Diaphragm Muscle Sarcopenia in Fischer 344 and Brown Norway Rats

Overview

Journal Exp Physiol

Specialty Physiology

Date 2016 Apr 30

PMID 27126607

Citations 26

Authors

Jonathan E Elliott

Tanya S Omar

Carlos B Mantilla

Gary C Sieck

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

What is the central question of this study? Several rat models are commonly used to study the physiology of ageing (e.g. Fischer 344 and Brown Norway rats are recommended by the USA National Institute of Ageing). Diaphragm muscle sarcopenia (ageing-related muscle weakness and atrophy) remains incompletely described in these rat models. What is the main finding and its importance? Diaphragm muscle sarcopenia is present in both the Fischer 344 and Brown Norway rat strains, but appears more pronounced in Fischer 344 rats. The risk for respiratory diseases increases in adults >65 years of age, which may be attributable in part to ageing-related weakening and atrophy (i.e. sarcopenia) of the diaphragm muscle (DIAm). The mechanisms underlying DIAm sarcopenia remain unknown. Based on existing evidence, we hypothesized that sarcopenia is most evident in type IIx and/or IIb DIAm fibres, i.e. more fatigable motor units. Currently, the USA National Institute on Aging supports Fischer 344 (F344) and Brown Norway (BN) rat strains for ageing-related research, yet DIAm sarcopenia has not been evaluated comprehensively in either strain. Thus, the present study examined DIAm sarcopenia in older adult F344 (24 months old, 50% survival) and BN rats (32 months old, 50% survival), compared with young adult (6-month-old) F344 and BN rats. Measurements of contractility, contractile protein concentration, fibre type distribution and fibre cross-sectional area were obtained from midcostal DIAm strips. Maximal specific force was reduced by ∼24 and ∼13% in older F344 and BN rats, respectively. Additionally, although the cross-sectional area of type I and IIa DIAm fibres was unchanged in both F344 and BN rats, the cross-sectional area of type IIx and/or IIb DIAm fibres was reduced by ∼20 and ∼15% in F344 and BN rats, respectively. Thus, although there was ageing-related DIAm weakness and atrophy, selective to type IIx and/or IIb DIAm fibres, in both F344 and BN rats, the sarcopenic phenotype was more pronounced in F344 rats.

Citing Articles

Chloroquine Affects Presynaptic Membrane Retrieval in Diaphragm Neuromuscular Junctions of Old Mice.

Jahanian S, Gulbronson C, Gransee H, Millesi E, Sieck G, Mantilla C Int J Mol Sci. 2025; 26(1.

PMID: 39795904 PMC: 11719459. DOI: 10.3390/ijms26010043.

Relationship Between Diaphragm Function and Sarcopenia Assessed by Ultrasound: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Shinohara T, Yamada T, Ouchi S, Mabuchi S, Hanazawa R, Nakagawa K Diagnostics (Basel). 2025; 15(1.

PMID: 39795617 PMC: 11719475. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics15010090.

Inhibition of TrkB kinase activity impairs autophagy in cervical motor neurons of young but not old mice.

Pareja-Cajiao M, Gransee H, Jahanian S, Sieck G, Mantilla C Exp Physiol. 2024; 110(1):166-178.

PMID: 39576170 PMC: 11689133. DOI: 10.1113/EP092095.

Effects of aging on diaphragm hyperemia and blood flow distribution in male and female Fischer 344 rats.

Horn A, Schulze K, Muller-Delp J, Poole D, Behnke B Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2024; 327(3):R328-R337.

PMID: 39005080 PMC: 11444501. DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00099.2024.

Alterations in neuromuscular junction morphology with ageing and endurance training modulate neuromuscular transmission and myofibre composition.

Yamaguchi T, Kouzaki K, Sasaki K, Nakazato K J Physiol. 2024; 603(1):107-125.

PMID: 38173183 PMC: 11702918. DOI: 10.1113/JP285143.

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