Satellite cell distribution in the medial rectus muscle in cadavers

Background: This study aimed to elucidate the potential usefulness of the medial rectus muscle of cadavers for research on satellite cells.Methods: Twenty-four medial rectus muscles were obtained from 12 cadavers. The control group included six medial rectus muscles from three live adults without brain activity. The muscle fiber diameter and distribution of satellite cells were measured and compared. Immunohistochemistry for myosin heavy chain and the transcription factor PAX7 was performed, and the distributions of myocytes and satellite cells were evaluated.Results: The average muscle fiber diameter was 142.18±36.49 μm in the cadaver group and 149.34±15.26 μm in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.38). The ratio of PAX7(+) cells to the number of muscle fibers was 0.056±0.015 in the control group and 0.006±0.006 in the cadaver group, reflecting a significant difference (p<0.05).Conclusions: The medial rectus muscles of cadavers can be helpful in studying anatomical morphology; however, their usefulness in muscle satellite cell research appears to be limited.