Titin and diaphragm dysfunction in mechanically ventilated rats.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Diaphragm weakness induced by mechanical ventilation may contribute to difficult weaning from the ventilator. For optimal force generation the muscle proteins myosin and titin are indispensable. The present study investigated if myosin and titin loss or dysfunction are involved in mechanical ventilation-induced diaphragm weakness.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were either assigned to a control group (n = 10) or submitted to 18 h of mechanical ventilation (MV, n = 10). At the end of the experiment, diaphragm and soleus muscle were excised for functional and biochemical analysis.

Results

Maximal specific active force generation of muscle fibers isolated from the diaphragm of MV rats was lower than controls (128 ± 9 vs. 165 ± 13 mN/mm(2), p = 0.02) and was accompanied

SUBMITTER: van Hees HW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3308006 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature