title: Age-related change in skeletal muscle blood flow in the rat.
abstract: Anesthetized adult and senescent male Fischer 344 rats were instrumented for stimulation of in situ plantar flexor muscles and blood flow measurement by the tracer microsphere technique. After determination of optimum length and maximum tetanic force, muscles were stimulated to contract at the rate of 120 tetani/min. Senescent rats displayed significantly lower muscle blood flow and greater muscle fatigue than younger rats. Infusion of a nonspecific vasodilator in resting anesthetized rats also revealed a significantly lower potential to increase muscle blood flow in the senescent rats. Lower muscle blood flow of senescent rats during muscle contractions might be responsible, at least in part, for decreased performance of muscles of senescent male rats.
authors: Department of Physiology, Temple University School of Medicine.
authors: G L
authors: GL
authors: Irion
authors: U S
authors: US
authors: Vasthare
authors: R F
authors: RF
authors: Tuma
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D003981:Diazoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation; D005082:Physical Exertion; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003981:Diazoxide