Key result
Denervation for up to 7 weeks reduced binding sites at the end plate by 60-70%, but junctional receptors remained relatively stable and could be preserved by cross-innervation for over 4 months.
Junctional acetylcholine receptors at denervated end plates are relatively stable and their persistence is not immediately dependent on the presence of a motor nerve terminal.
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Caution against clinical extrapolation from animal denervation data; leaves open extension to human cardiac autonomic research.
Frank et al. (1976) studied Denervation of rat soleus muscles. Denervation (with or without electrical stimulation or cross-innervation) vs. Normal end plates was evaluated on Number of acetylcholine receptors at normal and denervated end plates (binding of 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin). Denervation for up to 7 weeks reduced binding sites at the end plate by 60-70%, but junctional receptors remained relatively stable and could be preserved by cross-innervation for over 4 months.
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