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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Physiol / Estimation of the carnosine content of different fibre types...
The Journal of physiology1992; 455; 447-453; doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1992.sp019310

Estimation of the carnosine content of different fibre types in the middle gluteal muscle of the thoroughbred horse.

Abstract: 1. Skeletal muscle samples were obtained by needle biopsy from one of two depths of the m. gluteus medius in a group of twenty race-trained thoroughbred horses. 2. The content of carnosine was determined in each muscle sample, part of which was used for histochemical analysis. Fibres were classified as type I, type IIA or type IIB on the basis of the pH dependent lability of the myosin ATPase reaction. 3. Muscle samples with a higher type II fibre section area (FSA) have a higher carnosine content than those with a higher type I FSA. 4. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to estimate the mean carnosine content of individual fibre types. The results estimated a mean carnosine content in type I fibres of 54 mmol (kg dry muscle (DM))-1, in type IIA fibres 85 mmol (kg DM)-1 and in type IIB fibres 180 mmol (kg DM)-1. 5. Based on the estimated values of single fibre carnosine content, there was close concordance between the estimated and the measured carnosine content of mixed fibre samples. 6. It would appear from this and other studies that carnosine has an important role as a physico-chemical buffer in equine middle gluteal muscle and that this is greatest in type IIB fibres, where it may account for up to 50% of physico-chemical buffering of H+ produced by muscle in the pH range 7.1-6.5.
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Publication Date: 1992-09-01 PubMed ID: 1484359PubMed Central: PMC1175653DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.1992.sp019310Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The researchers studied the amount of carnosine in different muscle fiber types in race-trained thoroughbred horses, finding that type II fibers have higher carnosine content than type I fibers. They also confirmed that carnosine plays a significant role in the chemical buffering in these muscles, especially type IIB fibers.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers took skeletal muscle samples from twenty thoroughbred horses trained for racing. The samples were obtained using a needle biopsy, from one of two different depths of the middle gluteal muscle (m. gluteus medius).
  • Each muscle sample was analyzed to determine its carnosine content and a part of it was used for histochemical analysis. Carnosine is an amino acid compound that is found in muscles and plays an important role in muscle performance.
  • The muscle fibers were classified into three types: type I, type IIA, and type IIB. This classification was made based upon the lability of the myosin ATPase reaction which is pH dependent. Myosin ATPase is an enzyme involved in muscle contraction.

Results and Findings

  • They discovered that muscle samples that had a higher proportion of type II fibers (area section) contained more carnosine compared to the samples with a higher proportion of type I fibers.
  • Using a method called multiple linear regression analysis, the researchers estimated the average carnosine content of individual fiber types. They computed a mean carnosine content of 54 mmol per kg of dry muscle in type I fibers, 85 mmol in type IIA fibers, and 180 mmol in type IIB fibers.
  • The estimated values of single fiber carnosine content were closely aligned with the measured carnosine content of mixed fiber samples, providing further evidence of the accuracy of their results.

Conclusions and Implications

  • These results and those from other studies suggest that carnosine serves an important role as a physico-chemical buffer in the middle gluteal muscle of horses. This buffering is most significant in type IIB fibers, where carnosine could account for up to 50% of the buffering of hydrogen ions (H+) produced by muscle in a pH range of 7.1-6.5.
  • This knowledge could be potentially useful for trainers and veterinarians in optimizing the performance and health of racehorses, by focusing on dietary or exercise regimes that optimize carnosine levels, particularly in type IIB muscle fibers.

Cite This Article

APA
Sewell DA, Harris RC, Marlin DJ, Dunnett M. (1992). Estimation of the carnosine content of different fibre types in the middle gluteal muscle of the thoroughbred horse. J Physiol, 455, 447-453. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1992.sp019310

Publication

The Journal of physiology
ISSN: 0022-3751
NlmUniqueID: 0266262
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 455
Pages: 447-453

Researcher Affiliations

Sewell, D A
  • Department of Physiology, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk.
Harris, R C
    Marlin, D J
      Dunnett, M

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Carnosine / analysis
        • Histocytochemistry
        • Horses / metabolism
        • Muscles / chemistry

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 9 times.
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