In previous researches the Authors hypothesized that the loss of cytoskeletal proteins such as desmin and vinculin lead to degenerative ultrastructural changes which occur in muscular disuse atrophy. In order to support this hypothesis they carried out a morphometric, structural, ultrastructural and immunofluorescence study on the soleus muscle of albino rats after resection of the ischiatic nerve. It was demonstrated that a chronological sequence of the damage took place in particular three levels of damage. The last level of damage proved to be irreversible; the first level assured complete recovery in the case of rapid reinnervation, whereas the possible reversibility of the second level remained open to question. The disappearance of vinculin and desmin was observed in a period between 72 hours and 7 days, i.e. before the appearance of ultrastructural damage. On this ground the Authors explained the correlation between the loss of the proteins and degenerative changes. In conclusion the Authors correlated the gene expression of cytoskeletal and contractile proteins with the neuropeptides released by motor axon.
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