Remodeling of muscle fibers approaching the human myotendinous junction

Abstract

The myotendinous junction (MTJ) is at high risk of strain injuries, due to high amounts of energy that is transferred through this structure. The risk of strain injury is significantly reduced by heavy resistance training (HRT), indicating a remodeling capacity of MTJ. We investigated the degree of remodeling of muscle fibers near the human MTJ. In 8 individuals, samples were taken from the semitendinosus and gracilis MTJ and they were stained immunohistochemically for myonuclei (DAPI), fibroblasts (TCF7L2), and satellite cells (CD56). A high portion of the muscle fibers adjacent to the MTJ contained a centrally located myonucleus (47 ± 8%, mean ± SD) and half of the muscle fibers were CD56 positive. The number of satellite cells and fibroblasts were not higher than what has previously been reported from muscle bellies. The immunohistochemical findings suggest that the rate of remodeling of muscle fibers near the MTJ is very high. The finding that there was no increased number of satellite cells and fibroblasts could be explained as a dynamic phenomenon. The effect of HRT should be evaluated in a randomized setting.