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Updated: May 16, 2026
In Vivo Evaluation of the Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of the Rat Tongue
Published on: July 6, 2017
Tongue muscle plasticity following hypoglossal nerve stimulation in aged rats
Nadine P Connor1, John A Russell, Michelle A Jackson
1Department of Surgery, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 600 Highland Avenue, Room K4/711, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA. connor@surgery.wisc.edu
Introduction:
Age-related decreases in tongue muscle mass and strength have been reported. It may be possible to prevent age-related tongue muscle changes using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Our hypothesis was that alterations in muscle contractile properties and myosin heavy chain composition would be found after NMES.
Methods:
Fifty-four young, middle-aged, and old 344/Brown Norway rats were included in this study. Twenty-four rats underwent bilateral electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerves for 8 weeks and were compared with control or sham rats. Muscle contractile properties and myosin heavy chain (MHC) in the genioglossus (GG), styloglossus (SG), and hyoglossus (HG) muscles were examined.
Results:
Compared with unstimulated control rats, we found reduced muscle fatigue, increased contraction and half-decay times, and increased twitch and tetanic tension. Increased type I MHC was found, except for in GG in old and middle-aged rats.
Conclusion:
Transitions in tongue muscle contractile properties and phenotype were found after NMES.
