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Influence of 14-day hind limb unloading on isolated muscle spindle activity in rats

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Abstract

During hind limb unloading (HU), the soleus is often in a shortened position and the natural physiological stimulus of muscle spindles is altered, such that muscle spindle activity also changes. Using isolated spindle conditions, the present study investigates the electrophysiological activity and ultrastructure of muscle spindles following HU. Results show that muscle spindle discharges fall into either of two main patterns, single spikes or spike clusters in shortened positions, with a steady frequency of 18–38 spikes/s (mean 29.08 ± 2.45) in an extended position. Following 14-day HU, afferent discharge activity was significantly altered in soleus muscle spindles. Duration of individual spikes was significantly prolonged, from 0.54 ± 0.05 ms for control rats to 1.53 ± 0.25 ms for rats in the HU group. In a shortened position, regular rhythm afferent discharges were obviously depressed, and the majority of muscle spindles became silent, while in an extended position, the discharges remained continuous but with decreased frequency. Results also show that the ultrastructure of muscle spindles experience degenerative changes during HU. Altered muscle spindle afference could possibly modify the activity of motor neurons and further affect the activity of extrafusal fibers.

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Acknowledgment

The present work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30070830).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical School, Xi’an JiaoTong University, Xi’an, 710061, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Xue Hong Zhao, Xiao Li Fan, Xin Ai Song, Su Di Wu & Jun Chan Ren

  2. Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi’an jiaoTong University, Ministry of Education, Xi’an, 710061, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Xue Hong Zhao, Xiao Li Fan, Xin Ai Song, Su Di Wu & Jun Chan Ren

  3. Center of Electron Microscopy, Medical school, Xi’an JiaoTong University, Xi’an, 710061, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Ming Xia Chen

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  1. Xue Hong Zhao
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  2. Xiao Li Fan
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  3. Xin Ai Song
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Correspondence to Xiao Li Fan.

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Zhao, X.H., Fan, X.L., Song, X.A. et al. Influence of 14-day hind limb unloading on isolated muscle spindle activity in rats. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 31, 155–161 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10974-010-9215-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10974-010-9215-8

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