The dystrophin-glycoprotein complex together with the vinculin-talin-integrin complex plays an important role in muscle function; in fact the mutations of their elements lead to diverse forms of muscular dystrophies. The relationship between the elements of dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and vinculin-talin-integrin and the time course of their formation are still not known in detail. In order to better understand this relationship we studied their expression during development in normal human skeletal muscle culture. Using a standardized muscle cell culture procedure, this study was performed to analyze the timing, appearance and the localization of some proteins of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and vinculin-talin-integrin complex during cellular proliferation (myoblast) and differentiation (4, 7, 15 and 21 days). The indirect immunofluorescence technique was used and cells were examined using a Meta Zeiss LSM510 confocal laser scanning inverted microscope. We examined the progressive appearance of the following proteins: α, β, γ, δ-sarcoglycans, β-dystroglycan, dystrophin, talin, vinculin and integrin isoform α7/β1. Immunofluorescence of these proteins, in satellite cells entering myogenic differentiation, revealed different patterns of localization depending on the time of culture. We showed that nondifferentiated cultures of human myoblasts expressed a perinuclear distribution of all proteins tested. During myoblast differentiation into myotubes (4 days) immunofluorescence gradually increased and was located in the whole cytoplasm. Subsequently, at day 7, a strong and homogeneous cytoplasmic labelling of all proteins was seen. At 15 days the distribution of the proteins was on the membrane. At this time some myotubes displayed a significant degree of precostameric banding pattern. As fusion proceeded at 21 days, the cytodistribution progressively changed and appeared along fibrillar longitudinal structures, and myotubes showed a clear periodic distribution (costameres). In conclusion, in normal human muscle cultures DGC and vinculin-talin-integrin proteins are first localized in the perinuclear region, then they diffuse in the cytoplasm and finally form at the plasma membrane into typical rib-like structures that are sarcolemma-associated.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second cannabinoid, in order of importance after Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), from Cannabis sativa. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause psychotomimetic effects, and although these compounds have the same chemical formula, their pharmacological characteristics are not equivalent. Preclinical studies suggest that CBD has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic, antiemetic, anticonvulsant, and antipsychotic properties and influences the sleep–wake cycle. The evaluation of effects on spontaneous motor activity is crucial in experimental pharmacology, and the careful measurement of laboratory animal movement is an established method to recognize the effects of stimulant and depressant drugs. The potential influence of CBD on locomotor activity has been investigated through numerous in vivo experiments. However, there is no clear picture of the impact of CBD on these issues, even though it is administered alone for medical uses and sold with THC as a drug for pain caused by muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis, and it was recently licensed as a drug for severe forms of infantile epilepsy. On this basis, with the aim of developing deeper knowledge of this issue, scientific data on CBD’s influence on locomotor activity are discussed here. We conducted research using PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and a search engine for literature between January 2009 and December 2021 on life sciences and biomedical topics using the keywords “motor activity”, “locomotor activity”, and “locomotion” in combination with “cannabidiol”. In this article, we discuss findings describing the effects on locomotor activity of the CBD precursor cannabidiolic acid and of CBD alone or in combination with THC, together with the effects of CBD on locomotor modifications induced by diseases and on locomotor changes induced by other substances.

Background: Bone regeneration is a reliable technique when the bone volume is insufficient to provide a functional and aesthetic outcome in surgery and implantoprosthesis procedures. When bone blocks are used but do not match the shape of the defect, the block must be adapted. The aim of our research was to evaluate, by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) morphological observation, how different cutting devices modify the bone surface. Method: Four equine bone blocks were divided into 15 cubic shape samples with ultrasonic and sonic tips, as well as diamond, tungsten carbide, and Lindemann burs. The uncut surface of the obtained bone block was used as a control. Two observers independently analyzed the SEM observation recording, including cut precision, depth of incision, thermal damages, and presence of bone debris. For each group, sharpness, depth, carbonization, and bone debris were expressed as mean values. Results: The osteotomy performed with an ultrasonic tip shows the best results, preserving the bone morphology in both quantitative and qualitative analyses. The bone surface appeared sufficiently clean from debris and showed a reduced presence of carbonization. Conclusion: The shaping of the bone block as in vivo osteotomy respects the bone morphology and allows it to achieve the relevant biological and clinical outcome.

Background and Objectives: Bones and the skeletal muscle play a key role in human physiology as regulators of metabolism in the whole organism. Bone tissue is identified as a complex and dynamic living unit that could react to physical activity. Hormones, growth factors, signaling factors, and environmental factors control osteogenesis, and it could be regulated at a post-transcriptional level. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can interfere with mRNAs translation. Increasing data suggest that miRNAs, through different pathways, are involved in the regulation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) differentiation and physical activity-induced bone remodeling. The purpose of this narrative review is to investigate the potential protective role played by physical activity in affecting miRNAs expression in close tissues and elaborate on the complex network of interplay that could drive various metabolic responses of the bone to physical activity. Materials and Methods: A bibliographic search of the scientific literature was carried out in scientific databases to investigate the possible effect of physical activity on age-related features detected in the musculoskeletal system. Results: Several studies suggested that the musculoskeletal system interacting at a biomolecular level could establish crosstalk between bone and muscle in an endocrine or paracrine way through myokines released by muscle at the periosteal interface or in the bloodstream, such as irisin. Mechanical stimuli have a key role in bone formation and resorption, increasing osteogenesis and downregulating adipogenesis of BMSC via regulation of expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), respectively. Conclusions: Increasing data suggest that miRNAs, through different pathways, are involved in the regulation of BMSCs differentiation and physical activity-induced bone remodeling. Modulation of miRNAs following physical exercise represents an interesting field of investigation since these non-coding RNAs may be considered defenders against degenerative diseases and as well as useful prognostic markers in skeletal and muscle-skeletal diseases, such as osteoporosis.