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A comparative study of the effect of hindlimb unloading (HLS) on male and female Sprague Dawley rats
Author(s) -
Chowdhury Parimal,
Long Ashley,
Harris Gabriella,
Soulsby Michael E.,
Dobretsov Maxim
Publication year - 2013
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.27.1_supplement.940.6
Subject(s) - hindlimb , soleus muscle , muscle atrophy , endocrinology , medicine , body weight , hyperalgesia , atrophy , chemistry , biology , zoology , nociception , skeletal muscle , receptor
The aim of this study is to test the gender‐specific effects in a hind‐limb suspended rat model of microgravity. Methods Adult male and female rats were suspended using tail and pelvic suspension techniques for two weeks. A control non‐suspended groups of male and female rats were also used. Body weights, food and water consumption, soleus muscle weights and hind limb pressure‐pain thresholds (PPT) were measured. Results For a given gender, none of measured characteristics differed between tail‐ and pelvic suspended rats. Therefore the results with different suspension techniques were pooled together for further analysis. Food and water intakes were not different between genders and between control and suspended groups. Compared to control males, control female rats had the same PPT value, but weighted less, had lower soleus muscle mass and gained weight slower. HLS nearly canceled the weight gain and resulted in the development of pressure hyperalgesia in both gender groups. However, HLS‐associated soleus muscle atrophy was detected in male rats only. Furthermore, in a sub‐group of experiments in which both PPT and plasma insulin were measured, HLS was found to decrease insulin concentrations and affect pain thresholds in male rats only. Conclusions Overall HLS appear to influence growth, postural muscles and deep pressure sensitivity of males and it is stronger and consistent than those of female rats