Biomechanical characteristics of unconditioned and conditioned latissimus dorsi muscles used for cardiocirculatory assistance.

An understanding of the biomechanical characteristics of striated skeletal muscles involved in cardiocirculatory assistance is a prerequisite to assess their efficacy and to evaluate their haemodynamic benefits. Six goats had their latissimus dorsi muscles evaluated by isometric strain gauge testing. Total tension, and both active and passive force development at different preloads were measured.

Progressive latissimus dorsi muscle denervation for free-flap dynamic cardiomyoplasty.

Background: The creation of free muscle grafts for surgical myoplasty is limited by the dependence of muscle on its original nerve supply. The aim of this study was to develop a model of gradual denervation of a large skeletal muscle (latissimus dorsi) and evaluate the possibility that atrophic degeneration and loss of function would be reduced using progressive nerve compression instead of surgical division of the nerve. The effects of chronic stimulation prior to, and after, denervation were also evaluated.

Type II to type I transformation of chronically stimulated goat latissimus dorsi muscle: a histoenzymological, biochemical, bioenergetic, and functional study.

Five goat latissimus dorsi muscles (LDM) were submitted to a progressive chronic electrostimulation program to reach an integrated understanding of the fast-to-slow transformation process in large mammals. LDM were regularly sampled and followed during a period of 8 months. Each sample was simultaneously assessed for histoenzymological study, myosin and LDH isoforms and bioenergetic capacities [NADH dehydrogenase cytochrome c oxidoreductase (NADH Cyt c OR), succinate dehydrogenase cytochrome c oxidoreductase (Succ Cyt c OR), cytochrome c oxidase (Cyt c Ox) and LDH].