Superoxide, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide effects on single-diaphragm fiber contractile apparatus.

Reactive oxygen species contribute to diaphragm dysfunction in certain pathophysiological conditions (i.e., sepsis and fatigue). However, the precise alterations induced by reactive oxygen species or the specific species that are responsible for the derangements in skeletal muscle function are incompletely understood. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the superoxide anion radical (O(2)(-).), hydroxyl radical (.OH), and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) on maximum calcium-activated force (F(max)) and calcium sensitivity of the contractile apparatus in chemically skinned (Triton X-100) single rat diaphragm fibers. O(2)(-). was generated using the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system;.OH was generated using 1 mM FeCl(2), 1 mM ascorbate, and 1 mM H(2)O(2); and H(2)O(2) was added directly to the bathing medium. Exposure to O(2)(-). or.OH significantly decreased F(max) by 14.5% (P < 0.05) and 43.9% (P < 0. 005), respectively.OH had no effect on Ca(2+) sensitivity. Neither 10 nor 1,000 microM H(2)O(2) significantly altered F(max) or Ca(2+) sensitivity. We conclude that the diaphragm is susceptible to alterations induced by a direct effect of.OH and O(2)(-)., but not H(2)O(2), on the contractile proteins, which could, in part, be responsible for prolonged depression in contractility associated with respiratory muscle dysfunction in certain pathophysiological conditions.