The tongue is a fundamental organ in feeding, vocalization, and grooming. It is characterized by evolutionary adaptations reflected by diet, habitat, and function. Rodents are a very diverse mammalian order and the tongue's morphology varies in size, form, and presence of papillae.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe myotendinous junction (MTJ) is a highly specialized region of the locomotor apparatus. Here, we investigated the ultrastructural and molecular effects in the MTJ region after static stretching prior to the ladder-based resistance training. Thirty-two male, 60-day old Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Sedentary, Resistance Training, Stretching, and Stretching-Resistance Training.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe morphology of the neuromuscular junction adapts according to changes in its pattern of use, especially at the postsynaptic region according to the myofibrillar type and physical exercise. This investigation revealed the morphological adaptations of the postsynaptic region after static stretching, resistance training, and their association in adult male Wistar rats. We processed the soleus and plantaris muscles for histochemical (muscle fibers) and postsynaptic region imaging techniques.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe 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).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe myotendinous junction (MTJ) is the interface between muscle and tendon, and it is the main area of force transmission of the locomotor apparatus. Dystrophic processes promote pathological injury which affects the skeletal muscle and can influence the morphology of the MTJ. This study aimed to investigate the adaptations in MTJ morphology of mdx mice in the tibialis anterior muscle.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStatic stretching provides benefits to the range of motion, modulates intramuscular connective tissue, and is incorporated into warm-up exercises. In this study, we present the effects in the motor endplate and belly muscle resulting from previous static stretching to climbing training. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6 each): Sedentary (Sed), Climbing (Clb), Static stretching (Ss), and Static stretching prior to climbing (Ssc).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe myotendinous junction (MTJ) is the muscle-tendon interface and constitutes an integrated mechanical unit to force transmission. Joint immobilization promotes muscle atrophy via disuse, while physical exercise can be used as an adaptative stimulus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the components of the MTJ and their adaptations and the associated elements triggered with aquatic training after joint immobilization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe palate is a fundamental region in food swallowing and presents different adaptations in species. This research aimed to describe structural and ultrastructural characteristics of the palatine epithelium and the connective tissue cores (CTCs) of ten red-rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina—Linnaeus, 1758) using macroscopic, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. We found nine palatine ridges in the diastema and hard palate, and a smooth surface in the soft palate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe morphology of the oral cavity of mammals relates to diet, habitat, and function. The palate is an important region with adaptations for oral somatosensation and mechanical loads due to the pressure of the tongue with food. The research aimed to describe the structural and ultrastructural characteristics of the epithelium and the connective tissue cores of the guinea pig palate using macroscopic, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present study shows chronic adjustments in the myotendinous junction (MTJ) in response to different ladder-based resistance training (LRT) protocols. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into groups: sedentary (S), calisthenics (LRT without additional load [C]), and resistance-trained (LRT with extra weight [R]). We demonstrated longer lengths of sarcoplasmatic invaginations in the trained groups; however, evaginations were seen mainly in group R.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJoint immobilization is commonly used as a conservative treatment for osteoarticular and musculotendinous traumas. However, joint immobilization might elicit degenerative effects on the neuromuscular system and muscle atrophy. For this reason, the choice of strategies that mitigate these effects is essential in the post-immobilization period.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe myofibrillary types establish to the skeletal muscle functional and adaptive properties that influence the sarcomeric arrangement during muscle contraction and may have repercussions on an important related force transmission region of the locomotor apparatus, the myotendinous junction (MTJ). This study aimed to describe changes in myofibrillary type and sarcomeric lengths in the belly muscle and MTJ of the soleus and plantaris muscles associated with training protocols in vertical ladder. Thirty adults male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 10): Control (CTR), No-load Training (NLT), and Load Training (LT).
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