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Cunha JE, Barbosa GM, Castro PATDS, Luiz BLF, Silva ACA, Russo TL, Vasilceac FA, Cunha TM, Cunha FQ, Salvini TF. Knee osteoarthritis induces atrophy and neuromuscular junction remodeling in the quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscles of rats. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6366. [PMID: 31019213 PMCID: PMC6482306 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42546-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is associated with muscle weakness, but it is unclear which structures are involved in the muscle changes. This study assessed morphological alterations and the expression of genes and proteins linked to muscular atrophy and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in KOA, induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) in rats. Two groups of rats were assessed: control (without intervention) and KOA (ACLT surgery in the right knee). After 8 weeks, quadriceps, tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius muscles were analyzed (area of muscle fibers, NMJ, gene and protein expression). KOA group showed atrophy in quadriceps (15.7%) and TA (33%), with an increase in atrogin-1 and muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF-1). KOA group showed quadriceps NMJ remodeling (reduction area and perimeter) and decrease in NMJ diameter in TA muscle. The expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) γ-nAChR increased and that of α-nAChR and muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) declined in the quadriceps, with a decrease in ε-nAChR in TA. MuRF-1 protein expression increased in quadriceps and TA, with no changes in neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). In conclusion, ACLT-induced KOA promotes NMJ remodeling and atrophy in quadriceps and TA muscles, associated with inflammatory signs and changes in muscle gene and protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Thiago Luiz Russo
- Physical Therapy Department, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Thiago Mattar Cunha
- Pharmacology Department, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Tania Fátima Salvini
- Physical Therapy Department, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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