Muscle cells apoptosis mediated by reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial permeability transition pore in denervated skeletal muscle atrophy

Abstract

Objective To study the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) in denervated skeletal muscle atrophy and its correlation with cell apoptosis, and explore specific molecular mechanism in denervated skeletal muscle atrophy. MethodsThirty Vista rats were randomly divided into five group: control group, 2-days group, 7-days group, 14-days group, 28-days group. Standard model of denervated gastrocnemius muscle was established. The content of ROS and the opening of MPTP in the gastrocnemius were detected by flow cytometry (FCM) and fluorescence microscope respectively. The apoptotic cells in atrophic muscle were examined by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Results As compared with the control group, the content of ROS, the opening of MPTP and the apoptosis of gastrocnemius were increased continuously (<28 days) in 2-days group, 7-days group, 14-days group, 28-days group (P<0.05). The content of ROS had a positive correlation with the opening of MPTP (r=0.884,P<0.01) and the apoptosis rate (r=0.893,P<0.01), and the opening of MPTP had a positive correlation with the apoptosis rate (r=0.927,P<0.01), but a negtive correlation with the ratio of muscle wet weight (r=-0.907,P<0.01). Conclusion ROS and MPTP are important elements in regulating skeletal muscle atrophy after denervation by the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Key words: Denervated; Skeletal muscle; ROS; MPTP; Apoptosis