Mechanical ventilation group mice received 6 h of controlled MV (i.e., with minimal spontaneous respiratory effort) using a previously described protocol. 4 A duration of MV of 6 h was selected based on previous work showing a significant reduction in diaphragmatic force-generating capacity. 4 In brief, MV mice were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of xylazine (10 mg/kg body weight) and pentobarbital sodium (50 mg/kg body weight) and then orally intubated. No neuromuscular-blocking agent was used. The endotracheal tube was connected to a small animal ventilator (Minivent ® ; Harvard Apparatus, Canada) with the following settings: fraction of inspired oxygen of 0.21 (room air), controlled volume mode with tidal volume of 10 ?l/mg body weight, respiratory rate of 150 to 170 breaths/min, and positive end-expiratory pressure level of 3 to 4 cm H₂O achieved by placing the expiratory port under a water seal. Animals were placed on a prewarmed homeothermic blanket (Homeothermic Blanket Control Unit; Harvard Apparatus), and the mice received hourly intraperitoneal injections of lactated Ringer’s solution (0.10 ml) to compensate insensible losses. (more…)