Effect of hypothyroidism on myosin heavy chain expression in rat pharyngeal dilator muscles

Although the association between hypothyroidism and obstructive sleep apnea is well established, the effect of thyroid hormone deficiency on contractile proteins in pharyngeal dilator muscles responsible for maintaining upper airway patency is unknown. In the present study, the effects of hypothyroidism on myosin heavy chain (MHC) expression were examined in the sternohyoid, geniohyoid, and genioglossus muscles of adult rats (n = 20). The relative proportions of MHC isoforms present were determined using MHC-specific monoclonal antibodies and oligonucleotide probes. All control muscles showed a paucity of type I MHC fibers, with greater than 90% of fibers containing fast-twitch type II MHCs. In the genioglossus muscle, a population of non-IIa non-IIb fast-twitch type II fibers (putatively identified as type IIx MHC fibers) were detected. Hypothyroidism induced significant changes in MHC expression in all muscles studied. In the sternohyoid, type I fibers increased from 6.2 to 16.9%, whereas type IIa fibers increased from 25.9 to 30.7%. Type I fibers in the geniohyoid increased from 1.2 to 12.8%, whereas type IIa fibers increased from 34.1 to 42.7%. The genioglossus showed the smallest relative increase in type I expression but the greatest induction of type IIa MHC. None of the muscles examined demonstrated reinduction of embryonic or neonatal MHC in response to thyroid hormone deficiency. In summary, hypothyroidism alters the MHC profile of pharyngeal dilators in a muscle-specific manner. These changes may play a role in the pathogenesis of obstructive apnea in hypothyroid patients.