Figure 5.
Inflammatory mediators detected in experimental rats after 8 weeks of moderate repetition, negligible force (MRNF) task performance as compared to controls (CONT). (A, B) ELISA levels of IL-1β protein in forelimb flexor digitorum muscle and tendon in preferred reach limbs of week 8 MRNF rats increased compared to normal controls. (C, D) ELISA levels of TNF-α protein in flexor digitorum muscle and tendon in preferred reach limbs of week 8 MRNF rat increased compared to normal controls, and in the nonpreferred limb tendon, compared to normal controls. (E) The number of TNF-α immunopositive cells in flexor digitorum muscles of preferred reach limbs of week 8 MRNF animals increased compared to normal and trained control rats (mean levels of both combined). Plots show means + SEM; *:p<0.05 compared to controls. (F, G) TNF-α immunopositive cells (brown DAB reaction product) in the flexor digitorum forelimb tendons (F), and median nerve (G) of a representative preferred reach limb of a week 8 experimental animal. Arrows in G indicate fibroblasts in extraneural connective tissue. Scale bar = 50 µm.