Changes produced by increased hydrostatic pressure in isometric contractions of rat fast muscle

Effects of Hydrostatic-Pressure on Muscle Contraction: A Look Back on Some Experimental Findings

Findings from experiments that used hydrostatic pressure changes to analyse the process of skeletal muscle contraction are re-examined. The force in resting muscle is insensitive to an increase in hydrostatic pressure from 0.1 MPa (atmospheric) to 10 MPa, as also found for force in rubber-like elastic filaments. The force in rigour muscle rises with increased pressure, as shown experimentally for normal elastic fibres (e.g., glass, collagen, keratin, etc.). In submaximal active contractions, high pressure leads to tension potentiation. The force in maximally activated muscle decreases with increased pressure: the extent of this force decrease in maximal active muscle is sensitive to the concentration of products of ATP hydrolysis (Pi-inorganic phosphate and ADP-adenosine diphosphate) in the medium. When the increased hydrostatic pressure is rapidly decreased, the force recovered to the atmospheric level in all cases. Thus, the resting muscle force remained the same: the force in the rigour muscle decreased in one phase and that in active muscle increased in two phases. The rate of rise of active force on rapid pressure release increased with the concentration of Pi in the medium, indicating that it is coupled to the Pi release step in the ATPase-driven crossbridge cycle in muscle. Pressure experiments on intact muscle illustrate possible underlying mechanisms of tension potentiation and causes of muscle fatigue.

High hydrostatic pressure induces slow contraction in mouse cardiomyocytes

Cardiomyocytes are contractile cells that regulate heart contraction. Ca2+ flux via Ca2+ channels activates actomyosin interactions, leading to cardiomyocyte contraction, which is modulated by physical factors (e.g., stretch, shear stress, and hydrostatic pressure). We evaluated the mechanism triggering slow contractions using a high-pressure microscope to characterize changes in cell morphology and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in mouse cardiomyocytes exposed to high hydrostatic pressures. We found that cardiomyocytes contracted slowly without an acute transient increase in [Ca2+]i, while a myosin ATPase inhibitor interrupted pressure-induced slow contractions. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy showed that, although the sarcomere length was shortened upon the application of 20 MPa, this pressure did not collapse cellular structures such as the sarcolemma and sarcomeres. Our results suggest that pressure-induced slow contractions in cardiomyocytes are driven by the activation of actomyosin interactions without an acute transient increase in [Ca2+]i.

Effect of an inverted seated position with upper arm blood flow restriction on measures of elbow flexors neuromuscular performance

Purpose

The objective of the investigation was to determine the concomitant effects of upper arm blood flow restriction (BFR) and inversion on elbow flexors neuromuscular responses.

Methods

Randomly allocated, 13 volunteers performed four conditions in a within-subject design: rest (control, 1-min upright position without BFR), control (1-min upright with BFR), 1-min inverted (without BFR), and 1-min inverted with BFR. Evoked and voluntary contractile properties, before, during and after a 30-s maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) exercise intervention were examined as well as pain scale.

Results

Inversion induced significant pre-exercise intervention decreases in elbow flexors MVC (21.1%, ηp2 = 0.48, p = 0.02) and resting evoked twitch forces (29.4%, ηp2 = 0.34, p = 0.03). The 30-s MVC induced significantly greater pre- to post-test decreases in potentiated twitch force (ηp2 = 0.61, p = 0.0009) during inversion (↓75%) than upright (↓65.3%) conditions. Overall, BFR decreased MVC force 4.8% (ηp2 = 0.37, p = 0.05). For upright position, BFR induced 21.0% reductions in M-wave amplitude (ηp2 = 0.44, p = 0.04). There were no significant differences for electromyographic activity or voluntary activation as measured with the interpolated twitch technique. For all conditions, there was a significant increase in pain scale between the 40–60 s intervals and post-30-s MVC (upright<inversion, and without BFR<BFR).

Conclusion

The concomitant application of inversion with elbow flexors BFR only amplified neuromuscular performance impairments to a small degree. Individuals who execute forceful contractions when inverted or with BFR should be cognizant that force output may be impaired.

Effects of an inverted seated position on single and sustained isometric contractions and cardiovascular parameters of trained individuals

Previous research demonstrated higher maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force with upright vs. inverted positions in untrained individuals. The purpose was to determine the effects of inversion on force, activation, and cardiovascular responses before and following fatigue in trained individuals. Twelve male athletes completed two trials: upright and inverted seated positions. At baseline (upright), either leg extension (LE) or elbow flexion (EF) evoked contractile properties and MVCs were performed. LE and EF contractions were randomly allocated and performed in separate sessions. The subject was then positioned for 150s in each posture, followed by a 30s MVC (MVC30). During each trial, stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (Q), heart rate (HR), time and frequency domain HR variability measures and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) measurements were recorded. ANOVA showed no statistical differences in EF MVC force, but a tendency (p=.12) for LE MVC decline with inversion vs. upright. Evoked resting (p=.1) and potentiated peak twitch (p=.04) force were increased with inverted LE but tended to diminish with inverted EF (p=.06 and p=.1). Force-fatigue, electromyography-fatigue relationships and HR variability during MVC30 fatigue were not affected. HR and Q were significantly (p=.01) lower with inversion following both LE and EF fatigue. Compared to the significant inversion-induced changes associated with untrained individuals in previously published studies, the lack of postural changes in resting force and CV measures may demonstrate that highly trained individuals adapt better to inversion.

A rapid rotation to an inverted seated posture inhibits muscle force, activation, heart rate and blood pressure

Although previous studies have demonstrated neuromuscular and cardiovascular changes with slow inversion rates, emergencies, such as overturned vehicles and helicopters can occur rapidly. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in neuromuscular and cardiovascular responses with rapid (1 s) and slower (3 s) transitions from upright to inverted seated positions. Twenty-two subjects performed separate and concurrent unilateral elbow flexion and leg extension maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) for 6 s in an upright seated position and when inverted with 1 and 3 s rotations. Elbow flexion and leg extension force; biceps, triceps, quadriceps and hamstrings electromyographic (EMG) activity, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured. Whether the elbow flexion or leg extension contractions occurred concurrently or individually, significant (p < 0.05) decreases in MVC force and EMG activity were found when inverted within 1 and 3 s rotations as compared to upright. Triceps and hamstrings EMG activity (p < 0.05) decreased when inverted within 1 s rotation as compared to upright. Following rotation, the maintenance of the inverted position (3-6 s timepoint) resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in leg extension MVC as compared to the initial second of rotation to inversion. HR, SBP and DBP demonstrated (p < 0.001) decreases when inverted within 1 and 3 s rotations as compared to upright. In conclusion, this is the first study to show that irrespective of rotation speed, inversion inhibited neuromuscular and cardiovascular responses, similar to the more deliberate, slower rotation of previous inversion studies.

An inverted seated posture decreases elbow flexion force and muscle activation

The purpose of this study was to determine if discrepancies exist between upright and inverted seated positions in isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) elbow flexor force, MVC force produced in the first 100 ms (F100), MVC rate of force development, electromyographic (EMG) activity of the biceps and triceps as well as heart rate and blood pressure. The results showed significantly (p < 0.01) higher MVC force (543.6 +/- 29.6 vs. 486.5 +/- 23.0 N), F100 (328.3 +/- 94.5 vs. 274.6 +/- 101.8 N), rate of force development (p = 0.003) (1,851.9 +/- 742.2 vs. 1,591.0 +/- 719.6 N s(-1)) and biceps brachii EMG activity (48%, p < 0.01) in the upright versus inverted condition. There were relatively greater co-contractions with the inverted position (p < 0.01) due to the lack of change in triceps' EMG and the substantial decrease in biceps' EMG. There were no significant changes in trunk EMG activity. With inversion, there were significant decreases in heart rate (16.8%), systolic (11.6%) and diastolic (12.1%) blood pressures (p < 0.0001). These results illustrate decrements in neuromuscular performance with an inverted seated posture which may be related to an altered sympathetic response.

Fast pressure jumps can perturb calcium and magnesium binding to troponin C F29W

We have used rapid pressure jump and stopped-flow fluorometry to investigate calcium and magnesium binding to F29W chicken skeletal troponin C. Increased pressure perturbed calcium binding to the N-terminal sites in the presence and absence of magnesium and provided an estimate for the volume change upon calcium binding (-12 mL/mol). We observed a biphasic response to a pressure change which was characterized by fast and slow reciprocal relaxation times of the order 1000/s and 100/s. Between pCa 8-5.4 and at troponin C concentrations of 8-28 muM, the slow relaxation times were invariant, indicating that a protein isomerization was rate-limiting. The fast event was only detected over a very narrow pCa range (5.6-5.4). We have devised a model based on a Monod-Wyman-Changeux cooperative mechanism with volume changes of -9 and +6 mL/mol for the calcium binding to the regulatory sites and closed to open protein isomerization steps, respectively. In the absence of magnesium, we discovered that calcium binding to the C-terminal sites could be detected, despite their position distal to the calcium-sensitive tryptophan, with a volume change of +25 mL/mol. We used this novel observation to measure competitive magnesium binding to the C-terminal sites and deduced an affinity in the range 200-300 muM (and a volume change of +35 mL/mol). This affinity is an order of magnitude tighter than equilibrium fluorescence data suggest based on a model of direct competitive binding. Magnesium thus indirectly modulates binding to the N-terminal sites, which may act as a fine-tuning mechanism in vivo.

Reversibility of high pressure effects on the contractility of skeletal muscle

High pressure application has been extensively used to thermodynamically influence complex physiological processes such as membrane ion conductances and the mechanism of muscle contraction. However, little is known about the reversibility of high pressure effects on intact cells. Therefore, we studied the reversibility of 3 h pressure applications up to 25 MPa at +4 degrees C to intact murine skeletal muscle. Functional mechanical properties were tested in extensor digitorum muscle fibres skinned following a high pressure exposure. Calcium activated force and stiffness were nearly unchanged following pressure applications up to 20 MPa, whereas for higher pressures we found a marked reduction of peak force, a decline of activation kinetics, an increase of relaxation stiffness but still unchanged peak stiffness. The rigor kinetics showed a similar behaviour as the activation kinetics. pCa-force relations remained unchanged up to 20 MPa but were shifted towards smaller pCa values for higher pressures. In conclusion there is a rather sharp high pressure limit of 20 MPa above of which pressure application results in a substantial irreversible loss of contractile functionality in differentiated muscle which may at least partly be explained by changes in the Ca2+ regulatory process. This is supported by a degradation of the 37 kDa band, i.e. Troponin T, shown by SDS gel electrophoresis. However, the general stability of the other bands does not indicate a substantial increase of unspecific protease activity following a high pressure treatment up to 25 MPa.

Force generation upon hydrostatic pressure release in tetanized intact frog muscle fibres

Single intact muscle fibres isolated from the tibialis anterior muscle of the frog were exposed to hydrostatic pressures of 1-10 MPa, at 2-4 degrees C and sarcomere length of 2.1-2.2 microm. The pressure was rapidly released (ca. 1 ms) to atmospheric level (0.1 MPa) during the plateau of a tetanic contraction (Po) and the resultant tension (= force) transient examined. The pressure release induced tension transient consisted of an initial tension drop coincident with pressure release (ca. 4% Po per MPa, Phase 1), followed by a rapid recovery (Phase 2a) and a slower rise of tension (Phase 2b). Phase 1 was partly due to a length release at fibre ends (ca. 0.1 nm per half-sarcomere per MPa) induced by pressure-release effects on the steel chamber and fibre attachments, and partly due to 'expansion' upon pressure release within muscle fibre (ca. 0.2 nm per half-sarcomere per MPa), probably in the myofilaments and cross-bridges. The rate of tension recovery during phase 2a (ca. 600/s) was comparable to that of the quick tension recovery (T1-T2 transition) reported from moderately fast small length releases; the time course of Phase 2b (rate ca. 40/s) was similar to the late phase of tension rise in a tetanus, and hence compared with Phase 4 (T4) of a length release tension transient. Results are compared with the previously reported findings from analogous experiments on Ca2+ -activated skinned (rabbit) muscle fibres.

Loss of twitch torque following muscle compression

With the elbow flexed, compression of the human biceps brachii has been found to reduce twitch torque, with an approximately linear relationship being observed between the loss of torque and the applied pressure (up to 45 kPa). The decline in torque could no longer be demonstrated when the biceps muscle was stretched, by extending the elbow from a flexed position. The loss of torque in the flexed position appeared to be due to an inability of muscle sarcomeres to bulge sufficiently to take up the series elasticity at the fiber ends.

Effects of hydrostatic pressure on fatiguing frog muscle fibres

Effects of increased hydrostatic pressure (range 0.1-10 MPa) on isometric twitch and tetanic contractions of single, intact, frog muscle fibres were examined at 4, 11 and 21 degrees C and at different stages of fatigue. Twitch tension was potentiated by pressure at all temperatures, but the extent of potentiation was more pronounced at higher temperatures (34% MPa-1 at 21 degrees C, compared to 8% MPa-1 at 4 degrees C). Tetanic tension was depressed by pressure at 4 degrees C (approximately 0.7% MPa-1) but was potentiated by pressure at 21 degrees C (approximately 0.4% MPa-1). The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the tetanic tension was dependent on the fatigue status of the muscle fibre: during the early stages of fatigue (when tetanic tension was depressed by < 20%), high pressure produced a tension depression (as in an unfatigued muscle fibre), whilst during the later stages of fatigue high pressure induced a significant potentiation of tetanic. Our results support the suggestion that excitation-contraction coupling and contractile activation are impaired during late fatigue. Pressure-effects were basically similar to caffeine-effects under a variety of conditions, suggesting that an enhancement of Ca2+ release may be contributory to potentiation of twitch tension and, in severely, fatigued muscle, potentiation of tetanic tension. In the rested state and during early fatigue the main effect of pressure is an inhibition of the crossbridge cycle.

Pressure-induced changes in the isometric contractions of single intact frog muscle fibres at low temperatures

Effects of increased hydrostatic pressure (range 0.1-10 MPa) on isometric twitch and tetanic contractions of single intact muscle fibres, isolated from frog tibialis anterior muscle, were examined at 4-12 degrees C. The tension changes produced on exposure to steady high pressures are compared with those produced on exposure to low concentrations of caffeine (0.5 mM, subthreshold for contracture) and when pressure is rapidly released during a contraction. The peak twitch tension was potentiated by pressure accompanied by increased rate of tension rise and increased duration; the pressure sensitivity of twitch tension was approximately 8% MPa-1. The correlation between the rate of tension rise and peak tension in caffeine-induced twitch tension potentiation was quantitatively similar to that in pressure-induced twitch potentiation. Experiments involving the rapid release of pressure (approximately 2 ms) during twitch contractions demonstrate that high pressure need only be maintained for a brief period during the early part of tension development to elicit full twitch potentiation. The tetanic tension was depressed by pressure (approximately 1% MPa-1). Results demonstrate that the major effect of increased hydrostatic pressure on intact muscle fibres, which results in tension potentiation, is complete very early during contraction and is similar to that of caffeine.

Contractile activation and force generation in skinned rabbit muscle fibres: effects of hydrostatic pressure

1. Effects of hydrostatic pressure (range 0.1-10 MPa) on the isometric tension of skinned (rabbit psoas) muscle fibres were examined at 12 degrees C and at different levels of Ca2+ activation (pCa range 4-7); the effects on both the steady tension and the tension transients induced by rapid pressure release (< 1 ms) are described. 2. The steady tension was depressed by increased pressure (approximately 1% MPa-1) at a high level of Ca2+ activation (pCa approximately 4) whereas it was potentiated at lower Ca2+ levels (pCa > 6); the effects were reversible. 3. At maximal Ca2+ activation, the tension recovery following pressure release (10 MPa to atmospheric) consisted of a fast (approximately 30 s-1) and a slow (2-3 s-1) phase; the rate and the normalized amplitude (normalized to the steady tension at atmospheric pressure for a particular pCa) of the fast phase were invariant with changes in Ca2+ level. 4. The effects of changing Ca2+ level on the slow phase were complex; its positive amplitude at high Ca2+ levels changed to negative and the rate decreased to approximately 1 s-1 at low Ca2+ levels (pCa > 6.0). 5. Results are discussed in relation to previous studies on the effect of pressure on intact muscle fibres and the actin-myosin interaction. This work supports calcium regulation of cross-bridge recruitment rather than calcium regulation of the rate of a specific step in the cross-bridge cycle.

Effects of pressure on equatorial x-ray fiber diffraction from skeletal muscle fibers

When skeletal muscle fibers are subjected to a hydrostatic pressure of 10 MPa (100 atmospheres), reversible changes in tension occur. Passive tension from relaxed muscle is unaffected, rigor tension rises, and active tension falls. The effects of pressure on muscle structure are unknown: therefore a pressure-resistant cell for x-ray diffraction has been built, and this paper reports the first study of the low-angle equatorial patterns of pressurized relaxed, rigor, and active muscle fibers, with direct comparisons from the same chemically skinned rabbit psoas muscle fibers at 0.1 and 10 MPa. Relaxed and rigor fibers show little change in the intensity of the equatorial reflections when pressurized to 10 MPa, but there is a small, reversible expansion of the lattice of 0.7 and 0.4%, respectively. This shows that the order and stability of the myofilament lattice is undisturbed by this pressure. The rise in rigor tension under pressure is thus probably due to axial shortening of one or more components of the sarcomere. Initial results from active fibers at 0.1 MPa show that when phosphate is added the lattice spacing and equatorial intensities change toward their relaxed values. This indicates cross-bridge detachment, as expected from the reduction in tension that phosphate induces. 10 MPa in the presence of phosphate at 11 degrees C causes tension to fall by a further 12%, but not change is detected in the relative intensity of the reflections, only a small increase in lattice spacing. Thus pressure appears to increase the proportion of attached cross-bridges in a low-force state.