Gosselin, Luc E.

We hypothesized that adaptations of the rabbit diaphragm (Dia) after unilateral denervation (DNV) result from removal of a neural influence rather than from passive stress. Length changes of midcostal and sternal Dia regions were measured before and after DNV by using sonomicrometry. Midcostal fibers passively lengthened after DNV, whereas sternal fibers shortened. In both regions, these length changes were associated with minimal stress, as estimated from passive force-length relationships. Morphological and contractile adaptions of midcostal and sternal Dia regions were examined after 1 and 4 wk of DNV. In both Dia regions, type I fibers progressively hypertrophied, whereas type IIb fibers atrophied. After DNV, changes in isometric contraction were similar in both Dia regions. Twitch contraction and half-relaxation times increased, force-frequency relationships shifted leftward, and maximum tetanic force decreased. We conclude that passive length changes and mechanical stress are not the main determinants of the morphological and contractile adaptations of the Dia after unilateral DNV but that these adaptations result from DNV itself.

Hypothyroidism (HYPO) often manifests as neuromuscular symptoms; however, little is known about its effects on the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The present study examined changes in NMJ morphology and neuromuscular transmission failure (NTF) in the rat diaphragm muscle (Dimus) after 3 wk of HYPO. Three-color fluorescence immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to simultaneously visualize nerve terminals and axons, motor end plates, and myosin heavy chain isoform expression in Dimus fibers. NTF was assessed in vitro by comparing muscle fatigue induced by nerve with that induced by direct muscle stimulation. Diameters of axons innervating type I fibers were 30% smaller in the HYPO Dimus than in control (CTL). Planar areas of nerve terminals and end plates on type I and IIa fibers were 15-35% smaller in HYPO than in CTL. The extent of overlap between nerve terminals and end plates of type I fibers was 10% less in HYPO. Susceptibility to NTF during repetitive nerve stimulation was 20% greater in the CTL Dimus than in HYPO; however, changes in NMJ morphology could not fully account or the effect of HYPO on NTF.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of acute (3 days) unilateral diaphragm denervation (DNV) on 1) levels of alpha 1(I) and alpha 1(III) procollagen mRNA; 2) collagen concentration [hydroxyproline (HYP)]; 3) amount of the nonreducible collagen cross-link hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP); and 4) the passive force-length relationship of the muscle. The levels of alpha 1(I) and alpha 1(III) procollagen mRNA, HYP concentration, and amount of HP were measured in muscle segments from the midcostal region of DNV and intact (INT) hemidiaphragms of adult male Fischer 344 rats (250–300 g). The in vitro passive force-length relationship of DNV and INT hemidiaphragm was determined by lengthening and shortening the diaphragm muscle segments from 85 to 115% of optimal length at a constant velocity (0.6 optimal length/s). Three days after DNV, the level of alpha 1(I) procollagen mRNA was increased over 15-fold in the DNV hemidiaphragm compared with INT (P < 0.05), whereas the level of alpha 1(III) procollagen mRNA was increased by approximately sixfold in the DNV hemidiaphragm compared with INT (P < 0.05). Collagen (HYP) concentration did not differ between groups, averaging 8.7 and 8.9 micrograms/mg dry wt for the DNV and INT hemidiaphragms, respectively. In addition, there was no difference in the amount of the mature nonreducible collagen cross-link HP between the DNV and INT hemidiaphragms (0.66 vs. 0.76 mole HP/mole collagen, respectively). The amount of passive force developed during lengthening did not differ between DNV and INT hemidiaphragms. These data indicate that acute DNV of the hemidiaphragm is associated with an increase in the mRNA level of the two principal fibrillar collagen phenotypes in skeletal muscle. However, despite extensive muscle remodeling, the passive force-length relationship of the DNV hemidiaphragm is unaffected compared with the INT muscle.

The acute period of unilateral diaphragm denervation (DNV) is associated with increases in cell mitotic activity, protein synthesis, and muscle fiber hypertrophy. Our purpose was to determine whether acute unilateral diaphragm DNV is associated with changes in muscle isometric contractile properties, cross-sectional area of different muscle fiber types, mitotic activity of muscle fiber satellite cells, and muscle fiber ultrastructural properties indicative of injury. Adult male Fischer 344 rats underwent a right phrenicotomy, and DNV and intact (INT) hemidiaphragms were studied 72 h later. DNV hemidiaphragm displayed a significant decline in maximal isometric force (8.7 vs. 24.3 N/cm2) and a prolonged time to peak twitch force (47.8 vs. 37.5 ms) and time to half relaxation (72.3 vs. 44.3 ms) compared with INT contralateral hemidiaphragm (P < 0.05). DNV resulted in a significant increase in cross-sectional area of types I (33%), IIa (35%), and IIb (28%) fibers relative to INT hemidiaphragm (P < 0.05). Satellite cell mitotic activity (assessed by incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine) was approximately 5.5 times greater in DNV than in INT muscle (DNV 25.0 +/- 3.8, INT 4.5 +/- 1.4 labeled satellite cell nuclei/1,000 nuclei; P < 0.05). Ultrastructural examination of electron micrographs revealed alterations in Z-line and sarcomeric structure indicative of muscle injury. Cellular infiltration and segmental necrosis were also noted in some fibers. We conclude that acute unilateral diaphragm DNV results in muscle fiber injury that induces satellite cell activation. We also speculate that the specific force decrement associated with DNV is at least partially the result of muscle injury.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of chronic mass loading produced by obesity on the structural and functional characteristics of the diaphragm in lean and obese Zucker rats. The trapezius muscle served as an internal control. The studies were carried out on 17 lean (303 +/- 24 g) and 16 obese (698 +/- 79 g) Zucker rats. We observed that the diaphragms from obese animals were restructured such that the overall contribution of type I and IIa fibers was significantly increased. As a consequence of this remodeling, overall diaphragm thickness was selectively greater in obese animals. In small isolated diaphragm bundles studied in vitro, we also detected a reduction in specific force in obese animals that was not detected in the trapezius muscle. In vitro fatigue resistance, assessed by repeated stimulation, was similar in muscles of lean and obese animals. Diaphragm fiber oxidative capacity (succinate dehydrogenase activity) was also comparable in lean and obese animals. We conclude that in obesity the diaphragm undergoes modest remodeling that may be beneficial in enhancing force generation.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of aging on collagen concentration and extent of nonreducible collagen cross-linking as well as with the passive length-force relationship of the diaphragm muscle. Midcostal diaphragm muscle strips from young (6 mo) and senescent (24 mo) Fischer 344 rats were perfused in a tissue bath containing mammalian Ringers solution (25 degrees C) aerated with 95% O2–5% CO2. The segments were lengthened and shortened from 85 to 115% of optimal length (L(o)) at a constant velocity (0.6 L(o)/s), and the passive force was measured. Hydroxyproline (HYP) and the mature nonreducible collagen cross-link, hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP), were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The resting force at Lo did not differ between young and senescent diaphragm muscles. However, the senescent diaphragm exhibited greater passive force compared with the young (P < 0.05) at lengths > 110% of L(o). High-pressure liquid chromatography analysis revealed a higher concentration of HYP in the senescent compared with the young diaphragm (9.32 +/- 0.83 and 6.59 +/- 0.78 g HYP/mg dry wt, respectively; P < 0.05). Additionally, the content of HP was greater in the senescent compared with the young diaphragm (1.16 +/- 0.05 and 0.91 +/- 0.05 mol HP/mol collagen, respectively; P < 0.05). These results suggest that diaphragm collagen metabolism, maturation, and the passive length-force characteristics of the muscle are altered with senescence.

The effect of growth on the relative interstitial space [%total cross-sectional area (CSA)] and collagen content of the rat diaphragm muscle was examined at postnatal ages of 0, 7, 14, and 21 days as well as in adult males. The proportion of interstitial space relative to total muscle CSA was determined by computerized image analysis of lectin-stained cross sections of diaphragm muscle. To assess collagen content and extent of collagen maturation (i.e., cross-linking), high-pressure liquid chromatography analysis was used to measure hydroxyproline concentration and the nonreducible collagen cross-link hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP), respectively. At birth, interstitial space accounted for approximately 47% of total diaphragm muscle CSA. During postnatal growth, the relative contribution of interstitial space decreased such that by adulthood the interstitial space accounted for approximately 18% of total muscle CSA. The change in relative interstitial space occurred without a concomitant change in hydroxyproline concentration. However, the concentration of HP markedly increased with age such that the adult diaphragm contained approximately 17 times more HP than at birth. These results indicate that during development the relative CSA occupied by interstitial space decreases as muscle fiber size increases. However, the reduction in relative interstitial space is not associated with a change in collagen concentration. Thus collagen density in the interstitial space may increase with age. It is possible that the observed changes in relative interstitial space and collagen influence the passive length-force properties of the diaphragm.

Abstract The present study sought to examine the effects of aging on the isometric contractile and fatigue properties as well as the myosin heavy chain (MCH) isoform composition of the rat diaphragm muscle. Male Fischer 344 (F344) specific pathogen-free rats 6 and 24 mo old were used in the study. Peak twitch force was approximately 23% lower (p &lt; 0.05) in the senescent diaphragm compared with the young. Time to peak twitch force and one-half relaxation time of twitch force did not differ between groups. There was a significant decrease (15 to 18%, p &lt; 0.05) in the specific force (N/cm2) of the senescent diaphragm at all stimulation frequencies (10 to 100 Hz) examined. In addition, the fatigability of the diaphragm did not significantly differ between the two groups. No significant changes in the distribution of MHC 1 and 2A isoforms were observed with aging. However, the contribution of MHC 2X significantly decreased with senescence (young, 37.5%; senescent, 30.5%), whereas the contribution of MHC 2B in the senescent diaphragm was significantly higher (young, 6.5%; senescent, 15.0%; p &lt; 0.05). We conclude that the age-related decline in diaphragm muscle specific force is caused by intrinsic factors other than changes in MHC composition.