Effects of controlled mechanical ventilation on respiratory muscle contractile properties in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
We examined in rabbits the effects of more than 48 h of mechanical ventilation on the contractile properties and fiber type adaptations of the respiratory muscles.


METHODS
Experimental prospective study in a university laboratory.


METHODS
Nineteen rabbits were randomly allocated to two groups: control (n=10) or mechanically ventilated (MV; n=9) for 51+/-3 h.


RESULTS
Respiratory muscles contractile properties were analyzed before and after a fatigue protocol using in vivo isometric 1-s tetanic contraction characteristics in both muscles: peak tetanic force, contraction time, relaxation time, and total contraction time. Both muscle fiber type proportions, diameter, and cross-sectional areas were measured using ATPase staining. The MV rabbits showed significant weight loss in both muscles, accompanied by a reduced peak tetanic force (9.96+/-3.2 vs. 7.44+/-2.2 N for diaphragm of control and MV animals respectively), fatigue resistance index, and increased relaxation time (57.5+/-8.7 vs. 85.8+/-9.4 ms for diaphragm of control and MV animals) and contraction time. These impairments in the MV group worsened after the fatigue runs. Both muscle showed a significant atrophy of type IIa and IIb fibers but a stability in type I fibers cross-sectional area.


CONCLUSIONS
Mechanical ventilation in rabbits produces alterations in contractile properties of the diaphragm and 5th external intercostal muscle, increases both muscles fatigue, and promotes atrophy of type II fibers.
Capdevila
Xavier
X
Département d'Anesthésie Réanimation A, Hôpital Lapeyronie et UPRES EA 701, 371 Avenue du doyen G Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France. x-capdevila@chu-montpellier.fr
Lopez
Sandrine
S
Bernard
Nathalie
N
Rabischong
Emmanuel
E
Ramonatxo
Michèle
M
Martinazzo
Guilhem
G
Prefaut
Christian
C
D000818:Animals; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007366:Intercostal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric