Abnormalities in the genioglossus muscle and its neuromuscular synapse in leptin-deficient male mice.

backgroundThe genioglossus (GG) muscle, the largest upper airway dilator muscle, plays a crucial role in maintaining pharyngeal airway patency. It is innervated by hypoglossal motoneurons, and its tone is often reduced in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), leading to tongue collapse and airway obstruction during sleep. Although the mechanisms underlying this disorder are not fully understood, the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) of the GG muscle, essential for communication between motor neurons and skeletal muscle, has largely been overlooked.

methodsIn this study, we explored whether obesity impacts the NMJ of the GG muscle. Using the leptin-deficient obese mouse model, Lep

resultsOur results show that the GG muscle and its NMJs exhibit significant alterations in Lep

conclusionsThese findings suggest that the GG muscle is particularly susceptible to degeneration in obesity induced by leptin deficiency, with distinct alterations observed in both the muscle and the NMJ. This specificity underscores the complex impact of obesity on NMJ health and highlights the need for further investigation into muscle-specific responses to obesity-related stress. Additionally, the degeneration of the GG muscle appears to reflect a sex-specific impact of obesity on neuromuscular integrity and may contribute to the pathogenesis of OSA.