title: Acute diaphragmatic changes induced by starvation in rats.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess in an in vivo rat model the effects of total starvation for 4 d on diaphragmatic strength and endurance. Twenty-four rats were divided equally into a control (CTL) group and a starved (ST) group. Diaphragmatic strength was assessed and endurance index was calculated. Starvation induced a parallel decrease in body weight and diaphragmatic weight amounting to 18% of the control group. Diaphragmatic contractility was impaired in the ST group. This reduction was associated with a significant reduction in transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) for all the frequencies of stimulation, except 20 Hz, in the ST animals as compared with the CTL animals; however, no significant difference in Pdi expressed per gram of diaphragmatic mass was observed. Endurance index was 0.63 +/- 0.01 1.4 +/- 0.02 in the ST and CTL animals (p less than 0.01), respectively. We conclude that a 4-d total fast produces a reduction in diaphragmatic weight, which is associated with a decreased diaphragmatic strength and reduced endurance capacity.
authors.affiliation: Clinique Pneumologique, INSERM U 226, Hôpital Beaujon, Paris, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dureuil
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Viires
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Veber
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pavlovic
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pariente
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Desmonts
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aubier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D013217:Starvation / Q000503:physiopathology*