title: Hydrodynamic properties of water in contractile system.
abstract: When muscle fragments are compressed, intracellular water leaks out. Unexpectedly, y-intercepts of regression lines in resting and active states become negative, implying "negative compression". It seems that in resting state there is a kind of mechanical equilibrium between proteins and water. This protein-water complex in muscle behaves like a synthesized elastomer under moderate extension, (less than 10%). Employing the data presented by Richie & Wilkie (1958), validity of elastomer model is examined. Compression study also shows that in active state a frictional drag of intracellular water decreases markedly. It leads to the assumption that the negative mechanical resistance may play a role in regenerative activation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ogata
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water