Effects of vibratory platform training on the histomorphometric parameters of the soleus muscle in obese Wistar rats

Whole-Body Vibration Promotes Beneficial Changes on the Anterior Tibial Muscle Histomorphometry of Hypothalamic Obese Rats

“…The Tibialis Anterior muscle was dissected and fixed in metacarn for 24 hours, stored in 70% alcohol until processing for inclusion in paraffin blocks, where they were first dehydrated in increasing alcoholic series and diaphanized in N-butyl alcohol. The blocks were cut transversely in a microtome to a thickness of five µm and stained in Hematoxylin and Eosin, and Masson's Trichromic (5,12).…”

“…The materials, stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and Masson's Trichromic, were photomicrographed using a photomicroscope with an Olympus BX60 ® coupled camera (Tokyo, Japan) with a 40x objective, totaling 12 images per animal in each technique. The morphological analyzes were performed in the Image ProPlus 6.0 program, and in each image the muscle fasciculus was scanned to randomly select ten fibers, thus totaling 120 fibers per animal (5). From these fibers, the shape and organization and density (DENS) the positions of the nuclei, and the architecture of the connective tissue were analyzed, and the cross-sectional area (CSAF), larger (LDF), and smaller (SDF) diameters, was measured.…”

“…The numbers of central (NC%) and peripheral nuclei were also quantified, as well as the area of these nuclei (CSAN). The number of fibers and nuclei were used to calculate the nucleus to fiber ratio (N/F) and the area ratio of the nuclei to the sarcoplasm (AN/AF) area (5,11). As for the analysis of connective tissue, the GIMP 2.0 program was used, and the quantification and comparison of the total number of pixels in the image with the number of connective tissue pixels were performed, to define the total connective tissue present in the visual field.…”

“…This excess of adipose tissue is one of the main responsible for the metabolic changes of obesity (4), one of the main characteristics of which is the increase in the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The constant maintenance of high levels of these inflammatory molecules stimulates the reduction of synthesis and increase of protein degradation, consequently leading to a reduction in muscle mass and strength (5). With persistent muscle inflammation, satellite cells, responsible for the regeneration of muscle fibers, have their recruitment reduced and there is a greater proliferation of fibroblasts, and thus, there is an increase in intramuscular connective tissue that contributes to muscle changes and weakness (6).…”

“…As they are low-invasive and low-cost modalities, they are easily adopted in the treatment of obesity leading to improved quality of life (7). The Whole-Body Vibration (WBV), obtained through vibrating platforms, is an alternative for people who, due to their physical conditions, do not adhere to traditional forms of physical exercise, and dependent on a low-impact activity (5). WBV acts directly on the muscle, increasing the capacity for muscle contraction and relaxation (8), stimulating protein synthesis, accelerating regeneration, and improving vascularization (9).…”