Journal of Applied Physiology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J Appl Physiol 73: 59-64, 1992;
8750-7587/92 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Tidball, J. G.
Right arrow Articles by Quan, D. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Tidball, J. G.
Right arrow Articles by Quan, D. M.

Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 73, Issue 1 59-64, Copyright © 1992 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Reduction in myotendinous junction surface area of rats subjected to 4-day spaceflight

J. G. Tidball and D. M. Quan
Department of Physiological Science, University of California, Los Angeles 90024-1527.

The surface area of myotendinous junctions (MTJs), expressed relative to the cross-sectional area of myofibrils attached to them, was determined using established morphometric techniques in which the digitlike processes of the cell at MTJs are modeled as circular paraboloids. The relative area, called the folding factor, was measured for six rats after a 4-day spaceflight and six control rats maintained in a vivarium under otherwise identical conditions. Spaceflight resulted in a significant reduction in relative MTJ surface area, from 19.7 +/- 2.3 (SD) in control animals to 13.3 +/- 2.5 for animals after spaceflight. Furthermore, space animals displayed increased numbers of fibroblasts enriched in rough endoplasmic reticulum near the MTJ, a greater number of ribosomes and mitochondria within muscle at the MTJ, and increased occurrence of lesions in the connective tissue near the MTJ. The results indicate that spaceflight, possibly through the removal of gravity-associated loading from muscle, causes a modification in MTJ structure and may result in injuries at MTJs after return to normal loading.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 ptjournalHome page
T. E Davenport, K. Kulig, Y. Matharu, and C. E Blanco
The EdUReP Model for Nonsurgical Management of Tendinopathy
Physical Therapy, October 1, 2005; 85(10): 1093 - 1103.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ptjournalHome page
P. G De Deyne
Application of Passive Stretch and Its Implications for Muscle Fibers
Physical Therapy, February 1, 2001; 81(2): 819 - 827.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Biol. Chem.Home page
J. G. Tidball, M. J. Spencer, M. Wehling, and E. Lavergne
Nitric-oxide Synthase Is a Mechanical Signal Transducer That Modulates Talin and Vinculin Expression
J. Biol. Chem., November 12, 1999; 274(46): 33155 - 33160.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online