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Eccentric contractions affect muscle membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition in rats
J W Helge1, K J Therkildsen, T B Jørgensen
1Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, Department of Human Physiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. jhelge@cmrc.dk
Experimental Physiology
|September 26, 2001
Summary
Eccentric contractions alter muscle membrane phospholipid fatty acids in rats. Dietary fish oil or vitamin C supplements did not prevent these changes following exercise-induced muscle damage.
Area of Science:
- Muscle Physiology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Eccentric contractions induce mechanical strain and muscle damage.
- Muscle membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition is crucial for muscle function.
- Dietary interventions may influence muscle adaptation to exercise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of eccentric contractions on muscle membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition in rats.
- To determine if fish oil or vitamin C supplementation can attenuate these changes.
Main Methods:
- Rats were fed diets with fish oil, vitamin C, or no supplement for 3 weeks.
- Eccentric contractions were induced electrically in the calf muscles of anesthetized rats.
- Fatty acid composition of muscle membrane phospholipids and triacylglycerols was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Eccentric contractions significantly increased the proportion of arachidonic acid (C20:4,n-6) and docosapentanoic acid (C22:5,n-3) in muscle membrane phospholipids.
- Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids were higher in eccentrically contracted muscles compared to control muscles.
- No significant differences in fatty acid composition were observed in muscle triacylglycerols or between dietary groups.
Conclusions:
- A single bout of severe eccentric contractions alters muscle membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition.
- Neither fish oil nor vitamin C supplementation attenuated the observed changes in fatty acid composition.