REGULATION OF CALCIUM METABOLISM IN SKELETAL MUSCLES DURING FUNCTIONAL UNLOADING

Abstract

Lowering or full stopping of the skeletal muscles contraction activities leads to atrophy of the muscle fibers and loss of performance. These changes affect the life quality of people who for one or another reason are faced with a limited ability to move. Among the key triggers of events in regulation responsible for the changes due to low muscle activity (disuse) is disturbance of calcium homeostasis and consequent build up of Ca deposits in the fiber myoplasm. The review is devoted to analysis of causes for Ca homeostasis disturbance, including macroergic phosphate accumulation, by the muscle disuse. The authors hypothesize a mechanism regulating the SERCA and IP3-receptors and their role in myoplasmic Ca deposit during functional unloading of muscles.