JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2010
Y. GONG
ABSTRACT Lipid oxidation occurred rapidly in turkey muscle, intermediate in duck and slowest in chicken. pH was lowest in turkey muscle. Chicken muscle had a lower content of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared with turkey and duck muscles. The aqueous fraction of duck breast inhibited hemoglobin-mediated lipid oxidation in washed muscle more effectively than aqueous fractions from turkey and chicken muscle. ,-Tocopherol content was highest in duck muscle, intermediate in chicken and lowest in turkey. Depletion of tocopherols during frozen storage was more rapid in turkey and duck compared with chicken. It was thought that the elevated tocopherol level in chicken muscle may be caused by less efficient catabolism via the omega hydroxylation pathway. However, tocopherol hydroxylase activity was similar in chicken compared with turkey liver microsomes. Heme pigment content was around sixfold higher in duck breast compared with chicken and turkey breast. Duck thigh had especially elevated pH. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This work describes a number of factors that explain the wide variation in oxidative stability (chicken > duck > turkey) when comparing muscle tissues from the three avian species. These factors include muscle pH, concentration of heme pigments, fatty acid unsaturation, inhibitors of lipid oxidation in the aqueous fraction of the muscle, tocopherol content in lipid phases and depletion rates of tocopherol. These factors should be considered when developing strategies to inhibit lipid oxidation in muscle foods. The relatively high content of ,-tocopherol in chicken muscle compared with turkey should be a subject of further research to better understand the mechanisms by which certain animal species preferentially deposit the molecule into muscle. [source]

EFFECT OF ARTIFICIAL FEEDING ON DIGESTIVE EFFICIENCY, GROWTH AND QUALITIES OF MUSCLE AND OOCYTE OF MATURING ATLANTIC MACKEREL (SCOMBER SCOMBRUS L.)

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2007
KRISNA RUNGRUANGSAK-TORRISSEN
ABSTRACT Maturing Atlantic mackerel with and without artificial feeding, kept in sea pens (September to May), showed differences in digestive efficiency (protease activity ratio of trypsin to chymotrypsin), muscle growth (concentrations of RNA, protein, RNA/protein ratio and free amino acids [FAA]) and oocyte quality (trypsin-like specific activity, and concentrations of RNA, RNA/protein ratio and FAA). The artificially fed mackerel had higher body weights (1.7 times) but with less white muscle protein concentration (0.5 time), compared to the control group. Both groups showed higher levels of capacity for protein synthesis in the oocytes than in the white muscle, but it was about two times higher in the artificially fed fish whereas about four times higher in the control group. This indicated that, during maturation, development of oocytes and muscle for growth occurred concurrently in higher growth mackerel, while development of oocytes dominated in slower growth fish. A higher trypsin-like specific activity with higher FAA levels in the oocytes from females fed with an artificial diet, compared to the control group, suggested differences in development and quality between the gametes of the fish with different feedings. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The work illustrates differences in digestive efficiency and the quality of growth performance (growth and protein metabolism in muscle and oocytes) in fish with different feedings. The use of various methods for evaluating digestive efficiency and the quality of fish growth performance could provide reasonable information for some important biological differences between fish groups, especially when the number of samples are low. It is more advantageous to apply different methods simultaneously than using growth parameter alone in order to study for precise evaluation of the quality of fish growth performance. The methods are very practical for studying food utilization and growth quality of fish in different environmental conditions and with different behaviors in aquaculture as well as in natural ecosystem where food consumption rate and feeding regime cannot be under control. [source]

EFFECT OF HIGH PRESSURE TREATMENT ON CYTOPLASMIC 5,-NUCLEOTIDASE FROM RABBIT SKELETAL MUSCLE

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2007
SUNAO MORI
ABSTRACT We investigated the effect of high-pressure treatment on the properties of cytoplasmic 5, -nucleotidase (NT), which converts inosine monophosphate (IMP) into inosine. After pressure treatment at 400 MPa, the activity of purified IMP-NT remained at almost 100%, but the activity of partially purified adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-NT decreased to about 40%. These data suggest that there is a difference in the pressure stability between the enzymes. In situ fluorescence spectroscopy of IMP-NT under pressure showed that its pressure-induced denaturation was reversible. When the pressure was reduced from the highest pressure to ambient pressure, hysteresis was observed. This suggests that high pressure treatment may lead to a partial change in the affinity of the subunits for each other once they have dissociated. The activities of IMP-NT and AMP-NT extracted from pressure-treated muscles decreased remarkably between 250 and 450 MPa, but IMP-NT was more stable than AMP-NT. [source]

IDENTIFICATION OF A MYOFIBRIL-BOUND SERINE PROTEINASE IN THE SKELETAL MUSCLE OF SILVER CARP

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2004
MIN-JIE CAO
ABSTRACT Myofibril-bound serine proteinase (MBSP) in the skeletal muscle of silver carp was characterized. Myosin heavy chain (MHC) degraded markedly when silver carp myofibril was incubated at 55,60C as shown by SDS-PAGE. Prolonged incubation of myofibrils also caused the degradation of other myofibrillar proteins such as ,-actinin, actin and tropomyosin to some degree. The results suggest the existence of an endogenous myofibril associated proteinase. Serine proteinase inhibitors (Pefabloc SC and Lima bean trypsin inhibitor) greatly suppressed the degradation of myosin heavy chain, while inhibitors for cysteine, metallo, and aspartic proteinases did not show any effect, indicating that the endogeneous proteinase is a myofibril-bound serine proteinase. [source]

LIPID PEROXIDATION IN SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM AND MUSCLE OF TILAPIA IS INHIBITED BY DIETARY VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTATION

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2004
SUE-LAN HUANG
Lipid peroxidation was analyzed in muscle and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of hybrid tilapia fed diets containing 0, 100, 200, and 300 IU vitamin E/kg for 8 months. Iron-catalyzed NADH-dependent lipid peroxidation in SR of tilapia fed diet containing no supplemented vitamin E was significantly greater than that of fish fed other diets (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in SR lipid peroxidation between fish fed 200 and 300 IU vitamin E/kg. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) produced in muscle stored at either 4C or -40C for 7 days and 8 weeks, respectively, increased when storage time increased. When muscle TBARS were plotted against storage time, the lag phases were longer for fish fed high vitamin E (, 200 IU/kg) diets than those from fish fed low vitamin E diets. [source]

ATPASE ACTIVITY, SURFACE HYDROPHOBICITY, SULFHYDRYL CONTENT AND PROTEIN DEGRADATION IN REFRIGERATED SEABASS MUSCLE IN MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2004
PAYAP MASNIYOM
The effect of modified atmosphere packaging (80% CO2, 10% O2, 10% N2) on ATPase activity, surface hydrophobicity, sulfhydryl content and degradation of proteins in seabass muscle during storage at 4C was investigated. No changes in Ca2+ -, Mg2+ -, Mg2+ -Ca2+ -ATPase activities of natural actomyosin (NAM) in seabass slices kept under MAP were observed throughout the storage for up to 21 days (P > 0.05). However, a slightly increased Mg2+ -EGTA-ATPase was found. For seabass slices stored under air atmosphere, Ca2+ -ATPase activity decreased, whereas Mg2+ -EGTA-ATPase activity increased (P < 0.05) with a concomitant loss in Ca2+ -sensitivity. Lower decreases in total sulfhydryl content but higher increases in surface hydrophobicity were observed in samples stored under MAP, compared to those kept under air atmosphere. No marked autolytic degradation in samples kept under MAP was observed throughout the storage as monitored by no changes in myosin heavy chain, free ,-amino acid and trichloroacetic acid soluble peptide. Conversely, a considerable degradation was found in samples kept under air atmosphere, especially after 9 days of storage. Therefore, MAP is a promising means to retard the changes in muscle proteins, especially degradation. [source]

NUCLEOTIDE CATABOLISM IN COLD STORED ADDUCTOR MUSCLE OF SCALLOP (ZYGOCHLAMYS PATAGONICA)

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2002
AGUEDA E. MASSA
ABSTRACT The postmortem catabolism of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in cold stored scallop adductor muscles was examined. The change In the pH of stored muscles was also investigated. The ATP content increased for a short time after death and afterwards decreased up to 24 h of storage. Thereafter, the nucleotide level remained unchanged up to 120 h of storage. The ADP content slightly decreased up to 48 h and after that remained unchanged. The AMP slowly accumulated to around 15% of the total nucleotide concentration when the ATP decreased. Small amounts of IMP were detected in all samples. Conversely, adenosine (Ado) was not detected. Inosine (HxR) slightly increased after 48 h of storage and hypoxanthine (Hx.) significantly increased after 24 h. The 260/250-absorbance ratio of muscle extracts and the pH of stored muscles fell sharply up to 24 h and then decreased slowly. The Hx contents were positively correlated (P < 0.01) with both the Hx/AMP ratios and the K values. [source]

CHARACTERISTICS OF MUSCLE FROM TWO SPECIES OF BIGEYE SNAPPER, PRIACANTHUS TAYENUS AND PRIACANTHUS MACRACANTHUS

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2002
SOOTTWAT BENJAKUL
ABSTRACT Composition and some properties of muscle from two species of bigeye snapper, P. tayenus and P. macracanthus, were investigated. Both species had a similar composition with the same myofibrillar protein content. However, muscle proteins from P. tayenus had higher thermal stability than those from P. macracanthus, as indicated by the higher enthalpy for transitions as well as the lower inactivation rate constant (KD). Upon 15 days of iced storage, natural actomyosin Ca2* -ATP ase and Mg2+ -Ca2+ -ATPase activities decreased, whereas Mg2+ -EGTA-ATPase activity increased, suggesting the denaturation of myosin, actomyosin and troponin/tropomyosin complexes, respectively. Increased surface hydrophobicity and decreased sulfhydryl groups indicated the denaturation possibly occurred via hydrophobic interaction and disulfide formation. Heading and eviscerating offish retarded the denaturation and physicochemical changes of proteins during iced storage. The results indicated that a rapid and proper post harvest handling was of importance to maintain the muscle quality of bigeye snapper. [source]

RELATION BETWEEN THE FREE AMINO ACIDS, ANSERINE AND THE TOTAL VOLATILE BASIC NITROGEN PRODUCED IN MUSCLE OF HAKE (MERLUCCIUS MERLUCCIUS, L.) DURING ICED STORAGE

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2002
CLAUDIA RUIZ-CAPILLAS
This work studied the development of free amino acids (FAAs) and dipeptide anserine as quality indices for gutted hake stored in ice for 25 days. The correlation of these compounds was determined with total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) which has been used as a quality index, for fish stored in ice. The most abundant free amino acids in hake muscle were found to be threonine, glycine, alanine, glutamic acid, ,-alanine methylhistidine. lysine and the dipeptide, anserine. The only hydrophobic free ammo adds which exhibit significant differences (P<0.05) throughout storage was tryptophan. moreover, this amino acid exhibited a very high correlation (r=0.951) with TVBN. A significant decrease in anserine (P<0.05) correlated with the increases in 1-methylhistidine and ,-alanine throughout storage. These changes also exhibited a very high correlation with TVBN. Therefore, 1-methylhistidine, ,-alanine anserine and tryptophan could be used as quality parameters for hake stored in ice. [source]

EFFECTS OF RETORTING AND STORAGE ON LIQUID MASS TRANSFER IN CANNED SKIPJACK (KATSUWONAS PELAMIS) MUSCLE

JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 4 2002
J. W. BELL
Mass loss of precooked tuna muscle during retorting and storage in cans impacts cannery yield and throughput. Changes in moisture content and mass of frozen, thawed, precooked tuna muscle chunks, canned in water, were determined after retorting and through five weeks of subsequent storage. Canned tuna pieces were retorted to equivalent lethality (Fo -value of four) for different time and temperature processes. Retorting at a lower temperature, longer time resulted in less mass loss than higher temperature, shorter time processes. Canned storage of up to five weeks had no effect on muscle mass or moisture content. [source]

EFFECT OF STORAGE TEMPERATURE ON MEAT QUALITY OF MUSCLE WITH DIFFERENT FIBER TYPE COMPOSITION FROM KOREAN NATIVE CATTLE (HANWOO)

JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 3 2009
S.J. HUR
ABSTRACT Three kinds of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) muscles (Loin, strip loin and inside round) were obtained from a local farm and then divided into two storage temperatures (0 and 5C), respectively. In meat color, redness (a*) was significantly higher in 5C storage samples compared with 0C storage samples in all muscle samples after 7 days of storage. Loin had significantly lower purge loss than other muscle samples, whereas inside round was significantly higher in purge loss. Strip loin showed lower shear force values compared with those of other muscle samples. 5C storage samples had significantly higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value than 0C storage samples in all muscle samples. In sensory evaluation, overall acceptability was significantly higher at 14 or 21 days of storage in all muscle samples, and 5C storage samples showed higher overall acceptability compared with 0C storage samples. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This result will obtain information to help understand the meat quality in Hanwoo for the foreign scientists. The results of the present study showed that meat qualities of Hanwoo were much higher in 5C storage sample compared with 0C samples in all muscle samples until 35 days of storage, and loin sample showed higher sensory score than strip loin and inside round samples. [source]

A REVIEW OF SENSORY AND INSTRUMENTAL METHODS USED TO EVALUATE THE TEXTURE OF FISH MUSCLE

JOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 3 2001
GRETHE HYLDIG
The texture of fish muscle is an important quality attribute that depends on several parameters, both intrinsic and extrinsic. Its evaluation by sensory means is the result of a combination of several parameters that cover every impression from when the fish first comes into contact with a surface in the mouth, until it is completely masticated. This makes texture difficult to describe and evaluate. In addition the muscle structure of fish is not homogenous, and this has important implications on texture measurements by instrumental means. Numerous instrumental and sensory methods have been used to evaluate the texture of fish and fish fillets, with varying results and there exists no universal recommended method. [source]

ROLE OF EXTRACELLULAR Na+, Ca2+ -ACTIVATED Cl - CHANNELS AND BK CHANNELS IN THE CONTRACTION OF Ca2+ STORE-DEPLETED TRACHEAL SMOOTH MUSCLE

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 7 2009
Catalina Romero-Méndez
SUMMARY 1In the present study, we investigated the series of events involved in the contraction of tracheal smooth muscle induced by the re-addition of Ca2+ in an in vitro experimental model in which Ca2+ stores had been depleted and their refilling had been blocked by thapsigargin. 2Mean (±SEM) contraction was diminished by: (i) inhibitors of store-operated calcium channels (SOCC), namely 100 µmol/L SKF-96365 and 100 µmol/L 1-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl) imidazole (to 66.3 ± 4.4 and 41.3 ± 5.2% of control, respectively); (ii) inhibitors of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels CaV1.2 channels, namely 1 µmol/L nifedipine and 10 µmol/L verapamil (to 86.2 ± 3.4 and 76.9 ± 5.9% of control, respectively); and (iii) 20 µmol/L niflumic acid, a non-selective inhibitor of Ca2+ -dependent Cl, channels (to 41.1 ± 9.8% of control). In contrast, contraction was increased 2.3-fold by 100 nmol/L iberiotoxin, a blocker of the large-conductance Ca2+ -activated K+ (BK) channels. 3Furthermore, contraction was significantly inhibited when Na+ in the bathing solution was replaced by N -methyl,d -glucamine (NMDG+) to 39.9 ± 7.2% of control, but not when it was replaced by Li+ (114.5 ± 24.4% of control). In addition, when Na+ had been replaced by NMDG+, contractions were further inhibited by both nifedipine and niflumic acid (to 3.0 ± 1.8 and 24.4 ± 8.1% of control, respectively). Nifedipine also reduced contractions when Na+ had been replaced by Li+ (to 10.7 ± 3.4% to control), the niflumic acid had no effect (116.0 ± 4.5% of control). 4In conclusion, the data of the present study demonstrate the roles of SOCC, BK channels and CaV1.2 channels in the contractions induced by the re-addition of Ca2+ to the solution bathing guinea-pig tracheal rings under conditions of Ca2+ -depleted sacroplasmic reticulum and inhibition of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase. The contractions were highly dependent on extracellular Na+, suggesting a role for SOCC in mediating the Na+ influx. [source]

EFFECT OF THE PHOSPHODIESTERASE 5 INHIBITORS SILDENAFIL, TADALAFIL AND VARDENAFIL ON RAT ANOCOCCYGEUS MUSCLE: FUNCTIONAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Haroldo A Toque
SUMMARY 1The anococcygeus muscle is part of the erectile machinery in male rodents. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 5 inhibitors enhance and prolong the effects of cGMP, which has a key role in penile erection. The aim of the present study was to provide a functional and biochemical comparison of the three PDE5 inhibitors, namely sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil, in the rat anococcygeus muscle. 2Muscle strips were mounted in 4 mL organ baths and isometric force recorded. Levels of cGMP were measured using an enzyme immunoassay kit. Western blots were used to determine PDE5 protein expression. 3The PDE5 inhibitors concentration-dependently relaxed carbachol-precontracted anococcygeus muscle; however, vardenafil was more potent (pEC50 = 8.11 ± 0.05) than sildenafil (7.72 ± 0.06) or tadalafil (7.69 ± 0.05). Addition of NG -nitro- l -arginine methyl ester (100 µmol/L) or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (10 µmol/L) to the organ baths caused significant rightward shifts in concentration,response curves for all PDE5 inhibitors. 4Sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil (all at 0.1 µmol/L) caused leftward shifts in the glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) concentration-response curves (by 4.0-, 3.7- and 5.5-fold, respectively). In addition, all three PDE5 inhibitors significantly potentiated relaxation responses to both GTN (0.01,10 µmol/L) and electrical field stimulation (EFS; 1,32 Hz), with vardenafil having more pronounced effects. 5All three PDE5 inhibitors reduced EFS-evoked contractions in a concentration-dependent manner over the concentration range 0.001,1 µmol/L. There were no significant differences between the effects of the three PDE5 inhibitors. 6Vardenafil (0.01,0.1 µmol/L) was more potent in preventing cGMP degradation in vitro than sildenafil (0.01,0.1 µmol/L) and tadalafil (0.01,0.1 µmol/L). 7Under control conditions, the expression of PDE5 was higher in the anococcygeus muscle than in the corpus cavernosum. 8In conclusion, PDE5 inhibitors enhance exogenous and endogenous nitric oxide-mediated relaxation in the rat anococcygeus muscle. The potency of vardenafil was greater than that of either sildenafil or tadalafil. [source]

IMPLICATIONS OF CROSS-TALK BETWEEN TUMOUR NECROSIS FACTOR AND INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-1 SIGNALLING IN SKELETAL MUSCLE

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 7 2008
Miranda D Grounds
SUMMARY 1Inflammation, particularly the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF), increases necrosis of skeletal muscle. Depletion of inflammatory cells, such as neutrophils, cromolyn blockade of mast cell degranulation or pharmacological blockade of TNF reduces necrosis of dystrophic myofibres in the mdx mouse model of the lethal childhood disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). 2Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a very important cytokine for maintenance of skeletal muscle mass and the transgenic overexpression of IGF-1 within muscle cells reduces necrosis of dystrophic myofibres in mdx mice. Thus, IGF-1 usually has the opposite effect to TNF. 3Activation of TNF signalling via the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) can inhibit IGF-1 signalling by phosphorylation and conformational changes in insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 downstream of the IGF-1 receptor. Such silencing of IGF-1 signalling in situations where inflammatory cytokines are elevated has many implications for skeletal muscle in vivo. 4The basis for these interactions between TNF and IGF-1 is discussed with specific reference to clinical consequences for myofibre necrosis in DMD and also for the wasting (atrophy) of skeletal muscles that occurs in very old people and in cachexia associated with inflammatory disorders. [source]

DESENSITIZATION OF GUINEA-PIG TAENIA CAECI SMOOTH MUSCLE INDUCED BY A LOW CONCENTRATION OF CARBACHOL

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2007
Shigeru Hishinuma
SUMMARY 1In guinea-pig taenia caeci smooth muscle we have found that 10,4 mol/L carbachol-induced desensitization to muscarinic agonists develops within 15,30 s, followed by transient resensitization at 1 min, whereas the desensitization to depolarizing high K+ develops with maximal desensitization at 1 min followed by sustained resensitization up to 30 min. In both cases, Ca2+ -dependent processes play a crucial role in determining the development of desensitization. 2To elucidate whether these peculiar processes of desensitization/resensitization may be induced by a lower concentration of carbachol, we examined the development of desensitization induced by 10,6 mol/L carbachol, because at this concentration carbachol is known to induce biphasic changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, with a smaller transient increase followed by a larger sustained increase than seen with 10,4 mol/L carbachol. 3Contractile responses to muscarinic agonists (carbachol or AHR-602) and high K+ were desensitized by pretreatment with 10,6 mol/L carbachol for 30 min in a manner dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+. 4The development of 10,6 mol/L carbachol-induced desensitization to these muscarinic agonists in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ showed three successive phases: fast desensitization within 30 s, followed by transient resensitization at 1 min and the subsequent development of desensitization up to 30 min. In contrast, desensitization to high K+ did not develop up to 10 min and significant desensitization occurred at 30 min, with no apparent resensitization phase. 5These results suggest that the characteristics of the Ca2+ -dependent development of desensitization to muscarinic agonists, but not to high K+, are well maintained in desensitization induced by a lower concentration of carbachol. [source]

RELAXANT EFFECT OF ADRENOMEDULLIN ON BOVINE ISOLATED IRIS SPHINCTER MUSCLE UNDER RESTING CONDITIONS

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 8 2005
Y Uchikawa
SUMMARY 1.,The mechanisms involved in the fine adjustment of iris sphincter muscle tone are largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of adrenomedullin on the resting tension of the bovine isolated iris sphincter muscle. 2.,The motor activity of the bovine isolated iris sphincter muscle was measured isometrically. The effects of adrenomedullin on resting tension were analysed in the presence of indomethacin. The presence of adrenomedullin mRNA in the preparation was determined by reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction. Immunolabelling for adrenomedullin was also performed. 3.,Adrenomedullin significantly decreased the resting tension of the muscle. The relaxant effect of adrenomedullin was significantly inhibited by adrenomedullin (22,52), a putative antagonist for the adrenomedullin receptor, or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) (8,37), a putative antagonist for the CGRP1 receptor. The relaxant effect was almost completely blocked by a combination of adrenomedullin (22,52) and CGRP (8,37). 4.,The relaxant effect of adrenomedullin was also significantly diminished by 2,,5,-dideoxyadenosine, an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase, NG -nitro- l -arginine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase. 5.,Reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that adrenomedullin mRNA was expressed in the muscle strip. Immunopositive staining for adrenomedullin was detected in blood vessel cells and in the iris sphincter muscle cells. 6.,These results suggest that adrenomedullin may be an autocrine and paracrine regulator of the resting tension of the iris sphincter muscle. Its biological effects may be due to the direct involvement of adrenomedullin receptors and also to the stimulation of CGRP1 receptors. The stimulation of these receptors by the peptide leads to the activation of adenylate cyclase and soluble guanylate cyclase and subsequent relaxation of the muscle strip. [source]

CAN WE DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN AIRWAY AND VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE?

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2004
Darren J Fernandes
SUMMARY 1.,Airway smooth muscle (ASM) has recently been termed the ,frustrated' cell of the lung given that contraction of ASM has no proven useful physiological function in adults and yet is indelibly associated with pathological conditions by virtue of its unwanted airflow-limiting actions in asthma. In contrast, pulmonary vascular smooth muscle contraction plays an essential role in the control of blood flow through the lung. 2.,Little is known of the differences in phenotype between human ASM and pulmonary vascular smooth muscle (VSM) tissues, but differences in contractile protein and transcription factor expression and regulation of contractile protein promoter activity have been documented. Similarly, the embryological signals in mice required for differentiation of ASM versus pulmonary VSM are distinct. 3.,Bronchoconstriction in asthma is currently treated with ,2 -adrenoceptor agonists, which relax contracted ASM cells. An additional approach may be to use gene therapy to render ASM unable to contract (via disruption of their contractile apparatus organization). 4.,Application of ASM-specific gene therapies would rely on minimal actions on other lung smooth muscle tissues, including pulmonary and bronchial vascular smooth muscle. The combination of mRNA analysis of laser-captured microdissected tissue with in situ immunohistochemical staining for protein should be very useful in terms of being able to characterize definitively the differences in mRNA and protein expression between the smooth muscle species of the lung. Any discovery of an ASM-selective target could provide a novel lead for ASM-directed anti-asthma therapy. [source]

EFFECT OF FROZEN TEMPERATURE AND STORAGE TIME ON CALPAINS, CATHEPSINS (B, B + L, H AND D) AND THEIR ENDOGENOUS INHIBITORS IN GOAT MUSCLES

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2006
N.S. NAGARAJ
ABSTRACT The effects of frozen storage on the biochemical properties of myofibrils, muscle proteinases (cathepsins and calpains) and their endogenous inhibitors were investigated. Longissimus dorsi, biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles from goat were frozen (,15C) and studied up to 120 days. The results showed that the percentage change in sarcomere length was 8.4,13.1. The calpain activity was determined after separation on a diethylaminoethyl,Sephacel column (Sigma, St. Louis, MO). Significantly greater percentage of calpain II activity was recovered when compared to calpain I. There was a 15,25% loss in calpastatin inhibitory activity, and the cystatin level fell by 11,16% after 80 days. Cathepsin B, B + L, H and D were very stable when compared to calpains. The calcium concentration may also be the factor for calpain activation. The sodium dodecyl sulfate,polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis result showed the appearance of 55 kDa components. It was concluded that calpains, not cathepsins, play an important role in the proteolysis of myofibrillar proteins at the freezing temperature. [source]

AGING-RELATED INFLUENCES ON ACTIVITY PATTERNS IN THE SUPRAHYOID MUSCLES DURING SWALLOWING: PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS

JOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 4 2007
YOZO MIYAOKA
ABSTRACT Swallowing-related muscle activity patterns were compared between an elderly group and young and middle-aged groups to evaluate whether aging affects activity patterns of swallowing-related muscles. A new technique for evaluation of muscular activity patterns (TP technique) was used for the suprahyoid (SH) muscles during swallowing of ordinary agar and gelatin in the three groups (five subjects each). The evaluations for these test foods in the elderly group were similar to those in the young and middle-aged groups, and statistical examination showed no significant differences among the three groups. In addition, other evaluations based on the TP technique (InP, which were calculated by subtracting the preceding TP,10 values from TP) in the elderly group differed in part from those of the other two groups for gelatin. The present results suggest that the overall activity pattern of swallowing-related muscles is basically preserved in the elderly, but slight, partial changes occur with age. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS An aging society may increase the demand for production of special foods adjusted to some of the elderly. To respond to this demand, we need careful analysis of the characteristics of chewing and swallowing functions of the elderly. The present study showed slight and partial changes in the activity patterns of swallowing-related muscles with age and that the "TP technique" the authors developed was useful to detect the changes. The detection suggests that the analysis of activity patterns with our technique can help designs for production of foods specially for the elderly. [source]

Octopus Papillary Muscle Associated with a Left Lateral Accessory Pathway

CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, Issue 6 2009
Manisha S. Patel MD
ABSTRACT Left ventricular papillary muscle abnormalities are rare malformations. They have been related to significant mitral valve dysfunction and left ventricular midcavitary obstruction. We report our experience with a young adult who presented with palpitations. An echocardiogram on the patient showed an "octopus-like" left ventricular papillary muscle. Subsequent electrophysiologic testing showed evidence of supraventricular tachycardia via a left lateral accessory pathway associated with the abnormal insertion of the papillary muscle attachments. [source]

Effects of handling on heat shock protein expression in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2002
Barbara Shayne Washburn
Abstract As part of an effort to validate the use of heat shock proteins (HSPs) as biomarkers of exposure to and effects of contaminants, we evaluated the effect of two handling regimens on the induction of HSP 60 and 70 in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish were acclimated to laboratory conditions for several weeks before the beginning of the experiment. Fish were then captured by net, placed in a cooler for 1 h while being transported in a truck, returned to their original tanks, then sacrificed 6 to 8 h later. Tricaine methane sulfonate (MS-222) was used during different phases of handling to reduce handling stress. Heat-stressed fish were included in the experiment as a positive control. Muscle, liver, gills, and heart were analyzed for HSP 60 and 70 by immunoblotting. We found no effect of any handling regimen on the induction of HSPs. These findings suggest that the capture and transport of fish for environmental monitoring purposes should not interfere with the use of stress proteins as biomarkers. [source]

Muscle, tendon, and somatotropin responses to the restriction of muscle blood flow induced by KAATSU-walk training

EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S36 2006
T. ABE
Summary Objective: The efficacy of KAATSU training has been demonstrated in human athletes, both as a therapeutic method as well as a training aid. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of slow walk training combined with restriction of muscle blood flow (KAATSU) on muscle and tendon size. Methods: Six healthy, unfit Standardbred mares performed walking (240 m/min for 10 min and then 5 min recovery) with KAATSU, and 6 mares performed walking without KAATSU. A specially designed elastic cuff1 was placed at the most proximal position of the forelegs and inflated to a pressure of 200,230 mmHg throughout the walking and recovery sessions. The training was conducted once a day, 6 days/week for 2 weeks. Skeletal muscle thickness and tendon thickness were measured using B-mode ultrasound at baseline and after 2 weeks of training. Venous blood samples were obtained before the first acute exercise and 5, 15 and 60 min afterwards. Serum somatotropin concentration was determined using a commercially available equine-specific ELISA kit. Results: The acute increase in plasma somatotropin was 40% greater (P<0.05) in the KAATSU-walk group than in the Control-walk group 5 min after exercise and remained elevated (P<0.05) at 15 and 60 min post exercise compared with the Control-walk group. After 2 weeks of training, muscle thickness increased (P<0.05) 3.5% in the KAATSU-walk group but did not change in the Control-walk group (0.7%). Tendon thickness did not change (P>0.05) in either group. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that KAATSU training can induce muscle hypertrophy in horses and suggest that KAATSU training may provide significant therapeutic/rehabilitative value in horses, as has been shown in man. [source]

Dynamics of skeletal muscle oxygenation during sequential bouts of moderate exercise

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005
Leonardo F. Ferreira
In rat muscle, faster dynamics of microvascular PO2 (approximately blood flowto O2 uptakeratio) after prior contractions that did not alter blood [lactate] have been considered to be a consequence of fasterkinetics. However, in humans, prior exercise below the lactate threshold does not affect the pulmonarykinetics. To clarify this apparent discrepancy, we examined the effects of prior moderate exercise on the kinetics of muscle oxygenation (deoxyhaemoglobin, [HHb],) and pulmonaryin humans. Eight subjects performed two bouts (6 min each) of moderate-intensity cycling separated by 6 min of baseline pedalling. Muscle (vastus lateralis) oxygenation was evaluated by near-infrared spectroscopy andwas measured breath-by-breath. The time constant (,) of the primary component ofwas not significantly affected by prior exercise (21.5 ± 9.2 versus 25.6 ± 9.7 s; Bout 1 versus 2, P= 0.49). The time delay (TD) of [HHb] decreased (11.6 ± 2.6 versus 7.7 ± 1.5 s; Bout 1 versus 2, P < 0.05) and ,[HHb] increased (7.0 ± 3.5 versus 10.2 ± 4.6 s; Bout 1 versus 2, P < 0.05), while the mean response time (TD +,) did not change (18.6 ± 2.7 versus 17.9 ± 3.9 s) after prior moderate exercise. Thus, prior moderate exercise resulted in shorter onset and slower rate of increase in [HHb] during subsequent exercise. These data suggest that prior exercise altered the dynamic interaction betweenandfollowing the onset of exercise. [source]

Exercise Heat Stress does not Reduce Central Activation to non-exercised Human Skeletal Muscle

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 6 2003
Julian Saboisky
In this study we measured the central activation ratio (CAR) of the leg extensors and the elbow flexor muscles before and after exhaustive exercise in the heat to determine whether exercise-induced hyperthermia affects the CNS drive to exercised (leg extensors) and/or non-exercised (forearm flexors) muscle groups. Thirteen subjects exercised at fixed intensities representative of a percentage of peak power output (PPO) for 10 min periods (50%, 40%, 60%, 50%) and then at 75% PPO until exhaustion in ambient conditions of 39.3 ± 0.8 °C and 60.0 ± 0.8% relative humidity. Before and immediately following exercise subjects performed a series of maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) with the leg extensors (exercised muscles) and forearm flexors (non-exercised muscles). The degree of voluntary activation during the sustained MVCs was assessed by superimposing electrical stimulation to the femoral nerve and the biceps brachii. Exercise to exhaustion increased the rectal temperature from 37.2 ± 0.2 to 38.8 ± 0.2 °C (P < 0.0001). The mean heart rate at the end of exercise to exhaustion was 192 ± 3 beats min,1. Leg extensor voluntary force was significantly reduced from 595 ± 143 to 509 ± 105 N following exercise-induced hyperthermia but forearm flexor force was similar before and after exercise. The CAR of the leg extensors decreased from 94.2 ± 1.3% before exercise to 91.7 ± 1.5% (P < 0.02) following exercise-induced hyperthermia. However, the CAR for the forearm flexors remained at similar levels before and after exercise. The data suggest that the central nervous system selectively reduces central activation to specific skeletal muscles as a consequence of exercise-induced hyperthermia. [source]

Differences in Local Environment Determine the Site of Physiological Angiogenesis in Rat Skeletal Muscle

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2003
I. Badr
The specificity in location of angiogenesis to either glycolytic or oxidative fibre types, or muscle regions, was examined in the tibialis anterior (TA) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of rat. Angiogenesis was induced by mechanical means either with (chronic muscle stimulation) or without (muscle stretch by overload) changes in blood flow, treatments which invoked only minor changes in fibre type and fibre size. Proliferation estimated by PCNA labelling of cells co-localised with capillaries was very rare in control muscles, where it occurred mainly in the glycolytic regions, but was increased in both models of angiogenesis. However, when labelled capillaries were scored according to the type of surrounding fibres, only muscle stimulation significantly accentuated proliferation of capillaries surrounded by glycolytic fibres. We conclude that while mechanical stimuli are important for proliferation in glycolytic regions in both models, capillary growth occurs specifically around glycolytic fibres in that region when the angiogenic stimulus includes increased blood flow and/or increased metabolic demand. [source]

Substrate Channelling in a Creatine Kinase System of Rat Skeletal Muscle Under Various pH Conditions

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2003
M. Gregor
The aim of this study was to evaluate myofibrillar creatine kinase (CK) activity and to quantify the substrate channelling of ATP between CK and myosin ATPase under different pH conditions within the integrity of myofibrils. A pure myofibrillar fraction was prepared using differential centrifugation. The homogeneity of the preparation and the purity of the fraction were confirmed microscopically and by enzymatic assays for contaminant enzyme activities. The specific activity of myofibrillar CK reached 584 ± 33 nmol PCr min,1 mg,1 at pH 6.75. Two methods were used to detect CK activity: (1) measurement of direct ATP production, and (2) measurement of PCr consumption. This method of evaluation has been tested in experiments with isolated creatine kinase. No discrepancy in CK activity between the methods was observed in the pH range tested (6.0-7.5). However, the same procedures resulted in a significant discrepancy between the amounts of reacted PCr and produced ATP within the pure myofibrillar fraction. This discrepancy represents the portion of ATP produced by the CK reaction, which is preferentially channelled to the myosin ATPase before diffusing into the bulk solution. The maximum evaluated difference reached 42.3 % at pH 6.95. The substrate channelling between myofibrillar-bound CK and myosin ATPase was evaluated under various pH levels within the physiological range and it reached a maximum value in a slightly acidic environment. These results suggest that ATP/ADP flux control by the CK system is more important at lower pH, corresponding to the physiological state of muscle fatigue. [source]

Surface Action Potential and Contractile Properties of the Human Triceps Surae Muscle: Effect of ,Dry' Water Immersion

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2002
Yuri A. Koryak
The effects of 7 days of ,dry' water immersion were investigated in six subjects. Changes in the contraction properties were studied in the triceps surae muscle. After immersion, the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) was reduced by 18.9% (P < 0.01), and the electrically evoked (150 impulses s,1) maximal tension during tetanic contraction (Po) was reduced by 8.2% (P > 0.05). The difference between Po and MVC expressed as a percentage of Po and referred to as force deficiency was also calculated. The force deficiency increased by 44.1% (P < 0.001) after immersion. The decrease in Po was associated with increased maximal rates of tension development (7.2%) and relaxation. The twitch time-to-peak was not significantly changed, and half-relaxation and total contraction time were decreased by 5.3% and 2.8%, respectively, but the twitch tension (Pt) was not significantly changed and the Pt/Po ratio was decreased by 8.7%. The 60 s intermittent contractions (50 impulses s,1) decreased tetanic force to 57% (P < 0.05) of initial values, but force reduction was not significantly different in the two fatigue-inducing tests: fatigue index (the mean loss of force of the last five contractions, expressed as a percentage of the mean value of the first five contractions) was 36.2 ± 5.4% vs. 38.6 ± 2.8%, respectively (P > 0.05). While identical force reduction was present in the two fatigue-inducing tests, it would appear that concomitant electrical failure was considerably different. Comparison of the electrical and mechanical alterations recorded during voluntary contractions, and in contractions evoked by electrical stimulation of the motor nerve, suggests that immersion not only modifies the peripheral processes associated with contraction, but also changes central and/or neural command of the contraction. At peripheral sites, it is proposed that the intracellular processes of contraction play a role in the contractile impairment recorded during immersion. [source]

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Genotype Affects the Response of Human Skeletal Muscle to Functional Overload

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2000
Jonathan Folland
The response to strength training varies widely between individuals and is considerably influenced by genetic variables, which until now, have remained unidentified. The deletion (D), rather than the insertion (I), variant of the human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genotype is an important factor in the hypertrophic response of cardiac muscle to exercise and could also be involved in skeletal muscle hypertrophy , an important factor in the response to functional overload. Subjects were 33 healthy male volunteers with no experience of strength training. We examined the effect of ACE genotype upon changes in strength of quadriceps muscles in response to 9 weeks of specific strength training (isometric or dynamic). There was a significant interaction between ACE genotype and isometric training with greater strength gains shown by subjects with the D allele (mean ± S.E.M.: II, 9.0 ± 1.7%; ID, 17.6 ± 2.2%; DD, 14.9 ± 1.3%, ANOVA, P 0.05). A consistent genotype and training interaction (ID DD II) was observed across all of the strength measures, and both types of training. ACE genotype is the first genetic factor to be identified in the response of skeletal muscle to strength training. The association of the ACE I/D polymorphism with the responses of cardiac and skeletal muscle to functional overload indicates that they may share a common mechanism. These findings suggest a novel mechanism, involving the renin-angiotensin system, in the response of skeletal muscle to functional overload and may have implications for the management of conditions such as muscle wasting disorders, prolonged bed rest, ageing and rehabilitation, where muscle weakness may limit function. [source]

Contractile Properties, Fatigue and Recovery are not Influenced by Short-Term Creatine Supplementation in Human Muscle

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2000
J. M. Jakobi
There have been several studies on the effect of short-term creatine (Cr) supplementation on exercise performance, but none have investigated both voluntary and stimulated muscle contractions in the same experiment. Fourteen moderately active young men (19-28 years) were randomly assigned, in a double blind manner, to either a creatine (Cr) or placebo (P) group. The subjects supplemented their regular diet 4 times a day for 5 days with either 5 g Cr + 5 g maltodextrin (Cr group), or 5 g maltodextrin (P group). Isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), muscle activation, as assessed using the modified twitch interpolation technique, electrically stimulated contractile properties, electromyography (EMG), endurance time and recovery from fatigue were measured in the elbow flexors. The fatigue protocol involved both voluntary and stimulated contractions. Following supplementation there was a significant weight gain in the Cr group (1.0 kg), whereas the P group did not change. For each group, pre-supplementation measures were not significantly different from post-supplementation for MVC, twitch and tetanic tensions at rest, time to peak tension, half-relaxation time and contraction duration. Prior to Cr supplementation time to fatigue was 10 ± 4 min (mean ± S.E.M.) for both groups, and following supplementation there was a non-significant increase of 1 min in each group. MVC force, muscle activation, EMG, stimulated tensions and durations were similar for the Cr and P groups over the course of the fatigue protocol and did not change after supplementation. Furthermore, recovery of MVC, stimulated tensions and contractile speeds did not differ as a result of Cr supplementation. These results indicate that short-term Cr supplementation does not influence isometric elbow flexion force, muscle activation, stimulated contractile properties, or delay time to fatigue or improve recovery. [source]