Age affects myosin relaxation states in skeletal muscle fibers of female but not male mice.

The recent discovery that myosin has two distinct states in relaxed muscle-disordered relaxed (DRX) and super-relaxed (SRX)-provides another factor to consider in our fundamental understanding of the aging mechanism in skeletal muscle, since myosin is thought to be a potential contributor to dynapenia (age-associated loss of muscle strength independent of atrophy). The primary goal of this study was to determine the effects of age on DRX and SRX states and to examine their sex specificity. We have used quantitative fluorescence microscopy of the fluorescent nucleotide analog 2'/3'-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl) ATP (mantATP) to measure single-nucleotide turnover kinetics of myosin in skinned skeletal muscle fibers under relaxing conditions.

Voluntary Running Aids to Maintain High Body Temperature in Rats Bred for High Aerobic Capacity.

The production of heat, i.e., thermogenesis, is a significant component of the metabolic rate, which in turn affects weight gain and health.