Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of insulin on the lateral pterygoid muscle of growing rats after the functional mandibular protrusion.
Methods: An immunohistochemical (the ABC method) method was used to detect the location and distribution of insulin in the lateral pterygoid muscle of rats.
Results: 1. Insulin located in the cell membrane of the lateral pterygoid muscle. 2. The distribution of insulin in the lateral pterygoid muscle of rats was enhanced after the functional mandibular protrusion.
Conclusion: Insulin may play an important role in adaptive remodeling of the lateral pterygoid muscle after the treatment of functional mandibular protrusion.