J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2001 Dec;36(6):613-621.

Phenotypic Changes of Intermediate Filament Proteins during Degeneration and Regeneration of Rat Leg Muscles following Physical Injury

• Kim HS
• Yoo KS
• Kim BH
• Sohn SK

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this experiment was to observe the phenotypic changes of intermediate filaments in skeletal muscle fibers during the degeneration and regeneration of the physical injury.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The gastrocnemius muscles of rats were physically damaged by needles and serial cryosections of the damaged muscles were prepared at 2, 4, 6, 9, 15, 21 and 35 days after injury. The cryosections were immunolabelled with desmin, vimentin and histochemically reacted with NADH-TR (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase).
RESULTS
Myotubes, asvisualized by desmin and vimentin, appeared at 9 days after injury. The regenerative myofibers were similar to normal muscles 35 days after injury. Degeneration and regeneration occurred simultaneously and positive reactions for desmin disappeared earlier than those of vimentin.
CONCLUSION
Both desmin and vimentin are strong staining tools for the evaluation of myopathy. The phenotypic patterns of intermediate filaments showed various degrees of regeneration in the early stages after physical injury.

Keyword

Skeletal muscle; Regeneration; Intermediate filament; Desmin; Vimentin

MeSH Terms

Adenine
Animals
Desmin
Intermediate Filament Proteins*
Intermediate Filaments*
Leg*
Muscle Fibers, Skeletal
Muscle, Skeletal
Muscles*
Muscular Diseases
Needles
Rats*
Regeneration*
Vimentin
Adenine
Desmin
Intermediate Filament Proteins
Vimentin