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R H Fitts

Publications and source records attributed to R H Fitts.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Effect of high-intensity exercise training on functional capacity of limb skeletal muscle.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a program of regular sprint exercise training alters the functional properties or protects against the development of fatigue in fast- and slow-twitch rat skeletal muscle. The training program consisted of 6 sprints of 4.5-min duration at 40 m/min and 15% slope with 2.5-min rest intervals, performed 5 days/wk for 6 wk. The exercise program significantly increased (P less than 0.05) citrate synthase activity (mumol X g-1 X min-1) in the predominantly type I soleus (SOL) from 28 +/- 2 to 44 +/- 2; the type IIb superficial region of the vastus lateralis (SVL) from 10 +/- 1 to 16 +/- 1; and the type IIa deep region of the vastus lateralis (DVL) from 34 +/- 2 to 53 +/- 2. Phosphofructokinase activity (mumol X g-1 X min-1) also increased with training in the SOL (17 +/- 1 vs. 23 +/- 1) and the DVL (64 +/- 5 vs. 79 +/- 5). Sprint training reduced (P less than 0.05) the contraction time (CT) (111 +/- 7 vs. 92 +/- 3 ms) and the one-half relaxation time (118 +/- 3 vs. 104 +/- 2 ms) in the slow-twitch soleus. The exercise program also induced a decreased CT in the fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL), but significance was limited to the P less than 0.1 level. Muscle fatigue was produced by electrical stimulation at 45 trains/min and either 15 trains/min in SOL or 10 trains/min in the EDL and SVL for 1, 5, or 10 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1986

Contractile and biochemical properties of diaphragm: effects of exercise training and fatigue.

The effect of high-intensity trained (6 X 4.5 min at 40 m/min, 15% grade, 2.5-min rest between bouts, 5 days/wk, for 6 wk) on contractile, biochemical, and fatigue properties of the rat diaphragm were examined. The exercise program produced significant elevations in the mitochondrial marker enzyme citrate synthase (mumol X g-1 X min-1) in the soleus (SOL) (27.2 +/- 1.5 vs. 46.7 +/- 2.4; mean +/- SE), deep vastus lateralis (DVL) (40.8 +/- 2.6 vs. 58.3 +/- 2.8), and superficial vastus lateralis (SVL) (8.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 11.4 +/- 0.7). No significant differences were observed in the crural (CRU) (45.9 +/- 2.0 vs. 44.0 +/- 2.3) or ventral costal (VEN) (41.5 +/- 2.0 vs. 45.8 +/- 2.6) diaphragmatic regions. Phosphofructokinase, the rate-limiting enzyme of glycolysis, significantly increased in the SOL (19.0 +/- 0.8 vs. 23.3 +/- 1.3 mumol X g-1 X min-1) and DVL (69.3 +/- 6.0 vs. 86.6 +/- 5.0), but no alterations were seen in the SVL (98.6 +/- 5.7 vs. 106.1 +/- 9.0), CRU (54.4 +/- 2.8 vs. 53.8 +/- 1.5), or VEN (44.7 +/- 2.4 vs. 46.4 +/- 1.4) posttraining. Diaphragm contractile properties, with the exception of an increased rate of fall in twitch tension, remained unchanged after training. Glycogen values were significantly higher in trained diaphragms at rest (6.54 +/- 0.39 vs. 4.86 +/- 0.41 mg/g) and during 1, 5, and 10 min of fatiguing stimulation. During fatigue no differences were observed in force, rate of rise in force, rate of fall in force, muscle lactate, ATP, or creatine phosphate in trained vs. control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1986

Models of disuse: a comparison of hindlimb suspension and immobilization.

The effects of 1 and 2 wk of hindlimb suspension (HS) on rat skeletal muscle function were determined and the results compared with those obtained previously with hindlimb immobilization (HI). Both models of disuse (HS and HI) primarily affected slow-twitch muscle. Each decreased the isometric twitch duration in the slow-twitch soleus; however, the HS-mediated effect was entirely a result of a shortened contraction time (CT), whereas HI reduced one-half relaxation time (1/2 RT) as well as CT. Soleus muscle mass and peak tetanic tension (Po) declined with disuse. The HS effect on muscle mass and Po was variable, however, for all experiments HS produced atrophy equal to or greater than HI. A major difference existed in the effects of HS and HI on the maximal speed of soleus muscle shortening (Vmax). One and 2 wk of HS produced increases in Vmax to 4.45 +/- 0.34 and 6.83 +/- 0.74 fiber lengths/s, respectively, compared with control velocities of 3.05 +/- 0.08. By contrast over a similar time period, HI had no significant effect on soleus Vmax. The increase in Vmax at 14 days of HS was associated with, and perhaps caused by, the increased expression of a second faster migrating isozyme of myosin. The new native isozyme comigrated with fast myosin, but its light chain subunits contained only LC1s and LC2s. The mechanism responsible for the increase is unknown. One plausible explanation is that the apparent HS-mediated modification in muscle fiber type is dependent on the elimination of loadbearing or isometric contractions, a condition that does not exist during HI.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Histochemical and physiological characteristics of the rat diaphragm.

The histochemical and contractile characteristics of the adult rat diaphragm were determined. Based on enzyme histochemistry, the rat diaphragm contained 40% type I, 27% type IIa, and 34% type IIb fibers. There were significantly more type I fibers in the ventral costal (VEN) compared with the crural (CRU) region of the muscle and a slightly higher percentage of type I's on the thoracic relative to the abdominal surface. The contractile properties and the effect of temperature (Q10) were similar in the VEN and CRU regions. Increasing temperature produced higher isometric peak tetanic tension, whereas twitch tension, contraction, and one-half relaxation time all decreased. The maximal shortening velocity increased linearly from 22 and 30 degrees C, then plateaued before decreasing between 35 and 37 degrees C. The VEN and CRU force-velocity curves became less concave as temperature increased from 22 to 35 degrees C. Furthermore, the force-frequency relation of both regions was shifted to the right as temperature increased. The isometric and isotonic contractile properties and fiber type distribution are similar in the VEN and CRU regions of the diaphragm. The rat diaphragm is clearly heterogeneous in fiber type distribution and functionally lies intermediate between slow- and fast-twitch limb skeletal muscles.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Recovery in skeletal muscle contractile function after prolonged hindlimb immobilization.

Contractile properties of slow-twitch soleus (SOL), fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and fast-twitch superficial region of the vastus lateralis were determined in vitro (22 degrees C) in rats remobilized after prolonged (3 mo) hindlimb immobilization (IM). For all muscles the muscle-to-body weight ratio was significantly depressed by IM, and the ratios failed to completely recover even after 90 days. The contractile properties of the fast-twitch muscles were less affected by IM than the slow-twitch SOL. The IM shortened the SOL isometric twitch duration due to a reduced contraction and half-relaxation time. These parameters returned to control levels by the 14th day of recovery. Peak tetanic tension (Po, g/cm2) declined with IM by 46% in the SOL but showed no significant change in the fast-twitch muscles. After IM the SOL Po (g/cm2) recovered to control values by 28 days. The recovery of Po in absolute units (g) was considerably slower and did not return to control levels until 60 (SOL) to 90 (EDL) days. The maximum shortening velocity was not altered by IM in any of the muscles studied. These results demonstrate that both fast- and slow-twitch skeletal muscles possess the ability to completely recover normal contractile function following prolonged periods of hindlimb IM.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The effect of ageing and exercise on skeletal muscle function.

The contractile and selected biochemical properties of fast- and slow-twitch skeletal muscle were studied at 9, 18, and 28 months of age in sedentary and regularly exercised rats. The isometric twitch duration was prolonged with aging in both the fast- and slow-twitch muscle. This effect was primarily due to a prolonged one-half relaxation time (1/2RT), which developed late in life. Regular exercise tended to further prolong the twitch duration, particularly in the slow-twitch soleus. Surprisingly, twitch and tetanic tension (Po), peak rate of tension development and decline, and the maximal shortening velocity were all unaltered between 9 and 28 months of age. Furthermore, regular exercise (running or swimming) had little or no effect on these properties. The prolonged 1/2RT with aging could not be explained by a decreased rate of Ca2+ sequestration by the sarcoplasmic reticulum, as the rate of Ca2+ uptake measured in muscle homogenates was unaltered in any of the muscles studied between 9 and 28 months. The degree of muscle fatigue (decline in Po) with 30 min of contractile activity in the slow-twitch soleus was not affected by aging. However, lactate reached two-fold higher levels and glycogen fell to considerably lower levels in the muscles of the old rats. This suggests an increased glycolysis and glycogen utilization during contractile activity in aged rats.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1983

Effect of hindlimb immobilization on the fatigability of skeletal muscle.

The soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of the rat were studied in situ (33.5 degrees C) after 6 wk of disuse atrophy produced by hindlimb immobilization (IM). IM resulted in depressed peak twitch (Pt) and tetanic (Po) tension as well as a decreased rate of tension development (+dP/dt) and decline (-dP/dt) in the slow-twitch SOL. The fast-twitch EDL was affected to a lesser extent, because only Po (g . cm-2) and Po,-dP/dt (g . cm-2 . ms-1) were depressed after IM. Twitch duration, as measured by contraction time and one-half relaxation time, was shortened in the SOL and prolonged in the EDL. In both the fast and slow muscles 30 min of electrical stimulation resulted in a significant decline in Po. Relative to the prefatigued Po, the atrophied and control muscles showed a similar fatigue pattern. This occurred in spite of lower ATP and glycogen concentrations and higher lactate levels in the atrophied muscles. Our results indicate significant impairment of contractile function following IM in fast and slow muscles with preferential alterations in the slow SOL. In addition, despite a lower resting capacity and an increased dependence on glycolysis, contractile properties of atrophied muscles differed little from control muscles in their pattern of response to 30 min of electrical stimulation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1982

Acid phosphatase and protease activities in immobilized rat skeletal muscles.

The effect of hind-limb immobilization on selected lysosomal enzyme activities was studied in rat hind-limb muscles composed primarily of type I, IIA, or IIB fibers. Following immobilization, acid protease and acid phosphatase both exhibited significant (P less than 0.05) increases in their activity per unit weight in all three fiber types. Acid phosphatase activity increased at day 14 of immobilization in the three muscles and returned to control levels by day 21. Acid protease activity also changed biphasically, displaying a higher and earlier rise than acid phosphatase. The pattern of change in acid protease, but not acid phosphatase, closely parallels observed muscle wasting. The present data therefore demonstrate enhanced proteolytic capacity of all three fiber types early during muscular atrophy. In addition, the data suggest a dependence of basal hydrolytic and proteolytic activities and their adaptive response to immobilization on muscle fiber composition.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1982

Muscle fatigue with prolonged exercise: contractile and biochemical alterations.

Alterations in the contractile and biochemical properties of fast and slow skeletal muscle were studied in rats following a prolonged swim to exhaustion. The exercise produced glycogen depletion (less than 1 mg/g tissue) in muscles representative of all three fiber types; the isometric contractile properties were altered in the 84% type I soleus (SOL) and the 60% type IIa extensor digitorium longus (EDL) but not in the 100% type IIb superficial region of the vastus lateralis (SVL). Peak tetanic tension (Po) and the rate of tension development and decline all decreased after prolonged exercise in both the SOL and the EDL. The maximal isotonic shortening velocity was highly correlated with the myofibrillar ATPase activity, and both were relatively resistant to fatigue. Furthermore, the Ca2+ sensitivity of the myofibrils was unaffected by exercise in both fast and slow muscle. The Ca2+ uptake capacity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was reduced in both the SOL and the fast-twitch type IIa deep region of the vastus lateralis, whereas the SR ATPase activity was unchanged. Our findings provide evidence that prolonged exercise produces alterations in contractile and biochemical properties of type I and IIa but not type IIb fibers and that muscle fatigue as measured by a decline in Po is not necessarily correlated with glycogen depletion.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1982

Effect of thyrotoxicosis on sarcoplasmic reticulum in rat skeletal muscle.

The effect of thyrotoxicosis on the capacity of fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum (FSR) and crude homogenate (CH) to sequester Ca2+ was determined in rat muscle for the slow-twitch type I soleus (SOL), the fast-twitch type IIA deep region of the vastus lateralis (DVL),and the fast-twitch type IIB superficial region of the vastus lateralis (SVL). The maximal rate of Ca2+ uptake (Vmax) and Km were determined in both the CH and FSR preparations, and the total Ca2+ uptake capacity of the CH was determined. In the slow SOL, thyrotoxicosis increased the Vmax (8.20 +/- 0.96 vs. 15.70 +/- 0.92 mumol Ca2+ . g wet muscle-1 . min-1) and the total Ca2+ uptake (17.62 +/- 1.30 vs. 27.13 +/- 2.16 mumol Ca2+ . g wet muscle-1) of the CH preparation. Thyrotoxicosis increased the FSR yield 2.3-fold in the slow-twitch SOL; however, the kinetic characteristics (Vmax and Km) of these vesicles were not altered. Thyrotoxicosis had no effect on the CH and FSR preparations in either the type IIA or type IIB sample. These results can be explained by a thyroid hormone-mediated increase in the quantity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in type I muscle and suggest no effect on the hormone on the qualitative nature of the Ca2+-enzyme interaction.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Effect of disuse on sarcoplasmic reticulum in fast and slow skeletal muscle.

The effect of 6 wk of hindlimb immobilization on rat skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was determined in the slow-twitch, type I soleus (SOL), the fast-twitch, type IIA deep region of the vastus lateralis (DVL), and the fast-twitch, type IIB superficial region of the vastus lateralis (SVL). Immobilization produced a significant decline in the Ca2+ uptake rate (Vmax) of SR vesicles from the slow SOL (0.930 +/- 0.116 to 0.365 +/- 0.071 mumol Ca2+ . mg-1 . min-1), while the SR Vmax increased in the fast SVL (2.763 +/- 0.133 to 5.209 +/- 0.687) and was unaltered in the DVL. Vesicles from the fast SVL and DVL also exhibited a higher total Ca2+ uptake capacity following immobilization. An evaluation of the time course of the immobilization-mediated effect revealed an increased Ca2+ uptake capacity in all three samples after 1 wk. In the SOL total Ca2+ uptake returned to control level after 2 wk, while in the fast-twitch muscles the higher capacities were maintained. The Ca2+-stimulated SR ATPase activity was not altered in any of the muscles studies, although the total SR ATPase activity increased twofold in the slow SOL.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1982

Recovery time course in contractile function of fast and slow skeletal muscle after hindlimb immobilization.

Contractile properties were evaluated in rats remobilized after 6 wk of hindlimb casting to evaluate the regenerative capacity of fast and slow skeletal muscles. Contractile parameters were determined in vitro (22 degrees C) in the type I soleus (SOL), type IIA and IIB extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and the type IIB superficial vastus lateralis (SVL). Immobilization (IM) shortened the SOL isometric twitch duration after which contraction time and half-relaxation time required 4 and 7 days to recover, respectively. In contrast, IM prolonged the twitch in the EDL and SVL and recovery required 14 and 7 days, respectively. Peak tetanic tension (g/cm2) fell in the SOL and EDL with IM and full recovery required 28 days. In this regard, the SVL remained unaltered. Rates of tension development and decline remained essentially unaltered in the fast muscles after IM but fell in the SOL, requiring 14 days to fully recover. Maximal shortening velocity, which had been elevated in all three muscles by IM, recovered rapidly. The present results demonstrate that both fast and slow muscle have the ability to completely recover from 6 weeks of IM.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Hindlimb immobilization: length-tension and contractile properties of skeletal muscle.

The effect of hindlimb immobilization (IM) on the contractile properties of fast and slow skeletal muscle was studied in rats following various periods of IM ranging from 1 to 42 days; muscle atrophy, muscle, fiber, and sarcomere length, and the length-tension characteristics were determined after 42 days of IM. The slow-twitch soleus (SOL), the fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and the fast-twitch superficial region of the vastus lateralis (SVL) all showed rapid atrophy following the onset of IM, reaching a new reduced steady-state weight by day 21. After 42 days of IM the passive tension (g) and active twitch tension (g/cm2) plotted vs. muscle length (cm) were shifted to the left for the slow-twitch SOL, indicating a decreased extensibility compared with control muscles. The peak tetanic tension of the slow SOL declined to 47% of the control level of 2,893 +/- 125 g/cm2, whereas the fast EDL maintained 72% of its initial force of 4,392 +/- 229 g/cm2, and the fast SVL was unaltered by IM. Peak twitch tension and peak rate of tension development and decline fell rapidly in the slow SOL while remaining relatively unaltered in the fast-twitch muscles. Surprisingly, maximal isotonic shortening velocity was elevated in both fast and slow muscles with IM. These results indicate that IM produces muscle atrophy in fast as well as slow skeletal muscle and, in addition, causes fiber type-specific changes in the contractile properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Effect of moderate daily exercise on acute glomerulonephritis.

Exercise can induce proteinuria, hematuria and cylindruria in normal individuals. This suggests that exercise adversely affects glomerular function. In this study we examined the impact of moderate daily treadmill exercise on the glomerulonephritis (GN) of 'one-shot' bovine serum albumin (250 mg/kg i.v.) serum sickness in rabbits. We found that exercise alone increased serum creatinine concentration (Scr) but exercise plus GN did not increase Scr further. Blood urea nitrogen values were unchanged. Albuminuria and the renal histopathology findings were not different between the exercised and non-exercised groups of rabbits. Muscle cytochrome oxidase and mitochondrial protein concentrations were not increased in the exercised animals. We conclude that exercise, below the level that causes exercise adaptation in muscle enzymes, does not adversely affect this form of acute GN.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1980

Contractile, biochemical, and histochemical properties of thyrotoxic rat soleus muscle.

The effects of thyrotoxicosis on the contractile properties of soleus muscle were examined in rats given 3 mg of T4 and 1 mg of T3 per kg of diet for 6--8 wk. Thyrotoxicosis induced significant decreases in isometric twitch contraction time (CT), one-half relaxation time, and peak twitch tension. The Ca2+ uptake activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was increased in the thyrotoxic muscles; this adaptation in the SR provides a possible mechanism for the alterations in isometric contractile properties. Thyrotoxicosis induced a large increase in fibers classified as type 2, on the basis of an alkali-stable histochemical reaction for ATPase, in the soleus. Although this reaction is commonly interpreted as indicating that a muscle is fast, maximum shortening velocity (Vmax) and Mg2+ activated actomyosin ATPase activity were unaffected in the thyrotoxic soleus. Our findings provide evidence that CT and Vmax can vary independently and that the histochemical ATPase reaction may not always reflect the biochemical properties that make myosin fast or slow.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗