Fig. 1: Effect of unloading on muscle morphology and Atrogin-1 mRNA expression in Vastus Lateralis and Gastrocnemius.
From: Time-dependent unloading effects on muscle and bone and involvement of FNDC5/irisin axis
Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining on transverse sections of Vastus Lateralis from HU mice for 1-,2-,3- and 4-weeks showing time-dependent increasing extent of fibrotic area and reduction in muscle fiber diameters (a). Quantitative PCR (qPCR) showing mRNA expression levels of Atrogin-1 in Vastus Lateralis (b–e), and Gastrocnemius (f–i) muscles of control mice kept in resting condition (Rest) and HU mice (Unload) at time points 1-2-3 and 4 weeks. The results showed a significant increase in Atrogin-1 expression at 1 and 2 weeks in Vastus Lateralis (b, c) and at 2 weeks in Gastrocnemius (g) muscles. Shapiro-Wilk test and Mann-Whitney test were performed. Data are presented as box-and-whisker with median and interquartile ranges, from max to min, with all data points shown. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 vs Rest.
