Histological changes in masticatory muscles of mdx mice

Biomarkers for Duchenne muscular dystrophy progression: impact of age in the mdx tongue spared muscle

BACKGROUND

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe form of muscular dystrophy without an effective treatment, caused by mutations in the DMD gene, leading to the absence of dystrophin. DMD results in muscle weakness, loss of ambulation, and death at an early age. Metabolomics studies in mdx mice, the most used model for DMD, reveal changes in metabolites associated with muscle degeneration and aging. In DMD, the tongue muscles exhibit unique behavior, initially showing partial protection against inflammation but later experiencing fibrosis and loss of muscle fibers. Certain metabolites and proteins, like TNF-α and TGF-β, are potential biomarkers for dystrophic muscle characterization.

METHODS

To investigate disease progression and aging, we utilized young (1 month old) and old (21-25 months old) mdx and wild-type tongue muscles. Metabolite changes were analyzed using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, while TNF-α and TGF-β were assessed using Western blotting to examine inflammation and fibrosis. Morphometric analysis was conducted to assess the extent of myofiber damage between groups.

RESULTS

The histological analysis of the mid-belly tongue showed no differences between groups. No differences were found between the concentrations of metabolites from wild-type or mdx whole tongues of the same age. The metabolites alanine, methionine, and 3-methylhistidine were higher, and taurine and glycerol were lower in young tongues in both wild type and mdx (p < 0.001). The metabolites glycine (p < 0.001) and glutamic acid (p = 0.0018) were different only in the mdx groups, being higher in young mdx mice. Acetic acid, phosphocreatine, isoleucine, succinic acid, creatine, and the proteins TNF-α and TGF-β had no difference in the analysis between groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Surprisingly, histological, metabolite, and protein analysis reveal that the tongue of old mdx remains partially spared from the severe myonecrosis observed in other muscles. The metabolites alanine, methionine, 3-methylhistidine, taurine, and glycerol may be effective for specific assessments, although their use for disease progression monitoring should be cautious due to age-related changes in the tongue muscle. Acetic acid, phosphocreatine, isoleucine, succinate, creatine, TNF-α, and TGF-β do not vary with aging and remain constant in spared muscles, suggesting their potential as specific biomarkers for DMD progression independent of aging.

Biomarkers for Duchenne muscular dystrophy progression: impact of age in the mdx tongue spared muscle

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe form of muscular dystrophy without an effective treatment, caused by mutations in the DMD gene, leading to the absence of dystrophin. DMD results in muscle weakness, loss of ambulation and death at an early age. Metabolomics studies in mdx mice, the most used model for DMD, reveal changes in metabolites associated with muscle degeneration and aging. In DMD, the tongue muscles exhibit unique behavior, initially showing partial protection against inflammation but later experiencing fibrosis and loss of muscle fibers. Certain metabolites and proteins, like TNF-α and TGF-β, are potential biomarkers for dystrophic muscle characterization. Methods: To investigate disease progression and aging, we utilized young (1-month old) and old (21-25 months old) mdx and wild-type mice. Metabolite changes were analyzed using 1-H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, while TNF-α and TGF-β were assessed using Western blotting to examine inflammation, and fibrosis. Morphometric analysis was conducted to assess the extent of myofiber damage between groups. Results: The histological analysis of the tongue showed no differences between groups. No differences were found between the concentrations of metabolites from wild type or mdx animals of the same age. The metabolites alanine, methionine, 3-methylhistidine were higher, and taurine and glycerol were lower in young animals in both wild type and mdx (p < 0.001). The metabolites glycine (p < 0.001) and glutamic acid (p = 0.0018) were different only in the mdx groups, being higher in young mdx mice. Acetic acid, phosphocreatine, isoleucine, succinic acid, creatine and the proteins TNF-α and TGF-β had no difference in the analysis between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Surprisingly, histological and protein analysis reveals that the tongue of young and old mdx animals is protected from severe myonecrosis observed in other muscles. The metabolites alanine, methionine, 3-methylhistidine, taurine, and glycerol may be effective for specific assessments, although their use for disease progression monitoring should be cautious due to age-related changes. Acetic acid, phosphocreatine, isoleucine, succinate, creatine, TNF-α, and TGF-β do not vary with aging and remain constant in spared muscles, suggesting their potential as specific biomarkers for DMD progression independent of aging.

Macroglossia and less advanced dystrophic change in the tongue muscle of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy rat

Background

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked muscle disease caused by a complete lack of dystrophin, which stabilizes the plasma membrane of myofibers. The orofacial function is affected in an advanced stage of DMD and this often leads to an eating disorder such as dysphagia. Dysphagia is caused by multiple etiologies including decreased mastication and swallowing. Therefore, preventing the functional declines of mastication and swallowing in DMD is important to improve the patient’s quality of life. In the present study, using a rat model of DMD we generated previously, we performed analyses on the masseter and tongue muscles, both are required for proper eating function.

Methods

Age-related changes of the masseter and tongue muscle of DMD rats were analyzed morphometrically, histologically, and immunohistochemically. Also, transcription of cellular senescent markers, and utrophin (Utrn), a functional analog of dystrophin, was examined.

Results

The masseter muscle of DMD rats showed progressive dystrophic changes as observed in their hindlimb muscle, accompanied by increased transcription of p16 and p19. On the other hand, the tongue of DMD rats showed macroglossia due to hypertrophy of myofibers with less dystrophic changes. Proliferative activity was preserved in the satellite cells from the tongue muscle but was perturbed severely in those from the masseter muscle. While Utrn transcription was increased in the masseter muscle of DMD rats compared to WT rats, probably due to a compensatory mechanism, its level in the tongue muscle was comparable between WT and DMD rats and was similar to that in the masseter muscle of DMD rats.

Conclusions

Muscular dystrophy is less advanced in the tongue muscle compared to the masseter muscle in the DMD rat.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13395-022-00307-7.

Structural and Ultrastructural Changes in the Tongue of mdx Mice

The mdx mouse is an experimental model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscular degeneration which affects the oral cavity musculature, and promotes difficulty in swallowing. This study aimed to describe morphological, structural, and ultrastructural changes in the tongue mucosa and musculature of mdx mice. Forty six-month-old mice were divided into two groups: Control C57bl/10 (n = 20) and mdx C57bl/10mdx (n = 20). The tongue was dissected and analyzed with light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Our results showed conical and triangular filiform, fungiform, foliate, and vallate papillae, and their connective tissue cores. The epithelium layers identified were corneum, granulosum, spinosum, and basale. The mdx group had a thicker epithelium. Lamina propria was composed of reddish and greenish collagen. In mdx, collagen was present in the musculature of the tongue's body and in the muscular tissue between mucous and serous glands of the caudal region. Musculature was also characterized by a shorter length of sarcoplasmic invaginations, myocytolysis in mitochondrial groupings, and inflammatory focus. In conclusion, the tongue of 6-month-old mdx mice had morphology, structure, and ultrastructure revealed, showing higher wear of filiform papillae indirect reflex from the muscular degeneration process.

Influence of botulinum toxin A on craniofacial morphology after injection into the right masseter muscle of dystrophin deficient (mdx-) mice

BACKGROUND

Severe craniofacial and dental abnormalities, typical for patients with progressive Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), are an exellcent demonstration of Melvin L. Moss "functional matrix theory", highlighting the influence of muscle tissue on craniofacial growth and morphology. However, the currently best approved animal model for investigation of this interplay is the mdx-mouse, which offers only a limited time window for research, due to the ability of muscle regeneration, in contrast to the human course of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate craniofacial morphology after BTX-A induced muscle paralysis in C57Bl- and mdx-mice, to prove the suitability of BTX-A intervention to inhibit muscle regeneration in mdx-mice and thus, mimicking the human course of the DMD disease.

METHODS

Paralysis of the right masseter muscle was induced in 100 days old C57Bl- and mdx-mice by a single specific intramuscular BTX-A injection. Mice skulls were obtained at 21 days and 42 days after BTX-A injection and 3D radiological evaluation was performed in order to measure various craniofacial dimensions in the sagittal, transversal and vertical plane. Statstical analysis were performed using SigmaStat®Version 3.5. In case of normal distribution, unpaired t-test and otherwise the Mann-Whitney-U test was applied. A statistical significance was given in case of p ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

In contrast to C57Bl-mice, in mdx-mice, three weeks after BTX-A treatment a significant decrease of skull dimensions was noted in most of the measurements followed by a significant increase at the second investigation period.

CONCLUSIONS

BTX-A can induce changes in craniofacial morphology and presumably partially inhibit muscle regeneration in mdx-mice, but cannot completely intensify craniofacial effects elicited by dystrophy. Further research is necessary in order to fully understand muscle-bone interplay after BTX-A injection into dystrophic muscles.

Histological features of masticatory muscles after botulinum toxin A injection into the right masseter muscle of dystrophin deficient (mdx-) mice

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

The most frequently used animal model for human DMD (Duchenne muscular dystrophy) research is the mdx mouse. In both species, characteristic histological changes like inflammation, muscle fiber degeneration and fibrosis are the same, but in contrast to humans, in mdx mice, phases of muscle fiber degeneration are compensated by regeneration processes.

AIM

Therefore, the interest of this study was to evaluate histological features in masticatory muscles after BTX-A injection into the right masseter muscle of wild type and dystrophic (mdx) mice, illustrating de- and regeneration processes induced by this substance.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The right masseter muscle of 100 days old healthy and mdx mice were selectively paralyzed by a single intramuscular BTX-A injection. Masseter as well as temporal muscle of injection and non-injection side were carefully dissected 21 days and 42 days after injection, respectively, and fiber diameter, cell nuclei position, necrosis and collagen content were analyzed histomorphologically in order to evaluate de- and regeneration processes in these muscles. Statistical analysis was performed using SigmaStat Software and Mann Whitney U-test (significance level: p < 0.05).

RESULTS

At both investigation periods and in both mouse strains fiber diameter was significantly reduced and collagen content was significantly increased in the right injected masseter muscle whereas fiber diameters in mdx mice were much smaller, and these differences were even more apparent at the second investigation period. Necrosis and central located nuclei could generally be found in all mdx mice muscles investigated with an amount of centronucleation exceeding 60%, and a significant increase of necrosis six weeks after injection. In wild type mice central located nuclei could primarily be found in the treated masseter muscle with a portion of 2.7%, and this portion decreased after six weeks, whereas in mdx mice a decrease could also be seen in the non-injected muscles. In contrast, in wild type mice necrosis was not apparent at any time and in all muscles investigated.

CONCLUSION

From our results it can be concluded that in mdx mice masticatory muscles de- and regeneration processes were extended, triggered by a selective BTX-A injection, or mdx mice at this age, independently of BTX-A treatment, went through another cycle of de- and regeneration as a characteristic of this disease.

Effects of chronic treatment with gold nanoparticles on inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in Mdx mice

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive hereditary myopathy characterised by progressive muscle degeneration in male children. As a consequence of DMD, increased inflammation and oxidative stress occur in muscle tissue along with morphological changes. Several studies have reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of gold nanoparticles (GNP) in muscle injury models. The objective of this study was to evaluate these effects along with the impacts of the disease on histopathological changes following chronic administration of GNP to Mdx mice. Two-month-old Mdx mice were separated into five groups of eight individuals each, as follows: wild-type (WT), Mdx-modified without treatment, Mdx + 2.5 mg/kg GNP, Mdx + 7.0 mg/kg GNP and Mdx + 21 mg/kg GNP. GNP with a mean diameter of 20 nm were injected subcutaneously at concentrations of 2.5, 7.0 and 21 mg/kg. Treatments continued for 30 d with injections administered at 48-h intervals. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, the animals were killed and the central region of the gastrocnemius muscle was surgically removed. Chronic administration of GNP reduced inflammation in the gastrocnemius muscle of Mdx mice and reduced morphological alterations due to inflammatory responses to muscular dystrophy. In addition, GNP also demonstrated antioxidant potential by reducing the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, reducing oxidative damage and improving antioxidant activity.

Congenital muscle dystrophy and diet consistency affect mouse skull shape differently

The bones of the mammalian skull respond plastically to changes in masticatory function. However, the extent to which muscle function affects the growth and development of the skull, whose regions have different maturity patterns, remains unclear. Using muscle dissection and 3D landmark-based geometric morphometrics we investigated the effect of changes in muscle function established either before or after weaning, on skull shape and muscle mass in adult mice. We compared temporalis and masseter mass and skull shape in mice with a congenital muscle dystrophy (mdx) and wild type (wt) mice fed on either a hard or a soft diet. We found that dystrophy and diet have distinct effects on the morphology of the skull and the masticatory muscles. Mdx mice show a flattened neurocranium with a more dorsally displaced foramen magnum and an anteriorly placed mandibular condyle compared with wt mice. Compared with hard diet mice, soft diet mice had lower masseter mass and a face with more gracile features as well as labially inclined incisors, suggesting reduced bite strength. Thus, while the early-maturing neurocranium and the posterior portion of the mandible are affected by the congenital dystrophy, the late-maturing face including the anterior part of the mandible responds to dietary differences irrespective of the mdx mutation. Our study confirms a hierarchical, tripartite organisation of the skull (comprising neurocranium, face and mandible) with a modular division based on development and function. Moreover, we provide further experimental evidence that masticatory loading is one of the main environmental stimuli that generate craniofacial variation.

Respiratory impedance in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Impulse oscillometry (IOS) evaluates non-effort-dependent respiratory mechanics, and thus it may be useful to evaluate patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

OBJECTIVES

We aimed (1) to describe the behavior of IOS parameters in patients with DMD, and compare it to those from a control group; (2) to determine whether resistances and reactances differ in relation to the severity of DMD; and (3) to compare IOS parameters with spirometry and maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) pressures.

METHODS

Children and adolescents (<20 years old) with biopsy-confirmed DMD and age-paired subjects were cross-sectionally evaluated. All results were transformed to z scores with respect to the healthy subjects (reference population).

RESULTS

Anthropometric characteristics did not differ between the 31 patients and 69 controls included in the study. Compared with controls, patients with DMD had higher IOS resistances and lower reactances. As expected, FEV₁ and FVC were lower in patients and always declined as age increased. By contrast, MIP and MEP were lower-than-normal in youngest patients, tended to improve around puberty initiation, and declined thereafter. In general, there was a poor correlation between IOS parameters and spirometric variables or respiratory pressures, excepting for X20 Hz, which had an inverse correlation with FEV₁ . Interestingly, IOS resistances were higher in patients with less disability (lower Vignos score; better FVC), but tended to be normalized in advanced stages of the disease.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that IOS is feasible in children and adolescents with DMD and yields information about respiratory function not achievable with the usual forced techniques. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:1072-1079. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Influence of Botulinumtoxin A on the Expression of Adult MyHC Isoforms in the Masticatory Muscles in Dystrophin-Deficient Mice (Mdx-Mice)

The most widespread animal model to investigate Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the mdx-mouse. In contrast to humans, phases of muscle degeneration are replaced by regeneration processes; hence there is only a restricted time slot for research. The aim of the study was to investigate if an intramuscular injection of BTX-A is able to break down muscle regeneration and has direct implications on the gene expression of myosin heavy chains in the corresponding treated and untreated muscles. Therefore, paralysis of the right masseter muscle was induced in adult healthy and dystrophic mice by a specific intramuscular injection of BTX-A. After 21 days the mRNA expression and protein content of MyHC isoforms of the right and left masseter, temporal, and the tongue muscle were determined using quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot technique. MyHC-IIa and MyHC-I-mRNA expression significantly increased in the paralyzed masseter muscle of control-mice, whereas MyHC-IIb and MyHC-IIx/d-mRNA were decreased. In dystrophic muscles no effect of BTX-A could be detected at the level of MyHC. This study suggests that BTX-A injection is a suitable method to simulate DMD-pathogenesis in healthy mice but further investigations are necessary to fully analyse the BTX-A effect and to generate sustained muscular atrophy in mdx-mice.

Dystrophic changes in masticatory muscles related chewing problems and malocclusions in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Dysphagia in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) worsens with age, with increasingly effortful mastication. The aims of this study were to describe mastication problems in consecutive stages in a group of patients with DMD and to determine related pathophysiological aspects of masticatory muscle structure, tongue thickness, bite force and dental characteristics. Data from 72 patients with DMD (4.3 to 28.0 years), divided into four clinical stages, were collected in a cross sectional study. Problems with mastication and the need for food adaptations, in combination with increased echogenicity of the masseter muscle, were already found in the early stages of the disease. A high percentage of open bites and cross bites were found, especially in the later stages. Tongue hypertrophy also increased over time. Increased dysfunction, reflected by increasingly abnormal echogenicity, of the masseter muscle and reduced occlusal contacts (anterior and posterior open bites) were mainly responsible for the hampered chewing. In all, this study shows the increasing involvement of various elements of the masticatory system in progressive Duchenne muscular dystrophy. To prevent choking and also nutritional deficiency, early detection of chewing problems by asking about feeding and mastication problems, as well as asking about food adaptations made, is essential and can lead to timely intervention.

Temporalis muscle hypertrophy and reduced skull eccentricity in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Muscle hypertrophy and muscle weakness are well known in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Decreased muscle force can have secondary effects on skeletal growth and development such as facial and dental morphology changes. In this study, we quantified temporal muscle thickness, circumference, and eccentricity of the skull and the head on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the head of 15 Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and 15 controls. Average temporal muscle thickness was significantly increased in patients (12.9 ± 5.2 mm) compared to controls (6.8 ± 1.4 mm) (P < .0001), whereas the shape of the skull was significantly rounder compared to controls. Temporal muscle thickness and skull eccentricity were significantly negatively correlated in patients, and positively in controls. Hypertrophy of the temporal muscles and changes in skull eccentricity appear to occur early in the course of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Further studies in younger patients are needed to confirm a causal relationship.

WITHDRAWN: Age-dependent muscle dystrophy related changes of craniofacial morphology in mdx mice

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Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in skeletal muscle of knockout mice suffering Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in fibrotic lesion in mdx mice. A total of six male C57BL/10 mice and six C57BL/10-DMD/mdx were distributed into two groups: control and animals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The medial part of gastrocnemius muscle was evaluated being the specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Sirius Red under normal and polarized light to differentiate type I (red and yellow) and III (green) collagen. COX-2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The results revealed histopathological changes in C57BL/10-DMD/mdx as depicted by regenerating fibers. Sirius Red stain showed a substantial increase in the amount of type I collagen of mdx mice. DMD induced a strong COX-2 immunoexpression in intercellular space. Taken together, our results are consistent with the notion that necrotic and fibrotic lesions are able to increase COX-2 expression in DMD.

Talin, vinculin and nestin expression in orofacial muscles of dystrophin deficient mdx mice

The activity of cytoskeletal proteins like talin, vinculin and nestin increases in muscle that regenerates. Little is known about their role or at least their expression in the process of regeneration in masticatory muscles of mdx mice, a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. To determine a potential role of cytoskeletal proteins in the regeneration process of mdx masticatory muscles, we examined the expression of talin 1, talin 2, vinculin and nestin in 100-day-old control and mdx mice using quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot analyses and histochemistry. The protein expression of talin 1, talin 2, nestin and vinculin in mdx muscles remained unchanged as compared with normal mice. However, in mdx masseter it was found a relative increase of nestin compared to controls. The protein expression of talin 1 and vinculin tended to be increased in mdx tongue and talin 2 to diminish in mdx masseter and temporal muscle. In mdx mice, we found significantly lower percentage of transcripts coding for nestin, talin 1, talin 2 and vinculin in masseter (p < 0.05) and temporal muscle (p < 0.001). In contrast, the mRNA expression of nestin was found to be increased in mdx tongue. Activated satellite cells, myoblasts and immature regenerated muscle fibres in mdx masseter and temporal revealed positive staining for nestin. The findings of the presented work suggest dystrophin-lack-associated changes in the expression of cytoskeletal proteins in mdx masticatory muscles could be compensatory for dystrophin absence. The expression of nestin may serve as an indicator for the regeneration in the orofacial muscles.

The expression of myogenic regulatory factors and muscle growth factors in the masticatory muscles of dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice

The activities of myogenic regulatory factors (MRF) and muscle growth factors increase in muscle that is undergoing regeneration, and may correspond to some specific changes. Little is known about the role of MRFs in masticatory muscles in mdx mice (the model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy) and particularly about their mRNA expression during the process of muscle regeneration. Using Taqman RT-PCR, we examined the mRNA expression of the MRFs myogenin and MyoD1 (myogenic differentiation 1), and of the muscle growth factors myostatin, IGF1 (insulin-like growth factor) and MGF (mechano-growth factor) in the masseter, temporal and tongue masticatory muscles of mdx mice (n = 6 to 10 per group). The myogenin mRNA expression in the mdx masseter and temporal muscle was found to have increased (P < 0.05), whereas the myostatin mRNA expressions in the mdx masseter (P < 0.005) and tongue (P < 0.05) were found to have diminished compared to those for the controls. The IGF and MGF mRNA amounts in the mdx mice remained unchanged. Inside the mdx animal group, gender-related differences in the mRNA expressions were also found. A higher mRNA expression of myogenin and MyoD1 in the mdx massterer and temporal muscles was found in females in comparison to males, and the level of myostatin was higher in the masseter and tongue muscle (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Similar gender-related differences were also found within the control groups. This study reveals the intermuscular differences in the mRNA expression pattern of myogenin and myostatin in mdx mice. The existence of these differences implies that dystrophinopathy affects the skeletal muscles differentially. The finding of gender-related differences in the mRNA expression of the examined factors may indicate the importance of hormonal influences on muscle regeneration.

Differential expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms in the masticatory muscles of dystrophin-deficient mice

The dystrophin-deficient mouse (mdx) is a homologue animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and is characterized by slowly progressive muscle weakness accompanied by changes in myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition. It is likely that the masticatory muscles undergo similar changes. The aim of this study was to examine the masticatory muscles (masseter, temporal, tongue, and soleus) of 100-day-old mdx and control mice (n = 8-10), and the fibre type distribution (by immunohistochemistry) as well as the expression of the corresponding MyHC messenger RNA (mRNA) (protein and mRNA expression, using Western blot or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)). Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis revealed that the masticatory muscles in the control and mdx mice consisted mainly of type 2 fibres, whereas soleus muscle consisted of both type 1 and 2 fibres. In the masseter muscle, the mRNA in mdx mice was not different from that found in the controls. However, the mRNA content of the MyHC-2b isoform in mdx mice was lower in comparison with the controls in the temporal muscle [11.9 versus 36.9 per cent; P < 0.01; mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM), Student's unpaired t-test], as well as in the tongue muscle (65.7 versus 73.8 per cent; P < 0.05). Similarly, the content of MyHC-2x isoforms in mdx tongue muscle was lower than in the controls (25.9 versus 30.8 per cent; P < 0.05). The observed down-regulation of the MyHC-2x and MyHC-2b mRNA in the masticatory muscles of mdx mice may lead to changed fibre type composition. The different MyHC gene expression in mdx mice masticatory muscles may be seen as an adaptive mechanism to muscular dystrophy.