Biomaterial Database

Morphological correlates of physiological responses in partially denervated mouse muscle during aging. 1993

M A Fahim

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi.

To evaluate the effect of partial denervation on age changes, morphological and physiological parameters were studied in young versus old extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles. The aims of this study were to elucidate synaptic maintenance in general and specifically to assess the adaptability of motor neurons from young and old animals to an enlarged field of innervation. Partial denervation was carried out in two groups of 30-40 g mice, aged within 6 or 24 months, by sectioning of the nerve supplying EDL muscle under methoxyfluorane anaesthesia. Sham operations were carried out on additional animals which served as controls. Five weeks' post-surgery, the safety factor of synaptic transmission was estimated by dividing the nerve-evoked twitch tension generated in 1 mM Ca2+ Krebs by that generated in 2.5 mM Ca2+ Krebs. Low Ca2+ Krebs caused a more pronounced decline in twitch tension in young control EDL muscles than old control. After partial denervation, young EDL twitch tensions were not significantly different while old were 20% of those in normal Krebs. Zinc Iodide Osmium (ZIO) stained nerve terminal parameters were significantly increased with aging. After partial denervation, nerve terminal areas were 46 and 39% larger in young and old mice, respectively, compared to their corresponding controls. Present data suggest that motor neurons of old mice are unable to develop and maintain an enlarged field of innervation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007537	Isometric Contraction	Muscular contractions characterized by increase in tension without change in length.	Contraction, Isometric,Contractions, Isometric,Isometric Contractions
D008297	Male		Males
D008810	Mice, Inbred C57BL	One of the first INBRED MOUSE STRAINS to be sequenced. This strain is commonly used as genetic background for transgenic mouse models. Refractory to many tumors, this strain is also preferred model for studying role of genetic variations in development of diseases.	Mice, C57BL,Mouse, C57BL,Mouse, Inbred C57BL,C57BL Mice,C57BL Mice, Inbred,C57BL Mouse,C57BL Mouse, Inbred,Inbred C57BL Mice,Inbred C57BL Mouse
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009121	Muscle Denervation	The resection or removal of the innervation of a muscle or muscle tissue.	Denervation, Muscle,Denervations, Muscle,Muscle Denervations
D009132	Muscles	Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals.	Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D009412	Nerve Fibers	Slender processes of NEURONS, including the AXONS and their glial envelopes (MYELIN SHEATH). Nerve fibers conduct nerve impulses to and from the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Cerebellar Mossy Fibers,Mossy Fibers, Cerebellar,Cerebellar Mossy Fiber,Mossy Fiber, Cerebellar,Nerve Fiber
D009435	Synaptic Transmission	The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES.	Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D009469	Neuromuscular Junction	The synapse between a neuron and a muscle.	Myoneural Junction,Nerve-Muscle Preparation,Junction, Myoneural,Junction, Neuromuscular,Junctions, Myoneural,Junctions, Neuromuscular,Myoneural Junctions,Nerve Muscle Preparation,Nerve-Muscle Preparations,Neuromuscular Junctions,Preparation, Nerve-Muscle,Preparations, Nerve-Muscle
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation