C60 fullerene helps restore muscle soleus contraction dynamics after achillotomy-induced atrophy

Background. The search for new means that would effectively influence the pathological consequences of muscle immobilization is an urgent priority request of modern biomedicine. Previously, the positive effect of water-soluble C60 fullerenes, as strong antioxidants, was established on the background of muscle ischemia, mechanical muscle injury, and other muscle dysfunctions. These carbon nanoparticles have been shown to reliably protect muscle tissue from damage caused by oxidative stress. Materials and Methods. The biomechanical parameters of muscle soleus contraction of rats were studied by simulating non-functioning hind limbs using a clinical model – a rupture of the Achilles tendon (achillotomy). Muscle contraction parameters, namely the maximum contraction force and muscle force impulse, were determined on the 15th, 30th, and 45th days after initiation of atrophy using tensometry. As a therapeutic nanoagent, daily oral administration of C60 fullerene aqueous solution at a dose of 1 mg/kg was used throughout the experiment. Results. Previous registration of muscle soleus contraction force when applying 1 Hz stimulation lasting 1800 s with three pools revealed a decrease in maximal force responses after 15, 30, and 45 days of atrophy. The 45th day after atrophy is considered to be the limit for the fastest recovery of the muscle after immobilization, the further process takes place over several months. In all the tests performed, the therapeutic admini­stration of water-soluble C60 fullerenes (dose 1 mg/kg) an increase in biomechanical parameters was recorded (maximum force of contraction – the change in the form of the “stimulation – force contraction” dependence is a consequence of the development of the pathological process in muscle and the muscle force impulse, which allows assessing the performance of the muscular system after a long-term immobilization), by approximately 29–49±2 % for the maximum contraction force and by 21–37±2 % for the muscle force impulse compared to the atrophy group for 15, 30 and 45 days. Conclusions. The obtained results indicate the prospects of using water-soluble C60 fullerenes, which can alleviate pathological conditions in the muscular system that arise from skeletal muscle atrophy due to immobilization.