Aging Does Not Attenuate Plantaris Muscle Hypertrophy in Male Fischer 344 Rats
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-2002
Publication Source
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Abstract
Purpose: The present study examined the effect of extreme old age on the plasticity of the rat plantaris muscle in response to an increase in mechanical load.
Methods: Male Fischer 344 rats, aged 7 months (adult) and 25 months (old) underwent bilateral surgical ablation of the gastrocnemius muscle to functionally overload (OV) the fast-twitch plantaris muscle for 8 wk
Results: At 27 months of age, plantaris wet weight and cross-sectional area (CSA) were unaffected by age, but aging decreased peak isometric tension (Po) 27% (P < 0.05). Plantaris muscle myosin heavy chain composition indicated a loss of faster myosin heavy chains (MHC) isoforms with concomitant increases in slower MHC in old rats (P < 0.05). In adult rats, OV increased muscle CSA and Po 72% and 83%, respectively (P < 0.05). Similarly, OV increased CSA and Po 69% and 73%, respectively, in old rats (P < 0.05). Average fiber CSA increased 57% and 68% in adult-OV and old-OV rats, respectively (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Collectively, our data indicate that plantaris muscle mass and plasticity in response to increased mechanical load are well conserved in very aged male Fischer 344 rats.
Inclusive pages
1115-1119
ISBN/ISSN
0195-9131
Copyright
Copyright © 2002, The American College of Sports Medicine
Publisher
Wolters Kluwer
Volume
34
Issue
7
Peer Reviewed
yes
eCommons Citation
Linderman, Jon K. and Blough, Eric R., "Aging Does Not Attenuate Plantaris Muscle Hypertrophy in Male Fischer 344 Rats" (2002). Health and Sport Science Faculty Publications. 80.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/hss_fac_pub/80
Comments
Permission documentation on file.