Nitric oxide synthase-dependent “On/Off” switch and apoptosis in freshwater and aestivating lungfish, Protopterus annectens: Skeletal muscle versus cardiac muscle

On the whole, our data indicate that changes in the eNOS/NO system and cell turnover are implicated in the morpho-functional readjustments occurring in lungfish cardiac and skeletal muscle during the switch from freshwater to aestivation, and between the maintenance and arousal phases of aestivation.