Gastrocnemius Research Articles

368P Ankle contractures in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: using real world data to study the influence of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles on functional decline

368P Ankle contractures in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: using real world data to study the influence of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles on functional decline

Synchronous motion of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in a type 3 lesion. US, ultrasound.

Synchronous motion of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in a type 3 lesion. US, ultrasound.

Asynchronous motion of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles by MRI in a type 4 lesion.

Asynchronous motion of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles by MRI in a type 4 lesion.

Hoffmann Reflex Measured Reliably From Lateral Gastrocnemius Muscle Among Older People With Peripheral Neuropathy

Hoffmann Reflex Measured Reliably From Lateral Gastrocnemius Muscle Among Older People With Peripheral Neuropathy

Complete foot drop due to atypical peroneal ganglion in a 13 ½ year old boy

IntroductionPeroneal nerve palsy due to compression by an intraneural ganglion is an uncommon entity in the pediatric setting with a need for surgical treatment. Uniquely in this case, the ganglion presented as an elongated instead of a typical round cyst, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Case presentationWe present the case of a 13 ½ year old boy with increasing peroneal nerve palsy due to an atypically shaped intraneural ganglion. An MRI of the knee revealed an elongated peroneal ganglion compressing the nerve between the lateral insertion of the gastrocnemius muscle and fibular head over a length of 10 cm. After surgical decompression and physiotherapy the peroneal nerve recovered well, achieving M 4 – 5 one year after surgery. ConclusionThe atypical shape of the present peroneal ganglion delayed diagnosis and correct treatment. Though rare in the pediatric setting, this entity must be specifically looked for during the diagnostic workup of peroneal palsy, for time to surgery determines neurological outcome.

Application of Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography for Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Sports Injuries in Adults

Compositional changes in relation to musculoskeletal injuries are difficult to measure non-invasively. This study aims to use non-invasive label-free imaging with Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) to evaluate compositional changes with injury.Five different patient groups were examined, covering diagnoses of Achilles or patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendon rupture and gastrocnemius muscle strain injury. Injured and contralateral limbs were imaged using a commercial MSOT device. Hemoglobin, collagen, and lipid contents were estimated. Some patients were examined before and after exercise.Hemoglobin measures had high reproducibility and displayed systematic changes in response to exercise. The content and exercise response of hemoglobin was equal on both limbs. In contrast, collagen and lipid measures were inconsistent and did not display the expected distribution.In conclusion, MSOT is applicable to imaging of hemoglobin in musculoskeletal injuries, providing complimentary information to conventional ultrasound, but applicability to other components like collagen and lipids could not be shown.

Analysis of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in the Gastrocnemius Muscle Post Pre-Competition Athlete for the 2024 POPDA Batam Basketball Team Athlete

The aim of this study is to analyze the delayed onset of muscle soreness in the Gatrocnemius muscle after the pre-competition for the 2024 POPDA Batam men’s and women’s basketball teams. This research is a descriptive study using a survey method. The sample for this study was 24 people consisting of 12 male athletes and 12 female athletes. The research instrument used was the results of Delayed Onset Muscle Sores (DOMS) measurements carried out after 48 hours of pre-exercise. The data analysis used is descriptive statistics. The results of the research were that those experiencing very severe pain were athletes presenting (0%) and female presentations (0%), conditions of severe pain for male presentations (66.6%) and female presentations (50%), moderate pain conditions for male presentations (25%) and presentation daughter (25%), mild pain condition of presentation son (8.3%) and presentation daughter (25%), non-pain condition of presentation son (0%) and presentation daughter (0%).

Efficacy of Percussion Massage Therapy Applied to the Lower Extremity on Pain, Edema, and Quality of Life in Pregnant Women: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Pain and edema in the legs are the most common problems in pregnancy. This study examined the effect of percussion massage therapy applied to the lower extremities on pain, edema, and quality of life in pregnant women. Methods: Sixty pregnant women between 24 and 36 weeks of pregnancy were included in the study. Pregnant women were randomly divided into two groups: the percussion massage treatment (PMT) group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30). Twelve sessions of percussive massage therapy were administered to the bilateral medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius, peroneus longus, and tibialis anterior muscles of pregnant women included in the PMT group, three times a week for four weeks. The lower extremities of the pregnant women in the control group did not get any massage therapy. A Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain. A tape measure was used to measure the ankle, knee, and thigh circumference. The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) was used to evaluate fatigue, and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) was used to assess quality of life. Results: When comparing pre-treatment and post-treatment results within each group, statistically significant differences were found in both groups in terms of right/left ankle, knee, and thigh circumference measurements, and SF-36 physical function (PF) measurements (p < 0.05). When the difference measurements between the groups were compared, a statistically significant improvement in the PMT group was detected in VAS (p = 0.000), right/left ankle (p = 0.002/p = 0.006) and right/left hip circumference measurements (p = 0.006/p = 0.008), FSS (p = 0.009), and SF-36-role emotional (RE) (p = 0.000), mental health (MH) (p = 0.005), social function (SF) (p = 0.005), and body pain (BP) (p = 0.003) measurements. Conclusions: PMT was more effective than the control group in parameters such as pain, ankle and thigh circumference measurements, fatigue, and some sub-parameters of quality of life. PMT could be preferred to enhance the quality of life of pregnant women by improving parameters like pain, edema, and fatigue. Clinical Trial Registration: The study protocol was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov https://clinicaltrials.gov/ (NCT06338254).

Amplitude of Lower Limb Muscle Activation in Different Phases of the Illinois Test in Parkinson's Disease Patients: A Pilot Study.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with high prevalence in men and is characterized by symptoms such as tremors and gait difficulties. This study aimed to determine muscle activation in patients with PD by considering sex differences. Methods: This pilot study used analytical, quantitative, observational, and case-control methods. Surface electromyography was used to assess muscle activity during a variant of the Illinois agility test. The study population comprised an experimental group of patients with PD (N = 30) and a control group of healthy individuals without the disease (N = 10). Results: The Illinois agility test revealed significant differences in completion times between the groups. The Parkinson's disease group took longer overall (p = 0.004), especially for standing up (p < 0.001) and sitting down (p = 0.002), than the control group. In the control group, sex influenced gastrocnemius muscle activation, with women showing higher activation (rs = -0.87). Women also had greater rectus femoris activation during standing and sitting, with higher activation on the right side when standing (rs = -0.66) and the left side when sitting (rs = -0.87). In the control group, men exhibited greater activation of the right biceps femoris (rs = 0.87). However, in the Parkinson's disease group, sex did not affect muscle activation. Conclusions: Patients with Parkinson's showed lower muscle activation than healthy individuals while standing up, sitting down, and walking.

Construction and validation of a nomogram model for predicting different sites of ankle pain in runners with chronic ankle instability

This study aimed to establish a risk prediction nomogram model for anterolateral, mediolateral, and posterolateral ankle pain in runners with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and analyse the potential risk factors for pain at different ankle sites. Thirty recreational runners with CAI who reported ankle pain in the anterolateral, mediolateral, or posterolateral regions were recruited for this study. Kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data during running were collected using motion capture system, 3-D force platform, and surface electromyography system. These data were used to generate a dynamic nomogram. The results showed that anterolateral ankle pain in runners with CAI may be caused by insufficient gastrocnemius muscle strength (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73–0.97), excessive ground reaction force (GRF, OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.25–6.22), and an increased percentage of ankle energy absorption (OR 9.11, 95% CI 1.50–77.79). Mediolateral ankle pain might be contributed by greater ankle inversion angle (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01–1.00) and GRF (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.17–4.31). Moreover, posterolateral ankle pain was predicted by increased ankle adduction angle (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.00–1.12), increased GRF (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.07–4.80), and decreased dynamic stability (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.05–0.68). To prevent ankle pain, runners with CAI should be encouraged to focus on improving the neuroreceptor sensitivity of the gastrocnemius muscles, and retraining their energy absorption patterns.

Heme deficiency in skeletal muscle exacerbates sarcopenia and impairs autophagy by reducing AMPK signaling

Heme serves as a prosthetic group in hemoproteins, including subunits of the mammalian mitochondrial electron transfer chain. The first enzyme in vertebrate heme biosynthesis, 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase 1 (ALAS1), is ubiquitously expressed and essential for producing 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). We previously showed that Alas1 heterozygous mice at 20–35 weeks (aged-A1+/−s) manifested impaired glucose metabolism, mitochondrial malformation in skeletal muscle, and reduced exercise tolerance, potentially linked to autophagy dysfunction. In this study, we investigated autophagy in A1+/−s and a sarcopenic phenotype in A1+/−s at 75–95 weeks (senile-A1+/−s). Senile-A1+/−s exhibited significantly reduced body and gastrocnemius muscle weight, and muscle strength, indicating an accelerated sarcopenic phenotype. Decreases in total LC3 and LC3-II protein and Map1lc3a mRNA levels were observed in aged-A1+/−s under fasting conditions and in Alas1 knockdown myocyte-differentiated C2C12 cells (A1KD-C2C12s) cultured in high- or low-glucose medium. ALA treatment largely reversed these declines. Reduced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling was associated with decreased autophagy in aged-A1+/−s and A1KD-C2C12s. AMPK modulation using AICAR (activator) and dorsomorphin (inhibitor) affected LC3 protein levels in an AMPK-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that heme deficiency contributes to accelerated sarcopenia-like defects and reduced autophagy in skeletal muscle, primarily due to decreased AMPK signaling.

Does Combined Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Gastrocnemius Muscle Training Improve Neuromuscular Response and Sports Performance?

Does Combined Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Gastrocnemius Muscle Training Improve Neuromuscular Response and Sports Performance?

Leg fidgeting alleviates reduced oxygen extraction in the gastrocnemius muscle caused by prolonged sitting: a randomized crossover trial

Leg fidgeting alleviates reduced oxygen extraction in the gastrocnemius muscle caused by prolonged sitting: a randomized crossover trial

Effects of intermittent exposure to hypobaric hypoxia and cold on skeletal muscle regeneration: Mitochondrial dynamics, protein oxidation and turnover

Muscle injuries and the subsequent regeneration events compromise muscle homeostasis at morphological, functional and molecular levels. Among the molecular alterations, those derived from the mitochondrial function are especially relevant. We analysed the mitochondrial dynamics, the redox balance, the protein oxidation and the main protein repairing mechanisms after 9 days of injury in the rat gastrocnemius muscle. During the recovery rats were exposed to intermittent cold exposure (ICE), intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH), and both simultaneous combined stimuli. Non-injured contralateral legs were also analysed to evaluate the specific effects of the three environmental exposures. Our results showed that ICE enhanced mitochondrial adaptation by improving the electron transport chain efficiency during muscle recovery, decreased the expression of regulatory subunit of proteasome and accumulated oxidized proteins. Exposure to IHH did not show mitochondrial compensation or increased protein turnover mechanisms; however, no accumulation of oxidized proteins was observed. Both ICE and IHH, when applied separately, elicited an increased expression of eNOS, which could have played an important role in accelerating muscle recovery. The combined effect of ICE and IHH led to a complex response that could potentially impede optimal mitochondrial function and enhanced the accumulation of protein oxidation. These findings underscore the nuanced role of environmental stressors in the muscle healing process and their implications for optimizing recovery strategies.

Cell transplantation-mediated dystrophin supplementation efficacy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse motor function improvement demonstrated by enhanced skeletal muscle fatigue tolerance

BackgroundDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an incurable neuromuscular disease leading to progressive skeletal muscle weakness and fatigue. Cell transplantation in murine models has shown promise in supplementing the lack of the dystrophin protein in DMD muscles. However, the establishment of novel, long-term, relevant methods is needed to assess its efficiency on the DMD motor function. By applying newly developed methods, this study aimed to evaluate the functional and molecular effects of cell therapy-mediated dystrophin supplementation on DMD muscles.MethodsDystrophin was supplemented in the gastrocnemius of a 5-week-old immunodeficient DMD mouse model (Dmd-null/NSG) by intramuscular xenotransplantation of healthy human immortalized myoblasts (Hu5/KD3). A long-term time-course comparative study was conducted between wild-type, untreated DMD, and dystrophin supplemented-DMD mouse muscle functions and histology. A novel GO-ATeam2 transgenic DMD mouse model was also generated to assess in vivo real-time ATP levels in gastrocnemius muscles during repeated contractions.ResultsWe found that 10.6% dystrophin supplementation in DMD muscles was sufficient to prevent low values of gastrocnemius maximal isometric contraction torque (MCT) at rest, while muscle fatigue tolerance, assessed by MCT decline after treadmill running, was fully ameliorated in 21-week-old transplanted mice. None of the dystrophin-supplemented fibers were positive for muscle damage markers after treadmill running, with 85.4% demonstrating the utilization of oxidative metabolism. Furthermore, ATP levels in response to repeated muscle contractions tended to improve, and mitochondrial activity was significantly enhanced in dystrophin supplemented-fibers.ConclusionsCell therapy-mediated dystrophin supplementation efficiently improved DMD muscle functions, as evaluated using newly developed evaluation methods. The enhanced muscle fatigue tolerance in 21-week-old mice was associated with the preferential regeneration of damage-resistant and oxidative fibers, highlighting increased mitochondrial activity, after cell transplantation. These findings significantly contribute to a more in-depth understanding of DMD pathogenesis.

Comparative Effects of Moderate Intensity Continuous Training and High Intensity Interval Training on Serum Levels of Myonectin in Rats

Background: Myonectin (CTRP15), a recently identified myokine, plays a crucial role in regulating glucose metabolism. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on serum myonectin levels, using matched training volumes for both interventions. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats, aged 18 to 20 weeks, were randomly assigned to three groups of eight: Control, MICT, and HIIT. The training groups participated in HIIT and MICT programs (three days per week) on a treadmill for eight weeks. Measurements included serum glucose, insulin, myonectin, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Additionally, the weight of the Flexor hallucis longus (FHL), gastrocnemius muscles, and epididymal and retroperitoneal fat pads was recorded. Results: Both HIIT and MICT significantly reduced weight gain and fat mass (epididymal and retroperitoneal) compared to the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Eight weeks of HIIT significantly decreased serum insulin levels and HOMA-IR compared to both the control and MICT groups (P &lt; 0.05). No significant differences in serum myonectin levels were observed between the groups. Conclusions: This study suggests that HIIT is more effective than MICT in improving metabolic status in rats, though it does not significantly affect serum myonectin levels.

Enhanced phasic calf muscle activation with swing resistance enhances propulsion of the paretic leg in people post-stroke.

Reduced propulsion of the paretic leg contributes to impaired walking in people post-stroke. The goal of this study was to determine whether phasic electrical stimulation to the paretic gastrocnemius muscle combined with resistance applied to the non-paretic leg during swing phase while walking would enhance muscle activation of the paretic gastrocnemius and propulsive force of the paretic leg. Fifteen individuals who had a stroke visited the lab once to complete two experimental sessions (i.e., cross-over design; session order randomized). Each session consisted of 1) treadmill walking with either "motor stimulation and swing resistance" or "swing resistance only" (10-min walking: 1-min baseline, 7-min adaptation to intervention, & 2-min post-adaptation) and 2) instrumented treadmill walking before and after treadmill walking. Results: Participants showed enhanced muscle activation of the paretic gastrocnemius (P=0.03) and improved anteroposterior ground reaction force of the paretic leg (P=0.01) immediately after the treadmill walking with "motor stimulation and swing resistance", whereas no improvements after the walking with "swing resistance only". Those enhanced gastrocnemius muscle activation (P=0.02) and improved ground reaction force (P=0.03) were retained until the late post-adaptation period and 10 min after treadmill walking, respectively. Conclusion: Walking with "motor stimulation and swing resistance" may enhance forced use of the paretic leg and improve propulsive force of the paretic leg. Applying phasic electrical stimulation to the paretic gastrocnemius muscle and swing resistance to the non-paretic leg during walking can be used as a novel intervention strategy to improve motor control of the paretic leg and walking in people post-stroke.

Urolithin a Improves Motor Dysfunction Induced by Copper Exposure in SOD1G93A Transgenic Mice Via Activation of Mitophagy.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease pathologically characterized by selective degeneration of motor neurons resulting in a catastrophic loss of motor function. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of copper (Cu) exposure on progression of ALS and explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Urolithin A (UA) on ALS. 0.13 PPM copper chloride drinking water was administrated in SOD1G93A transgenic mice at 6weeks, UA at a dosage of 50mg/kg/day was given for 6weeks after a 7-week Cu exposure. Motor ability was assessed before terminal anesthesia. Muscle atrophy and fibrosis, motor neurons, astrocytes and microglia in the spinal cord were evaluated by H&E, Masson, Sirius Red, Nissl and Immunohistochemistry Staining. Proteomics analysis, Western blotting and ELISA were conducted to detect protein expression. Mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured using an assay kit. Cu-exposure worsened motor function, promoted muscle fibrosis, loss of motor neurons, and astrocyte and microglial activation. It also induced abnormal changes in mitochondria-related biological processes, leading to a significant reduction in ATP levels and an increase in MDA levels. Upregulation of P62 and downregulation of Parkin, PINK1, and LAMP1 were revealed in SOD1G93A mice with Cu exposure. Administration of UA activated mitophagy, modulated mitochondria dysfunction, reduced neuroinflammation, and improved gastrocnemius muscle atrophy and motor dysfunction in SOD1G93A mice with Cu exposure. Mitophagy plays critical role in ALS exacerbated by Cu exposure. UA administration may be a promising treatment strategy for ALS.

Combination therapy of corylifol A and anamorelin attenuates cachexia by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting lipolysis and increasing food intake in a murine colon cancer model

PurposeIn our previous study, we found that corylifol A (CYA), an active component derived from Psoralea corylifolia L, exhibited ameliorating effects on cancer cachexia. Anamorelin (AML), a ghrelin receptor agonist, is the only approved drug for the clinical treatment of cancer cachexia. Here, we checked the combination of CYA and AML on muscle atrophy and fat lipolysis in cancer cachexia mice to explore the possible clinic therapeutic potency of the combination on cancer cachexia.MethodsC26 colon tumor-bearing mice, a well-established animal model of cancer cachexia, were used to evaluate the effects of combined therapy involving CYA and AML on cancer cachexia and compared with those of CYA or AML alone. Histological analysis was performed to assess the changes in gastrocnemius (GAS) muscle tissue and epididymal adipose tissue (eWAT) and the possible involved molecular pathways were explored using western blotting and ELISA.ResultsTreatments of CYA, AML, or CYA+AML all significantly ameliorated the body weight decrease, muscle atrophy as well as fat loss in the tumor-bearing mice. Notably, the ameliorating effects of CYA+AML on fat loss were more significant than CYA or AML alone. The eWAT weight of mice in healthy control, C26 model, C26 +CYA, C26 +AML or C26 +CYA +AML group was 0.48 ± 0.07, 0.21 ± 0.10, 0.26 ± 0.10, 0.37 ± 0.10 and 0.48 ± 0.18 g, respectively. CYA+AML could increase food intake, significantly decrease the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and inhibit the activation (phosphorylation) of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in the eWAT tissues of the C26 tumor-bearing mice. Treatment of CYA along could significantly decrease the serum TNF-α level of the C26 tumor-bearing mice. Treatment of AML alone could increase food intake but could not decrease the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines of the C26 tumor-bearing mice.ConclusionThese results suggested that the effects of CYA+AML include both the appetite-stimulating effects of AML and the anti-inflammatory effects of CYA. CYA+AML was better than CYA or AML alone in ameliorating cancer cachexia, especially fat loss, of C26 tumor-bearing mice and might be a novel and beneficial therapeutic option for cancer cachexia.

Dietary supplementation with N-acetylcysteine confers a protective effect on muscle and liver in lipopolysaccharide-challenged piglets.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a well-established antioxidant that offers exciting opportunities for intestinal health in weaned piglets, while the effects of NAC on muscle and liver has not been fully characterized. Therefore, the present study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with NAC on muscle and liver in weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Twenty-four piglets (24-day-old) were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, the piglets in the control (CTR) and LPS- challenged (LPS) groups were fed the basal diet and those in the LPS+ NAC group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg NAC. The animal trial lasted for 21 days. At the end of the trial, piglets in the LPS and LPS+ NAC groups were injected intraperitoneally with LPS (100 μg/kg body weight) and piglets in the CTR group were administrated with an equal volume of normal saline. 3 h later, the blood was collected and tissue samples were obtained after 6 h of LPS or normal saline treatment. The results showed that the level of IL-1β, and the mRNA levels of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in the liver were up-regulated, and the mRNA levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), total glutathione (T-GSH), and the ratio of total protein to DNA in the liver were decreased under LPS challenge (P < 0.05). At the same time, LPS increased the level of H2O2 and decreased the content of T-GSH and DNA in the longissimus dorsi and gastrocnemius muscles (P < 0.05). In addition, the percentage of monocytes and the level of epidermal growth factor (EGF) were down-regulated in the LPS treatment (P < 0.05). Interestingly, dietary NAC supplementation reversed the above changes induced by LPS (P < 0.05). Furthermore, NAC might alleviate the muscle and liver injury in LPS-challenged piglets by regulating the expression of genes related to the type I interferon signaling pathway, as well as hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF1) and nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf-2). Our findings suggested that dietary supplementation with NAC could benefit the health of muscle and liver in LPS-challenged weaned piglets.