Myofiber Type Composition Research Articles

PGC-1α over-expression suppresses the skeletal muscle atrophy and myofiber-type composition during hindlimb unloading.

Disuse leads to severe muscle atrophy and a slow-to-fast myofiber-type transition. PGC-1α (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α) is documented to play an important role in muscle atrophy and slow-twitch myofiber determination. Transcription of atrophy-related Atrogin-1 by FoxO3 can be reduced by PGC-1α. While Smad3 augments FoxO3-induced Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 promoter activity. So PGC-1α, as a transcription co-activator, may regulate hindlimb unloading (HU)-induced myofiber-type transition and muscle atrophy through Smad3. Our results showed that transgenic PGC-1α mice resisted HU-induced muscle loss, atrophy-related genes expression, and slow-to-fast myofiber-type transition. Furthermore, over-expression of PGC-1α resisted the increase in pSmad3 during muscle atrophy in vivo and in vitro. And, PGC-1α over-expression inhibited the expression of atrogenes via suppressing the phosphorylation of Smad3 in vitro. Thus, PGC-1α is effective in regulating myofiber-type transition during HU, and it alleviates skeletal muscle atrophy partially through suppressing the activation of Smad3.

The SH3 and cysteine-rich domain 3 (Stac3) gene is important to growth, fiber composition, and calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in postnatal skeletal muscle.

BackgroundThe SH3 and cysteine-rich domain 3 (Stac3) gene is specifically expressed in the skeletal muscle. Stac3 knockout mice die perinatally. In this study, we determined the potential role of Stac3 in postnatal skeletal muscle growth, fiber composition, and contraction by generating conditional Stac3 knockout mice.MethodsWe disrupted the Stac3 gene in 4-week-old male mice using the Flp-FRT and tamoxifen-inducible Cre-loxP systems.ResultsRT-qPCR and western blotting analyses of the limb muscles of target mice indicated that nearly all Stac3 mRNA and more than 70 % of STAC3 protein were deleted 4 weeks after tamoxifen injection. Postnatal Stac3 deletion inhibited body and limb muscle mass gains. Histological staining and gene expression analyses revealed that postnatal Stac3 deletion decreased the size of myofibers and increased the percentage of myofibers containing centralized nuclei, with no effect on the total myofiber number. Grip strength and grip time tests indicated that postnatal Stac3 deletion decreased limb muscle strength in mice. Muscle contractile tests revealed that postnatal Stac3 deletion reduced electrostimulation-induced but not the ryanodine receptor agonist caffeine-induced maximal force output in the limb muscles. Calcium imaging analysis of single flexor digitorum brevis myofibers indicated that postnatal Stac3 deletion reduced electrostimulation- but not caffeine-induced calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that STAC3 is important to myofiber hypertrophy, myofiber-type composition, contraction, and excitation-induced calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in the postnatal skeletal muscle.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13395-016-0088-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Blunted hypertrophic response in old mouse muscle is associated with a lower satellite cell density and is not alleviated by resveratrol

BackgroundSarcopenia contributes to the decreased quality of life in the older person. While resistance exercise is an effective measure to increase muscle mass and strength, the hypertrophic response may be blunted in old age. ObjectivesTo determine 1) whether hypertrophy in the m. plantaris of old mice was blunted compared to adult and 2) whether this was related to a reduced satellite cell (SC) density and 3) how resveratrol affects hypertrophy in old mice. MethodsIn adult (7.5months, n=11), old (23.5months, n=10) and old-resveratrol-treated (n=10) male C57BL/6J mice, hypertrophy of the left m. plantaris was induced by denervation of its synergists. The contralateral leg served as control. ResultsAfter six weeks, overload-induced myofiber hypertrophy and IIB–IIA shift in myofiber type composition were less pronounced in old than adult mice (P=0.03), irrespective of resveratrol treatment. Muscles from old mice had a lower SC density than adult muscles (P=0.002). Overload-induced SC proliferation (P<0.05) resulted in an increased SC density in old, but not adult muscles (P=0.02), while a decrease occurred after resveratrol supplementation (P=0.044). Id2 and myogenin protein expression levels were higher in old than adult muscles (P<0.05). Caspase-3 was expressed more in hypertrophied than control muscles and was reduced with resveratrol (P<0.05). ConclusionThe blunted hypertrophic response in old mice was associated with a lower SC density, but there was no evidence for a lower capacity for proliferation. Resveratrol did not rescue the hypertrophic response and even reduced, rather than increased, the number of SCs in hypertrophied muscles.

The Effects of Sarcopenia on Muscles with Different Recruitment Patterns and Myofiber Profiles

Sarcopenia, or the age-related loss of muscle size/mass, is a major health concern in western societies where aging is prevalent. Currently, more is known about sarcopenia's impact on health and quality of life, than its physiological etiology. It remains to be clearly determined whether the onset and progression of sarcopenia is similar throughout the body (systemic), or is more localized to certain muscles and myofiber types comprising those muscles (local). The objective of this project was to quantify the systemic vs. local nature of sarcopenia. Three muscles of different myofiber type composition and/or function (Soleus, Plantaris, EDL) were collected from 10 young adult rats, and 10 aged rats. Immunohistochemical procedures were then performed on frozen muscle sections to determine average myofiber size, fiber type composition, and relative areas of muscles occupied by each myofiber type. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) overall age-related myofiber atrophy occurred in the predominantly fast-twitch, non-postural Plantaris and EDL muscles, but not in the primarily slow-twitch, postural Soleus. Moreover, age-related atrophy was significantly (~100%) greater in the EDL than the Plantaris. Age-related myofiber type conversion also demonstrated muscle specificity in that all fiber types were affected in the Soleus, compared to three of the four myofiber types of the Plantaris, and only one of the four myofiber types identified in the EDL. In sum, these data suggest that although sarcopenia may be ubiquitous among skeletal muscles, the degree of its impact displays specificity based not only on myofiber type composition, but also on muscle function.

Distribution of myofiber types in the crural musculature of sheep

In domestic animals, the legs function in both postural maintenance and propulsion. The crural muscles participate in actions of the tarsal and toe joints. Mammalian skeletal muscles consist of myofibers, which are histochemically classified into three myofiber types, slow-twitch/oxidative (SO) or type I, fast-twitch/oxidative/glycolytic (FOG) or type IIA, and fast-twitch/glycolytic (FG) or type IIB myofibers. The histochemical characteristics of myofiber types reflect an aspect of function that myofibers possess. In the present study, we investigated the composition and average diameter of myofiber types of each muscle in crus of sheep and determined their roles in the movement of tarsal and toe joints. The tibialis cranialis muscle was a flat unipennate muscle and not capable to generate a large tension; however, it could function primarily in posture maintenance and play a cooperative role in adjusting standing posture. The flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum superficialis muscles were the major muscles that contributed to posture maintenance in leg musculature. These muscles were capable to generate a large tension and participate primarily in standing posture maintenance. The composition and diameter of myofiber types in ovine crural musculature reflected the role of each muscle in posture maintenance and locomotion.

Meat quality is associated with muscle metabolic status but not contractile myofiber type composition in premature pigs

Longissimus muscles were sampled from Erhualian (EHL) and Pietrain (PIE) pigs at 20 kg of body weight. No breed differences were detected in either the proportions or the mRNA/protein expression of respective MyHC isoforms, or the mRNA expression of PGC-1α (all P > 0.10). However, meat quality traits were already divergent between breeds, and were associated with distinct energy metabolic status, as reflected by dramatically lower AMPK activity yet higher CK and LDH activities (all P < 0.01) in longissimus muscle of EHL pigs. Moreover, mRNA expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was found to be higher ( P < 0.05) in longissimus muscle of EHL pigs. These results indicate that the differences in meat quality traits occur early in premature pigs, and these are attributed to skeletal muscle energy metabolism and not contractile myofiber type composition. Breed-specific GR expression in muscle may be related to the pattern of energy metabolism and meat quality, yet the mechanism awaits further investigation.

Relationship between Kinase Phosphorylation, Muscle Fiber Typing, and Glycogen Accumulation in Longissimus Muscle of Beef Cattle with High and Low Intramuscular Fat

The objective of this study was to examine the association of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) with glycogen content in bovine muscle and their links with intramuscular fat (IMF) and muscle fiber type composition. Five steers with high intramuscular fat (High IMF, IMF content is 5.71 +/- 0.36%) and five steers with low intramuscular fat (Low IMF, IMF content is 2.09 +/- 0.19%) in the longissimus thoracis muscle (LM) were selected for immunoblotting, glycogen, and myofiber type composition analyses. The glycogen content was higher in Low IMF muscle than in High IMF muscle (1.07 +/- 0.07 versus 0.85 +/- 0.08 g/100 g muscle, P < 0.05). Phosphorylation of the AMPK alpha subunit at Thr 172, which is correlated with its activity, was lower (P < 0.05) in High IMF compared to Low IMF. In agreement with the lower AMPK phosphorylation in High IMF muscle, the phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) was also lower (P < 0.05) in High IMF muscle than in Low IMF muscle. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) down-regulates glycogen synthesis through phosphorylation of glycogen synthase. The phosphorylation of GSK3 in High IMF was lower (P < 0.05) than that in Low IMF, which should down-regulate glycogen synthase activity and reduce the glycogen content in High IMF beef. Type IIB myosin isoform was absent in beef muscle. No noticeable difference in myosin isoform composition was observed between Low and High IMF muscle. In summary, High IMF cattle had lower LM glycogen levels than low IMF cattle, and AMPK activity was less in High IMF than in Low IMF cattle. The difference in glycogen content between Low and High IMF muscle was not correlated with muscle fiber composition. This data shows that LM lipid and glycogen metabolisms are affected by AMPK activity. Thus, AMPK may be a molecular target to alter IMF and glycogen levels in beef muscle.

Number of intramuscular adipocytes and fatty acid binding protein-4 content are significant indicators of intramuscular fat level in crossbred Large White × Duroc pigs1

Intramuscular fat content is generally associated with improved sensory quality and better acceptability of fresh pork. However, conclusive evidence is still lacking for the biological mechanisms underlying i.m. fat content variability in pigs. The current study aimed to determine whether variations in i.m. fat content of longissimus muscle are related to i.m. adipocyte cellularity, lipid metabolism, or contractile properties of the whole muscle. To this end, crossbred (Large White x Duroc) pigs exhibiting either a high (2.82 +/- 0.38%, HF) or a low (1.15 +/- 0.14%, LF) lipid content in LM biopsies at 70 kg of BW were further studied at 107 +/- 7 kg of BW. Animals grew at the same rate, but HF pigs at slaughter presented fatter carcasses than LF pigs (P = 0.04). The differences in i.m. fat content between the 2 groups were mostly explained by variation in i.m. adipocyte number (+127% in HF compared with LF groups, P = 0.005). Less difference (+13% in HF compared with LF groups, P = 0.057) was noted in adipocyte diameter, and no significant variation was detected in whole-muscle lipogenic enzyme activities (acetyl-CoA carboxylase, P = 0.9; malic enzyme, P = 0.35; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, P = 0.75), mRNA levels of sterol-regulatory element binding protein-1 (P = 0.6), or diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (P = 0.6). Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (FABP)-4 protein content in whole LM was 2-fold greater in HF pigs than in LF pigs (P = 0.05), and positive correlation coefficients were found between the FABP-4 protein level and adipocyte number (R2 = 0.47, P = 0.02) and lipid content (R2 = 0.58, P = 0.004). Conversely, there was no difference between groups relative to FABP-3 mRNA (P = 0.46) or protein (P = 0.56) levels, oxidative enzymatic activities (citrate synthase, P = 0.9; beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, P = 0.7), mitochondrial (P = 0.5) and peroxisomal (P = 0.12) oxidation rates of oleate, mRNA levels of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation (carnitine-palmitoyl-transferase 1, P = 0.98; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta, P = 0.73) or energy expenditure (uncoupling protein 2, P = 0.92; uncoupling protein 3, P = 0.84), or myosin heavy-chain mRNA proportions (P > 0.49). The current study suggests that FABP-4 protein content may be a valuable marker of lipid accretion in LM and that i.m. fat content and myofiber type composition can be manipulated independently.

Adipogenic Potential of Satellite Cells from Distinct Skeletal Muscle Origins in the Rat

The possible relationship between myofiber type composition and adipose tissue development in skeletal muscle in vivo has been suggested. Recent evidence indicated that satellite cells are multipotent cells that can undergo not only myogenic, but also adipogenic differentiation. In the present study, rat satellite cells were isolated from soleus, back, extensor digitorum longus, tibialis anterior and quadriceps muscles, and their adipogenic potentials were compared by culturing them under adipogenic conditions in vitro. Cells from soleus muscle exhibited the highest adipogenic potential as judged from Oil Red-staining and immunocytochemical C/EBPalpha-staining. The adipogenic potential of satellite cells was positively correlated with type I myofiber distribution in the corresponding muscle of origin. These results demonstrated that the adipogenic potential of satellite cells differs according to the muscle of origin and suggested that its possible correlation to type I myofiber distribution may account for preferential adipose tissue development in slow oxidative muscles.

Neuromuscular adaptations to spaceflight are specific to postural muscles

The effects of microgravity were determined in muscles of differing function and myofiber-type composition. Rats were assigned either to a 10-day spaceflight mission or to ground-based control conditions. Following the experimental period, hindlimb muscles were obtained from both groups. Cytofluorescent techniques were used to examine neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) from both slow- and fast-twitch fibers. Histochemical procedures were employed to assess myofiber profiles (size and type). Results indicate that microgravity did not alter NMJ structure or myofiber profile in the tibialis anterior, a predominantly fast-twitch, nonpostural muscle. Similarly, the NMJs and myofibers of deep regions of the gastrocnemius, a locomotor muscle possessing a mixed fiber population, were unaffected by spaceflight. In contrast, both myofibers and NMJs of the soleus-a postural muscle-demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) plasticity following exposure to spaceflight. Moreover, NMJs of both fast- and slow-twitch myofibers displayed similar remodeling in that muscle. Our findings suggest that the deleterious effects of microgravity are most apparent among postural muscles, and are manifested both in myofibers and their synapses.

Histochemical properties of skeletal muscles in Japanese cattle and their meat production ability

ABSTRACTThe compositional characteristics of the three basic types of myofiber, namely type I (slow‐twitch oxidative), type IIA (fast‐twitch oxidative glycolytic) and type IIB (fast‐twitch glycolytic), are clarified in the skeletal muscles of Japanese Black cattle. The myofiber composition, which is characteristic of the muscles of Japanese Black cattle, markedly changes during their growth, when some type IIA myofibers are transformed into type I or IIB, depending on the different muscles. Independent of these changes with growth, inter‐ and intramuscular variations of myofiber type distribution is evident. The small extensor muscles in deep regions around bone contain a lot of type I myofibers, whereas the large muscles at surface regions have many type II myofibers. Japanese Black cattle have typical white muscles such as the Longissimus thoracis and Semitendinosus, containing half the myofibers as red (type I + IIA). The muscles of Japanese Black cattle show a tendency to contain a higher percentage of type I myofibers than other breeds over an intrabreed variation of the myofiber type composition. In the big muscles such as the Longissimus thoracis and Biceps femoris, a great diversity of myofiber type composition is observed among the different regions. When fattened, heifers produce Longissimus thoracis and Biceps femoris muscles of smaller weight than steers, but in heifers the myofiber size in each type is rather larger. In the Psoas major, Vastus lateralis and Serratus ventralis muscles, heifers contain a higher frequency of red (type I + IIA) myofibers with no differences in myofiber size. Among the several muscles of fattened Japanese Black steers, the percentage distribution of type I myofibers has a positive correlation with the percentage amount of intramuscular fat. From these results, the high potential of Japanese Black cattle to produce marbled beef could be based on the histochemical properties of myofibers in their skeletal muscles.

Composition of myofiber types in the vocalis muscles involved in rapid closure of the glottis in Japanese macaques

Myofiber types of the medial thyroarytenoid (vocalis) muscle, lateral thyroarytenoid muscle, and cricothyroid muscle of the Japanese macaque were examined with enzyme-histochemical methods. For comparison, the semitendinosus muscle of the Japanese macaque and the thyroarytenoid (vocalis) muscle of cattle, sheep, and pig were examined with the same methods. The vocalis muscle of the Japanese macaque was composed exclusively of fast-twitch/oxidative/glycolytic (FOG) myofibers; it differed from the lateral thyroarytenoid, cricothyroid, and semitendinosus muscles of the Japanese macaque and from the vocalis muscles of the other animals, which consisted of slow-twitch/oxidative, FOG-, and fast-twitch/glycolytic myofibers or type IIC myofibers. The histochemical properties of the vocalis muscle of the Japanese macaque show that the vocalis muscle has a capacity to close the glottis rapidly and completely.

Myofiber Type Distribution in the Cranial Portion of M. biceps femoris of Japanese Black Young Steers

Histochemical properties of M. biceps femoris were examined in Japanese Black young steers (11 months of age). The cranial portion of M. biceps femoris was dissected out from M. gluteobiceps after measuring its weight and was divided into 3 parts of equal length, namely the proximal, middle and distal. At the center of each part, the muscles were collected from the 5 subparts of equal depth from the superficial to the profound. Using the histochemical reactions for myosin ATPase and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase, myofibers were categorized into Type I, Type II A and Type II B4). Different distributions of myofiber types among the parts were also recognized in these young steers showing the same tendency as in the fattened adult in our previous study7). However, Type II A myofibers occurred at higher percentage in the young than in the adult in every parts and Type I and Type II B showed the reverse tendency except for Type II B in the proximal part. These results indicated that the biceps muscle underwent a change in the myofiber type composition with transformation of Type II A to Type I and Type II B from 11 to 29 months of age.

Adaptation of skeletal myofiber types to arboreality

Skeletal muscles of primates are composed of fast-twitch/glycolytic (FG), fast-twitch/oxdative/glycolytic (FOG), and slow-twitch/oxidative (SO) myofibers, which are classified by differences in histochemical reactivity of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydorgenase, mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and myosin ATPase. The postural muscles have many SO myofibers. The locomotory muscles have many fast-twitch (FG and FOG) myofibers. The limb muscles of Japanese macaques, rhesus macaques, lesser bushbabies, and gray lesser mouse lemurs contain FG, FOG, and SO myofibers, whereas the muscles of slow lorises have FOG and SO myofibers and no FG myofibers. SO myofibers are involved in postural maintenances and function in preventation of fall from trees. FOG myofibers are used for continuous movements and locomotary and FG myofibers for short bursts of high activity. The SO and FOG myofibers are necessary for climbing a tree and living on a tree, adaptation to aloreality. Although the FG myofibers are dispensable in arboreal monkeys, they are developed greatly in primates' muscles that generate a large propulsive force for running, climbing, jumping, and leaping. The composition of myofiber types differs in analogous muscles. The differences are correlated with locomotory patterns of primates.

Individual Variation in Myofiber Type Composition in the Triceps Surae and Flexor Digitorum Superficialis Muscles of Japanese Macaques

Individual variation in composition of myofiber types (SO, FOG, and FG) was examined in the m. triceps surae and m. flexor digitorum superficialis of male and female Japanese macaques. The m. soleus generally had more SO myofibers than FOG and FG myofibers. The m. gastrocnemius and m. flexor digitorum superficialis had more FG myofibers than the other myofiber types. No sex-related differences in composition of myofiber types were noted in the muscles. Great differences in myofiber type percentages existed among the animals. The proportion of SO myofibers ranged from 32.8 to 95.9% in the m. soleus, from 8.1 to 50.5% in the m. gastrocnemius caput mediale, from 6.5 to 43.8% in the caput laterale, and from 3.2 to 44.7% in the m. flexor digitorum superficialis. Interindividual differences in myofiber type composition may be determined partially by genetic factors and be due partially to differences in capacity for changing myofiber types to meet postural or locomotory requirements.

Composition of myofiber types in the pectoral girdle musculature of sheep

The muscles of the pectoral girdle in domestic animals attach the forelimbs to the trunk and function as the suspensory apparatus. In the present study the composition of the pectoral girdle musculature of sheep by myofiber types was examined. Myofibers showing a strong reaction for alkali-stable myosin ATPase were classified into fast-twitch/glycolytic (FG) myofibers with a weak activity for NADH tetrazolium reductase (NADH-TR) and fast-twitch/oxidative/glycolytic (FOG) myofibers with a moderate and strong NADH-TR activity. Myofibers showing a weak reaction for alkali-stable myosin ATPase and a strong activity for NADH-TR were classified as slow-twitch/oxidative (SO) myofibers. The SO myofibers that showed a granular and striped pattern of diformazan deposits in NADH-TR activity were classified as SO-1 myofibers, whereas the SO myofibers characterized by a reticular pattern of diformazan deposits were classified as SO-2 myofibers. The trapezius, rhomboideus cervicis, and pectoralis descendens muscles situated superficially in the cranial regions of the back and chest had about 50% SO (SO-1 plus SO-2) myofibers. The deeply situated serratus ventralis cervicis and thoracis muscles had 37.5% SO myofibers. These five muscles included more SO-2 myofibers with large diameters than did all other muscles, and had about 50% and more cross-sectional area of SO myofibers. The other muscles had less than 32% SO myofibers and fewer SO-2 myofibers. The FOG and FG myofibers accounted for 50% or less in the muscles examined. Many muscles of the pectoral girdle had many fast-twitch (FOG plus FG) myofibers; they seem to meet locomotory requirements. In the pectoral girdle musculature, the SO myofibers were not necessarily distributed more in the deep regions than in the superficial regions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Composition of myofiber types in limb muscles of the house shrew (Suncus murinus): Lack of type I myofibers

Postural muscles have many type I myofibers, which reacted strongly for acid-stable myosin ATPase and were unreactive for alkali-stable myosin ATPase (Ariano et al., J. Histochem. Cytochem., 21:51-55, 1973; Armstrong et al., Am. J. Anat., 163:87-98, 1982; Smith et al., J. Neurophysiol., 40:503-513, 1977). House shrews (Suncus murinus) keep abducting their limbs in locomotion and hardly lift their trunk off the ground. The limb muscles of Suncus were examined by histochemical methods to determine whether the locomotory and postural behavior is related to the proportion of type I myofibers. The observation of whole cross sections from the triceps surae, flexor digitorum superficialis, quadriceps femoris, and caudally situated muscles in the thigh showed that all myofibers of these muscles were unreactive for acid-stable myosin ATPase and strongly reactive for alkali-stable myosin ATPase: Those were classified as type II myofibers. Type II myofibers showed a weak (type IIB), moderate (type IIAB), or strong (type IIA) reaction for NADH tetrazolium reductase. Part of type IIA myofibers reacted weakly to moderately for menadione-linked glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (m-GPD), which predominated in the soleus muscle. Type IIAB, type IIB, and the remainder of type IIA myofibers reacted strongly for m-GPD. The limb muscles contained subtypes of type II myofibers but no type I myofibers. In Suncus murinus, type I myofibers specialized for a postural maintenance may not be required because all myofibers function exclusively for propulsion.

Distribution of myofiber types in thigh muscles of chickens.

The composition of myofiber types varies within thigh muscles of chickens. The present study was designed to determine whether or not myofiber types were distributed uniformly across the diameter of the thigh muscles of chickens. Cross sections from middle portions of muscles were used histochemically to examine differences in distribution and composition of myofiber types in the muscles. Myofibers that reacted moderately (M) or strongly (S) for myosin adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) after preincubation at pH 4.3 were classified as type I. Type I myofibers reacted weakly (W), moderately (M), or strongly (S) for ATPase after preincubation at pH 10.6; these type I myofibers were subclassified into four types (ISW , ISM , ISS , and IMM ). Myofibers that reacted negatively for acid-stable ATPase and strongly for alkali-stable ATPase were classified into two types: type IIA, with strong NADH tetrazolium reductase (NADH-TR), and type IIB, with weak NADH-TR activity. The M. pubo-ischio-femoralis pars lateralis had numerous type IIA myofibers and very few type ISM myofibers, whereas the pars medialis had many type IMM myofibers and few type ISS and IIA myofibers. The type I group of myofibers did not exceed about 50% in the other muscles, which had one to three types of type ISW , ISM , and ISS myofibers. The Mm. femorotibiales had more type ISW , and ISM myofibers in the deep regions near the femur than in the superficial regions. The M. iliotibialis cranialis, M. iliofibularis, and M. flexor cruris medialis had more type ISW , ISM , or ISS myofibers in the medial regions than in the lateral regions. A few type ISW myofibers were scattered in the cranial part of M. iliotibialis and in the M. ambiens. The M. flexor cruris lateralis pars pelvica had type IIA and IIB myofibers exclusively. All the muscles had type IIA myofibers. Type IIB myofibers existed in the muscles except the M. puboischio-femoralis. Type IIA and IIB myofibers differed in proportion in different muscles and in their different regions. The type I group of myofibers was generally concentrated more in the deep regions near the femur and in the medial regions than in the superficial and lateral regions of the thigh muscles. The distribution of type IIA myofibers resembled that of type I group. Type IIB myofibers showed a distribution opposite to that of type I group and IIA myofibers. The spatial distribution of myofiber types within individual muscles can account for the various locomotory and postural requirements of the thigh.

Myofiber differentiation in normal and hypotrophied canine pectineal muscles

AbstractThe myofiber type composition of pectineal muscles was determined in 21 mixed‐breed pups at 1 through 79 days of age and in 22 8‐week‐old‐pups (4 mixed‐breed, 5 greyhound and 5 German shepherd pups with normal muscles, and 8 German shepherd pups with myofiber hypotrophy). Sections were stained for the histochemical demonstration of myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase by incubation in media at pH 9.8 without preincubation and following preincubation in acid media at pH 4.5 and at pH 4.3. At day 1 most myofibers were type 2C (alkaline and acid stable) while the remainder were type 1A myofibers (alkaline labile; acid stable) which had differentiated prenatally. Subsequently, the number of type 2C myofibers decreased while the number of type 1A and type 2A myofibers (alkaline stable; acid labile at pH 4.5 and pH 4.3) increased. Type 1B myofibers (partially alkaline stable; acid stable) were first observed at day 12 and were variably present through day 79. Type 1B myofibers appeared to be a transition form of type 2C to type 1A differentiation. Type 2B myofibers (alkaline stable; acid stable at pH 4.5; acid labile at pH 4.3) were not observed. Hypotrophied muscles contained more type 2C and fewer type 2A myofibers and all myofiber types were smaller than normal. These results suggest that the pathogenesis of this disorder involves both myofiber growth and differentiation, particularly differentiation of type 2A myofibers.

Canine muscle fiber types and susceptibility of masticatory muscles to myositis.

The myofiber type composition was studied in 42 different muscles of the dog to determine if there are unique features that might explain the preferential involvement of the muscles of mastication by inflammatory myopathies. The principal myofiber types for most muscles studied were type 1 and type 2A and, to a lesser extent, type 2C, whereas the dorsal group of muscles innervated by the mandibular nerve (Mm. temporalis, and tensor veli palatini) was composed only of type 2C myofibers and a variant of the type 1 myofiber whose staining intensity was not fully reversed after preincubation in acid media. The distribution of this myofiber type composition was associated with the innervation and embryologic development of the dorsal muscles innervated by the mandibular nerve. This unique myofiber type composition could provide the basis for the preferential susceptibility of these muscles to agents (e.g., immune and/or infectious) that produce myositis; however, further studies are required to assess that possibility.