TY - JOUR
T1 - Changes in muscle–tendon unit length–force characteristics following experimentally induced photothrombotic stroke cannot be explained by changes in muscle belly structure
AU - Paudyal, Arjun
AU - Degens, Hans
AU - Baan, Guus C.
AU - Noort, Wendy
AU - Slevin, Mark
AU - van Wegen, Erwin
AU - Kwakkel, Gert
AU - Maas, Huub
N1 - Funding Information: We thank Rick Dijkhuizen and Geralda van Tilborg (Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands) for helping us with the procedures for the photothrombotic stroke in the rat. This research was funded by the European Commission through MOVE-AGE, an Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate programme (2011-0015). Funding Information: We thank Rick Dijkhuizen and Geralda van Tilborg (Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands) for helping us with the procedures for the photothrombotic stroke in the rat. This research was funded by the European Commission through MOVE-AGE, an Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate programme (2011-0015). Publisher Copyright: © 2021, The Author(s).
PY - 2021/9
Y1 - 2021/9
N2 - Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of experimentally induced photothrombotic stroke on structural and mechanical properties of rat m. flexor carpi ulnaris. Methods: Two groups of Young-adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were measured: stroke (n = 9) and control (n = 7). Photothrombotic stroke was induced in the forelimb region of the primary sensorimotor cortex. Four weeks later, muscle–tendon unit and muscle belly length–force characteristics of the m. flexor carpi ulnaris, mechanical interaction with the neighbouring m. palmaris longus, the number of sarcomeres in series within muscle fibres, and the physiological cross-sectional area were measured. Results: Stroke resulted in higher force and stiffness of the m. flexor carpi ulnaris at optimum muscle–tendon unit length, but only for the passive conditions. Stroke did not alter the length–force characteristics of m. flexor carpi ulnaris muscle belly, morphological characteristics, and the extent of mechanical interaction with m. palmaris longus muscle. Conclusion: The higher passive force and passive stiffness at the muscle–tendon unit level in the absence of changes in structural and mechanical characteristics of the muscle belly indicates that the experimentally induced stroke resulted in an increased stiffness of the tendon.
AB - Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of experimentally induced photothrombotic stroke on structural and mechanical properties of rat m. flexor carpi ulnaris. Methods: Two groups of Young-adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were measured: stroke (n = 9) and control (n = 7). Photothrombotic stroke was induced in the forelimb region of the primary sensorimotor cortex. Four weeks later, muscle–tendon unit and muscle belly length–force characteristics of the m. flexor carpi ulnaris, mechanical interaction with the neighbouring m. palmaris longus, the number of sarcomeres in series within muscle fibres, and the physiological cross-sectional area were measured. Results: Stroke resulted in higher force and stiffness of the m. flexor carpi ulnaris at optimum muscle–tendon unit length, but only for the passive conditions. Stroke did not alter the length–force characteristics of m. flexor carpi ulnaris muscle belly, morphological characteristics, and the extent of mechanical interaction with m. palmaris longus muscle. Conclusion: The higher passive force and passive stiffness at the muscle–tendon unit level in the absence of changes in structural and mechanical characteristics of the muscle belly indicates that the experimentally induced stroke resulted in an increased stiffness of the tendon.
KW - Length–force characteristics
KW - Muscle mechanics
KW - Muscle morphology
KW - Myofascial force transmission
KW - Photothrombotic stroke model
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U2 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04729-x
DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04729-x
M3 - Article
C2 - 34061247
SN - 1439-6319
VL - 121
SP - 2509
EP - 2519
JO - European journal of applied physiology
JF - European journal of applied physiology
IS - 9
ER -