Distinct Patterns of Fiber Type Adaptation in Rat Hindlimb Muscles 4 Weeks After Hemorrhagic Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate adaptations in soleus and tibialis anterior muscles in a rat model 4 wks after hemorrhagic stroke.
DESIGN: Young adult Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to two groups: stroke and control, with eight soleus and eight tibialis anterior muscles per group. Hemorrhagic stroke was induced in the right caudoputamen of the stroke rats. Control rats had no intervention. Neurologic status was evaluated in both groups before stroke and 4 wks after stroke. Muscles were harvested after poststroke neurologic testing. Muscle fiber types and cross-sectional areas were determined in soleus and tibialis anterior using immunohistochemical labeling for myosin heavy chain.
RESULTS: No generalized fiber atrophy was found in any of the muscles. Fiber types shifted from faster to slower in the tibialis anterior of the stroke group, but no fiber type shifts occurred in the soleus muscles of stroke animals.
CONCLUSIONS: Because slower myosin heavy chain fiber types are associated with weaker contractile force and slower contractile speed, this faster to slower fiber type shift in tibialis anterior muscles may contribute to weaker and slower muscle contraction in this muscle after stroke. This finding may indicate potential therapeutic benefit from treatments known to influence fiber type plasticity.