Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Induction of Acute Skeletal Muscle Regeneration by Cardiotoxin Injection
Published on: January 1, 2017
A novel intraoral injection technique for rat levator veli palatini muscle regeneration
Xu Cheng1, Hanyao Huang1, Bing Shi1
1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Centre for Oral Diseases, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, 14 Ren Min Nan Road, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
Background:
The levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle drives the elevation and retraction of the soft palate to facilitate speech and feeding, but undergoes atrophic changes in patients with cleft palate deformity. This study aimed to establish an effective drug delivery technique for LVP muscle regeneration.
Methods:
An intraoral injection technique for rat LVP muscle regeneration was developed based on careful examination of the rat craniofacial anatomy. The accuracy and reliability of this technique were tested by cone-beam computed tomography and nitrocellulose dye labeling. Recombinant human Wnt7a was delivered via this injection technique, and the subsequent responses of the levator veli palatini muscle were analyzed.
Results:
Both the cone-beam computed tomography orientation of the needle tip and dye labeling suggested repeatable accuracy of the injection technique. Recombinant human Wnt7a delivery via this technique induced regeneration-related changes, including increased expression of centrally nucleated myofibers and Ki67+ve nuclei.
Conclusion:
The intraoral injection technique is safe and efficient. It can be used for accurate drug delivery and to screen regenerative therapeutics for the LVP muscle.
Related Concept Videos
Whole Body Regeneration
Liver Regeneration
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are...
Overview of Regeneration and Repair
Regeneration
All animals have varying degrees of...
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Fibers
Slow-Twitch Muscle Fibers
Slow oxidative, muscle fibers appear red due to large numbers of capillaries and high levels of...
Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell...
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

