Effects of manipulating tetanic calcium on the curvature of the force-velocity relationship in isolated rat soleus muscles.

AIM

In dynamically contracting muscles, increased curvature of the force-velocity relationship contributes to the loss of power during fatigue. It has been proposed that fatigue-induced reduction in [Ca ] causes this increased curvature. However, earlier studies on single fibres have been conducted at low temperatures. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that curvature is increased by reductions in tetanic [Ca ] in isolated skeletal muscle at near-physiological temperatures.

METHODS

Rat soleus muscles were stimulated at 60 Hz in standard Krebs-Ringer buffer, and contraction force and velocity were measured. Tetanic [Ca ] was in some experiments either lowered by addition of 10 μmol/L dantrolene or use of submaximal stimulation (30 Hz) or increased by addition of 2 mmol/L caffeine. Force-velocity curves were constructed by fitting shortening velocity at different loading forces to the Hill equation. Curvature was determined as the ratio a/F with increased curvature reflecting decreased a/F .

RESULTS

Compared to control levels, lowering tetanic [Ca ] with dantrolene or reduced stimulation frequency decreased the curvature slightly as judged from increase in a/F of 13 ± 1% (P = < .001) and 20 ± 2% (P = < .001) respectively. In contrast, increasing tetanic [Ca ] with caffeine increased the curvature (a/F decreased by 17 ± 1%; P = < .001).

CONCLUSION

Contrary to our hypothesis, interventions that reduced tetanic [Ca ] caused a decrease in curvature, while increasing tetanic [Ca ] increased the curvature. These results reject a simple causal relation between [Ca ] and curvature of the force-velocity relation during fatigue.