Previous studies have reported the incomplete relaxation effect of neuromuscular blockers on skeletal muscles in acute peritonitis (AP) and other inflammatory processes; however, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this effect have not yet been satisfactorily identified. The impaired removal of cytosolic Ca2+ through sarcoendoplasmic Ca2+‑ATPase (SERCA) and defects in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ uptake are the major contributing factors to diastolic dysfunction. Previous studies on the effects of neuromuscular blockers have primarily focused on neuromuscular transmission. Because of the reduced calcium uptake in the SR itself, even when neuromuscular transmission is fully blocked, the muscle is not able to relax effectively. In the present study, the impact of AP on rocuronium‑induced intraperitoneal pressure reduction and rectus abdominal muscle relaxation, and SERCA uptake function was investigated. AP was induced via gastric perforation and changes in the intraperitoneal pressure before and after the administration of rocuronium were recorded. Muscle contractile properties, uptake and release functions and SERCA activity in the rectus abdominal muscles of AP model rats were measured. The half‑relaxation time in the AP group was significantly prolonged compared with that in the control group (P<0.01). The peak rate of SR Ca2+ uptake for whole muscle homogenates was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in AP model rats without reduction of the rate of Ca2+ release evoked through AgNO3. In conclusion, gastric perforation‑induced AP attenuates the intraperitoneal pressure‑reducing effect of rocuronium, and AP induces diastolic dysfunction of the rectus abdominal muscle. The SR Ca2+‑ATPase uptake rate was also reduced by AP.

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