Force, relaxation and energy metabolism of rat soleus muscle during anaerobic contraction

Abstract

Isolated soleus muscle of rat was stimulated electrically (2 Hz) for 7 min under anaerobic conditions. Isometric twitch tension decreased progressively and was 30% of the initial value at the end of stimulation. The decline in relative force was similar to that previously observed in fast twitch muscle and soleus can thus not be termed fatigue-resistant under anaerobic conditions. Phosphocreatine (PCr) decreased from (mean +/- SD) 61.1 +/- 4.4 at rest to 4.0 +/- 1.8 mmol kg-1 dry muscle (d.m.) after 7 min of stimulation, while lactate increased from 3.7 +/- 1.6 to 30 +/- 8 mmol kg-1 d.m. Energy was thus derived from complete utilization of PCr and a low rate of glycolysis resulting in an almost unchanged calculated intracellular pH. It is concluded that tension decline in soleus muscle is not due to decreased intracellular pH but is more related to the capacity to regenerate ATP at a sufficient rate. Contraction and relaxation time of the twitch remained practically constant during the stimulation period. In contrast prolonged activation of fast-twitch muscle results in a slowing of the relaxation of the twitch (Sahlin et al. 1981) and it has been suggested that this is caused by the decrease of intracellular pH. The constancy of both relaxation time and calculated pH in the fatigued soleus muscle is consistent with the hypothesis that there is a connection between these two parameters. In contrast to the twitch, relaxation of tension after a tetanus was prolonged in soleus. Hence, it appears that the rate limiting step for relaxation is different for a twitch than for a tetanus in soleus.