Endotoxins modify muscle fatigue characteristics

Abstract

To test the hypothesis that endotoxins can directly modify muscle fatigue characteristics, in vitro experiments were performed on rat muscles 48 hours after injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Resistance to fatigue was quantified by measuring tension production during repetitive electrical stimulation of the isolated epitrochlearis muscle. LPS treatment did not significantly modify initial force production whereas fatigability of the muscle was increased. This in vitro preparation should be used for testing antifatigue drugs.