title: Skeletal effects of the alteration of masseter muscle function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of muscle denervation and the introduction of the β2-adrenoceptor agonist, formoterol, on the relationship between muscles and underlying skeletal growth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one (4-week-old) male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups: Surgical Sham; Denervated; Denervated + β2-agonist; and β2-agonist only. The Surgical Sham group had the left masseteric nerve exposed but not sectioned. Both of the denervated groups had the left masseteric nerve exposed and sectioned. The groups receiving the β2-agonist had formoterol directly injected into the left masseter muscle every three days for eight weeks. Sixteen angular and linear skeletal measurements were assessed in the overall craniofacial region and the mandible via standardised digital radiography in three views: lateral head, submento-vertex and right and left disarticulated hemi-mandibles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings indicated that, following surgical denervation of the masseter muscle, there were significant changes in the muscle and in the subsequent development of the underlying skeletal structures. The post-surgical changes were largely offset by the administration of a β2-agonist, formoterol, which attenuated muscle atrophy. However, the administration of the β2-agonist only, without surgical denervation, did not lead to changes in skeletal facial form.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Denervation atrophy of the masseter muscle results in statistically significant changes in the development of the underlying skeleton. The changes, however, are localised to areas of muscle attachment. The administration of the β2-agonist, formoterol, despite its effect on muscle anabolism, does not have a significant effect on underlying skeletal growth.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Mayne
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van der Poel
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Gordon S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Lynch
mesh_terms: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000209:etiology; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000254:growth & development; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000254:growth & development; D009121:Muscle Denervation; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000379:methods; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015050:Zygoma / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate