TABLE 3.
Contractile parameters of whole soleus musclea
| Parameter | Car3+/+ | Car3−/− | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of muscles studied | 8 | 7 | |
| Area (cm2) | 0.005 ± 0.001 | 0.005 ± 0.001 | Not significant |
| Weight (mg) | 7.1 ± 1.0 | 7.1 ± 1.5 | Not significant |
| Twitch tension (N/cm2) | 2.7 ± 0.6 | 2.2 ± 0.5 | Not significant |
| Time to peak (ms) | 40.5 ± 5.0 | 37.1 ± 3.4 | Not significant |
| Half-relaxation time (ms) | 50 ± 9 | 40 ± 3 | P < 0.05 |
| Tetanic tension (N/cm2) | 18.2 ± 2.0 | 14.5 ± 2.7 | P < 0.05 |
| Half-relaxation time (ms) | 97 ± 12 | 78 ± 8 | P < 0.05 |
| Twitch tension/tetanic tension ratio | 0.15 ± 0.03 | 0.15 ± 0.01 | Not significant |
a
Results are given as the means ± standard deviations. Probability was calculated with the unpaired t test. The animals were 26 ± 10 weeks of age. Muscles were immersed in Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate solution equilibrated with 95% O2-5% CO2 at 25°C.