Summary
In an attempt to differentiate between nociceptive group IV muscle receptors and “ergoceptive” ones, the discharges of single group IV fibres from skeletal muscle in response to local pressure, sustained stretch, repetitive contraction and intra-arterial injections of bradykinin, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), potassium, phosphate, and lactate were studied in anaesthetized cats.
Of the 75 fibres of the study, 5 units were activated by sustained stretch, the responses occurring with a delay. These stretch-sensitive units could not be activated by local pressure or muscular contraction. Thirteen group IV afferents raised their discharge frequency during repetitive contractions. Some of the units responded immediately with the onset of the contractions, whereas the others showed a pronounced delay.
Forty-six units were tested with all or most of the above mechanical and chemical stimuli. In 32 afferents a response to at least one of the stimuli was present. Taking only these units into account, several groups of receptors could be distinguished by their different response combinations. One group was activated by pain-producing substances, but not by muscular activity and thus showed nociceptive properties. Another group showed a raised activity during muscular contractions but did not respond to the algesic agents bradykinin and 5-HT. Units belonging to this group might serve as “ergoceptors”. The borderline between the two groups was not sharp, a considerable number of group IV afferents was found which had both nociceptive and “ergoceptive” properties.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abbott, B. C., Howarth, J.V.: Heat studies in excitable tissues. Physiol. Rev. 53, 120–158 (1973)
Alam, M., Smirk, F.H.: Observations in man upon a blood pressure raising reflex arising from the voluntary muscles. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 89, 372–383 (1937)
Alam, M., Smirk, F.H.: Observations in man on a pulse-accelerating reflex from the voluntary muscles of the legs. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 92, 167–177 (1938)
Asmussen, E., Nielsen, M.: Experiments on nervous factors controlling respiration and circulation during exercise employing blocking of the blood flow. Acta physiol. scand. 60, 103–111 (1964)
Bessou, P., Laporte, Y.: Activation des fibres afférentes amyéliniques d'origine musculaire. C. R. Soc. Biol. (Paris) 152, 1587–1590 (1958)
Coester, N., Elliott, J. C., Luft, U. C.: Plasma electrolytes, pH, and ECG during and after exhaustive exercise. J. appl. Physiol. 34, 677–682 (1973)
Coote, J. H., Perez-Gonzales, J. F.: The response of some sympathetic neurones to volleys in various afferent nerves. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 208, 261–278 (1970)
Coote, J.H., Hilton, S.M., Perez-Gonzales, J.F.: The reflex nature of the pressure response to muscular exercise. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 215, 789–804 (1971)
DeJours, P.: Control of respiration in muscular exercise. In: Handbook of Physiology, Section 3: Respiration, Vol. I, O. Fenn and H. Rahn (Eds.), American Physiological Society, Washington, D.C. 1964
Fock, S., Mense, S.: Excitatory effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine and potassium ions on muscular group IV afferent units: a comparison with bradykinin. Brain Res. 105, 459–469 (1976)
Franz, M., Mense, S.: Muscle receptors with group IV afferent fibres responding to application of bradykinin. Brain Res. 92, 369–383 (1975)
Gordon, G.: The mechanisms of the vasomotor reflexes produced by stimulating mammalian sensory nerves. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 102, 95–107 (1943)
Guzman, F., Braun, C., Lim, R. K. S.: Visceral pain and the pseudaffective response to intraarterial injection of bradykinin and other algesic agents. Arch. int. Pharmacodyn. 136, 353–384 (1962)
Hertel, H.-C., Howaldt, B., Mense, S.: Responses of group IV and group III muscle afferents to thermal stimuli. Brain Res. 113, 201–205 (1976)
Hník, P., Holas, M., Krekule, I., Kříž, N., Mejsnar, J., Smieško, V., Ujec, E., Vyskočil, F.: Work-induced potassium changes in skeletal muscle and effluent venous blood assessed by liquid ion-exchanger microelectrodes. Pflügers Arch. 362, 85–94 (1976)
Iggo, A.: Non-myelinated afferent fibres from mammalian skeletal muscle. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 155, 52–53P (1961)
Johansson, B.: Circulatory responses to stimulation of somatic afferents. Acta physiol. scand. 75, Suppl. 198, 1–91 (1962)
Kalia, M., Senapati, B.P., Panda, A.: Reflex increase in ventilation by muscle receptors with non-medullated fibres (C-fibres). J. appl. Physiol. 32, 189–193 (1972)
Kao, F.F.: An experimental study of the pathway involved in exercise hyperpnoea employing cross-circulation technique. In: The Regulation of Human Respiration (eds. D.J.C. Cunningham, B.B. Lloyd), pp. 461–502. Oxford: Blackwell 1963
Kellgren, J.H.: Observation on referred pain arising from muscle. Clin. Sci. 3, 175–190 (1937/38)
Kniffki, K.-D., Mense, S., Schmidt, R. F.: Chemo- and mechanosensitivity of possible metabo- and nociceptors in skeletal muscle. Pflügers Arch. 362, R 32 (1976a)
Kniffki, K.-D., Mense, S., Schmidt, R. F.: Mechanisms of muscle pain: a comparison with cutaneous nociception. In: Sensory Functions of the Skin in Primates, (ed. Y. Zotterman) Wenner-Gren Center International Symposium Series, Vol. 27, pp. 463–473. New York: Pergamon Press 1976b
Kumazawa, T., Mizumura, K.: The polymodal C-fibre receptor in the muscle of the dog. Brain Res. 101, 589–593 (1976)
Lim, R.K.S., Guzman, F., Rodgers, D.W., Goto, K., Braun, C., Dickerson, G.D., Engle, R.J.: Site of action of narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics determined by blocking bradykinin-evoked visceral pain. Arch. int. Pharmacodyn. 152, 25–58 (1964)
Lindahl, O.: Experimental skin pain induced by injection of water-soluble substances in humans. Acta physiol. scand. 51, Suppl. 179, 1–90 (1961)
Lundvall, J.: Tissue hyperosmolality as a mediator of vasodilation and transcapillary fluid flux in exercising skeletal muscle. Acta physiol. scand. Suppl. 379, 1–142 (1972)
McCloskey, D.I., Mitchell, J.H.: Reflex cardiovascular and respiratory responses originating in exercising muscle. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 224, 173–186 (1972)
Mense, S., Schmidt, R. F.: Activation of group IV afferent units from muscle by algesic agents. Brain Res. 72, 305–310 (1974)
Paintal, A.S.: Functional analysis of group III afferent fibres of mammalian muscles. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 152, 250–270 (1960)
Patterson, W.D.: Circulatory and respiratory changes in response to muscular exercise in man. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 66, 323–345 (1928)
Radawski, D.P., Hoppe, W., Haddy, F.J.: Role of vasoactive substances in active hyperemia in skeletal muscle. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. (N.Y.) 148, 270–276 (1975)
Stacey, J. J.: Free nerve endings in skeletal muscle of the cat. J. Anat. (Lond.) 105, 231–254 (1969)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kniffki, K.D., Mense, S. & Schmidt, R.F. Responses of group IV afferent units from skeletal muscle to stretch, contraction and chemical stimulation. Exp Brain Res 31, 511–522 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239809
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00239809