Experimental Studies Of Rabbit Skeletal Muscle Denervation Atrophy By High Intensity Focused Ultrasound

Asian prefer to have more delicate and feminine features rather than prominent squared mandibular angles and plump muscular calves. Presently the most popular method is using plastic surgery or injecting Botulinum toxin A. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility and safety to make use of image-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to establish the skeletal muscle denervated atrophy models and to contour the calf of the rabbits in vivo.One of sciatic nerves of the rabbits was treated by HIFU, under the guidance of ultrasound imaging. The other side was control group. The observation time was 1, 2, 4, and 8weeks post-operation. The changes of sciatic nerve impulse conduction were measured. The weight of gastrocnemius muscles and soleus muscle were measured. Histological analysis of gastrocnemius muscles and nerve sections at the HIFU site were performed. The following results can be showed from this study.1. The noticeable symptoms of claudication were found in all the rabbits. 2. The oscillograms of nerve impulse conduction were significant difference between the two group at 1, 2 , 4, and 8 weeks (P<0.05).3. The qualities of gastrocnemius muscle and soleus muscle were significant difference between the two group at 2 , 4, and 8 weeks (P<0.05).4. The myocyte diameter and cross section was significant difference between the two group at 2 , 4, and 8 weeks (P<0.05).5. Degeneration of the sciatic nerves at the HIFU site was confirmed by histological methods at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks.It is safe and reliable to use HIFU to establish the skeletal muscle denervated atrophy models without skin damage. This method maybe can used to treat masseter hypertrophy or calf hypertrophy in the future.