Effects of the Degree of Exercise on Skeletal Muscle in Rats after Ischemic Reperfusion

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different exercises on skeletal muscle after ischemic reperfusion. [Subjects] Fifteen eight-week-old Wistar female rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups: normal, ischemic, light-exercise, and heavy-exercise. [Method] Ischemia was induced in the right lower limbs of the experimental rats. Exercise was started the day after ischemic reperfusion occurred. The relative weight ratios of the soleus muscles and the soleus muscle fiber cross-section minor axes were used for the evaluation of muscle atrophy. [Results] Compared with the ischemic group, the means of the soleus muscle fiber cross section minor axes significantly decreased in the heavyexercise group. [Conclusion] Our results suggest that heavyexercise after ischemic reperfusion of the skeletal muscle may cause muscle atrophy.