Isometric relaxation of isolated diaphragm muscle: influence of load, length, time, and stimulation

Determinants of the isometric relaxation rate were investigated in isolated rat diaphragm (n = 30). We tested the hypothesis that these determinants could include loading conditions, namely preload and afterload; abrupt changes in load during the contraction phase; stimulation conditions; and time. Two relaxation sequences were studied. When isometric relaxation occurred at initial muscle length (isotonic-isometric sequence), an increase in total load (P) accelerated the negative peak rate of tension decline (-dP/dtmax). Variations in initial length, stimulation, and onset of relaxation did not modify the -dP/dtmax vs. afterload relationship. When isometric relaxation was analyzed after -dP/dtmax, for a given afterload level the instantaneous rate of tension decline (-dP/dt) was a unique function of instantaneous tension, regardless of previous loading conditions, stimulation mode, or time. When the isometric relaxation occurred at end-shortening muscle length (isometric-isotonic sequence), the -dP/dtmax vs. P relationship was flat. The rate of tension decay, as attested by either -dP/dtmax or instantaneous -dP/dt vs. instantaneous tension phase plane, differed markedly depending on stimulation conditions. Thus the regulation of isometric relaxation rate differed according to the relaxation sequence. In muscle isometrically relaxing at initial muscle length, peak isometric relaxation rate was mainly determined by afterload. Conversely, in muscle isometrically relaxing at end-shortening length, isometric relaxation rate was highly dependent on the level of activation and was independent of preload and afterload.