Skeletal muscle atrophy in sedentary Zucker obese rats is not caused by calpain-mediated muscle damage or lipid peroxidation induced by oxidative stress

Abstract

Background: Skeletal muscle undergoes significant atrophy in Type 2 diabetic patients and animal models. W aimed to determine if atrophy of Zucker rat skeletal muscle was due to the activation of intracellular damag pathways induced by excess reactive oxygen species production (specifically those associated with the peroxidatio of lipid membranes) and calpain activity. 14 week old obese Zucker rats and littermate lean controls were injecte with 1% Evan's Blue Dye. Animals were anaesthetised and extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles wer dissected, snap frozen and analysed for ROS-mediated F2-isoprostane production and calpain activation/autolysis Contralateral muscles were histological..