Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Format of Original
16 p.
Publication Date
5-1999
Publisher
Wiley
Source Publication
Journal of Physiology
Source ISSN
0022-3751
Abstract
1. Soleus biopsies were obtained from four male astronauts 45 days before and within 2 h after a 17 day spaceflight. 2. For all astronauts, single chemically skinned post-flight fibres expressing only type I myosin heavy chain (MHC) developed less average peak Ca¥ activated force (Pï) during fixed-end contractions (0·78 ± 0·02 vs. 0·99 ± 0·03 mN) and shortened at a greater mean velocity during unloaded contractions (Vï) (0·83 ± 0·02 vs. 0·64 ± 0·02 fibre lengths s¢) than preflight type I fibres. 3. The flight-induced decline in absolute Pï was attributed to reductions in fibre diameter and Ï or Pï per fibre cross-sectional area. Fibres from the astronaut who experienced the greatest relative loss of peak force also displayed a reduction in Ca¥ sensitivity. 4. The elevated Vï of the post-flight slow type I fibres could not be explained by alterations in myosin heavy or light chain composition. One alternative possibility is that the elevated Vï resulted from an increased myofilament lattice spacing. This hypothesis was supported by electron micrographic analysis demonstrating a reduction in thin filament density post-flight. 5. Post-flight fibres shortened at 30% higher velocities than pre-flight fibres at external loads associated with peak power output. This increase in shortening velocity either reduced (2 astronauts) or prevented (2 astronauts) a post-flight loss in fibre absolute peak power (ìN (fibre length) s¢). 6. The changes in soleus fibre diameter and function following spaceflight were similar to those observed after 17 days of bed rest. Although in-flight exercise countermeasures probably reduced the effects of microgravity, the results support the idea that ground-based bed rest can serve as a model of human spaceflight. 7. In conclusion, 17 days of spaceflight decreased force and increased shortening velocity of single Ca¥-activated muscle cells expressing type I MHC. The increase in shortening velocity greatly reduced the impact that impaired force production had on absolute peak power.
Recommended Citation
Widrick, Jeffrey J.; Knuth, Shannon T.; Norenberg, Kris M.; Romatowski, Janell; Bain, James L. W.; Riley, Danny A.; Karhanek, M.; Trappe, S. W.; Trappe, Todd A.; Costill, David; and Fitts, Robert, "Effect of a 17 Day Spaceflight on Contractile Properties of Human Soleus Muscle Fibres" (1999). Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 170.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bio_fac/170
Comments
Accepted version. Journal of Physiology, Vol. 516, No. 3 (May 1999): 915-930. DOI. © 1999 Wiley. Used with permission.