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Length Adaptation of the Passive-to-Active Tension Ratio in Rabbit Detrusor

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Abstract

The passive and active length–tension (L–T p and L–T a) relationships in airway, vascular, and detrusor smooth muscles can adapt with length changes and/or multiple contractions. The present objectives were to (1) determine whether short-term adaptation at one muscle length shifts the entire L–T a curve in detrusor smooth muscle (DSM), (2) compare adaptation at shorter versus longer lengths, and (3) determine the effect of adaptation on the T p/T a ratio. Results showed that multiple KCl-induced contractions on the descending limb of the original L–T a curve adapted DSM strips to that length and shifted the L–T a curve rightward. Peak T a at the new length was not different from the original peak T a, and the L–T p curve shifted rightward with the L–T a curve. Multiple contractions on the ascending limb increased both T a and T p. In contrast, multiple contractions on the descending limb increased T a but decreased T p. The T p/T a ratio on the original descending limb adapted from 0.540 ± 0.084 to 0.223 ± 0.033 (mean ± SE, n = 7), such that it was not different from the ratio of 0.208 ± 0.033 at the original peak T a length, suggesting a role of length adaptation may be to maintain a desirable T p/T a ratio as the bladder fills and voids over a broad DSM length range.

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Abbreviations

0-Ca:

Nominally Ca2+-free solution consisting of PSS without CaCl2

APS:

Adjustable passive stiffness

ASM:

Airway smooth muscle

DSM:

Detrusor smooth muscle

KPSS:

PSS modified to include 110 mM KCl substituted isosmotically for NaCl

L–T:

Length–tension

L–Ta:

Length–active tension

L o :

Optimal length for active tension generation

L–Tp:

Length–passive tension

PSS:

Physiological salt solution

T a :

Active tension

T o :

Peak, optimal T a

T p :

Passive tension

T t :

Total tension

VSM:

Vascular smooth muscle

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the expert technical assistance of Amy S. Miner and the support and guidance of Dr. Harry P. Koo. This study was supported by a grant from the Edwin Beer Research Program in Urology and Urology Related Fields from the New York Academy of Medicine (to J.E.S.). Some bladders used for these studies were from rabbits used for vascular smooth muscles studies supported by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Grant No. R01-HL61320 (to P.H.R.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 West Main Street, P.O. Box 843015, Richmond, VA, 23284-3015, USA

    Atheer M. Almasri & John E. Speich

  2. Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA

    Paul H. Ratz

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  1. Atheer M. Almasri
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  2. Paul H. Ratz
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Correspondence to John E. Speich.

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Associate Editor Kent Leach oversaw the review of this article.

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Almasri, A.M., Ratz, P.H. & Speich, J.E. Length Adaptation of the Passive-to-Active Tension Ratio in Rabbit Detrusor. Ann Biomed Eng 38, 2594–2605 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-010-0021-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-010-0021-7

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