Intracellular pH regulation in isolated fast-twitch skeletal muscle from dystrophin-deficient mouse

Neuromuscul Disord. 2002 Jun;12(5):447-56. doi: 10.1016/s0960-8966(01)00304-2.

Abstract

In muscles from anaesthetized dystrophin-deficient mdx mice, exercise results in a stronger acidification and a slower intracellular pH recovery compared to control mice. We examined whether this observation could be attributed to defective H+-carriers in dystrophin-lacking muscles. Immunohistochemistry and Western blots revealed no defect in mdx muscles for the presence of the lactate-/H+co-transporter MCT4 and of the Na+/H+ antiporter NHE1, the main H+-carriers active in fast-twitch skeletal muscle after exercise. Functional tests of the H+-transporters, on isolated muscles submitted to identical flow of superfusion, were performed in conditions meant to lower intracellular pH: repetitive electrical stimulation or NH4Cl pre-pulse. These revealed no defect in intracellular pH recovery in mdx muscles. Therefore, we conclude that impaired intracellular pH regulation in anaesthetized mdx mice is not attributable to a reduced presence or activity of H+-extruders. We propose that CO2 washout might be slowed down in vivo in mdx muscles because of the defective vascular response in contracting muscles from these mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dystrophin / deficiency*
  • Hydrogen / metabolism*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Intracellular Membranes / metabolism*
  • Metabolism, Inborn Errors / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred mdx
  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters / metabolism
  • Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch / metabolism*
  • Muscle Proteins*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / metabolism

Substances

  • Dystrophin
  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Slc16a4 protein, mouse
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers
  • Hydrogen