Chronic exposure to a 60-Hz electric field: effects on neuromuscular function in the rat
Neuromuscular function in adult male rats was studied following 30 days of exposure to a 60-Hz electric field at 100 kV/m (unperturbed field strength). Isometric force transducters were attached to the tendons of the plantaris (predominantly fast twitch), and soleus (predominantly slow twitch) muscles in the urethan-anesthetized rat. Square-wave stimuli were delivered to the distal stump of the transected sciatic nerve. Several measurements were used to characterize neuromuscular function, including twitch characteristics, chronaxie, tetanic and posttetanic potentiation, and fatigue and recovery. The results from three independent series of experiments are reported. Only recovery from fatigue in slow-twitch muscles was consistently and significantly affected (enhanced) by electric-field exposure. This effect does not appear to be mediated by field-induced changes in either neuromuscular transmission, or in the contractile mechanism itself. It is suggested that the effect may be mediated secondary to an effect on mechanisms regulating muscle blood flow or metabolism.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 5399876
- Journal Information:
- Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States), Vol. 2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Gated /sup 31/P NMR study of tetanic contraction in rat muscle depleted of phosphocreatine
Contribution of direct actions of the oxime HI-6 in reversing soman-induced muscle weakness in the rat diaphragm
Related Subjects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
MUSCLES
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
BLOOD FLOW
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
METABOLISM
RATS
ANIMALS
FUNCTIONS
MAMMALS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
551000 - Physiological Systems