Characteristics of Muscle Fibers in Rats with Limb Movements during Sleep after Spinal Cord Injury

Autor(es)

Esteves, Andrea M. ^[1] ; Squarcini, Camila F. R. ^[1] ; Lancellotti, Carmen L. P. ^[2] ; Tufik, Sergio ^[1] ; de Mello, Marco T. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, BR-04020050 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Fac Ciencias Med Santa Casa Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: EUROPEAN NEUROLOGY; v. 67, n. 2, p. 107-115, 2012.
• Citações Web of Science: 1

Resumo

Background/Aims: Previous studies have demonstrated that spinal cord injury (SCI) results in changes in sleep patterns through increased arousals and limb movements during sleep. Dramatic changes in muscle myosin heavy-chain isoforms have also been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of muscle fibers after SCI in rats with limb movements during sleep. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: SHAM, SCI 3, 7 and 15 days. Animals were subjected to electrode insertion surgery, 24-hour baseline sleep recording, SCI, and subsequent sleep recording for 3, 7, or 15 consecutive days. In addition, the gastrocnemius muscle and spinal cord were collected for histopathological/histochemical analyses. Results: Our results indicate a rapid and progressive decrease in the cross-sectional area of type I fibers in the gastrocnemius muscle (35.76-24.74 mu m(2)) after SCI. Additionally, we found SCI-induced changes in sleep patterns. Following SCI, we also observed limb movements in sleeping rats, as well as significant negative moderate correlations between type I fibers and limb movement. Conclusion: Our study strengthened the hypothesis by correlation between changes in types of muscle fiber (decline in type I fibers) and an increase in limb movements during sleep after SCI. Copyright (c) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 03/06297-3 - Avaliacao dos efeitos do exercicio fisico aerobio nos movimentos periodicos de pernas.
• Beneficiário: Andrea Maculano Esteves
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado