This study tested the hypothesis that an isometric resistance-training program induces upregulati... more This study tested the hypothesis that an isometric resistance-training program induces upregulation of slow myosin heavy chain (MHC) expression in a fast-twitch skeletal muscle. Thus we studied the effects of two resistance-training programs on rodent medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle that were designed to elicit repetitive isometric contractions (10-12 per set; 4 sets per session) of different duration (8 vs. 5 s) and activation frequency (100 vs. 60 Hz) per contraction during each training session (total of 6 and 12 sessions). Results showed that both training paradigms produced significant increases in muscle weight ( approximately 11-13%) after completion of training (P < 0.05). Significant transformations in MHC expression occurred and involved specifically a decrease in the relative expression of the fast type IIb MHC and concomitant increased expression of the fast type IIx MHC. These adaptations were observed in both the "white" and "red" regions of the MG, and they occurred at both the mRNA and protein levels. These adaptations were detected after only six training sessions. Neither of the training programs produced any change in the relative expression of either the slow type I MHC or the moderately fast type IIa MHC, which can be upregulated in the red MG by chronic functional overload. These findings show that the isometric protocols used in this investigation were not sufficient to induce the hypothesized changes in the myosin heavy chain isoform expression in rodent skeletal muscle.
In a previous study, it was shown that a combined treatment of hyperthyroidism and hindlimb suspe... more In a previous study, it was shown that a combined treatment of hyperthyroidism and hindlimb suspension effectively converted the slow-twitch soleus muscle to a fast-twitch muscle. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that hypothyroidism [absence of triiodothyronine (-T(3))] and mechanical overload (OV) would convert the plantaris (Plan) muscle from a fast- to a slow-twitch muscle. Single-fiber analyses demonstrated that the normal rodent Plan muscle was composed of approximately 13 different fiber types as defined by myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform content. The largest proportion of fibers ( approximately 35%) coexpressed the fast type IIX and IIB MHC isoforms (i.e., type IIX/IIB fibers). In this context, the combined intervention of -T(3) and OV produced a significant reduction in the relative proportion of the fast type IIB MHC isoform and a concomitant increase in the slow type I MHC isoform. These transitions were manifested by a large decrease in the proportion of type IIX/IIB fibers and a large increase in fibers coexpressing all four MHC protein isoforms. The mechanical consequences of these transitions, however, were modest, producing a 15% decrease in maximal shortening velocity. The findings of this study demonstrate that -T(3) + OV does produce a partial shift toward a slower phenotype; however, the high degree of polymorphism found in the Plan muscle represents a unique design that appears to minimize the functional consequences of these significant MHC transitions.
Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 1993
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a novel combination of mechanical activ... more The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a novel combination of mechanical activity paradigms on the isomyosin distribution in rat hindlimb muscles. Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five experimental groups as follows: normal control, functional overload (OV) of the plantaris, OV in conjunction with hindlimb suspension (OV-S), and a combination of OV-S and either static standing weight-bearing activity (OV-SS) or high-incline treadmill exercise (OV-SE). OV of the plantaris resulted in significant hypertrophy and significant fast-to-slow isomyosin shifts. These changes were completely inhibited by the addition of hindlimb suspension (OV-S). Also, neither of the two weight-bearing regimes (OV-SS and OV-SE) was able to attenuate the suspension-induced atrophy. In the vastus intermedius and vastus lateralis, however, OV-SS was able to partially retard the atrophy associated with suspension. In both the plantaris and vastus intermedius, only OV-SS was ...
American journal of physiology. Cell physiology, 2000
In a previous study, it was shown that a combined treatment of hyperthyroidism and hindlimb suspe... more In a previous study, it was shown that a combined treatment of hyperthyroidism and hindlimb suspension effectively converted the slow-twitch soleus muscle to a fast-twitch muscle. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that hypothyroidism [absence of triiodothyronine (-T(3))] and mechanical overload (OV) would convert the plantaris (Plan) muscle from a fast- to a slow-twitch muscle. Single-fiber analyses demonstrated that the normal rodent Plan muscle was composed of approximately 13 different fiber types as defined by myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform content. The largest proportion of fibers ( approximately 35%) coexpressed the fast type IIX and IIB MHC isoforms (i.e., type IIX/IIB fibers). In this context, the combined intervention of -T(3) and OV produced a significant reduction in the relative proportion of the fast type IIB MHC isoform and a concomitant increase in the slow type I MHC isoform. These transitions were manifested by a large decrease in the proporti...
Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 2000
Previously, we have reported that the combination of hindlimb suspension (HS) and thyroid hormone... more Previously, we have reported that the combination of hindlimb suspension (HS) and thyroid hormone [triiodothyronine (T(3))] treatment induces the de novo expression of the fast IIb myosin heavy chain (MHC) gene in the soleus. Thus we tested the hypotheses that the induction of IIb MHC expression with HS + T(3) is prevented with denervation and that this IIb induction is regulated by transcriptional processes. Adult female rats were subjected to 2 wk of combined HS + T(3) in which one side of the lower leg was simultaneously denervated. HS + T(3) caused decreased expression of the slow type I MHC and concomitant increases in both the fast type IIx and IIb MHC isoforms in the intact soleus muscle. Denervation prevented the endogenous expression of the IIb MHC gene at both the protein and mRNA levels. Although HS + T(3) intervention was able to markedly increase the expression of the 2.6-kb IIb MHC promoter-reporter construct using direct gene transfer, this induction, however, was not...
Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 1993
A study was conducted, as part of the integrated National Aeronautics and Space Administration Sp... more A study was conducted, as part of the integrated National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Life Sciences 1 mission flown in June of 1991, to ascertain the effects of 9 days of exposure to zero gravity on the capacity of rodent skeletal muscle fiber types to oxidize either [14C]pyruvate or [14C]palmitate under state 3 metabolic conditions, i.e., nonlimiting amounts of substrate and cofactors. In addition, activity levels of marker enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, malate shuttle, and beta-oxidation were measured. Results showed that significant differences in muscle weight occurred in both the predominantly slow vastus intermedius and predominantly fast vastus lateralis of flight vs. control groups (P < 0.05). Total protein content of the muscle samples was similar between groups. Both pyruvate oxidation capacity and the marker oxidative enzymes were not altered in the flight relative to control animals. However, the capacity to oxidize long-chain fatty acids was ...
This study tested the hypothesis that an isometric resistance-training program induces upregulati... more This study tested the hypothesis that an isometric resistance-training program induces upregulation of slow myosin heavy chain (MHC) expression in a fast-twitch skeletal muscle. Thus we studied the effects of two resistance-training programs on rodent medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle that were designed to elicit repetitive isometric contractions (10-12 per set; 4 sets per session) of different duration (8 vs. 5 s) and activation frequency (100 vs. 60 Hz) per contraction during each training session (total of 6 and 12 sessions). Results showed that both training paradigms produced significant increases in muscle weight ( approximately 11-13%) after completion of training (P &lt; 0.05). Significant transformations in MHC expression occurred and involved specifically a decrease in the relative expression of the fast type IIb MHC and concomitant increased expression of the fast type IIx MHC. These adaptations were observed in both the &quot;white&quot; and &quot;red&quot; regions of the MG, and they occurred at both the mRNA and protein levels. These adaptations were detected after only six training sessions. Neither of the training programs produced any change in the relative expression of either the slow type I MHC or the moderately fast type IIa MHC, which can be upregulated in the red MG by chronic functional overload. These findings show that the isometric protocols used in this investigation were not sufficient to induce the hypothesized changes in the myosin heavy chain isoform expression in rodent skeletal muscle.
In a previous study, it was shown that a combined treatment of hyperthyroidism and hindlimb suspe... more In a previous study, it was shown that a combined treatment of hyperthyroidism and hindlimb suspension effectively converted the slow-twitch soleus muscle to a fast-twitch muscle. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that hypothyroidism [absence of triiodothyronine (-T(3))] and mechanical overload (OV) would convert the plantaris (Plan) muscle from a fast- to a slow-twitch muscle. Single-fiber analyses demonstrated that the normal rodent Plan muscle was composed of approximately 13 different fiber types as defined by myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform content. The largest proportion of fibers ( approximately 35%) coexpressed the fast type IIX and IIB MHC isoforms (i.e., type IIX/IIB fibers). In this context, the combined intervention of -T(3) and OV produced a significant reduction in the relative proportion of the fast type IIB MHC isoform and a concomitant increase in the slow type I MHC isoform. These transitions were manifested by a large decrease in the proportion of type IIX/IIB fibers and a large increase in fibers coexpressing all four MHC protein isoforms. The mechanical consequences of these transitions, however, were modest, producing a 15% decrease in maximal shortening velocity. The findings of this study demonstrate that -T(3) + OV does produce a partial shift toward a slower phenotype; however, the high degree of polymorphism found in the Plan muscle represents a unique design that appears to minimize the functional consequences of these significant MHC transitions.
Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 1993
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a novel combination of mechanical activ... more The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a novel combination of mechanical activity paradigms on the isomyosin distribution in rat hindlimb muscles. Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five experimental groups as follows: normal control, functional overload (OV) of the plantaris, OV in conjunction with hindlimb suspension (OV-S), and a combination of OV-S and either static standing weight-bearing activity (OV-SS) or high-incline treadmill exercise (OV-SE). OV of the plantaris resulted in significant hypertrophy and significant fast-to-slow isomyosin shifts. These changes were completely inhibited by the addition of hindlimb suspension (OV-S). Also, neither of the two weight-bearing regimes (OV-SS and OV-SE) was able to attenuate the suspension-induced atrophy. In the vastus intermedius and vastus lateralis, however, OV-SS was able to partially retard the atrophy associated with suspension. In both the plantaris and vastus intermedius, only OV-SS was ...
American journal of physiology. Cell physiology, 2000
In a previous study, it was shown that a combined treatment of hyperthyroidism and hindlimb suspe... more In a previous study, it was shown that a combined treatment of hyperthyroidism and hindlimb suspension effectively converted the slow-twitch soleus muscle to a fast-twitch muscle. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that hypothyroidism [absence of triiodothyronine (-T(3))] and mechanical overload (OV) would convert the plantaris (Plan) muscle from a fast- to a slow-twitch muscle. Single-fiber analyses demonstrated that the normal rodent Plan muscle was composed of approximately 13 different fiber types as defined by myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform content. The largest proportion of fibers ( approximately 35%) coexpressed the fast type IIX and IIB MHC isoforms (i.e., type IIX/IIB fibers). In this context, the combined intervention of -T(3) and OV produced a significant reduction in the relative proportion of the fast type IIB MHC isoform and a concomitant increase in the slow type I MHC isoform. These transitions were manifested by a large decrease in the proporti...
Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 2000
Previously, we have reported that the combination of hindlimb suspension (HS) and thyroid hormone... more Previously, we have reported that the combination of hindlimb suspension (HS) and thyroid hormone [triiodothyronine (T(3))] treatment induces the de novo expression of the fast IIb myosin heavy chain (MHC) gene in the soleus. Thus we tested the hypotheses that the induction of IIb MHC expression with HS + T(3) is prevented with denervation and that this IIb induction is regulated by transcriptional processes. Adult female rats were subjected to 2 wk of combined HS + T(3) in which one side of the lower leg was simultaneously denervated. HS + T(3) caused decreased expression of the slow type I MHC and concomitant increases in both the fast type IIx and IIb MHC isoforms in the intact soleus muscle. Denervation prevented the endogenous expression of the IIb MHC gene at both the protein and mRNA levels. Although HS + T(3) intervention was able to markedly increase the expression of the 2.6-kb IIb MHC promoter-reporter construct using direct gene transfer, this induction, however, was not...
Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 1993
A study was conducted, as part of the integrated National Aeronautics and Space Administration Sp... more A study was conducted, as part of the integrated National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Life Sciences 1 mission flown in June of 1991, to ascertain the effects of 9 days of exposure to zero gravity on the capacity of rodent skeletal muscle fiber types to oxidize either [14C]pyruvate or [14C]palmitate under state 3 metabolic conditions, i.e., nonlimiting amounts of substrate and cofactors. In addition, activity levels of marker enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, malate shuttle, and beta-oxidation were measured. Results showed that significant differences in muscle weight occurred in both the predominantly slow vastus intermedius and predominantly fast vastus lateralis of flight vs. control groups (P < 0.05). Total protein content of the muscle samples was similar between groups. Both pyruvate oxidation capacity and the marker oxidative enzymes were not altered in the flight relative to control animals. However, the capacity to oxidize long-chain fatty acids was ...
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