Sustained peripheral arterial insufficiency durably impairs normal and regenerating skeletal muscle function

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Vascular Biology
• Skeletal Muscle Research

Background:

• Peripheral vascular occlusive diseases are common in humans.
• Animal models are crucial for studying these conditions.
• The impact of sustained lower limb ischemia on mouse skeletal muscles, both normal and regenerating, is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of prolonged unilateral hindlimb ischemia on normal and regenerating skeletal muscles in a mouse model.
• To analyze the in situ contractile properties and histological parameters of ischemic muscles.

Main Methods:

• Prolonged unilateral hindlimb ischemia was induced via femoral artery ligation in mice.
• Normal (myotoxic-untreated) and regenerating (myotoxic-treated) ischemic muscles were analyzed.
• In situ contractile properties and histological parameters were assessed.

Main Results:

• Femoral artery ligation reduced hindlimb perfusion, muscle structure, and function in normal muscles.
• Maximal tetanic force decreased by approximately 70% seven days post-ligation.
• Muscle weights and fiber cross-section areas remained reduced at 56 days.
• In regenerating muscles, ligation impaired recovery of weight and force but increased fatigue resistance at 56 days.

Conclusions:

• Sustained peripheral arterial insufficiency in mice has both acute and long-term detrimental effects on skeletal muscles.
• Both normal and regenerating muscles are negatively impacted by prolonged ischemia.
• Findings highlight the significant consequences of peripheral arterial insufficiency on muscle health and function.