Reactive oxygen species contribute to diaphragm dysfunction in certain path
ophysiological conditions (i.e., sepsis and fatigue). However, the precise
alterations induced by reactive oxygen species or the specific species that
are responsible for the derangements in skeletal muscle function are incom
pletely understood. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the superoxid
e anion radical (O-2(-.)), hydroxyl radical (. OH), and hydrogen peroxide (
H2O2) on maximum calcium-activated force (F-max) and calcium sensitivity of
the contractile apparatus in chemically skinned (Triton X-100) single rat
diaphragm fibers. O-2(-.) was generated using the xanthine/xanthine oxidase
system; . OH was generated using 1 mM FeCl2, 1 mM ascorbate, and 1 mM H2O2
; and H2O2 was added directly to the bathing medium. Exposure to O-2(-.) or
. OH significantly decreased F-max by 14.5% (P < 0.05) and 43.9% (P < 0.00
5), respectively. . OH had no effect on Ca2+ sensitivity. Neither 10 nor 1,
000 muM H2O2 significantly altered F-max or Ca2+ sensitivity. We conclude t
hat the diaphragm is susceptible to alterations induced by a direct effect
of . OH and O-2(-.), but not H2O2, on the contractile proteins, which could
, in part, be responsible for prolonged depression in contractility associa
ted with respiratory muscle dysfunction in certain pathophysiological condi
tions.