164 research outputs found
Skeletal muscle capillary function: contemporary observations and novel hypotheses
No full textThe capillary bed constitutes a vast surface that facilitates exchange of O2, substrates and metabolites between blood and organs. In contracting skeletal muscle, capillary blood flow and O2 diffusing capacity, as well as O2 flux, may increase two orders of magnitude above resting values. Chronic diseases, such as heart failure and diabetes, and also sepsis impair these processes, leading to compromised energetic, metabolic and, ultimately, contractile function. Among researchers seeking to understand blood–myocyte exchange in health and the basis for dysfunction in disease, there is a fundamental disconnect between microcirculation specialists and many physiologists and physiologist clinicians. While the former observe capillaries and capillary function directly (muscle intravital microscopy), the latter generally use indirect methodologies (e.g. post-mortem tissue analysis, 1-methyl xanthine, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, permeability–surface area product) and interpret their findings based upon August Krogh's observations made nearly a century ago. ‘Kroghian’ theory holds that only a small fraction of capillaries support red blood cell (RBC) flux in resting muscle, leaving the vast majority to be ‘recruited’ (i.e. to initiate RBC flux) during contractions, which would constitute the basis for increasing surface area for capillary exchange and reducing capillary–mitochondrial diffusion distances. Experimental techniques each have their strengths and weaknesses, and often the correct or complete answer to a problem emerges from integration across multiple technologies. Today, Krogh's entrenched ‘capillary recruitment’ hypothesis is challenged by direct observations of capillaries in contracting muscle, which is something that he and his colleagues could not do. Moreover, in the peer-reviewed scientific literature, application of a range of contemporary physiological technologies, including intravital microscopy of contracting muscle, magnetic resonance, near-infrared spectroscopy and phosphorescence quenching, combined with elegant in situ and in vivo models, suggest that the role of the capillary bed, at least in contracting muscle, is subserved without the necessity for de novo capillary recruitment of previously non-flowing capillaries. When viewed within the context of the capillary recruitment hypothesis, this evidence casts serious doubt on the interpretation of those data that are based upon Kroghian theory and indirect methodologies. Thus, today a wealth of evidence calls for a radical revision of blood–muscle exchange theory to one in which most capillaries support RBC flux at rest and, during contractions, capillary surface area is ‘recruited’ along the length of previously flowing capillaries. This occurs, in part, by elevating capillary haematocrit and extending the length of the capillary available for blood–myocyte exchange (i.e. longitudinal recruitment). Our understanding of blood–myocyte O2 and substrate/metabolite exchange in health and the mechanistic basis for dysfunction in disease demands no less
Plasticity of microvascular oxygenation control in rat fast-twitch muscle: effects of experimental creatine depletion
No full textAging, heart failure and diabetes each compromise the matching of O2 delivery (QO2)-to-metabolic requirements (O2 uptake, VO2) in skeletal muscle such that the O2 pressure driving blood-myocyte O2 flux (microvascular PO2, PmvO2) is reduced and contractile function impaired. In contrast, β-guanidinopropionic acid (β-GPA) treatment improves muscle contractile function, primarily in fast-twitch muscle (Moerland and Kushmerick, 1994). We tested the hypothesis that β-GPA (2% wt/BW in rat chow, 8 wk; n=14) would improve QO2-to-VO2 matching (elevated PmvO2) during contractions (4.5 V @ 1 Hz) in mixed (MG) and white (WG) portions of the gastrocnemius, both predominantly fast-twitch). Compared with control (CON), during contractions PmvO2 fell less following β-GPA (MG -54%, WG -26%, p<0.05), elevating steady-state PmvO2 (CON, MG: 10±2, WG: 9±1; β-GPA, MG 16±2, WG 18±2 mmHg, P<0.05). This reflected an increased QO2/VO2 ratio due primarily to a reduced VO2 in β-GPA muscles. It is likely that this adaptation helps facilitate the β-GPA-induced enhancement of contractile function in fast-twitch muscles
The NO donor sodium nitroprusside: evaluation of skeletal muscle vascular and metabolic dysfunction
No full textThe nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) may promote cyanide-induced toxicity and systemic and/or local responses approaching maximal vasodilation. The hypotheses were tested that SNP superfusion of the rat spinotrapezius muscle exerts 1) residual impairments in resting and contracting blood flow, oxygen utilization (VO[subscript 2]) and microvascular O[subscript 2] pressure (PO[subscript 2mv]); and 2) marked hypotension and elevation in resting PO[subscript 2mv]. Two superfusion protocols were performed: 1) Krebs-Henseleit (control 1), SNP (300 μM; a dose used commonly in superfusion studies) and Krebs-Henseleit (control 2), in this order; 2) 300 and 1200 μM SNP in random order. Spinotrapezius muscle blood flow (radiolabeled microspheres), VO[subscript 2] (Fick calculation) and PO[subscript 2mv] (phosphorescence quenching) were determined at rest and during electrically-induced (1 Hz) contractions. There were no differences in spinotrapezius blood flow, VO[subscript 2] or PO[subscript 2mv] at rest and during contractions pre- and post-SNP condition (control 1 and control 2; p>0.05 for all). With regard to dosing, SNP produced a graded elevation in resting PO[subscript 2mv] (p<0.05) with a reduction in mean arterial pressure only at the higher concentration (p<0.05). Contrary to our hypothesis, skeletal muscle superfusion with the NO donor SNP (300 μM) improved microvascular oxygenation during the transition from rest to contractions (PO[subscript 2mv] kinetics) without precipitating residual impairment of muscle hemodynamic or metabolic control
or compromising systemic hemodynamics. These data suggest that SNP superfusion (300 μM) constitutes a valid and important tool for assessing the functional roles of NO in resting and contracting skeletal muscle function without incurring residual alterations consistent with cyanide accumulation and poisoning
The effects of dietary fish oil on exercising skeletal muscle vascular and metabolic control in chronic heart failure rats
No full textThe ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel is a class of inward rectifier K+ channels that can link cellular metabolic status to vasomotor tone across the metabolic transients seen with exercise. This investigation tested the hypothesis that if KATP channels are crucial to exercise hyperaemia then blockade via glibenclamide (GLI) would lower hindlimb skeletal muscle blood flow (BF) and vascular conductance (VC) during treadmill exercise. In 14 adult male Sprague Dawley rats mean arterial pressure (MAP), blood [lactate], and hindlimb muscle BF (radiolabelled microspheres) were determined at rest (n = 6) or during exercise (n = 8; 20 m min⁻¹, 5% incline) under control (CON) and GLI conditions (5 mg kg⁻¹, i.a). At rest and during exercise, MAP was higher (Rest, CON: 130 ± 6, GLI: 152 ± 8; Exercise, CON: 140 ± 4, GLI: 147 ± 4 mmHg, P < 0.05) and heart rate (HR) was lower (Rest, CON: 440 ± 16, GLI: 410 ± 18; Exercise, CON: 560 ± 4, GLI: 540 ± 10 beats min⁻¹, P < 0.05) with GLI. Hindlimb muscle BF (CON: 144 ± 10, GLI: 120 ± 9 ml min⁻¹ (100 g)⁻¹, P < 0.05) and VC were lower with GLI during exercise but not at rest. Specifically, GLI decreased BF in 12, and VC in 16, of the 28 individual hindlimb muscles and muscle parts sampled during exercise with a greater fractional reduction present in muscles comprised predominantly of type I and type IIa fibres (P < 0.05). Additionally, blood [lactate] (CON: 2.0 ± 0.3; GLI: 4.1 ± 0.9 mmol L⁻¹, P < 0.05) was higher during exercise with GLI. That KATP channel blockade reduces hindlimb muscle BF during exercise in rats supports the obligatory contribution of KATP channels in large muscle mass exercise-induced hyperaemia
Dose dependent effects of nitrate supplementation on cardiovascular control and microvascular oxygenation dynamics in healthy rats
No full textHigh dose nitrate (NO3−) supplementation via beetroot juice (BR, 1 mmol/kg/day) lowers mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and improves skeletal muscle blood flow and O2 delivery/utilization matching thereby raising microvascular O2 pressure (PO2mv). We tested the hypothesis that a low dose of NO3− supplementation, consistent with a diet containing NO3− rich vegetables (BRLD, 0.3 mmol/kg/day), would be sufficient to cause these effects. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were administered a low dose of NO3− (0.3 mmol/kg/day; n = 12), a high dose (1 mmol/kg/day; BRHD, n = 6) or tap water (control, n = 10) for 5 days. MAP, heart rate (HR), blood flow (radiolabeled microspheres) and vascular conductance (VC) were measured during submaximal treadmill exercise (20 m/min, 5% grade, equivalent to ∼60% of maximal O2 uptake). Subsequently, PO2mv (phosphorescence quenching) was measured at rest and during 180 s of electrically-induced twitch contractions (1 Hz, ∼6 V) of the surgically-exposed spinotrapezius muscle. BRLD and BRHD lowered resting (control: 139 ± 4, BRLD: 124 ± 5, BRHD: 128 ± 9 mmHg, P 0.05), each of which increased significantly for the BRHD condition (all P mean response time, MRT; control: 16.6 ± 2.1, BRHD: 23.3 ± 4.7 s) following the onset of contractions compared to control, in the BRLD group this effect did not reach statistical significance (BRLD: 20.9 ± 1.9 s, P = 0.14). These data demonstrate that while low dose NO3− supplementation lowers MAP during exercise it does so in the absence of augmented muscle blood flow, VC and PO2mv; all of which are elevated at a higher dose. Thus, in healthy animals, a high dose of NO3− supplementation seems necessary to elicit significant changes in exercising skeletal muscle O2 delivery/utilization
Impact of dietary nitrate supplementation via beetroot juice on exercising muscle vascular control in rats
No full textDietary nitrate (NO[subscript 3]ˉ) supplementation, via its reduction to nitrite (NO[subscript 2]ˉ) and subsequent conversion to nitric oxide (NO) and other reactive nitrogen intermediates, reduces blood pressure and the O[subscript 2] cost of submaximal exercise in humans. Despite these observations, the effects of dietary NO[subscript 3]ˉ supplementation on skeletal muscle vascular control during locomotory exercise remain unknown. We tested the hypotheses that dietary NO[subscript 3]ˉ supplementation via beetroot juice (BR) would reduce mean arterial pressure (MAP) and increase hindlimb muscle blood flow in the exercising rat. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (3–6 months) were administered either NO[subscript 3]ˉ (via beetroot juice; 1 mmol ∙ kgˉ¹ ∙ dayˉ¹, BR n=8) or untreated (control, n = 11) tap water for 5 days. MAP and hindlimb skeletal muscle blood flow and vascular conductance (radiolabelled microsphere infusions) were measured during submaximal treadmill running (20 m ∙ minˉ¹, 5% grade). BR resulted in significantly lower exercising MAP (control: 137 ± 3, BR: 127 ± 4 mmHg, P < 0.05) and blood [lactate] (control: 2.6 ± 0.3, BR: 1.9 ± 0.2 mm, P < 0.05) compared to control. Total exercising hindlimb skeletal muscle blood flow (control: 108 ± 8, BR: 150 ± 11 ml ∙ minˉ¹ ∙ 100 gˉ¹, P<0.05) and vascular conductance (control: 0.78 ± 0.05, BR: 1.16 ± 0.10 ml ∙ minˉ¹ ∙ 100 gˉ¹ ∙ mmHgˉ¹, P<0.05) were greater in rats that received BR compared to control. The relative differences in blood flow and vascular conductance for the 28 individual hindlimb muscles and muscle parts correlated positively with their percentage type IIb + d/x muscle fibres (blood flow: r = 0.74, vascular conductance: r = 0.71, P < 0.01 for both). These data support the hypothesis that NO[subscript 3]ˉ supplementation improves vascular control and elevates skeletal muscle O[subscript 2] delivery during exercise predominantly in fast-twitch type II muscles, and provide a potential mechanism by which NO[subscript 3]ˉ supplementation improves metabolic control
Decreased [<sup>3</sup>H]ouabain binding sites in skeletal muscle of rats with chronic heart failure
No full text Pickar, Joel G., John P. Mattson, Steve Lloyd, and Timothy I. Musch. Decreased [3H]ouabain binding sites in skeletal muscle of rats with chronic heart failure. J. Appl. Physiol. 83(1): 323–329, 1997.—Abnormalities intrinsic to skeletal muscle are thought to contribute to decrements in exercise capacity found in individuals with chronic heart failure (CHF). Na+-K+-adenosinetriphosphatase (the Na+ pump) is essential for maintaining muscle excitability and contractility. Therefore, we investigated the possibility that the number and affinity of Na+ pumps in locomotor muscles of rats with CHF are decreased. Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced in 8 rats, and a sham operation was performed in 12 rats. The degree of CHF was assessed ∼180 days after surgery. Soleus and plantaris muscles were harvested, and Na+pumps were quantified by using a [3H]ouabain binding assay. At the time of muscle harvest, MI and sham-operated rats were similar in age (458 ± 54 vs. 447 ± 34 days old, respectively). Compared with their sham-operated counterparts, MI rats had a significant amount of heart failure, right ventricular-to-body weight ratio was greater (48%), and the presence of pulmonary congestion was suggested by an elevated lung-to-body weight ratio (29%). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was significantly increased in the MI rats (11 ± 1 mmHg) compared with the sham-operated controls (1 ± 1 mmHg). In addition, mean arterial blood pressure was lower in the MI rats compared with their control counterparts. [3H]ouabain binding sites were reduced 18% in soleus muscle (136 ± 12 vs. 175 ± 13 pmol/g wet wt, MI vs. sham, respectively) and 22% in plantaris muscle (119 ± 12 vs. 147 ± 8 pmol/g wet wt, MI vs. sham, respectively). The affinity of these [3H]ouabain binding sites was similar for the two groups. The relationship between the reduction in Na+ pump number and the reduced exercise capacity in individuals with CHF remains to be determined. </jats:p
Wharton’s jelly or bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells improve cardiac function following myocardial infarction for more than 32 weeks in a rat model: a preliminary report
No full textThe therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) following myocardial infarction (MI) is small. This may be due to differences in cellular sources and donor age, route of administration, in vitro cellular manipulations and the short time course of follow up in many animal studies. Here, we compared MSCs from two different sources (adult bone marrow or Wharton’s jelly from umbilical cord) for their long-term therapeutic effect following MI in a rat model to evaluate the effect of donor age. MSCs (or control infusions) were given intravenously 24-48 hr after myocardial ischemia (MI) induced by coronary artery ligation. Cardiac function was assessed by ultrasound at time points starting from before MSC infusion through 68 weeks after MI. A significant improvement in ejection fraction was seen in animals that received MSCs in time points 25 to 31 wks after treatment (p <0.01). These results support previous work that show that MSCs can cause improvement in cardiac function and extend that work by showing that the beneficial effects are durable. To investigate MSCs’ cardiac differentiation potential, Wharton’s jelly MSCs were co-cultured with fetal or adult bone-derived marrow MSCs. When Wharton’s jelly MSCs were co-cultured with fetal MSCs, and not with adult MSCs, myotube structures were observed in two-three days and spontaneous contractions (beating) cells were observed in fiveseven days. The beating structures formed a functional syncytium indicated by coordinated contractions (beating) of independent nodes. Taken together, these results suggest that MSCs given 24-48 hr after MI have a significant and durable beneficial effect more than 25 weeks after MI and that MSC treatment can home to damaged tissue and improve heart function after intravenous infusion 24-48 hrs after MI, and that WJCs may be a useful source for off-the-shelf cellular therapy for MI
Changes in skeletal muscle biochemistry and histology relative to fiber type in rats with heart failure
No full textDelp, Michael D., Changping Duan, John P. Mattson, and Timothy I. Musch. Changes in skeletal muscle biochemistry and histology relative to fiber type in rats with heart failure. J. Appl. Physiol. 83(4): 1291–1299, 1997.—One of the primary consequences of left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) after myocardial infarction is a decrement in exercise capacity. Several factors have been hypothesized to account for this decrement, including alterations in skeletal muscle metabolism and aerobic capacity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether LVD-induced alterations in skeletal muscle enzyme activities, fiber composition, and fiber size are 1) generalized in muscles or specific to muscles composed primarily of a given fiber type and 2) related to the severity of the LVD. Female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: sham-operated controls ( n = 13) and rats with moderate ( n = 10) and severe ( n = 7) LVD. LVD was surgically induced by ligating the left main coronary artery and resulted in elevations ( P < 0.05) in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (sham, 5 ± 1 mmHg; moderate LVD, 11 ± 1 mmHg; severe LVD, 25 ± 1 mmHg). Moderate LVD decreased the activities of phosphofructokinase (PFK) and citrate synthase in one muscle composed of type IIB fibers but did not modify fiber composition or size of any muscle studied. However, severe LVD diminished the activity of enzymes involved in terminal and β-oxidation in muscles composed primarily of type I fibers, type IIA fibers, and type IIB fibers. In addition, severe LVD induced a reduction in the activity of PFK in type IIB muscle, a 10% reduction in the percentage of type IID/X fibers, and a corresponding increase in the portion of type IIB fibers. Atrophy of type I fibers, type IIA fibers, and/or type IIB fibers occurred in soleus and plantaris muscles of rats with severe LVD. These data indicate that rats with severe LVD after myocardial infarction exhibit 1) decrements in mitochondrial enzyme activities independent of muscle fiber composition, 2) a reduction in PFK activity in type IIB muscle, 3) transformation of type IID/X to type IIB fibers, and 4) atrophy of type I, IIA, and IIB fibers.</jats:p
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