Increased desmin expression in hindlimb muscles of aging rats

Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle

Russ David W.¹ 

[1] Laboratory for Integrative Muscle Biology, Division of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH

关键词: Sarcopenia;    Cytoskeleton;    Synemin;    Dynapenia;   

DOI  :  10.1007/s13539-011-0033-7

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Background

Aging skeletal muscle frequently exhibits a reduction in force produced per unit muscle tissue, variously termed muscle quality, specific tension or dynapenia. Muscles from animals in which desmin expression is reduced exhibit similar properties, raising the possibility that reduced desmin expression contributes to impaired force production in aging muscles.

Methods

We examined expression of desmin and synemin, both intermediate filament proteins, in the plantarflexor muscles of adult (6–8 months) and older (24 months) rats. We have previously reported age-related reductions in muscle quality and sarcoplasmic reticulum function in these animals.

Results

Significant effects of age and muscle were found for the expression of desmin (P = 0.040 and <0.001 respectively), but not synemin. Desmin expression was increased in the aging muscles, with the greatest changes observed in the gastrocnemius muscles. Muscle quality, but not muscle mass, was reduced in the aging plantarflexor muscles.

Conclusions

Loss of desmin does not account for reduced force production in aging muscles. The potential effects of the age-related increase in desmin on muscle function remain unclear, but may include dissipation of contractile force.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC   
© 2011 The Authors. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the Society on Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.