Low temperature decreased basal tension in isolated rat tongue

The tongue is a complex organ that plays a vital role in the functions of mastication, deglutition, articulation, airway protection, and oral hygiene maintenance. The tongue also has the function of regulating body temperature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature on the tension changes of isolated rat tongue, with or without electric field stimulation (EFS). Tissue bath for isolated tongue was used. An in vitro isometric contraction of tongue from healthy Sprague-Dawley rat (body weight > or =200 g) was continuously recorded. Tension in strips of rat tongues that were untreated and treated with EFS, was recorded continuously in stepwise manner in temperatures that varied from 37 to 7 degrees C or 7 to 37 degrees C. Descent and reascent of temperature produced temperature-dependent tension changes. Basal tension of the tongue decreased as temperature was reduced, while EFS-induced spike contraction increased as temperature was reduced. Low temperature induced rapid and reproducible relaxation in isolated rat tongue strip. Increasing temperature enhanced basal tension and reduced EFS-induced spike contraction of the tongue.