed young (7–8 months) and old (28–32 months) rats to 5-day controlled mechanical ventilation and immobilization with or without systemic BGP-15 administration. We then dissected diaphragm muscles, membrane–permeabilized bundles and evaluated the contractile function at single fiber level. Results confirmed that administration of BGP-15 restored the force-generating capacity of isolated muscle cells from young rats in conjunction with an increased expression of Hsp72. On the other hand, our results highlighted that old rats did not positively respond to the BGP-15 treatment. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to comprehend in more depth the effect of VIDD on diaphragm function and ascertain any further age-related differences.

Diaphragm muscle sarcopenia in Fischer 344 and Brown Norway rats

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? Several rat models are commonly used to study the physiology of ageing (e.g. Fischer 344 and Brown Norway rats are recommended by the USA National Institute of Ageing). Diaphragm muscle sarcopenia (ageing-related muscle weakness and atrophy) remains incompletely described in these rat models. What is the main finding and its importance? Diaphragm muscle sarcopenia is present in both the Fischer 344 and Brown Norway rat strains, but appears more pronounced in Fischer 344 rats. The risk for respiratory diseases increases in adults >65 years of age, which may be attributable in part to ageing-related weakening and atrophy (i.e. sarcopenia) of the diaphragm muscle (DIAm). The mechanisms underlying DIAm sarcopenia remain unknown. Based on existing evidence, we hypothesized that sarcopenia is most evident in type IIx and/or IIb DIAm fibres, i.e. more fatigable motor units. Currently, the USA National Institute on Aging supports Fischer 344 (F344) and Brown Norway (BN) rat strains for ageing-related research, yet DIAm sarcopenia has not been evaluated comprehensively in either strain. Thus, the present study examined DIAm sarcopenia in older adult F344 (24 months old, 50% survival) and BN rats (32 months old, 50% survival), compared with young adult (6-month-old) F344 and BN rats. Measurements of contractility, contractile protein concentration, fibre type distribution and fibre cross-sectional area were obtained from midcostal DIAm strips. Maximal specific force was reduced by ∼24 and ∼13% in older F344 and BN rats, respectively. Additionally, although the cross-sectional area of type I and IIa DIAm fibres was unchanged in both F344 and BN rats, the cross-sectional area of type IIx and/or IIb DIAm fibres was reduced by ∼20 and ∼15% in F344 and BN rats, respectively. Thus, although there was ageing-related DIAm weakness and atrophy, selective to type IIx and/or IIb DIAm fibres, in both F344 and BN rats, the sarcopenic phenotype was more pronounced in F344 rats.

Diaphragm muscle sarcopenia in aging mice

Sarcopenia, defined as muscle weakness and fiber atrophy, of respiratory muscles such as the diaphragm (DIAm) has not been well characterized. The DIAm is the main inspiratory muscle and knowledge of DIAm sarcopenia is important for establishing the effects of aging on respiratory function. We hypothesized that aging is associated with a loss of DIAm force and reduced fiber cross-sectional area (CSA), and that these changes vary across fiber types. DIAm sarcopenia was assessed in young (5 month; n = 11) and old (23 month; n = 12) wild-type mice reflecting ~100 and 75% survival, respectively. In addition, DIAm sarcopenia was evaluated in BubR1(H/H) mice (n = 4) that display accelerated aging (~60% survival at 5 months) as a result of expression of a hypomorphic allele (H) of the mitotic checkpoint protein BubR1. Maximum specific force (normalized for CSA) of the DIAm was 34% less in old mice and 57% lower in BubR1(H/H) mice compared to young mice. Mean CSA of type IIx and/or IIb DIAm fibers was 27% smaller in old wild-type mice and 47% smaller in BubR1(H/H) mice compared to young mice. Mean CSA of type I or IIa fibers was not different between groups. Collectively these results demonstrate sarcopenia of the DIAm in aging wild-type mice and in BubR1(H/H) mice displaying accelerated aging. Sarcopenia may limit the ability of the DIAm to accomplish expulsive, non-ventilatory behaviors essential for airway clearance. As a result, these changes in the DIAm may contribute to respiratory complications with aging.

The senescent rat diaphragm does not exhibit age-related changes in caspase activities, DNA fragmentation, or myonuclear domain

The diaphragm muscle is essential for normal ventilation and it is chronically active throughout the lifespan. In most skeletal muscles, aging is associated with increased oxidative stress and myofiber atrophy. Since the diaphragm maintains a unique chronic contractile activity, we hypothesized that these alterations would not occur in senescent diaphragms compared to young diaphragms. In addition, we investigated whether senescence leads to altered diaphragmatic caspase activity and myonuclear domain. We harvested diaphragm muscles from 6 and 24-26 month old male Fisher 344 rats (n = 10 per group). Measurements of protein carbonyls, caspase 2, 3, 9, and 12 activities, DNA fragmentation, myofiber cross-sectional area, and myonuclear domain of diaphragm muscles were performed. No age-related changes (p > 0.05) in diaphragmatic protein oxidation or activities of caspase 2, 3, 9, and 12 were observed between groups. In addition, DNA fragmentation, as detected by the ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction ladder assay, was not different (p > 0.05) between young and senescent diaphragms. Importantly, the cross-sectional area and myonuclear domain of diaphragm myofibers from senescent animals were also not different (p > 0.05) from young diaphragms. In conclusion, our data show that the senescent diaphragm does not atrophy or exhibit changes in select markers of the apoptotic pathway and this may be a result of the diaphragm's unique continuous contractile activity.

Low-level caloric restriction rescues proteasome activity and Hsc70 level in liver of aged rats

Proteasome activity is known to decrease with aging in ad libitum (AL) fed rats. Severe caloric restriction (CR) significantly extends the maximum life-span of rats, and counteracts the age-associated decrease in liver proteasome activities. Since few investigations have explored whether lower CR diets might positively counteract the age associated decrease in proteasome activity, we then investigated the effects of a mild CR regimen on animal life-span, proteasome content and function. In addition, we addressed the question whether both CR regimens might also affect the expression of Hsc70 protein, a constitutive chaperone reported to share a role in the function of proteasome complex and in the repair of proteotoxic damage, and whose level decreased during aging. In contrast to severe CR, mild CR had a poor effect on life-span; however, it better counteracted the decrease of proteasome activities. Both regimens, however, maintain Hsc70 in liver of old rats at level comparable to that of young rats. Interestingly, the effects of aging and CRs on liver proteasome enzyme activities did not appear to be associated with parallel changes in the amount of proteasome proteins suggesting that the quality (molecular activity of the enzymes) rather than the quantity are likely to be modified with age. In conclusion, the results presented in this work show that a mild CR can have beneficial effects on liver function of aging rats because is adequate to counteract the decrease of proteasome function and Hsc70 chaperone level.