Detrimental Effects of Short-term Glucocorticoid Use on the Rat Diaphragm

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of short-term, high doses of glucocorticoids on both body and diaphragm weights as well as contractile characteristics of the rat diaphragm. Subjects. Adult, female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups: a control group (n=16) and a prednisolone group (n=16). Methods. The prednisolone group received prednisolone at a dosage of 5 mg/kg, and the control group received sham saline injections for 5 days. Animals were weighed prior to and after completion of the drug injection period. At the completion of the drug injection period, the animals were sacrificed, and the diaphragm, soleus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles were removed and weighed. A small strip of the costal diaphragm was connected to a force transducer, and the following contractile characteristics were measured: maximal specific isometric tetanic tension, peak isometric twitch specific tension, one-half relaxation time, and time to peak tension. Results. Both body and diaphragm weights decreased by 15% in the prednisolone group as compared with the control group. Maximal specific isometric tetanic tension was reduced 13% in the prednisolone group as compared with the control group. There was no difference in any twitch contractile characteristics between the 2 groups. Conclusion and Discussion. These data support the hypothesis that glucocorticoid treatment over a 5-day period results in a decrease in specific tension as well as diaphragm and body weight. These results may have implications for the treatment of patients receiving high doses of glucocorticoids for acute medical conditions.