OBJECTIVE: To define how to preserve the severed limbs to prolong the period of replantation. METHODS: The original articles about preservation of severed limbs in recent years were reviewed, it was suggested that the period of replantation was determined by the injury of skeletal muscle. RESULTS: When the environment of severed limbs was changed, the injures of skeletal muscle could be decreased. CONCLUSION: After the severed limbs are reasonably preserved, the period of replantation may be prolonged.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of skeletal muscle satellite cells. METHODS: Skeletal muscle satellite cells were harvested and cultured in vitro. The 0 ng/ml, 50 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, 500 ng/ml, and 1000 ng/ml BMP were used to induce skeletal muscle satellite cells for 48 hours. Cell proliferation, rate of myotube formation and collagen-1 synthesis were measured. RESULTS: BMP promoted cell proliferation and reduced the rate of myotube formation. Collagen synthesis increased when skeletal muscle satellite cells were induced with more than 500 ng/ml BMP. And the higher the concentration of BMP was, the ber this effect became. CONCLUSION: BMP can enhance the proliferation of skeletal muscle satellite cells and change their differentiation from myoblasts to osteoblasts.
Objective To explore the in vitrodifferentiation of the rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs ) into the skeletal muscle cells induced by the myoblast differentiation factor (MyoD) and 5-azacytidine. Methods The MSCs were taken from the rat bone marrow and the suspension of MSCs was made and cultured in the homeothermia incubator which contained 5% CO2at 37℃. The cells were observed under the inverted phase contrast microscope daily. The cells spreading all the bottom of the culture bottle were defined as onepassage. The differentiation of the 3rd passage of MSCs was induced by the combination of 5-azacytidine, MyoD, transforming growth factor β1, and the insulin like growth factor 1. Nine days after the induction, the induced MSCs were collected, which were analyzed with the MTT chromatometry, theflow cytometry, and the immunohistochemistry. Results The primarily cultured MSCs grew as a colony on the walls of the culture bottle; after the culture for 5-7 days, the cells were shaped like the fibroblasts, the big flat polygonal cells, the medium sized polygonal cells, and the small triangle cells; after the culture for 12 days, the cells were found to be fused, spreadingall over the bottle bottom, but MSCs were unchanged too much in shape. After the induction by 5-azacytidine, some of the cells died, and the cells grew slowly. However, after the culture for 7 days, the cells grew remarkably, the cell volume increased gradually in a form of ellipse, fusiform or irregularity. After theculture for 14 days, the proliferated fusiform cells began to increase in a great amount. After the culture for 18-22 days, the myotubes increased in number and volume, with the nucleus increased in number, and the newly formed myotubes and the fusiform myoblst grew parallelly and separately. The immunohistochemistry for MSCs revealed that CD44 was positive in reaction, with the cytoplasm ina form of brown granules. And the nucleus had an obvious border,and CD34 was negative. The induced MSCs were found to be positive for desmin and specific myoglobulin of the skeletal muscle. The flow cytometry showed that most of the MSCs and the induced MSCs were in the stages of G0/G1,accounting for 79.4% and 62.9%,respectively; however, the cells in the stages of G2/S accounted for 20.6% and 36.1%. The growth curve was drawn based on MTT,which showed that MSCs weregreater in the growth speed than the induced MSCs. The two kinds of cells did not reach the platform stage,having a tendency to continuously proliferate.ConclusionIn vitro,the rat MSCs can be differentiated into the skeletal muscle cells with an induction by MyoD and 5-azacytidine, with a positive reaction for the desmin and the myoglobulin of the skeletal muscle. After the induction, the proliferation stage of MSCs can be increased, with a higher degree of the differentiation into the skeletal muscle.
Objective To investigate the pathological changes in the neuromuscular junction during ischemiareperfusion(IR) in the skeletal muscle. Methods Forty-eight healthy adult Wistar rats (24 male, 24 female) were equally randomised into the following 6 groups: Group A (control group): no ischemiareperfusion; Group B: ischemia by clamping the blood vessels of the right hindlimb for 3 hours; Group C: ischemia by clamping for 4.5 hours;Group D: ischemia by the clamping for 4.5 hours followed by reperfusion for 1.5hours; Group E: ischemia for 4.5 hours followed by reperfusion for 24 hours; and Group F: ischemia for 4.5 hours followed by reperfusion for 2 weeks. Then, the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle flap model was applied to the right hindlimb of each rat. The medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle was isolated completely,leaving only the major vascular pedicle, nerve and tendons intact.The proximal and distal ends (tendons) were ligated while the vessel pedicle was clamped. And then, Parameters of the muscle (performance,contraction index,colour,edema,bleeding) were observed. The muscle harvested was stained with gold chloride(AuCl3) and the enzymhistochemistry assay (succinate dehydrogenase combined with acetylcholine esterase) was performed. Morphology and configuration of the neuromuscular junction were observed during the ischemiareperfusion injury by means of the AuCl-3 staining. The result of the enzymhistochemical reactions was quantitatively analyzed with the computer imageanalysis system. And then, additional 5 rats were prepared for 3 different models identical with those in Groups A, C and E separately. The specimens were harvested from each rat and were stained with HE and AuCl-3, and they were examined under the light microscope. Results During the period of ischemia, the skeletal muscle of Group B showed the colour of purple and edema.The colour and edema became worse in Group ,while dysfunction of elasticity and contraction appeared obviously with plenty of dark red hemorrhagic effusion at the same time.After reperfusion,the color and edema of muscle in Group D became improved while the elasticity and function of contraction was not improved. Hemorrhagic effusion of Group D turned clearer and less than Group C.Group E was similar to Group D in these aspects of muscle except for much less hemorrhagic effusion. Skeletal muscle in Group F showed colour of red alternating with white, adhesion,contracture of muscle, exposure of necrotic yellow tissue and almost lost all its functions. The AuCl3 staining showed that during IR, necrosis of the myocytes was followed by degeneration of their neuromuscular junctions, and finally the nerve fibers attached to these neuromuscular junctions were disrupted like the withering of leaves. The enzymhistochemistry assay showed thatthere was no significant difference in the level of acetylcholine esterase between the ischemic group (Groups B and C) and the control group (Group A) (Pgt;0.05). However, the level of acetylcholine esterase in all the reperfused groups (Groups D, E and F) decreased significantly when compared with the control group(Group A)and the ischemic groups (Groups B and C) (Plt;0.01). Conclusion The distribution of the nerve fibers and the neuromuscular junctions in the mass of the muscles is almost like the shape of a tree. The neuromuscular junction seems to be more tolerant for ischemia than the myocyte. Survival ofthe neuromuscular junction depends on its myocytes alive. Therefore, an ischemiareperfusion injury will not be controlled unless an extensive debridement of the necrotic muscle is performed.
Objective To study the protective effects of ischemic preconditioning(IP) duration against ischemic reperfusion injury of skeletal muscle. Methods Thirty-six Wister rats were made amputation-like models, which underwent temporary amputation at the level of the femur, excluding the femoral vessels. They were divided into 6 groups(n=6) according to different treatments before ischemiareperfusion: group A(4 hours of ischemiareperfusion); groups B, C, D, E(5, 10,15, 20 minutes of ischemia and 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes of reperfusion respectively, for 3 cycles, 4 hours ischemiareperfusion ); group F (no ischemia-reperfusion). The malondialdehyde(MDA), the extent of edema and necrosis of skeletal muscle were measured to observe protective effects of different ischemic preconditioning duration. Results Five minutes of ischemic preconditioning(IP5)could protect skeletal muscle of ischaemia against necrosis and the survival area of the muscle was 82.47%.The effects of IP10 and IP 15 were significantly superior to that of IP5 and the survival areas of the muscle were 89.03% and 89.49%. The effect of IP20(78.27%) was significantly inferior to that IP5. IP5 could reduce edema of skeletal muscle, the effect of IP10 was significantly superior to that of IP5. IP5, IP 10,and IP 15 could decrease the level of MDA, but IP20 did not decrease it. Conclusion The trend of protective effect of IP on ischemia-reperfusion injury of themuscle in rats first rise to the peak and then go down,10minutes ofIPis optimal. 
In order to explore the effects of clenbuterol on intramuscular collagen metabolism in denervated skeletal muscles, a randomized, double-masked and placebo-controlled group were studied. Seventy-one patients with complete function loss in muscularcutaneous nerve resulted from brachial plexus injury were administered clenbuterol or placebo 60 micrograms Bid for more than 3 months. Biopsies of the biceps brachia muscle were performed at the beginning and end of this study. The biopsied muscles were processed with anti-collagen I and IV immunohistochemical stains and image analysis as well. The result showed that the collagen proliferation of both type I and IV was much reducible in the clenbuterol-treated group than that of the placebo-treated group (P lt; 0.05). It was concluded that clenbuterol could inhibit partially the proliferation of intramuscular collagens in denervated skeletal muscle.
Objective To observe whether the motor nerve babysitter could improve the delayed nerve anastomosisand promote the functional recovery. Methods Sixteen SD rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 2 groups.In group A, the left musculocutaneous nerve was transected to make the model of biceps brachii denervation and anastomosed to its proximal end 6 weeks later; In group B, the musculocutaneous nerve was transected and the distal end was coapted to the purely motor medial pectoral nerve immediately (nerve babysitter) and the musculocutaneous nerve was separated from the medial pectoral nerve, and reanastomosed to its proximal end 6 weeks later. In the animal model, the left l imbs served as experimental sides, the right l imbs as control sides. After 6 and 12 weeks of the second surgery, behavioral test (grooming test) was performed and the degree of the biceps brachii atrophy was observed, the latent period and the ampl itude of the maximun action potentials of the biceps brachii were detected, the wet muscle weight, muscle fiber cross-section area and the activity of Na+-K+-ATPase of the biceps brachii were measured. Results After 4 weeks of the second surgery, grooming behavior was found in group B, while few grooming behavior was seen in group A till 6 weeks after the secondary surgery. After 6 weeks of the second surgery, the recovery rate of the latent period and the ampl itude, the wet muscle weight, muscle fiber cross-section area and the enzymatic activity of Na+-K+-ATPase of the biceps brachii in group A was 187.25% ± 1.97%, 46.25% ± 4.63%, 55.14% ± 1.99%, 49.97% ± 1.71%, and 65.81% ± 2.24%, respectively, which was significantly different from that in group B (155.96% ± 3.02%, 51.21% ± 2.13%, 74.18% ± 1.82%, 55.05% ± 1.64% and 71.08% ± 1.53%, respectively, P lt; 0.05). After 12 weeks of the second surgery, the recovery rate of the latent period and ampl itude, the wet muscle weight, muscle fiber cross-section area andthe enzymatic activity of Na+-K+- ATPase of the biceps brachii in group A was 145.36% ± 3.27%, 51.84% ± 5.02%, 77.92% ± 1.73%, 61.04% ± 2.68% and 71.94% ± 1.65%, respectively, which was significantly different from that in group B (129.83% ± 8.36%, 75.22% ± 2.78%, 84.51% ± 1.34%, 78.75% ± 3.69% and 84.86% ± 1.81%, respectively, P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Motor nerve babysitting could reduce muscular damage after denervation, improve the effect of delayed nerve repair and promote the functional recovery of musculocutaneous nerve.
Objective To investigate an optimal method for SD rat skeletal muscle decellularization. Methods Sixteen SD rats (male and female) weighing 180-200 g were used. Thirty-six skeletal muscle bundles obtained from 10 rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal group (group A, n=4) received non-decellularization; time group (group T, n=16) andconcentration group (group C, n=16) underwent decellularization using hypotonic-detergent method. Concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was 1.0% for T group, which was subdivided into groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 (n=4 per subgroup) according to different processing durations (24, 48, 72 and 96 hours). Group C was treated for 48 hours and subdivided into groups C1, C2, C3 and C4 (n=4 per subgroup) according to different SDS concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%). The muscle bundles of each group underwent HE staining observation and hydroxyproline content detection in order to get the optimal decellularization condition. Seven of 14 complete skeletal muscle bundles obtained from 6 SD rats were treated with the optimal decellularization condition (experimental group), and the rest 7 muscle bundles served as normal control (control group). The muscle bundles of each group were evaluated with gross observation, Masson staining and biomechanical test. Results HE staining: there was no significant difference between groups T1, T2, C1, C2 and C3 and group A in terms of muscle fiber; portion of muscle fibers in group C4 were removed; muscle fibers in group T3 were fully removed with a complete basement membrane structure; muscle fibers of group T4 were fully removed, and the structure of basement membrane was partly damaged. Hydroxyprol ine content detection: there was no significant difference between group A and groups C1, C2, C3, T1 and T2 (P gt; 0.05); significant difference was evident between group A and groups C4, T3 and T4 (P lt; 0.05); the difference between group C4 and groups T3and T4 was significant (P lt; 0.05); no significant difference was evident between group T3 and group T4 (P gt; 0.05). The optimal decellularization condition was 4 , 1.0% SDS and 72 hours according to the results of HE staining and hydroxyproline content detection. Gross observation: the muscle bundles of the experimental group were pall id, half-transparent and fluffier comparing with the control group. Masson staining observation: the collagen fibers of the experimental group had a good continuity, and were fluffier comparing with control group. Biomechanics test: the maximum breaking load of the experimental group and the control group was (1.38 ± 0.35) N and (1.98 ± 0.77) N, respectively; the maximum extension displacement of the experimental group and the control group was (3.19 ± 3.23) mm and (3.56 ± 2.17) mm, respectively; there were no significant differences between two groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Acellular matrix with intact ECM and complete removal of muscle fibers can be obtained by oscillatory treatment of rat skeletal muscle at 4℃ with 1% SDS for 72 hours.
Objective To explore the effect of tri pterygium glycoside (TG) on the skeletal muscle atrophy and apoptosis after nerve allograft. Methods Twenty Wistar male rats were adopted as donors, weighing 200-250 g, and the sciatic nerves were harvested. Fifty SD male rats were adopted as recipients, weighing 200-250 g. Fifty SD rats were made the models of10 mm right sciatic nerve defect randomly divided into five groups (n=10): group A, group B, group C, group D and group E.groups A and B received fresh nerve allograft, groups C and D received sciatic nerve allograft pretreated with TG, and group E received autograft. The SD rats were given medicine for 5 weeks from the second day after the transplantation: groups A and E were given physiological sal ine, groups B and D TG 5 mg/ (kg·d), and group C TG 2.5 mg/ (kg·d). At 3 and 6 weeks, respectively, after nerve transplantation, general observation was performed; the structure of skeletal muscles was observed by HE staining; the diameter of skeletal muscles was analyzed with Image-Pro Plus v5.2; the ultrastructure of skeletal muscles was observed by TEM; the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by immunohistochemical staining; and the apoptosis of skeletal muscles was detected by TUNEL. Results All rats survived to the end of the experiment. In general observation, the skeletal muscles of SD rates atrophied to different degrees 3 weeks after operation. The muscular atrophy in group A was more serious at 6 weeks, and that in the other groups improved. The wet weight, fiber diameter and expression of Bcl-2 in group A were significantly lower than those in groups B, C, D and E (P lt; 0.01);those in groups B, C and D were lower than those in group E (P lt; 0.05); and there were no significant differences among groups B, C and D (P gt; 0.05). The apoptosis index and expression of Bax in group A were significantly higher than those in groups B, C, D and E (P lt; 0.01);those in groups B, C and D were higher than in groupE (Plt; 0.05); and there were no significant differences among groups B, C and D (P gt; 0.05). Three weeks after nerve allograft, under the l ight microscope, the muscle fibers became thin; under the TEM, the sarcoplasmic reticulum was expanded. Six weeks after nerve allograft, under the l ight microscope, the gap of the muscle fibers in group A was found to broaden and connective tissue hyperplasia occurred obviously; under the TEM, sarcomere damage, serious silk dissolution and fragmentary Z l ines were seen in group A, but the myofibrils were arranged tidily in the other groups, and the l ight band, dark band and sarcomere were clear. Conclusion TG can decrease the skeletal muscle atrophy and apoptosis after nerve allograft. The donor’s nerve that is pretreated with TG can reduce the dosage of immunosuppressant for the recipient after allograft.
ObjectiveTo review the effects and mechanisms of various myokines secreted by skeletal muscle on various bone tissue cells.MethodsLiterature related to myokines and their regulation of bone tissue cells was reviewed and analyzed comprehensively in recent years.ResultsBone and skeletal muscle are important members of the motor system, and they are closely related in anatomy, genetics, and physiopathology. In recent years, it has been found that skeletal muscle can secrete a variety of myokines to regulate bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and bone cells; these factors mutual crosstalk between myoskeletal unit, contact each other and influence each other, forming a complex myoskeletal micro-environment, and to some extent, it has a positive impact on bone repair and reconstruction.ConclusionMyokines are potential targets for the dynamic balance of bone tissue cells. In-depth study of its mechanism is helpful to the prevention and treatment of myoskeletal diseases.