Abstract
Viscoelastic properties of skeletal muscle are associated with a complex network of cytoskeletal proteins where titin and nebulin play a substantial role. The need for evaluation of muscle viscoelastic properties is widely accepted in clinical use to evaluate the effect of treatment or progression of muscle pathology (atrophy). We tested the hypothesis that the viscoelastic properties (elasticity, tone and stiffness) change in atrophied muscles with concomitant changes in cytoskeletal proteins (titin, nebulin) and contractile protein (myosin heavy chain) proportion. Sixteen 24- week-old male rats of the Wistar strain were randomly allocated to two groups: dexamethasone group treated each day for 10 consecutive days with dexamethasone in order to induce atrophy and control group. Skeletal muscle viscoelastic properties (elasticity, tone and stiffness) were determined using a myotonometer. Titin, nebulin and myosin heavy chain content were quantified using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. We found that glucocorticoid-induced muscle atrophy is accompanied by reduced elasticity and increased tone and stiffness, with concomitant changes in titin, nebulin and myosin heavy chain con- tent. The elasticity decreased by 10.9% (P P P dance for rehabilitation practices and help to find rational therapeutic intervention in the future.
Highlights
The function and properties of skeletal muscle are complex and consist of integrated functions of several structures
We tested the hypothesis that the viscoelastic properties change in atrophied muscles with concomitant changes in cytoskeletal proteins and contractile protein proportion
Sixteen 24week-old male rats of the Wistar strain were randomly allocated to two groups: dexamethasone group treated each day for 10 consecutive days with dexamethasone in order to induce atrophy and control group
Summary
The function and properties of skeletal muscle are complex and consist of integrated functions of several structures. The need for evaluation of muscle viscoelastic properties is widely accepted in clinical use to evaluate the effect of treatment or progression of pathology (atrophy). Elastic properties of skeletal muscle are associated with a complex network of cytoskeletal proteins where titin and nebulin play a substantial role. Titin forms a third myofilament system connecting the A-band to the I-bands and Z-line and possess elastic properties. In addition to their structural role, titin and nebulin are involved in the production of active and passive tension in the muscle [1,2,3]
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