Effect of nerve section on beta-endorphin and alpha-melanotropin immunoreactivity in motor nerves of normal and dystrophic mice.
beta-Endorphin and alpha-melanotropin immunoreactivity was demonstrated in some motor nerves in histological sections of soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles of the mouse. In two strains (C57BL/6J and 129/ReJ) which can inherit muscular dystrophy, the proportion of immunoreactive nerves was greater in the dystrophic individuals than in their healthy littermates. At 24 h after section of the sciatic nerve in the normal mice the proportion of immunoreactive nerve profiles had increased significantly in the denervated muscles even though most of the nerve axons had degenerated. Similar increases were also seen in nerves in the unoperated contralateral muscles.
Hughes
S
S
Department of Physiology, Medical School, University of Birmingham, U.K.
Smith
M E
ME
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009121:Muscle Denervation; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009137:Muscular Dystrophy, Animal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000378:metabolism; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000378:metabolism*
D004723:Endorphins; D000521:alpha-MSH