Effect of disuse on the ultrastructure of the achilles tendon in rats

Yoshinao Nakagawa, Manabu Totsuka, Tomoaki Sato, Yoshiro Fukuda, Koichi Hirota

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We examined the influence exerted, through disuse of the hindlimb, on the collagen fibres of the achilles tendon in rats. With disuse the body mass decreased by 28%, and the mass of soleus muscle decreased by 20%. A decrease in the surface area and diameter was observed in the experimental group when compared to the control group. A histogram of the collagen fibres showed a decrease of the thick fibres in the experimental group. The maximum surface area of collagen fibres in the experimental group was seen to be only 43% of that of the control group. These results showed a decrease in the thickness of the collagen fibres of the achilles tendon through disuse. This seemed to suggest that resistance to tension is decreased by disuse.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)239-242
Number of pages4
JournalEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology
Volume59
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10-1989
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physiology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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