Neuromuscular Damage and Repair after Dry Needling in Mice

Figure 6

Distal nerve damage by DN. Neurofilament (axon) has been labeled with fluorescein (green) and postsynaptic receptors with α-bungarotoxin rhodaminated (red). (a) Intramuscular nerve shows some axons with fragmented neurofilament. Nerve section due to DN is out of the field, and it cannot be observed in this image. Initial magnification: 600x. (b) The circle shows an example of normal endplate: an axon branched covering postsynaptic component perfectly with compact and defined edges. Inside the box, an example of a recently reinnervated endplate is shown: very thin axon and a dispersed postsynaptic component. Initial magnification: 200x. In (b′), this unstructured component is shown in detail. Initial magnification: 600x. (c) Several days after completion of reinnervation, axonal regrowth can still be seen as in this example: a branch finished in axonal growth cone that runs on the postsynaptic component. Initial magnification: 400x.