Expression of mRNA for specific fibroblast growth factors associates with that of the myogenic markers MyoD and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in regenerating and overloaded rat plantaris muscle

Aim: To examine the relations between specific fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and satellite cell activation during muscle regeneration and hypertrophy in vivo, we measured mRNA expression of FGFs and myogenic markers in rat plantaris muscle after bupivacaine administration and synergist ablation. Methods: mRNA levels for MyoD, myogenin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), p21, M‐cadherin, Pax7, FGF‐1, FGF‐2, FGF‐3, FGF‐4, FGF‐5, FGF‐6, FGF‐7, FGF‐8 and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were measured continually for up to 72 h after bupivacaine administration and synergist ablation. FGF‐5, FGF‐7 and HGF proteins were immunostained at 72 h after bupivacaine administration. Results: MyoD and PCNA mRNAs started increasing 24 h after bupivacaine administration. Myogenin, p21, M‐cadherin and Pax7 mRNAs started to increase after 48 and 72 h. After synergist ablation, MyoD, PCNA, M‐cadherin and Pax7 mRNAs had increased at 24 and 48 h, and myogenin and p21 mRNAs at 12 and 24 h. FGF‐1, FGF‐7 and HGF mRNAs after the treatments started to increase at the same time as MyoD and PCNA mRNAs. FGF‐5 was expressed at the same time as MyoD and PCNA mRNAs after bupivacaine administration but did not after the ablation. FGF‐2, FGF‐3, FGF‐4, FGF‐6 and FGF‐8 mRNAs were not associated with the expression of the myogenic markers. FGF‐7 and HGF proteins were expressed in immature muscle fibre nuclei and the extracellular matrix, but FGF‐5 protein was preferentially expressed in extracellular matrix. Conclusion: These results indicate that FGF‐1, FGF‐7 and HGF are associated with specific myogenic marker expression during muscle regeneration and hypertrophy.