Keywords: Akt/PKB; protein kinase B; DAB; Diaminobenzidine; EDL; extensor digitorum longus; ERK; extracellular signal-regulated kinase; GG; genioglossus; IHC; immunohistochemistry; JNK; c-Jun N-terminal kinase; MAFbx; muscle atrophy F-Box; MHC; myosin heavy chain;