Myostatin Gene Expression Level in the Soleus Muscle of Tail-Suspended Rats / 中国实验动物学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the effect of tail-suspending on myostatin(MSTN)expression in the soleus muscle of rats.Methods The MSTN mRNA levels in soleus muscle of tail-suspended and normal control rats were measured and compared.Results The MSTN mRNA in soleus muscle of tail-suspended rats was 2.2 times(hind limb unloading for 14 days)and 3.5 times(hind limb unloading for 30 days) higher than that in normal control rats (P<0.05).The relative wet weight of the soleus muscle in tail-suspended rats was decreased by 11%(unloading 14 days)and 1 9%(unloading 30 days),respectively,compared with that in normal control rats.Conclusion The expression of MSTN mRNA is elevated in the soleus muscle of tail-suspended rats,probably due to atrophy of the soleus muscle.