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Tendon Adaptation to Different Long Term Stresses and Collagen Reticulation in Soleus Muscle

1985; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 13; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3109/03008208509152405

1607-8438

Odile Blanchard, L Cohen-Solal, Catherine Tardieu, Jean‐Claude Allain, C Tabary, Mady Le Lous,

Cellular Mechanics and Interactions

Leg immobilization with or without soleus muscle denervation was studied in young rabbits. Muscle and tendon were maintained in extension, i.e., in the most lengthened position. Length measurements performed on sarcomeres, muscle fibers and tendon-plus-muscle complexes suggest the following progression in tendon growth rates: normal < denervated-extended < innervated-extended. Collagen reticulation was studied as a function of fiber location along these tendons by measuring hydrothermal isometric tension (HIT). Large variations were observed depending on fiber location, and significant modifications were induced by immobilization in extension. The results are discussed in relation to stress as a possible factor controlling collagen maturation in connective tissues.