Blood-flow and metabolic response in a contracting canine masticatory muscle

The mechanical and metabolic characteristics of the canine masseter muscle of seven adult dogs, aged 3 years, weighing 45-55 kg, were evaluated by electrically provoked contractions. The masseter muscle was exposed by careful surgery and stimulated by two silver electrodes placed in the anterior and posterior aspects of the muscle. The bite force was measured with a force transducer. Glycogen, glucose-contents together with lactate, pyruvate, creatine phosphate, NADH and NAD were analysed fluorimetrically. Intra-muscular oxygen tension was continuously recorded by a flexible silver electrode. Blood-flow was measured by the 133Xenon clearance technique. Biopsies were taken at rest and after stimulation. The registered bite force revealed an initial peak, representing maximal force production and thereafter a rapid decline in power output. During the following stimulation events the bite force curve showed decrease in amplitude concerning maximal force as well as duration of bite force production. The blood-flow and oxygen tension were significantly reduced at the end of stimulation. However, after recovery these parameters were normalised to initial values. The glycogen and glucose were depleted after stimulation. The lactate concentration increased about three to four times. The observed changes in NAD and NADH indicate a hypoxic situation in the muscle cells. The oxygen deficit in conjunction with the intramuscular blood-flow impairment and the metabolite variations reflect the energy and redox state in the muscle and may contribute to the decline in bite force production.