Hypertrophy without increased isometric strength after weight training

Summary Eight men (20–23 years) weight trained 3 days week^–1 for 19 weeks. Training sessions consisted of six sets of a leg press exercise (simultaneous hip and knee extension and ankle plantar flexion) on a weight machine, the last three sets with the heaviest weight that could be used for 7–20 repetitions. In comparison to a control group (n = 6) only the trained group increased (P<0.01) weight lifting performance (heaviest weight lifted for one repetition, 29%), and left and right knee extensor cross-sectional area (CAT scanning and computerized planimetry, 11%, P<0.05). In contrast, training caused no increase in maximal voluntary isometric knee extension strength, electrically evoked knee extensor peak twitch torque, and knee extensor motor unit activation (interpolated twitch method). These data indicate that a moderate but significant amount of hypertrophy induced by weight training does not necessarily increase performance in an isometric strength task different from the training task but involving the same muscle group. The failure of evoked twitch torque to increase despite hypertrophy may further indicate that moderate hypertrophy in the early stage of strength training may not necessarily cause an increase in intrinsic muscle force generating capacity.     

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome in the intensive therapy unit

A case of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome occurred in a 40-year-old male after administration of chlorpromazine while on an Intensive Therapy Unit. Treatment with dantrolene sodium was successful, and a muscle biopsy was examined in the recovery phase of the illness. The importance of this condition and the difficulties in establishing a diagnosis at an early stage in patients on an Intensive Therapy Unit are discussed, along with implications for treatment.     

Asymptomatic autoimmune chronic active hepatitis in a male adolescent

We report a 12-year-old boy presenting with smooth muscle antibody-positive auto-immune chronic active hepatitis. Suspicion of the diagnosis arose after a routine blood test which revealed abnormal liver function tests. In spite of the presence of cirrhosis and patchy necrosis on liver biopsy, our patient never showed any clinical feature of impaired liver function. This observation demonstrates that auto-immune hepatitis may exist for a long time before clinical symptoms appear and probably explains why some cases of auto-immune hepatitis finally present as fulminant liver failure.     

Model parameters of the smooth pursuit eye movement system with electrooculogram

The visual pursuit test is a method that collects and analyzes the characteristics of pursuit eye movements and examines the function of the eye movement system. This paper analyzes the model parameters of the smooth pursuit eye movement system in order to explore a method for improving the analysis. The input-output relationship of the smooth pursuit system can be expressed by a quasilinear model. We compute the model parameters (gain, phase, spectral purity, cross covariance) by digital signal processing. Eye movement is recorded by electrooculogram. Both eyes are tested individually. The visual target moves at frequencies of 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 Hz. Ranges are gain, 1.01 to 0.70; phase, -0.1 ° to -66 °; spectral purity, 0.97 to 0.70; and cross covariance, 0.99 to 0.26. We tested 40 normal subjects as well as patients with ataxia (8), vertigo (18), and ophthalmoplegia (9). The oculomotor system of normal subjects functions as a linear system in the performance of this test at 0.2 to 0.8 Hz. The spectral purity dropped to about 0.70 at 1.6 Hz. The variability of all measures increases greatly at 1.6 Hz, which indicates that this target motion exceeds the tracking ability of many normal subjects and that the oculomotor system of normal subjects functions as a nonlinear system in this condition. Statistical tests show no significant differences between sex, age, and the two eyes. The model parameters tentatively proved effective in clinical application.     

Development of an animal model for neuroleptic malignant syndrome: heat-exposed rabbits with haloperidol and atropine administration exhibit increased muscle activity, hyperthermia, and high serum creatine phosphokinase level

The neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening complication of neuroleptic treatment. To elucidate the pathogenesis of NMS, an animal model has been developed. Experimental rabbits treated with haloperidol (1 mg/kg) by intramuscular injection, were studied for the diagnostic symptoms of increased muscle rigidity, elevated body temperature, and high serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level. Administration of haloperidol (1 mg/kg) and atropine (0.4 mg/kg), and exposure to high ambient temperature (35°C) induced a significant increase in electromyographic activity with muscle rigidity similar to that observed in patients with NMS. Such rabbits also showed elevated body temperature and serum CPK value. In addition to the similarity of the signs and symptoms, all parameters measured (muscle rigidity, body temperature, and serum CPK level) were normalized by dantrolene treatment. The effectiveness of dantrolene in the experimental animal partially confirms the validity of this animal model for NMS. This experimental animal model for NMS may be useful to elucidate the pathogenesis of NMS.     

Muscle growth and myosin isoform transitions during development of a small teleost fish, Poecilia reticulata (Peters) (Atheriniformes, Poeciliidae): a histochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and morphometric study

The myosin composition of lateral muscle in Poecilia reticulata from birth to adult was studied by ATPase histochemistry and immunostaining with myosin isoform-specific antibodies. At birth the muscle consists of two layers containing developmental isoforms of myosin. In deep layer fibres the developmental myosin is replaced by the adult fast-white isoform soon after birth. In the epaxial and hypaxial monolayer fibres the myosin composition present at birth (J1) is replaced within 3 days by another (J2). In some fibres, this J2 composition is retained in the adult, but in others it is slowly replaced by the adult slow-red muscle isoform. Close to the lateral line, all monolayer fibres are already in transition between the J2 myosin and the adult slow-red form at birth, and rapidly complete the transition to slow-red form. These fibres, together with others generated de novo in an underlying hyperplastic zone, form the red muscle layer of the adult. The pink muscle develops during the first month after birth, and by 31 days it consists of an outer, middle and inner layer. A few middle layer fibres are already present at birth, while the outer layer fibres first appear 3 days after birth. The thin inner layer is probably a transitional form between the middle pink and adult white types, and appears at about 31 days. A morphometric analysis showed that growth of the white muscle occurs principally by hypertrophy. Even at the magnification level of the electron microscope, no satellite cells or myoblasts which could give rise to new fibres were found in the white muscle, except in the far epaxial and hypaxial regions and only in the first 10 days. A zone of hyperplastic growth was also found lying just under the superficial monolayer close to the lateral line, and this presumably contributes fibres to the red and pink muscle layers.     

细胞内钙信号的变化调节血管平滑肌细胞增殖

目的探讨细胞内钙信号的变化对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)增殖作用的影响及其对细胞内信号转导机制的变化。方法以培养的大鼠VSMC为模型,用雷尼丁(RY)剌激VSMC内贮Ca2 释放入胞浆,用3H亮氨酸及3H胸腺嘧啶掺入量作为反应VSMC增殖的指标,加入不同的细胞内信号转导阻断剂,观察对RY效应的影响。结果与对照组相比,RY浓度依赖性地促进细胞内游离钙浓度的增高,差异显著(P<0.05或0.01)。RY剌激组蛋白核酸合成速率明显增高,与对照组相比差异显著(P<0.01);尼卡地平(Nicardipine),蛋白激酶C抑制剂(H7),钙调素激酶(CaMPK)抑制剂(W7)和丝裂素活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)抑制剂(PD98059)能明显抑制RY介导的VSMC蛋白核酸合成速率增高,与RY剌激组相比差异显著(P<0.01)。结论细胞内钙信号的变化明显促进VSMC增殖,但其效应可能通过Ca2 、PKC、MAPK来介导。钙离子拮抗剂可抑制血管平滑肌细胞增殖。     

慢性应激对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞的效应及与焦虑行为的关系

目的探讨慢性精神应激对血管平滑肌细胞的影响及与焦虑行为的关系。方法将38只SD大鼠按照随机数字表随机分为精神应激组(30只)和对照组(8只)。对应激组采用限制应激和饮水冲突应激,持续2个月;分别于应激前、应激后1,2个月用空场实验和高架十字迷宫实验观察大鼠焦虑水平,计算出中央格爬行次数、外周格爬行次数、开放臂进入次数及停留时间、闭合臂进入次数及停留时间。以免疫组化方法测定主动脉血管局部增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)表达,并用苏木素-伊红染色法观察主动脉结构变化。结果(1)与对照组比较,应激1个月后,应激组大鼠在开放臂的次数和时间、闭合臂的次数少(P<0·05),闭合臂的时间多(均P<0·01);应激2个月后,应激组大鼠在外周格爬行的个数和闭合臂时间多(P<0·01),开放臂时间少(P<0·01)。(2)应激组大鼠主动脉失去原有的正常结构,中层血管平滑肌细胞排列紊乱,数目增多。(3)应激组大鼠血管壁PCNA表达的阳性细胞数为(16485±10694)个/MM2,对照组大鼠为(4012±2256)个/MM2,T=4·359,P<0·01。(4)中度焦虑组大鼠PCNA表达与大鼠焦虑呈正相关(PEARSON相关系数为0·718,P=0·004)。结论大鼠中度焦虑时,其血管平滑肌细胞增殖率与焦虑情绪呈正相关。     

颅脑外伤后肢体痉挛状态的显微外科治疗

目的 探讨显微外科治疗颅脑外伤后肢体痉挛状态的疗效.方法 回顾分析2006年7月至2008年7月实施的21例显微外科治疗颅脑外伤后肢体痉挛状态,根据不同病例采用相应的选择性周围神经部分切断术,包括:胫神经、肌皮神经、正中神经、尺神经和腰骶段脊神经后根,共计50个肢体.结果 术后随访2～24个月,全部患者术后立即感相应肢体痉挛状态缓解,随访期间缓解率为98%(49/50).随访期间运动功能改善率为86%(18/21),生活质量提高率为95%(20/21).术后发生肢体麻木、疼痛等感觉异常26个(52%),肌力下降18个(36%),随访期间均见好转.术后痉挛状态复发1个(2%).结论 选择性周围神经部分切断术是治疗颅脑外伤后肢体痉挛状态安全有效的方法.选择适应证及手术时机和术后坚持康复训练是保证疗效的关键.     

葛根素对抗H2O2引起血管平滑肌细胞凋亡及坏死

目的：研究葛根素对过氧化氢引起无血清培养的小牛主动脉血管平滑肌细胞凋亡和坏死的影响。方法：通过体外细胞培养，以噻唑兰（MTT）法测定细胞存活率，用流式细胞术检测细胞DNA含量及凋亡细胞百分率；DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳法观察细胞凋亡过程中DNA断裂程度。结果：H2O2诱导无血清培养的平滑肌细胞凋亡，葛根素可显著降低平滑肌细胞中凋亡细胞百分率，并减少凋亡细胞DNA断裂，同时也减少其引起的平滑肌细胞坏死。结论：葛根素可对抗H2O2引起的无血清培养的血管平滑肌细胞凋凋亡及坏死。