In experimental and clinical studies, an objective assessment of peripheral muscle resistance represents one of the key elements in determining the efficacy of therapeutic manipulations (e.g. pharmacological, surgical) aimed to ameliorate clinical signs of @entity508 and/or @entity2003 . In the present study, we characterize a newly developed limb flexion resistance meter which permits a semi-automated, computer-controlled measurement of peripheral muscle resistance (PMR) in the lower extremities during a forced flexion of the ankle in the awake @entity35 . Ischemic @entity451 was induced in @entity35 by transient @entity432 (10 min) in combination with systemic @entity551 (40 mm Hg). After @entity63 the presence of @entity508 component was determined by the presence of an exaggerated EMG activity recorded from gastrocnemius muscle after nociceptive or proprioceptive afferent activation and by velocity-dependent increase in muscle resistance. @entity2003 was induced by high dose (30 mg/kg, i.p.) of @entity1286 . Animals with defined @entity63 @entity508 or @entity1286 -induced @entity2003 were then placed into a plastic restrainer and a hind paw attached by a tape to a metal plate driven by a computer-controlled stepping motor equipped with a resistance transducer. The resistance of the ankle to rotation was measured under several testing paradigms: (i) variable degree of ankle flexion (40 degrees, 50 degrees, and 60 degrees), (ii) variable speed/rate of ankle flexion (2, 3, and 4 sec), (iii) the effect of inhalation anesthesia, (iv) the effect of intrathecal @entity1772 , (v) the effect of dorsal L2-L5 rhizotomy, or (vi) systemic @entity1510 treatment. In animals with @entity63 an increased EMG response after peripheral nociceptive or proprioceptive activation was measured. In control animals average muscle resistance was 78 mN and was significantly increased in animals with @entity63 @entity508 (981-7900 mN). In @entity63 - @entity508 animals a significant increase in measured muscle resistance was seen after increased velocity (4 > 3 > 2 sec) and the angle (40 degrees > 50 degrees > 60 degrees) of the @entity717 . In @entity508 animals, deep @entity1508 anesthesia, intrathecal baclofen or dorsal rhizotomy decreased muscle resistance to 39-80% of pretreatment values. Systemic treatment with @entity1286 induced @entity2003 and corresponding increase in muscle resistance. @entity1286 -induced increase in muscle resistance was independent on the velocity of the @entity717 and was reversed by @entity1510 . These data show that by using this system it is possible to objectively measure the degree of peripheral muscle resistance. The use of this system may represent a simple and effective experimental tool in screening new pharmacological compounds and/or surgical manipulations targeted to modulate @entity508 and/or @entity2003 after a variety of @entity16 such as spinal cord traumatic or @entity63 , @entity15 , @entity306 , or @entity191 .

Measurement of peripheral muscle resistance in @entity35 with chronic @entity63 -induced @entity451 or @entity1286 -induced XXXX using a semi-automated computer-controlled muscle resistance meter.

@entity1772 :: ('MESH:D001418', 'Chemical') :: ['baclofen'] @entity717 :: ('MESH:D009069', 'Disease') :: ['ankle rotation'] @entity2003 :: ('MESH:D009127', 'Disease') :: ['muscle rigidity', 'rigidity', 'Rigidity'] @entity1508 :: ('MESH:D006221', 'Chemical') :: ['halothane'] @entity63 :: ('MESH:D007511', 'Disease') :: ['ischemia', 'ischemic injury', 'ischemic paraplegia', 'ischemic'] @entity508 :: ('MESH:D009128', 'Disease') :: ['spasticity', 'spastic'] @entity16 :: ('MESH:D009422', 'Disease') :: ['neurological disorders'] @entity191 :: ('MESH:D010300', 'Disease') :: ["Parkinson's disease"] @entity1510 :: ('MESH:D009270', 'Chemical') :: ['naloxone'] @entity432 :: ('MESH:D001157', 'Disease') :: ['aortic occlusion'] @entity1286 :: ('MESH:D009020', 'Chemical') :: ['morphine', 'Morphine'] @entity35 :: ('10116', 'Species') :: ['Sprague-Dawley rats', 'rat'] @entity451 :: ('MESH:C536857', 'Disease') :: ['paraplegia'] @entity551 :: ('MESH:D007022', 'Disease') :: ['hypotension'] @entity15 :: ('MESH:D009103', 'Disease') :: ['multiple sclerosis'] @entity306 :: ('MESH:D002547', 'Disease') :: ['cerebral palsy']
@entity2003 :: (MESH:D009127,Disease) :: ['rigidity']
