Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
7
pubmed:dateCreated
1998-6-25
pubmed:abstractText
Previous studies have reported fiber-type differences in the morphological adaptations of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) to aging by comparing limb muscles consisting of predominantly type I or II fibers. A confounding factor in these studies is age-related change in activity, which may differ between muscles. In the present study, we assessed age-related changes of the NMJ in type-identified fibers of the rat diaphragm muscle, which maintains consistent inspiratory-related activation throughout life. In 6- and 24-month-old rats, a fluorescent triple-labeling technique was used to visualize phrenic axons, presynaptic nerve terminals, and postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors (end-plates) on type-identified fibers. The NMJs were then imaged using three-dimensional (3D) confocal microscopy. On type IIx and IIb fibers, nerve terminal and end-plate 2D planar and 3D surface areas expanded, and the number of nerve terminal and end-plate branches increased, indicating fragmentation of the NMJ with aging. On the other hand, NMJs on type I and IIa fibers displayed little adaptation. These morphological adaptations may be geared toward maintaining the efficacy of inspiratory-related activity of the diaphragm muscle, but may affect the functional reserve of the aging diaphragm.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jul
pubmed:issn
0148-639X
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
21
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
887-95
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1998
pubmed:articleTitle
Age-related remodeling of neuromuscular junctions on type-identified diaphragm fibers.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't