Contraction In Man Research Articles

Physiological plasma concentrations of cholecystokinin stimulate pancreatic enzyme secretion and gallbladder contraction in man

The present study was undertaken to determine whether infusion of cholecystokinin (CCK) to plasma concentrations comparable to those found after a meal stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion and gallbladder contraction. Plasma CCK concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay using antibody T204, which binds to all carboxyl-terminal CCK-peptides containing the sulfated tyrosine region. Ingestion of a standardized test meal in 7 normal subjects induced significant increases in plasma CCK from 2.0 ± 0.2 pmol/1 to levels between 4.6 ± 0.6 and 7.3 ± 1.0 pmol/1 (p<0.05−p<0.0005). Infusion of 2.5 pmol/kg.h CCK 33 resulted in significant increases in plasma CCK from 2.0 ± 0.2 to 3.9 ± 0.3 pmol/1 (p<0.0005). This infusion of CCK induced significant increases in trypsin secretion from 0.5 ± 0.1 to 1.4 ± 0.2 KU/15 min (p<0.005) and in bilirubin output from 1.6 ± 0.7 to 30.3 ± 8.0 μmol/15 min (p<0.05). It is concluded that physiological plasma concentrations of CCK stimulate pancreatic enzyme secretion and gallbladder contraction in man.

The pressor response to voluntary and electrically evoked isometric contractions in man.

Blood pressure and heart rate changes during sustained isometric exercise were studied in 11 healthy male volunteers. The responses were measured during voluntary and involuntary contractions of the biceps brachii at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and the triceps surae at 30% and 50% MVC. Involuntary contractions were evoked by percutaneous electrical stimulation of the muscle. Measurements of the time to peak tension of maximal twitch showed the biceps brachii (67.0 +/- 7.9 ms) muscle to be rapidly contracting, and the triceps surae (118.0 +/- 10.5 ms) to be slow contracting. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased linearly throughout the contractions, and systolic blood pressure increased more rapidly than diastolic. There was no significant difference in response to stimulated or voluntary contractions, nor was there any significant difference between the responses to contractions of the calf or arm muscles at the same relative tension. In contrast the heart rate rose to a higher level (P less than 0.01) in the biceps brachii than the triceps surae at given % MVC, and during voluntary compared with the electrically evoked contractions in the two muscle groups. It was concluded that the arterial blood pressure response to isometric contractions, unlike heart rate, is primarily due to a reflex arising within the active muscles (cf. Hultman and Sjöholm 1982) which is associated with relative tension but independent of contraction time and muscle mass.

EMG patterns in antagonist muscles during isometric contraction in man: relations to response dynamics.

We studied the EMG activity of biceps and triceps in human subjects during isometric force adjustments at the elbow. Rapid targeted force pulses exhibited stereotyped trajectories in which peak force was a linear function of the derivatives of force and the time to peak force was largely independent of its amplitude. These responses were associated with an alternating triphasic pattern of EMG bursts in agonist and antagonist muscles similar to that previously described for rapid limb movements. When the instructions demanded rapid force pulses, initial agonist bursts were of constant duration, and their magnitude was strongly related to peak force achieved. The timing of EMG bursts in antagonist pairs was closely coupled to the dynamics of the force trajectory, and the rising phase of the force was determined by both agonist and antagonist bursts. When peak force was kept constant and rise time systematically varied, the presence and magnitude of antagonist and late agonist bursts were dependent on the rate of rise of force, appearing at a threshold value and then increasing in proportion to this parameter. It is proposed that antagonist activity compensates for nonlinearity in muscle properties to enable the linear scaling of targeted forces which characterizes performance in this task.

Effect of equimolar amounts of long-chain triglycerides and medium-chain triglycerides on plasma cholecystokinin and gallbladder contraction

The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of equimolar amounts of long-chain triglycerides (LCT) and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) on plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations and gallbladder contraction in man. On separate mornings and in random order six healthy volunteers ingested either 60 mmol LCT or 60 mmol MCT. Plasma CCK concentrations were measured by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay and gallbladder contraction by ultrasonography. Ingestion of LCT induced significant increases in plasma CCK from 2.8 ± 0.5 to 6.5 ± 0.7 pmol/1 (p < 0.005) and decreases in gallbladder volume from 33.4 ± 5.9 to 13.2 ± 4.2 cm3 (p < 0.005). On the other hand, no significant changes in plasma CCK and gallbladder volume were found after MCT. Ingestion of MCT was followed by abdominal cramps and diarrhea, while LCT were without side effects. It is concluded that, in contrast to LCT, MCT do not induce CCK release and gallbladder contraction.

Effect of tubocurarine on static and dynamic muscle contractions in man.

The effect of a bolus injection of tubocurarine (0.1 mg X kg-1 i.v.) was followed in six young subjects by registration of static, and slow (30 degrees X s-1) and fast (150 degrees X s-1) dynamic (isokinetic) maximal voluntary leg extensions. Mechanograms from both unblocked and curarized muscle contractions showed a "notch" after about 440 ms separating two relative maxima. The mechanograms were divided by an arbitrary straight line connecting the starting point of the contraction curve and the notch. The line separated an area (Nm X s) above and to the left (alpha-component) from an area below and to the right (beta-component) of the line. Tubocurarine affected the beta-component selectively until about 70% reduced in the static contractions. With further curarization the alpha-component was also reduced in size. The alpha-component was equally affected during the three types of contractions, while the faster the contraction the more the beta-component was reduced. The results suggest that static as well as dynamic human muscle contractions can be divided into two parts with a different sensitivity for tubocurarine, one of which seems to have a sensitivity which depends on the contraction velocity.

Changes in reciprocal Ia inhibition during voluntary contraction in man.

Reciprocal Ia inhibition from ankle flexors to extensors was studied during voluntary tonic isometric dorsiflexion and plantar flexion in five normal subjects. The Ia inhibition was examined as the short-latency suppression of the soleus H-reflexes by stimulation of the low-threshold afferents in the common peroneal nerve (Mizuno et al. 1971). At rest, weak Ia inhibition was demonstrated in four subjects out of five, the maximal amount being 14.1 +/- 5.0% suppression of the control H-reflex. The absolute amount of inhibition, which was calculated by subtracting the mean size of the conditioned H-reflex from that of the control H-reflex and expressed as a percentage of the maximal M-response, increased during ankle dorsiflexion, and decreased or disappeared during plantar flexion in parallel with the amount of contraction. The neural mechanisms for facilitation of the Ia inhibitory pathway during dorsiflexion were considered to support the hypothesis of "alpha-gamma-linkage in reciprocal inhibition", i.e. combined facilitatory effects on the Ia inhibitory interneuron from the supraspinal centers directly and indirectly via the gamma motoneuron--Ia afferent route. The mechanism for inhibition of the pathway during plantar flexion was considered to be inhibition of the Ia interneuron of the flexor side by Ia interneuron of antagonist extensors. A quantitative aspect of activity in the reciprocal Ia inhibitory pathway on the performance of voluntary movement is revealed in this study.

A computer graphic-based angiographic model for normal left ventricular contraction in man and its application to the detection of abnormalities in regional wall motion.

Analyzing the digitized left ventricular cineangiograms of 70 patients with no demonstrable heart disease (NDHD), we derived an angiographic model for normal contraction in the intact heart as viewed in the 30 degree right anterior oblique projection. This model was verified statistically by comparing the predicted regional stroke volumes with the measured volumes for the NDHD group. A wall motion system based on this model was compared with four other systems by examining the ventriculograms of 141 patients, all suffering from coronary artery disease but with normal volumes and ejection fractions (greater than 0.61). Of these, 60 had normally contracting ventricles and 81 exhibited mild regional abnormalities according to two experienced angiographers. Using Cochrane's Q test, we found significant differences among the five methods (Q = 29.5;p less than .001). The new approach showed significantly better agreement with the subjective assessment than the next best method (Q = 5.3;p less than .05). On a regional basis, overall sensitivity was 87.5% and specificity was 97.9%.

Descending control of reflex pathways in the production of voluntary isolated movements in man

Transmission in Ib inhibitory spinal pathways from a contracting muscle was studied during a selective voluntary contraction in man. Whereas Ib inhibition to those motoneurons (MNs) responsible for the contraction was depressed, Ib inhibition to those synergistic MNs not directly involved in the contraction was increased. This differential control, supraspinal in origin, helps limit activation to the former MNs and could be important in ensuring the selectivity of skilled movements.

Reflex excitability of motoneurones during and after release of voluntary muscle contraction in man

Reflex excitability of motoneurones during and after release of voluntary muscle contraction in man

Variation of amount of muscle discharges during ballistic isometric voluntary contraction in man

The effect of force velocity on the relation between voluntary force exertion and amount of muscle discharge was investigated. Surface e.m.g. from the adductor pollicis muscle and voluntary force curve were recorded simultaneously. Examined forces were selected from 500 to 3500 g at the peak force (about 30% of MVC) with time to peak of force curve between 60 ms and 500 ms. The amount of discharge during slow ramp contraction increased with the force increment. In ballistic contractions there was a wide variation in both the amount and rate of discharge. It is suggested that the modes of motor unit activities are different between force exertion with time to peak of less than 150 ms and force exertion with time to peak of over 150 ms.

High threshold motor unit discharges during prolonged voluntary contraction in man

High threshold motor unit discharges during prolonged voluntary contraction in man

Isotonic muscular contraction in man

Isotonic muscular contraction in man

Rotation of synergistic activity during isometric jaw closing muscle contraction in man.

5 healthy subjects were studied during 10-15 min of isometric jaw elevator contraction above fatigue threshold level. Bite force was measured between upper and lower front teeth and electromyographic (EMG) activity recorded from the right temporal and masseter muscles. Of the two muscles only the masseter was active at the start of the test and usually during the whole test. When the test was repeated, however, great relief from the pain in the fatigued masseter was sometimes experienced and the temporalis took over the load. All subjects experienced this "switch" phenomenon after a varying number of tests, one of them already during his first test. The mechanism seemed to be completely out of voluntary control and showed facilitation at repeated tests.

Morphology of the brachial biceps muscle and elbow flexion in man

This study was undertaken to determine whether skeletal muscle fibre characteristics could be demonstrated to be of significance for muscle function in voluntary contraction in man. 4 male and 4 female adult subjects were studied. During elbow flexion force and velocity was measured at the hand with the forearm in a 100 degree position. A motor-driven heavy flywheel guaranteed a constant velocity or movement at the time of measurement. Force was registered by a straingauge dynamometer, and velocity by two sets of photocells. Cross-sectional area of the brachial biceps muscle was determined by computerized tomography scanning. Muscle fibre composition and fibre cross-sectional areas were assessed histochemically on needle biopsy samples obtained superficially from the brachial biceps muscle, the more superficial of the two large elbow flexor muscles. At contraction velocities from 2 to 7 radians per second (rad/s) a close relationship existed between the relative force output and the relative area of fast-twitch fibers (p less than 0.01). Maximal voluntary isometric contraction force averaged 189 N (120 to 309 N), and showed a close relationship with total cross-sectional area of the brachial biceps muscle. The specific tension (maximal isometric tension) of the muscle averaged 33 N/cm2 with no demonstrable difference between subjects of widely different fibre compositions, suggesting that maximal tetanic tension is similar in fast- and slow-twitch fibres in man.

Human motor unit activity during the onset of muscle fatigue in submaximal isometric isotonic contraction.

The onset of fatigue has been studied by relating motor unit activity and surface myoelectric activity during constant force isometric contraction in man. The surface (global) EMG of the biceps brachii was recorded using bipolar electrodes. The global EMGs of the other elbow flexors were also recorded. Motor unit activity was recorded simultaneously at three points of the biceps brachii by using wire electrodes. The time course of the integrated surface EMG showed that fatigue occurred right at the beginning of the contraction. The increase of the integrated EMG was especially important when the value of the force maintenance was high. The time course of this increase was close to that of the output of the spikes recorded by the wire electrodes. No matter what the value of the force maintenance, MU recruitment occurred throughout the contraction. The existence of an increase in the MU firing frequently depended on the value of this force. Contractile element fatigue is believed to provide the explanation of these results, while neuromuscular junction fatigue may perhaps be more important near the time limit.

EMG, Reflex and Reaction Time Components, Muscle Structure, and Fatigue During Intermittent Isometric Contractions in Man

EMG, Reflex and Reaction Time Components, Muscle Structure, and Fatigue During Intermittent Isometric Contractions in Man

Properties of spike potentials detected by a surface electrode in intact human muscle.

A clearly discriminable train of spikes was detected by ordinary silver disc electrodes fastened to the skin surface overlying m. vastus medialis during voluntary contraction in man. Some properties of these surface spikes were obtained. (1) Motor unit potentials detected by the inserted electrode loaded in the muscle closely under the fascia were found to be synchronized with the surface spikes. (2) The conduction velocity was around 3.5 m/s. (3) A starting point of the excitation, i.e., ,end-plate," was located at a point one-third of the observed length from the distal end in this particular case. (4) The conduction velocity showed a linear relationship with muscular temperature and Q10 approximately equal to 2.0 in the range of 17-31 degrees C. (5) The amplitude of the surface spikes decreased monotonously with increasing the distance between the source and electrode. (6) Wave forms and threshold values were highly reproducible. (7) Similar surface spikes have been found in six other muscles in the subject S.M. and in m. vastus medialis in five other subjects.

Changes in recurrent inhibition during voluntary soleus contractions in man studied by an H-reflex technique.

1. The recurrent inhibition, brought about by a conditioning H-reflex discharge, was estimated in human subjects by the amplitude of a test H-reflex involving only the soleus motoneurones which fired in response to the conditioning volley. The modifications of the recurrent inhibition during contraction were evaluated by comparing the amplitude of the test H-reflex to a reference H-reflex. Both reflexes experienced the excitation underlying the voluntary contraction, but only the test H-reflex was subjected to the recurrent inhibition evoked by the conditioning H-reflex discharge. 2. Distinct differences were observed between the modifications of the test reflex and those of the reference H-reflex during both tonic and phasic voluntary contractions. Evidence is presented that these differences were due to changes in the amount of recurrent inhibition elicited by the conditioning discharge. 3. The changes in recurrent inhibition were studied while the subjects performed voluntary tonic contractions of various forces. The weakest contractions were accompanied by a decrease in the size of the test reflex. With greater contraction forces, there was no longer an inhibition of the test reflex, but instead a facilitation which grew continuously with increased contraction forces. The test reflex could eventually exceed the reference H-reflex amplitude at the strongest contractions. This is taken to indicate that the recurrent inhibition following the conditioning discharge was progressively decreasing, as the contraction force increased. 4. During ramp contractions, whatever the contraction velocity, the time courses of the variations of the test and reference H reflexes were almost inverse. Evidence is presented that these differential time courses were due to changes in the amount of recurrent inhibition elicited by the conditioning discharge. 5. The possibility of occlusion in the recurrent pathway ;as considered and it was concluded that the decrease in the recurrent inhibition elicited by the conditioning discharge was essentially due to an inhibitory control (spinal and/or suprasegmental) acting on Renshaw cells. This inhibition of Renshaw cells eventually counteracts the increasing excitatory inputs (resulting from the voluntary motor discharge) which they receive via motor axon collaterals during increasing tonic contractions and throughout ramp contractions. 6. The functional significance of the Renshaw cell inhibition during voluntary contraction is discussed in relation to the inhibition exerted through the recurrent pathway on both motoneurones and Ia inhibitory interneurones. It is suggested that the depression of Renshaw cell activity could play an important role during voluntary movements by favouring reciprocal Ia inhibition.

EMG frequency spectrum, muscle structure, and fatigue during dynamic contractions in man

Fatigue of the vastus lateralis muscle was studied in healthy well-conditioned students, who differed considerable regarding their muscle fibre type distribution. Muscle force decline during repeated maximum voluntary knee extensions at a constant angular velocity (180 degree X s-1 or rad X s-1), using isokinetic equipment, was taken as the criterion for the degree of fatigue. In an attempt to study quantitative as well as qualitative changes in the EMG pattern, integrated EMG (IEMG) and the frequency of the mean power (MPF), computed from the power spectral density function (PSDF), were analysed. It was found that individuals with muscles made up of a high proportion of fast twitch (FT) muscle fibres demonstrated higher peak knee extension torque, and a greater susceptibility to fatigue than did individuals with muscles mainly composed of slow twitch (ST) muscle fibres. An IEMG decline (p less than 0.01) was demonstrated during 100 contractions in individuals rich in FT fibres. Only a slight, but not significant, reduction in IEMG occurred in individuals with high percentage of ST fibres. Concomitantly, MPF decreased (p less than 0.001) in individuals with a high percentage of FT fibres, while their opposites demonstrated only a slight decrease (non-significant). It is suggested that muscle conctraction failure might also be related to qualitative changes in the motor unit recruitment pattern, and that these changes occur more rapidly in muscles composed of a high proportion of FT muscle fibres than in muscles composed to a high proportion of ST fibres.

Experimental Studies on the Stapedius Reflex Response and the Influence of Different Peri Lymphatic Pressures in Human Temporal Bones

An acoustically elicited stapedius muscle contraction in man has been shown to cause either an outward or an inward displacement of the tympanic membrane. Change of posture affects the displacement and three different patterns of movement have been found. In the present study experiments on human temporal bones were performed. A simulated muscle contraction was elicited by loading the stapedius muscle with weights, and the effect on the displacement of the tympanic membrane caused by applying different pressures to the perilymph was studied. In these experiments it was possible to reproduce all three patterns of stapedius reflex response which had been observed in man as caused by change of posture. The results thus indicate that the different responses found in man and induced by change of posture can be explained by a change in the perilymphatic pressure. It was also observed that the movement of the stapedial footplate caused by a simulated stapedius muscle contraction induced an increase in the volume of the perilymphatic space. Furthermore the movement of the tympanic membrane and the long process of incus always took the same direction.