Bin Tang1, Xiao-li Fan, Su-di Wu. 1. Department of Physiology, Medical School of Xi'an Jiatong University, Xi'an. tang6876@yahoo.com.cn
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study changes in electrophysiological characteristics of muscle spindles induced by simulated weightlessness in isolated rats soleus. METHOD: Weightlessness was simulated by tail-suspension in female rats. Using electro-physiological technique, the spontaneous discharge of muscle spindle and its response to ramp-and-hold stretch were observed in isolated soleus of 7 d, 14 d tail-suspended and control rats. RESULT: Soleus muscle spindles of rat manifest a sharp decrease in spontaneous discharge frequency and the response to ramp-and-hold stretch after 7 d tail-suspension. More significant changes were observed in rats after 14 d tail-suspension. CONCLUSION: Simulated weightlessness could induce time-related changes in electrophysiological characteristics of soleus muscle spindles in rat.
OBJECTIVE: To study changes in electrophysiological characteristics of muscle spindles induced by simulated weightlessness in isolated rats soleus. METHOD: Weightlessness was simulated by tail-suspension in female rats. Using electro-physiological technique, the spontaneous discharge of muscle spindle and its response to ramp-and-hold stretch were observed in isolated soleus of 7 d, 14 d tail-suspended and control rats. RESULT: Soleus muscle spindles of rat manifest a sharp decrease in spontaneous discharge frequency and the response to ramp-and-hold stretch after 7 d tail-suspension. More significant changes were observed in rats after 14 d tail-suspension. CONCLUSION: Simulated weightlessness could induce time-related changes in electrophysiological characteristics of soleus muscle spindles in rat.