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PubMed1990

[Motor unit activities of human masseter muscle during sustained voluntary contractions].

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the motor unit activities of the human masseter muscle during sustained the bite force at a constant level. The electrical activities recorded with surface and inserted electrodes were studied, with the following results. 1. The masseter muscle had the changes of activities in two phases as a contraction progressed. 2. In the first phase, surface EMG activities decreased and discharge frequency of motor units also decreased. 3. In the second phase, surface EMG activities increased and discharge frequency of motor units also increased. 4. In the first phase, it was suggested that the bite force was maintained by an increase in the twitch tension produced by a motor unit and that there were no recruitment of additional motor units. 5. In the second phase, it was indicated that the bite force was maintained by the recruitment of new motor units and an increase in the discharge frequency of motor units to compensate a loss of force resulted from the contractile element fatigue.

Bite Force↗

PubMed2000

Quantitative changes in the mRNA for contractile proteins and metabolic enzymes in masseter muscle of bite-opened rats.

To study the effects of bite opening on the fibre phenotypes of rat masseter, the mRNAs of four predominant myosin heavy-chain isoforms (MHC I, IIa, IId/x and IIb) and two alkali light-chain isoforms (LC1f and 3f) as well as those of two metabolic enzymes, carbonic anhydrase III (CAIII, oxidative enzyme) and glucose-phosphate isomerase (GPI, glycolytic enzyme), were measured in relation to the total RNA of masseter muscle by competitive, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in control and bite-opened rats. Bite opening (2.8 mm increase in the vertical dimension for 1 week) significantly (P<0.05) increased the amount of MHC IIa mRNA but decreased (P<0.001) the amount of MHC IIb mRNA without changing the amount of MHC IId/x mRNA. No MHC I mRNA was found in any masseter studied. A significant (P<0.01) increase in the mRNA of LC1f associated with a decrease (P<0.05) in that of LC3f was observed after the bite opening. The CAIII mRNA increased significantly (P<0.001), while the GPI mRNA decreased (P<0.05) in association with the bite opening. These results strongly suggest that in 1 week of bite opening changes the rat masseter muscle from a glycolytic, MHC IIb-LC3f-dominant fibre to an oxidative, MHC IIa-LC1f-dominant fibre.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1990

[Transposition of masseter muscle insertion and its influence on anatomical musculo-skeletal changes in the adult rabbit].

Unilateral surgical transposition of the masseter muscle from the masseteric fossa to the central area of the mandibular body below the molar teeth was performed in ten adult rabbits. Six months later the animals were sacrificed, the masseter muscles were dissected and then removed to be fully dried and weighed; the skull was cleaned for anatomical examination of the mandible and the teeth. It was noticed that the transposed muscles were firmly attached and functionally adapted, but underwent a drastic reduction of their weight. The smooth surface of the mandibular body which became activated by the new muscular pull was now rough and irregular due to osseous neoformation. The original area of attachment (masseteric fossa) was remodelled not only regressively but also by bone apposition (exostoses) in some sites. The dental arches kept normal, except for alveolar bone resorption next to the first molar in two animals and accentuated sagittal deviation in another one.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗

PubMed2002

Emotional stress and brux-like activity of the masseter muscle in rats.

The aim of this study was to further clarify the relationship between emotional stress and bruxism. In experiment 1, 60 male 9-week-old Wistar rats were divided into four groups: the emotionally stressed (ES), the emotionally non-stressed (NS), the electrically foot-shocked (FSd), and the non-foot-shocked (NSd). ES rats were confined in a communication box for one hour a day to observe the emotional responses of neighbouring FSd rats. On days 0, 1, 4, 8, and 12, the electromyographic activity of the ES and NS rats' left masseter muscles was recorded for one hour, three hours after confinement in the communication box. Brux-like activity appeared in the masseter muscle of the ES group on days 1, 4, 8, and 12, but not in the NS group. In experiment 2, 36 male Wistar rats, 9 weeks old, were divided into three groups: emotionally stressed rats treated with an anti-anxiety drug (DES), emotionally stressed rats treated with saline as a vehicle (VES), and 24 FSd rats. Stress and EMG procedures were the same as those in experiment 1. Brux-like episodes decreased in DES rats from day 1 and significant differences were found on days 4 (P < 0.01), 8 (P < 0.05), and 12 (P < 0.05), when compared with the VES group. These findings suggest that emotional stress induces brux-like activity in the masseter muscle of rats, which was reduced with anti-anxiety drugs.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Electromyographic study of the masseter muscle in individuals with Class II malocclusion.

The objective of this work was to study the action of the masseter muscle through electromyography and to analyze the difference of action potential generated by several pre-established jaw movements in individuals with Class II malocclusion. It was studied nine young individuals from both sexes, with ages ranging from 17 to 35, with no history of orthodontic treatment and/or having some kind of alteration in the temporomandibular joint (T.M.J.). In order to collect the electromyographic signs we have used a TECA TE-4 Electromygraph and surface electrodes type Beckman. The data were submitted to nonparametric statistical analysis by Friedman test. The response variables left occlusive contact, free protraction, protraction with occlusive contact, incisor mastication, right molar mastication and forced central occlusion movements showed significant outcomes. Thus we have concluded that as the occlusive balance suffers alterations, the malocclusions become predominant and the masseter muscle undergoes functional and structural modifications.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1984

Mechanical properties of glycerinated guinea-pig temporal and masseter muscles.

At a muscle length, L0 (just taut), isometric tension and tension transients in response to rapid step stretches in length (less than 1 per cent of L0 within 2 ms) were measured at constant levels of Ca2+ activation of various magnitudes in glycerinated temporal and masseter muscles (1.7-2.5 mm long, 48-96 micron in diameter) from guinea pigs. The experiments were at 20 and 30 degrees C, and pH 6.8. Steady isometric tension increased in a sigmoid fashion as Ca2+ varied from about pCa 6.6 to 4.4 in both muscles. However, the maximum tension of temporal muscle was about 4.4 times greater than that of masseter muscle at 20 degrees C. The tension transients showed an immediate tension increase coincident with the stretch (the first phase) and an exponential-like tension decrease (the second phase). The time constant of the second phase was about 87.5 ms in temporalis and 3.7 ms in masseter at 30 degrees C. Decreasing temperature from 30 to 20 degrees C markedly increased the time constant of the tension response in the second phase (Q10 of about 3.4 in temporalis and 2.2 in masseter). Although there was a difference in the sarcomere length between the two muscles at L0 (2.14 micron in temporalis and 1.84 micron in masseter), the mechanical characteristics were almost independent of the muscle length. Thus the cross-bridges in temporalis appear to cycle more slowly and produce more isometric tension than those in masseter muscle.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Delayed embryonic development of mouse masseter muscle correlates with delayed MyoD family expression.

While the masseter muscle is known to have several unique developmental characteristics as compared with other skeletal muscles, little is known about its myogenesis. Thus, we examined the expression of myogenic marker and of myoD family gene mRNA from embryonic day (E) 11 to birth. The obtained results were compared with our earlier results of the mouse tongue muscle, which is also involved in oral functions. The mRNA quantities were determined by means of the reverse-transcription and competitive-polymerase chain-reaction techniques. The expression of myogenic marker mRNA indicated that differentiation and maturation in the masseter began at E13 as in the tongue, and were not yet completed at birth, although they were completed in the tongue. The expression of myoD, myogenin, and myf5 mRNA peaked later in the masseter (E17) than in the tongue (E13). The expression of MRF4 mRNA began later in the masseter (E15) than in the tongue (E13). These results suggest that the delayed expression of the myoD family genes in the masseter correlates with delayed differentiation and maturation, probably due to the later functional requirements of the masseter than of the tongue.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Discomfort and bite force in painful masseter muscles after intramuscular injections of local anesthetic and saline solution.

Thirty women with a history of daily pain in the masseter muscles were injected with either lidocaine or saline. The participants were told that they were being given an anesthetic injection to reduce their muscular discomfort. The dentist performing the injections did not know which fluid was used. The discomfort in the masseter muscle was assessed by using Borg's new rating scale before and 10 minutes after injection. The evaluation was followed up on day 1, day 3, and day 7. Bite force was registered between the first molars on the injection side. When scale values were compared individually within groups before and after injection, a significant decrease in discomfort was found in both groups, with the exception of day 1 for the lidocaine group and days 1 and 3 in the saline group. The total lidocaine and saline groups assessed the discomfort similarly except on day 3 when the lidocaine group showed significantly less discomfort. The intraindividual force values increased significantly after injection in the saline group. This effect was not found in the lidocaine group. Despite the minor tendencies for lidocaine to have a better effect, the placebo effect was considered to be high and important.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Inhibition by free radical scavengers and by cyclooxygenase inhibitors of the effect of acidosis on calcium transport by masseter muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

In vitro, arachidonic acid depressed calcium transport by sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in the homogenate of canine masseter muscle. This effect was inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD), a scavenger of the superoxide anion radial ( . O-2), at pH 7.0, and by SOD plus d-mannitol, a scavenger of hydroxyl free radical ( . OH), at pH 5.5. Indomethacin and 2-aminomethyl-4-tert-butyl-6-propionyl phenol (ONO-3144), a compound known to accelerate the conversion of prostaglandin G2 (PGG2) to PGH2 and scavenge free radicals, inhibited the effect of arachidonic acid at both pH 7.0 and pH 5.5. PGG2, but not PGH2, duplicated the effect of arachidonic acid. The effect of PGG2 on SR function was similar to that of exogenous free radicals generated from the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. Incubation at pH 5.5, in the absence of an exogenous free-radical generating system, depressed SR calcium transport in the homogenate and in isolated SR. This effect in the homogenate was inhibited by indomethacin or by ONO-3144. At 10-min incubation at pH 5.5, SOD partially and temporarily reversed the depressant effect of acidosis. The addition of SOD plus d-mannitol completely reversed the system. d-Mannitol alone was ineffective. Arachidonic acid was able to mimic these effects of acidosis, except that arachidonic acid further depressed isolated SR calcium transport. These results demonstrate that acidosis can depress SR calcium transport in the homogenate of masseter muscle by an oxygen-free radical mechanism by the generation of . O-2 and . OH. Our results also demonstrate that significant oxygen radical generation can occur through the cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism at an acidotic pH in the cellular environment outside of the SR of the muscle cell, and seems to be responsible for the generation of the . OH derived from . O-2.

Acidosis↗

PubMed1993

Mechanoreceptors around the tooth evoke inhibitory and excitatory reflexes in the human masseter muscle.

1. The reflex responses evoked in the human masseter muscle by controlled mechanical stimulation of an incisor tooth were examined electromyographically. The stimuli were (slow) pushes and (brisk) taps of about 0.5-3 N peak force, applied orthogonally to the labial surface. 2. The brisk taps elicited a short-latency inhibitory reflex that was often followed by an excitatory peak, as has been described earlier. The inhibition increased as the taps became stronger. 3. Slow pushes evoked a long-latency, primarily excitatory response. The excitation increased with stronger, faster rise-time pushes; however, with the stronger stimuli, the short-latency inhibitory response often became evident before the onset of the excitation. 4. The reflex responses to 3 N pushes and 2 N taps were abolished when the receptors around the tooth were blocked with local anaesthetic, indicating that the response was elicited from receptors located within the periodontal area. 5. Prolonged, rapid-onset displacements evoked a complex reflex response that combined the characteristics of the taps and the pushes. 6. The most likely explanation for the different responses evoked by the pushes and taps is that the patterns of afferent activity elicited by the slow and fast tooth displacements activated different interneuronal pathways to motoneurones. 7. The inhibitory response to taps is essentially a protective reflex which probably serves to reduce the activity of the jaw-closing muscles when one bites unexpectedly on hard objects. It is suggested that the excitatory response may contribute to the muscle activity required to hold food between the teeth during chewing, or may act as a load compensation reflex to control chewing force.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982

Intraoral masseter muscle transposition: use with reconstruction of regional facial paralysis.

The treatment of regional facial paralysis of the lips and commissure by masseter muscle transposition is well accepted and usually accomplished by an external approach. The intraoral transfer demonstrates distinct advantages for the rehabilitation of midfacial regional paresis. The procedure is performed totally intraorally, which exposes the masseter muscle before transposing the anterior portion in a subcutaneous tunnel to the upper and lower lips. The effects of this transposition are direct support and immediate contraction, with eventual myoneurotization of the surrounding perioral musculature. The indications, operative considerations, and results in 22 cases are reported. This technique considerably advances the procedural approaches of the reconstructive surgeon and in used either in conjunction with other reconstructive modalities or as a primary procedure in selected cases.

Facial Paralysis↗

PubMed2005

The influence of hot pack therapy on the blood flow in masseter muscles.

The purpose of this study was to clarify whether hot pack therapy can change the blood flow of human masseter muscles. Thirty-two healthy subjects with no history of muscle pain in the masticatory system participated and were divided into two groups. One group underwent proper hot pack therapy (hot pack group) and the other underwent sham hot pack therapy (control group). Continuous and non-invasive measurements of haemoglobin volumes and oxygen saturation levels (StO2) were determined with a near-infrared spectroscope. The blood flow parameters were total haemoglobin volume (THb), oxygenated haemoglobin volume (OXHb), deoxygenated haemoglobin volume (deOXHb) and oxygen saturation level (StO2). In hot pack group, results showed that the THb, OXHb and StO2 after the hot pack application were significantly larger than those before the hot pack. In control group, the THb, OXHb, deOXHb, StO2 and heart rates showed no significant differences between the values before and after the sham hot pack application. The THb, OXHb and StO2 after the hot pack application in hot pack group were significantly larger than those in control group, while the deOXHb after the hot pack was significantly smaller than that in control group. The heart rates showed no significant differences between the groups. The results suggest that hot pack therapy can increase regional blood flow of human masseter muscles and creates an advantageous condition for aerobic energy metabolism in the muscles.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

The influence of experimental interfering occlusal contacts on the postural activity of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles in young adults.

The effects of an intercuspal occlusal interference on the pattern of postural activity of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles were studied in eleven volunteers with complete, natural dentitions. The results indicate that, in man, there is postural activity in the anterior temporal and sometimes in the masseter muscles. The pattern of postural activity is influenced by the occurrence of an experimental occlusal interference, sometimes as early as 1 h after the insertion. After 48 h there was a significant increase of the activity in the anterior temporal muscles. This increased activity persisted until the interference was removed 1 week later and had almost disappeared 1 week after the removal.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Comparative study of excitation patterns in the masseter muscle before and after orthognathic surgery.

This study was designed to inquire into changes occurring in the electromyographic activity throughout the masseter muscle after orthognathic surgical treatment of various bite anomalies. A total of 32 adult patients showing distinct class II (n = 15) or class III malocclusions (n = 17) were entered into the investigation. All patients had monopolar surface electromyograms of the masseter muscle taken prior to presurgical orthodontic treatment and after removal of their orthodontic appliances after surgery. Twenty eugnathic adult patients served as controls. Unlike bipolar lead readings, simultaneous sampling from 16 electrodes permits the registration of the overall excitation pattern in the entire muscle. Recordings were taken during clenching, chewing and protrusion of the lower jaw against a defined force. Comparison with preoperative EMGs proved postsurgical distribution of excitation in class 11 patients to approximate the excitation pattern of eugnathic patients. By contrast, correction in class III malocclusions produced a shift in excitation maxima in the sense of a cranial advance. Harmonization, as evident in class II patients, did not occur. The postoperative discords in masseter excitation patterns, as observed after correction of class III anomalies, are indicative of the risk of relapse and the prolonged phase of retention associated with these conditions.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Ultrasonography of masseter muscle size in normal young adults.

The present study was planned to determine the relationship between linear dimensions of human masseter muscle cross-section and cross-sectional area (CSA), and to assess symmetry between the two sides in normal young adults. Cross-sectional images of the masseter muscle were measured bilaterally by real-time ultrasound imaging in 39 healthy dentate subjects, 19 males and 20 females, aged 21-47. From stored images, CSA and two linear measurements of muscle cross-section were obtained (the shortest and the longest distance through the muscle group). Correlation and regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between CSA and the linear dimensions (both individually and with the linear dimensions multiplied). Symmetry of CSA between the two sides of the face was examined using the paired t-test. The significance of correlation coefficients (r) and the difference between the slopes of the regression lines were also examined. Masseter CSA was larger in males than in females. All correlation values between CSA and linear measurements were significant but muscle CSA was most accurately predicted when the linear measurements were multiplied (r = 0.97; P < 0.001). Although the correlation in this regard was high, the linear dimensions consistently overestimated the actual CSA by approximately 25%. Males showed more symmetry of CSA than females. The range of values for symmetry of masseter CSA was too large to assess abnormal asymmetry in patients with unilateral symptoms.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Age, fatigue, and excitation-contraction coupling in masseter muscles of rats.

The purpose of this study was to determine if masseter muscle endurance changes with increasing age and, if so, to examine mechanisms of fatigue. Characteristics of fatigue were measured under isometric conditions using high-frequency stimulation of anterior deep masseter (ADM) muscles of male Fischer 344 rats, 5 to 24 months old, and fed a hard (HD) or a soft (SD) diet. Potentiating effects of caffeine on ADM muscle performance in vitro were also examined. Fatigability increased by 48% with age in muscles of HD rats. Muscles of SD rats were highly fatigable at all ages. Increased HD fatigability was associated with significantly decreased concentrations of Na+/K+-adenosine triphosphatase (22%) and decreased responsiveness to caffeine postfatigue (29%). The pH levels decreased similarly in fatigued muscles of all groups. We conclude that the age-related increase in fatigability is associated with alterations in excitation-contraction coupling mechanisms. However, differences between SD and HD on ADM muscles represent possible fiber-type transitions.

Aging↗

PubMed1998

Frequency-dependent fatigue development during electrical stimulation in the masseter muscle of pigtail monkeys.

Low-frequency fatigue was investigated in nine female and one male adult pigtail monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) with a mean weight of 5.3 kg (range 4.3 to 6.5 kg). After sedation and anesthesia, silver electrodes were inserted into the anterior and posterior parts of the right masseter muscle. The contralateral muscle was used as a control. The masseter muscles were stimulated for 3 minutes (4 Hz, 2 ms, 100 V). After a 5-minute rest period, the stimulation was repeated with the same duration and voltage but at a higher frequency of 8 Hz. Bite forces were measured, and muscle biopsies were obtained from the central part of the right masseter and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. After freeze-drying, a fluorometric analysis that used enzymatic methods for measuring levels of glycogen, glucose, lactate, pyruvate, creatine phosphate, nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD), and reduced NAD (NADH) was performed. The bite force decreased by 12% after the initial 3 minutes of work. After the second contraction the bite force decreased to 56%. Prominent substrate depletion was observed. The precontraction levels of glycogen, glucose, and phosphocreatine were all reduced. The NADH and the NAD concentrations increased. An accumulation of metabolites was evident. The pyruvate increased by 32% and lactate levels increased by a factor of 3. The male measurements were comparable to the nine female measures for each assessment. The substantial substrate depletion in combination with a prominent accumulation of metabolites may contribute to the development of low-frequency fatigue.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Ultrasound image of human masseter muscle related to bite force, electromyography, facial morphology, and occlusal factors.

The thickness of the human masseter muscle, corresponding approximately to a cross-section at the most bulky part of the superficial portion, was measured by ultrasound scanning at three sites 1 cm apart. The study included 13 women, 21-28 yr of age, with a minimum of 24 teeth and without craniomandibular disorders. Ultrasonography produced a well-defined depiction of the muscle with distinct tendinous structures. The average thickness at the measuring sites varied from 8.83 to 11.08 mm with the muscle relaxed, and increased significantly during contraction to average values between 9.84 and 12.57 mm. The study showed a connection between measures of masseter thickness and function of the muscle, as well as parameters generally associated with masseter muscle function. Muscle thickness at the voluminous anterior part of the superficial portion was systematically and significantly correlated to bite force, occlusal tooth contact and cephalometric data (anterior face height, vertical jaw relation and mandibular inclination). In conclusion, ultrasound scanning gave an uncomplicated and a reproducible access to parameters of jaw muscle function and its interaction with the craniomandibular system.

Adult↗