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Vascular and Skeletal Muscle Remodeling: Beyond Physical Inactivity
Author(s) -
Pedrinolla Anna,
Cavedon Valentina,
Milanese Chiara,
Barbi Chiara,
La Ginestra Fabio,
Giuriato Gaia,
Martig Camilla,
Venturelli Massimo
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.s1.r4715
Subject(s) - medicine , femoral artery , skeletal muscle , cardiology , arterial stiffness , blood flow , hemodynamics , anatomy , pulse wave velocity , artery , blood pressure
Vascular remodeling refers to the changes in the structure and function of vessels. This adaptability of the arteries is essential to successfully handle vascular distress and arterial disease. Both, skeletal muscle mass and the level of physical activity are independent mechanisms that plays a role in this physiological phenomenon. However, the direct impact of the skeletal muscle mass remodeling on the structure and function of the vessels is not clear. PURPOSE To determine the impact of skeletal muscle mass remodeling on lower limbs arterial diameter, blood flow and arterial stiffness. METHODS Nine young (33±13 yrs) physical active individuals with a single‐leg amputation (transtibial amputation) were recruited for the study. Vascular size (femoral artery diameter), hemodynamics (femoral artery blood flow) and arterial stiffness (carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity) were measure with an ultrasound doppler device at the level of the common femoral artery in both amputee (AL) and whole limbs (WL). Skeletal muscle mass of both limbs was measured with a DEXA system. Both AL and WL were equally utilized by the individuals for ambulation and recreational sports. RESULTS The skeletal muscle mass of the AL was significantly reduced in comparison to the WL (3.2±1.2 Kg Vs 9.4±2.1 Kg; P=0.0011). Also, the diameter of the femoral artery was significantly reduced in the AL 0.5±0.1 cm in comparison to the WL 0.9±0.2 (p=0.0012). However, femoral artery blood flow normalized for the muscle mass (mean difference 49.07 ml۰min ‐1 ۰kg ‐1 ; p = 0.11) and carotid‐femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (mean difference 0.91 cm۰s ‐1 ; p =0.21) were similar between the two legs. Interestingly, linear regression analysis shows a significant correlation between skeletal muscle mass and femoral artery diameter (p=0.0031). CONCLUSION The results of this study revealed that the massive skeletal muscle reduction caused by a transtibial amputation, but independent form the level of physical activity, is coupled by a dramatic arterial diameter decrease. Interestingly, local circulation and arterial stiffness seems not impacted by these structural changes.