Burd E, Keilholz A, Attari M, Smith C, Bunyak F, Lever T, Nichols N (2026) Impact of targeted tongue exercise on genioglossus sarcomere and mitochondria morphology in a rodent model of hypoglossal motor neuron death. American Physiology Summit 41(S1) doi: 10.1152/physiol.2026.41.S1.2301276
Objective: To establish a rodent model for studying the impact of XII LMN degeneration and developing therapies to improve swallowing and breathing function/coordination.
Summary: Studies have shown significant degenerative changes in genioglossus sarcomere and mitochondria morphology in rats with induced XII LMN death; however, the impact of tongue exercise on these morphological changes remains unknown. The authors established a rodent model using intralingual injections of CTB-SAP and studied ultrastructural changes in genioglossus sarcomere and mitochondria morphology using transmission electron microscopy and computational analysis. Preliminary data suggests that CTB-SAP + exercise rats demonstrate mitigation of degenerative mitochondrial morphology compared to CTB-SAP + sham exercise rats.
Usage: intralingual injection in adult male rats with CTB-SAP (IT-14) or control (CTB unconjugated to SAP) and subjected them to either sham or tongue exercise
Related Products: CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14)