Remobilization through stretching improves gait recovery in the rat

Author(s)

Cacao-Benedini, Leticia Oliveira ^[1] ; Ribeiro, Paula Guilherme ^[1] ; Silveira Gomes, Anna Raquel ^{[2, 3, 4]} ; Ywazaki, Julye Leiko ^{[2, 3, 4]} ; Monte-Raso, Vanessa Vilela ^[1] ; Prado, Cibele Maria ^[5] ; Mattiello-Sverzut, Ana Claudia ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Sch Med, Dept Biomech Med & Rehabil Locomotor Apparatus, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Parana, Dept Physiotherapy, BR-80060000 Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Parana, Masters Program Phys Educ, BR-80060000 Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Parana, Doctorate Program Phys Educ, BR-80060000 Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Sch Med, Dept Pathol, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ACTA HISTOCHEMICA; v. 115, n. 5, p. 460-469, 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Remobilization of a previously immobilized rat right hindlimb in the ankle plantar-flexion-shortened position by free movement alone or associated with intermittent passive stretching was assessed by analysis of gait variables and dorsiflexion range of motion. The variables were related with the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and the addition of serial sarcomeres. Sixty-four female Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups: immobilized, free for 10 days, immobilized/stretched/free for 1, 3 or 10 days, immobilized/free for 1,3 or 10 days. Gait variables, range of motion, serial sarcomeres number, localization and staining intensity of fibronectin, and expressions of types I and III collagen were analyzed. The hypokinesia changed the functional variables of gait, reduced the dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), increased the number of fibers with intracellular fibronectin/total number of fibers (FIF/TNF), and decreased the expression of the type I collagen. After three days, morphological changes were exacerbated and the number of serial sarcomeres was increased in both groups, immobilized/stretched/free and immobilized/free. Functional impairment, ROM restriction and increased FIF/TNF were also observed. Despite the above described alterations, 10 days of stretching program increased the effectiveness of remobilization leading to recovery of the abnormalities observed in the muscle. (C) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/53342-0 - Study of costameric proteins in soieus muscle longitudinal sections of female rats immobilized and rehabilitated by intermittent passive manual stretching
• Grantee: Ana Cláudia Mattiello-Sverzut
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants