Abstract
The entire extensor digitorum longus muscles were cross-transplanted between 25–40 day-old littermates of normal and dystrophic mice (strain C57BL 6J ). Between 120 and 150 days after operation, muscle weight, histological features and physiological properties of the muscles were examined. Reinnervation was well established for a normal extensor digitorum longus muscle transplanted into normal host (Nn) or dystrophic host (Nd), and a dystrophic extensor digitorum longus muscle transplanted into normal host (Dn). However, the degree of reinnervation was 70% for a dystrophic extensor digitorum longus muscle transplanted into dystrophic host (Dd). The twitch contractions of Nn or Dn extensor digitorum longus muscles were comparable to the fast twitch contractions of the nonoperated normal muscles. Those of Nd or Dd extensor digitorum longus muscles became as slow as the nonoperated dystrophic muscles. The maximum isometric twitch and tetanic tension per unit cross sectional area for Dn and Nd extensor digitorum longus muscles were intermediate between those for the two controls of Nn and Dd extensor digitorum longus muscles. The mean fiber diameter of Dn and Nd extensor digitorum longus muscles was intermediate between those for Nn and Dd extensor digitorum longus muscles. Dn extensor digitorum longus muscles showed an increase in weight comparable to Nn extensor digitorum longus muscles. Conversely, Nd or Dd extensor digitorum longus muscles deteriorated. The results of the present study suggest an important role for some extramuscular, possibly neural, factor (s) in murine muscular dystrophy.
Published Version
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