When appropriate, a Newman Keuls Multiple Comparison Test was performed post hoc. Correlation analyses were performed using Pear sons coefficient of correlation. Significance was estab lished at p 0. 05. Values are reported as mean SD. Results Systemic and biologic response to CMV Arterial blood pressure was similar between the 4 groups. Blood pH, PO2 and www.selleckchem.com/products/Erlotinib-Hydrochloride.html PCO2 were maintained within the normal levels and were not different between the groups. Diaphragm in vitro contractile properties In the CMV group the force frequency curve shifted downwards when compared to C, as previously shown. In the MP 5 group, diaphragm force was further reduced compared to C and MP30. By contrast in the MP 30 group, diaphragm force was simi lar to that of C at all stimulation frequencies.

Tetanic tension was decreased with 30% after CMV when com pared to C and with an additional 15% in the MP 5 group while it was unchanged in the MP 30 group. Histochemistry Proportions of the different fiber types were similar between all groups. Compared to C, diaphragm CSA of the type IIx b fibers was significantly decreased with 29% after CMV, as previously shown, and with an addi tional 16% in the MP 5 group. CSA of the type IIa fibers were decreased in the MP 5 group only. In the MP 30 group CSA of the different fiber types remained unchanged and similar to that of C. Western blot analysis of calpain, calpastatin and caspase 3 Calpain activity, measured by talin degradation, was sig nificantly elevated after CMV, as previously shown, and to a similar extent in the MP 5 group when compared to C.

In the MP 30 group, talin degradation was similar to control levels. Calpastatin levels were significantly and similarly decreased after CMV and after administration of 5 mg kg MP compared with controls. In the MP 30 group, calpastatin expression was similar to that of the control group. Analysis of the caspase 3 mediated cleavage of aII spectrin revealed that CMV induced a significant rise in caspase 3 activity when compared to C. Caspase 3 activity was similarly increased in the MP 5 and the MP 30 group but this increase was significantly less compared to that of CMV. Significant negative correlations were Drug_discovery found between calpain activity and diaphragm force as well as with CSA of the type IIx b fibers. Significant positive correlation were observed between calpastatin and diaphragm force and calpastatin and CSA of the type IIx b fibers. 20S proteasome activity Compared to control, the chymotrypsin like activity of the 20S proteasome was increased by 48% in diaphragms from the CMV group. In contrast, both the low dose and high dose of corticoster oids prevented the CMV induced proteasome activation in the diaphragm.