Alterations of intrinsic tongue muscle properties with aging

ABSTRACT Introduction: Age‐related decline in the intrinsic lingual musculature could contribute to swallowing disorders, yet the effects of age on these muscles is unknown. We hypothesized there is reduced muscle fiber size and shifts to slower myosin heavy chain (MyHC) fiber types with age. Method...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Muscle & nerve 2017-12, Vol.56 (6), p.E119-E125
Main Authors: Cullins, Miranda J., Connor, Nadine P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Age factors
Aging
Aging - pathology
Aging - physiology
Animals
Contraction
dysphagia
Fluorescence
Immunohistochemistry
lingual
Male
Muscle contraction
Muscle Contraction - physiology
Muscle, Skeletal - pathology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Muscles
Myosin
Rats
Rats, Inbred F344
Rodents
swallow
Swallowing
Tongue
Tongue - pathology
Tongue - physiology
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Summary:ABSTRACT Introduction: Age‐related decline in the intrinsic lingual musculature could contribute to swallowing disorders, yet the effects of age on these muscles is unknown. We hypothesized there is reduced muscle fiber size and shifts to slower myosin heavy chain (MyHC) fiber types with age. Methods: Intrinsic lingual muscles were sampled from 8 young adult (9 months) and 8 old (32 months) Fischer 344/Brown Norway rats. Fiber size and MyHC were determined by fluorescent immunohistochemistry. Results: Age was associated with a reduced number of rapidly contracting muscle fibers, and more slowly contracting fibers. Decreased fiber size was found only in the transverse and verticalis muscles. Discussion: Shifts in muscle composition from faster to slower MyHC fiber types may contribute to age‐related changes in swallowing duration. Decreasing muscle fiber size in the protrusive transverse and verticalis muscles may contribute to reductions in maximum isometric tongue pressure found with age. Differences among regions and muscles may be associated with different functional demands. Muscle Nerve 56: E119–E125, 2017
ISSN:0148-639X
1097-4598
DOI:10.1002/mus.25605