Stimulus-response relationships for isotonic shortening and isometric tension generation in rabbit trachealis

Nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthma is characterized by increased maximal airway narrowing (reactivity) and increased sensitivity of the airways. A decreased load on airway smooth muscle (ASM) has been suggested as a mechanism of increased reactivity. We hypothesized that decreased ASM load can also cause a leftward shift in the dose-response curve and explain increased sensitivity. We tested this hypothesis using rabbit tracheal smooth muscle strips in vitro by measuring isotonic shortening and isometric force during electrical field stimulation (1-100 Hz) at the length at which maximal active tension developed (Lmax), 90% Lmax, and 110% Lmax The frequency-response relationships expressed as frequency vs. percent maximal shortening or tension were not different at Lmax or 110% Lmax, but at 90% Lmax the frequency vs. shortening relationship was significantly shifted leftward relative to the frequency vs. tension relationship (P < 0.05). The electrical field stimulation frequencies that produced 50% maximal response for isometric tension and for isotonic shortening, respectively, were 6.7 +/- 1.9 and 3.9 +/- 0.7 Hz at 90% Lmax, 9.2 +/- 2.1 and 7.5 +/- 1.9 Hz at 100% Lmax, and 2.8 +/- 1.0 and 1.2 +/- 0.5 Hz at 110% Lmax. We conclude that, at lengths below Lmax, isotonic shortening is facilitated compared with isometric tension and therefore decreased ASM load in vivo may result in increased sensitivity.