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Boehm I, Miller J, Wishart TM, Wigmore SJ, Skipworth RJ, Jones RA, Gillingwater TH. Neuromuscular junctions are stable in patients with cancer cachexia. J Clin Invest 2020; 130:1461-1465. [PMID: 31794435 PMCID: PMC7269586 DOI: 10.1172/jci128411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cachexia is a major cause of patient morbidity and mortality, with no efficacious treatment or management strategy. Despite cachexia sharing pathophysiological features with a number of neuromuscular wasting conditions, including age-related sarcopenia, the mechanisms underlying cachexia remain poorly understood. Studies of related conditions suggest that pathological targeting of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) may play a key role in cachexia, but this has yet to be investigated in human patients. Here, high-resolution morphological analyses were undertaken on NMJs of rectus abdominis obtained from patients undergoing upper GI cancer surgery compared with controls (N = 30; n = 1,165 NMJs). Cancer patients included those with cachexia and weight-stable disease. Despite the low skeletal muscle index and significant muscle fiber atrophy (P < 0.0001) in patients with cachexia, NMJ morphology was fully conserved. No significant differences were observed in any of the pre- and postsynaptic variables measured. We conclude that NMJs remain structurally intact in rectus abdominis in both cancer and cachexia, suggesting that denervation of skeletal muscle is not a major driver of pathogenesis. The absence of NMJ pathology is in stark contrast to what is found in related conditions, such as age-related sarcopenia, and supports the hypothesis that intrinsic changes within skeletal muscle, independent of any changes in motor neurons, represent the primary locus of neuromuscular pathology in cancer cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Boehm
- Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Janice Miller
- Clinical Surgery, Edinburgh Medical School and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas M Wishart
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen J Wigmore
- Clinical Surgery, Edinburgh Medical School and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Je Skipworth
- Clinical Surgery, Edinburgh Medical School and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ross A Jones
- Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Gorzi A, Jamshidi F, Rahmani A, Krause Neto W. Muscle gene expression of CGRP-α, CGRP receptor, nAchR-β, and GDNF in response to different endurance training protocols of Wistar rats. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:5305-5314. [PMID: 32621116 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05610-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction underwent adaptations to meet the demands of muscles following increased muscle activity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), endurance training (END), and mixed interval training (MIX) on the gene expression of the calcitonin gene-related peptide-α (CGRP-α), CGRP receptor, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchR)-β and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) among different muscle types. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control (n = 8), END (n = 8), HIIT (n = 8), and MIX (n = 8). The animals run each training protocol for 8 weeks (five sessions/week). Forty-eight hours after the last training session, the muscles gastrocnemius and soleus were excised under the sterilized situation. After collection, the material was prepared for RNA extraction, Reverse Transcriptase reaction, and qPCR assay. The HIIT training up-regulated the CGRP-α (p < 0.01), CGRP-Rec (p < 0.01), and GDNF (p < 0.01) in soleus as well as the nAchR-β (p < 0.01) and GDNF (p < 0.01) in gastrocnemius muscles. END training down-regulated the gene expression of CGRP-α (p < 0.01), and nAchR-β (p < 0.01) in gastrocnemius but up-regulated nAchR-β (p = 0.037) in soleus and GDNF (p < 0.01) in gastrocnemius muscles. MIX training did not show any significant up or down-regulation. The endurance performance of HIIT and MIX groups was higher than the END group (p < 0.01). All studied genes up-regulated by HIIT training in a muscle type-specific manner. It seems that the improvement of some synaptic indices induced by HIIT resulted in the improvement of endurance performance.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide/genetics
- Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide/metabolism
- Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/genetics
- Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism
- Male
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal/methods
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide/genetics
- Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide/metabolism
- Receptors, Nicotinic/genetics
- Receptors, Nicotinic/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Gorzi
- Department of Sport Sciences, University of Zanjan, P.O. Box: 45371-38791, Zanjan, Iran.
| | - Firooz Jamshidi
- Department of Sport Sciences, University of Zanjan, P.O. Box: 45371-38791, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Ahmad Rahmani
- Department of Sport Sciences, University of Zanjan, P.O. Box: 45371-38791, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Walter Krause Neto
- Department of Physical Education, Laboratory of Morphoquantitative Studies and Immunohistochemistry, Universidade São Judas Tadeu, São Paulo, Brazil
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Estrada-Bonilla YC, Castro PATS, Luna GLF, Souza ABA, Santos GS, Salvini TF, Leal AMO, Russo TL. Reaching task performance is associated to neuromuscular junction adaptations in rats with induced diabetes mellitus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 53:e8763. [PMID: 32520205 PMCID: PMC7279698 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x20208763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Upper limb performance is affected by diabetes mellitus (DM). Neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a key structure to understand the relationship between performance and morphology in DM. The aim of the study was to analyze NMJ plasticity due to DM in an animal model and its relationship with the function of forelimbs in rats. Twelve Wistar rats were divided into control (C) and DM groups. Animals were trained to perform a grasping task, following procedures of habituation, shaping, and reaching task. DM was induced using streptozotocin. Forelimb neuromuscular performance for dexterity was evaluated one day before DM induction and five weeks following induction. After that, biceps, triceps, and finger flexors and extensors were removed. Connective tissue and muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured. NMJ was assessed by its morphometric characteristics (area, perimeter, and maximum diameter), using ImageJ software. Motor performance analyses were made using single pellet retrieval task performance test. Student’s t-test was used for comparisons between groups. A significant decrease in all NMJ morphometric parameters was observed in the DM group compared with the C group. Results showed that DM generated NMJ retraction in muscles involved in a reaching task. These alterations are related to signs of muscular atrophy and to poor reaching task performance. In conclusion, induced DM caused NMJ retraction and muscular atrophy in muscles involved in reaching task performance. Induced DM caused significantly lower motor performance, especially in the final moments of evaluation, when DM compromised the tropism of the muscular tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y C Estrada-Bonilla
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil.,Body, Subject and Education Research Group, Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - P A T S Castro
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
| | - G L F Luna
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
| | - A B A Souza
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
| | - G S Santos
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
| | - T F Salvini
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
| | - A M O Leal
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
| | - T L Russo
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
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Castro PATDS, Faccioni LC, Boer PA, Carvalho RF, Matheus SMM, Dal-Pai-Silva M. Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs): ultrastructural analysis and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit mRNA expression in offspring subjected to protein restriction throughout pregnancy. Int J Exp Pathol 2017; 98:109-116. [PMID: 28543723 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein restriction during gestation can alter the skeletal muscle phenotype of offspring; however, little is known with regard to whether this also affects the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), as muscle phenotype maintenance depends upon NMJ functional integrity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a low protein (6%) intake by dams throughout gestation on male offspring NMJ morphology and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α1, γ and ε subunit expression in the soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles. Four groups of male Wistar offspring rats were studied. The offspring of dams fed low-protein (6% protein, LP) and normal protein (17% protein, NP) diets were evaluated at 30 and 120 days of age, and the SOL and EDL muscles were collected for analysis. Morphological studies using transmission electron microscopy revealed that only SOL NMJs were affected in 30-day-old offspring in the LP group compared with the NP group. SOL NMJs exhibited fewer synaptic folds, the postsynaptic membranes were smooth and myelin figures were also frequently observed in the terminal axons. With regard to the expression of mRNAs encoding nAChR subunits, only 30-day-old LP offspring EDL muscles exhibited reduced α, γ and ε subunit expression compared with the NP group. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that a low-protein diet (6%) imposed throughout pregnancy impairs the expression of mRNAs encoding the nAChR α, γ and ε subunits in EDL NMJs and promotes morphological changes in SOL NMJs of 30-day-old offspring, indicating specific differences among muscle types following long-term maternal protein restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patrícia Aline Boer
- Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Maeli Dal-Pai-Silva
- Department of Morphology, UNESP Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
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cAMP-PKA-CaMKII signaling pathway is involved in aggravated cardiotoxicity during Fuzi and Beimu Combination Treatment of Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34903. [PMID: 27739450 PMCID: PMC5064387 DOI: 10.1038/srep34903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) and Fritillariae Thunbergii bulbus (Beimu) have been widely used clinically to treat cardiopulmonary related diseases in China. However, according to the classic rules of traditional Chinese medicine, Fuzi and Beimu should be prohibited to use as a combination for their incompatibility. Therefore, it is critical to elucidate the paradox on the use of Fuzi and Beimu combination therapy. Monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension rats were treated with either Fuzi, Beimu, or their combination at different stages of PH. We demonstrated that at the early stage of PH, Fuzi and Beimu combination significantly improved lung function and reduced pulmonary histopathology. However, as the disease progressed, when Fuzi and Beimu combination were used at the late stage of PH, right ventricular chamber dilation was histologically apparent and myocardial apoptosis was significantly increased compared with each drug alone. Western-blotting results indicated that the main chemical ingredient of Beimu could down-regulate the protein phosphorylation levels of Akt and PDE4D, whereas the combination of Fuzi and Beimu could up-regulate PKA and CaMKII signaling pathways. Therefore, we concluded that Fuzi and Beimu combination potentially aggravated the heart injury due to the inhibition of PDK1/Akt/PDE4D axis and subsequent synergistic activation of βAR-Gs-PKA/CaMKII signaling pathway.
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Aquino AE, Sene-Fiorese M, Castro CA, Duarte FO, Oishi JC, Santos GC, Silva KA, Fabrizzi F, Moraes G, Matheus SM, Duarte ACG, Bagnato VS, Parizotto NA. Can low-level laser therapy when associated to exercise decrease adipocyte area? JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY 2015; 149:21-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2015.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Revised: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Current World Literature. Curr Opin Cardiol 2013; 28:369-79. [DOI: 10.1097/hco.0b013e328360f5be] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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