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PubMed1991

Enhanced stimulation of diacylglycerol and lipid synthesis by insulin in denervated muscle. Altered protein kinase C activity and possible link to insulin resistance.

Denervated muscle is generally regarded as insulin resistant because the ability of insulin to stimulate glucose transport and glycogen synthesis is impaired. Previous studies indicate that insulin resistance in these muscles is likely due to a defect at a postreceptor site in the signaling pathway. Because glucose transport into cells has been reported to be linked to changes in diacylglycerol (DAG) and protein kinase C (PKC), we investigated the effect of denervation on the content and synthesis of DAG and the activity and distribution of PKC in the soleus muscle. The DAG content in muscles denervated for 24 h was 40% greater than in control muscles. This was associated with a two- to threefold increase in the percentage of total PKC activity that was membrane associated, with no significant change in total PKC activity, suggesting an increase in PKC activity in vivo. Studies of glucose disposition confirmed that the stimulation of glycogen synthesis by insulin and, to a lesser extent, 2-deoxyglucose uptake were impaired by denervation. However, the stimulation by insulin of glucose incorporation into DAG and other lipids was two- to threefold greater in denervated than in control muscles, and conversion of glucose to lactate and pyruvate and glucose oxidation to CO2 were unchanged. The results reveal a dichotomy in the effects of denervation on various actions of insulin, with both insulin resistance and hyperresponsiveness occurring in different pathways of glucose metabolism. They also reveal a potential mechanism for the elevation of muscle DAG after denervation. The results do not support a direct link between DAG-PKC and glucose transport.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Heterogeneous cardiac sympathetic denervation and decreased myocardial nerve growth factor in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: implications for cardiac sympathetic dysinnervation complicating diabetes.

Heterogeneous myocardial sympathetic denervation complicating diabetes has been invoked as a factor contributing to sudden unexplained cardiac death. In subjects with diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN), distal left ventricular (LV) denervation contrasts with preservation of islands of proximal innervation, which exhibit impaired vascular responsiveness. The aims of this study were to determine whether this heterogeneous pattern of myocardial sympathetic denervation occurs in a rat model of diabetes and to explore a potential association with regional fluctuations in myocardial nerve growth factor (NGF) protein. Myocardial sympathetic denervation was characterized scintigraphically using the sympathetic neurotransmitter analog C-11 hydroxyephedrine ([11C]HED) and compared with regional changes in myocardial NGF protein abundance and norepinephrine content after 6 and 9 months in nondiabetic (ND) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic (STZ-D) rats. In ND rats, no difference in [11C]HED retention or norepinephrine content was detected in the proximal versus distal myocardium. After 6 months, compared with ND rats, myocardial [11C]HED retention had declined in the proximal segments of STZ-D rats by only 9% (NS) compared with a 33% decrease in the distal myocardium (P < 0.05). Myocardial norepinephrine content was similar in both ND and STZ-D rats. At 6 months, LV myocardial NGF protein content in STZ-D rats decreased by 52% in the proximal myocardial segments (P < 0.01 vs. ND rats) and by 82% distally (P < 0.01 vs. ND rats, P < 0.05 vs. proximal segments). By 9 months, [11C]HED retention had declined in both the proximal and distal myocardial segments of the STZ-D rats by 42% (P < 0.01 vs. ND rats), and LV norepinephrine content and NGF protein were decreased in parallel. Therefore, 6 months of STZ-induced diabetes results in heterogeneous cardiac sympathetic denervation in the rat, with maximal denervation occurring distally, and is associated with a proximal-to-distal gradient of LV NGF protein depletion. It is tempting to speculate that regional fluctuations of NGF protein in the diabetic myocardium contribute to heterogeneous cardiac sympathetic denervation complicating diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effects of surgical sympathetic denervation on G-protein levels, alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors, cAMP production and adenylate cyclase activity in the smooth muscles of rabbit iris.

The relative densities of a number of G protein subunits were quantified in membranes prepared from iris sphincter and dilator muscles of rabbits that have undergone sympathetic denervation and from contralateral innervated controls by immunoblotting with specific polyclonal antibodies against Gs alpha, Gi alpha and Gq alpha protein subunits. In addition, alpha and beta-adrenergic receptor densities, basal and isoproterenol (ISO)-stimulated cAMP production, and basal and ISO+GTP gamma S-stimulated adenylate cyclase (AC) activities were measured in the same tissues. Densitometric analysis of the immunoblot data revealed a 32% reduction in the level of Gi alpha in the denervated sphincter, a 26% increase in the level of Gi alpha in the denervated dilator, and no changes due to denervation were found in the levels of Gs alpha and Gq alpha. Sympathetic denervation had no effect on the densities of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors in these tissues, however, it did induce a significant decrease in the KD values of alpha-adrenergic receptors in both dilator and sphincter, and in beta-adrenergic receptors in the sphincter. The basal- and ISO-stimulated cAMP production in the sphincter was 4-fold as high as that of the dilator, and at 0.05 microM ISO the denervation supersensitivity for cAMP production in the sphincter increased by 118% as compared to 36% in the dilator. Sympathetic denervation increased by 19-47% the basal- and ISO-stimulated activity of AC in these tissues, however, it had no effect on the phospholipase C activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hemodynamic changes in blood flow through the denervated liver in pigs.

We investigated the effects of liver denervation on hemodynamic circulation in seven anesthetized pigs. Simultaneous measurements of the hepatic artery and portal vein were performed with an ultrasound Doppler flow meter before and after liver denervation. Neither resting systemic nor hepatic hemodynamics changed following liver denervation. However, temporary occlusion of the portal vein resulted in a significant increase in hepatic artery flow in the innervated liver (from 123 +/- 15 ml/min to 177 +/- 17 ml/min, p < .01), whereas, in the denervated liver, a significant decrease was observed (from 128 +/- 11 ml/min to 106 +/- 19 ml/min, p < .05). Thus, the reciprocity between the hepatic artery and portal vein in the hepatic artery flow during portal vein occlusion might intensify symptoms of portal vein thrombosis in liver transplantation. In the denervated liver, a significant decrease also occurred in systolic blood pressure and central venous pressure from 1 to 3 min after portal vein occlusion. Since the liver plays a crucial role in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis during blood loss, it is likely that denervation at the porta hepatis induced a lack of vasoconstriction in the portal territory. Liver denervation might further exacerbate this response to hypotension. The current study confirms that the hepatic nerves play an important role in hepatic arterial and portal venous interactions aimed at maintaining a constant blood flow through the liver. We also suggest that the hepatic nerves are important for cardiovascular homeostasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Functional reorganization of the partially denervated hindlimb extensor and flexor muscle in rat.

In view of the neuromuscular system plasticity the functional changes induced by partial denervation are presented. The long-term effects of partial denervation of postural (soleus-SOL) or flexor (extensor digitorum longus-EDL) muscles on their EMG activity were studied in rats. The activity per motor unit was significantly higher both in the partially denervated SOL and EDL muscles. During standing or walking the EMG activity pattern of the partially denervated SOL muscle was similar to normal, while the partially denervated EDL muscle during standing exhibited abnormal tonic activity, and during locomotion its burst duration was strongly correlated to the step cycle duration. Thus, partial denervation led to an overall increase of activity of the remaining motor units in both SOL and EDL muscles, while the temporal pattern of muscle activity during locomotion was drastically altered in EDL muscle only, what indicates that partial denervation influenced the postural activity less than the phasic one.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The observation of transplanted embryonic motoneurons in the denervated muscles of adult rats.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the survival of embryonic motoneurons after they were transplanted into the denervated skeletal muscles and to find a new method to retard the atrophy of denervated muscles. METHODS: Dissociated embryonic motoneurons prelabled with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (Brdur) on the embryonic days 12 were injected into the denervated gastrocnemius muscles of adult rats. Then gastrocnemius muscles were processed with Nissl staining, acetylcholinesterase staining and Brdur immunocytochemical staining to show the implanted motoneurons at 9 and 22 weeks post-transplantation. Myofibrillar ATPase staining was used to show the morphology of muscle fibers. The rats in experimental group were implanted with embryonic motoneurons in the predenervation muscles, while the rats in control group were injected with just culture medium without motoneurons. RESULTS: Embryonic motoneurons survived, developed and extended long axons to form neuromuscular junctions with the denervated muscles. The differentiation of muscle fibers and fiber type grouping occurred among bigger fibers in experimental group. The transverse area was smaller and there was no apparent fiber type grouping in control group. CONCLUSIONS: Embryonic motoneurons can survive, develop and reinnervate denervated muscles after being transplanted into denervated muscles. It is worth further investigating on ameliorating the atrophy of denervated muscle.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Muscle fiber type composition and morphometric properties of denervated rat extensor digitorum longus muscle.

AIM: Analysis of fiber type composition and fiber size of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle in rats during 30 days of denervation. METHODS: Fiber types were defined immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies specific for slow (type I) and fast fibers (type IIA, IIX, and IIB). Antibodies were applied on transverse sections of denervated extensor digitorum longus muscles 6, 12, and 30 days after denervation. Cross sectional area of muscle fibers was analyzed morphometrically by computerized image analysis. RESULTS: Control EDL muscle was composed of 41% of type IIB, 32% of IIA, 23% of IIX, and 4% of type I muscle fibers. The most profound effect of denervation was observed 30 days after the transection of the sciatic nerve. Denervation decreased the percentage of both type IIB and type IIX muscle fibers to 36% and 13% of the control muscle, respectively (p?0.001 for both), and increased the percentage of types IIA and type I muscle fibers to 42% and 9% of the control, respectively (p<0.001 for both). Morphometric analysis revealed progressive atrophy of all fast muscle fibers, which started 6 days after denervation (p<0.001). Thirty days after the sciatic nerve transection, a strong reduction in fiber size of type IIA, IIX, and IIB muscle fibers was observed (p<0.001 for each type). Type I muscle fibers initially showed the reduction in fiber size (p<0.001) but regained the size of control fibers until day 30. CONCLUSION: Denervation decreased the percentage of type IIX and IIB muscle fibers, with concomitant increase in type IIA and type I muscle fibers. The reduction in fiber size was observed in type IIA, IIX, and IIB muscle fibers.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Origin of secretions after denervation of the small intestine in the dog].

The origin of the severe diarrhea appearing after intestinal denervation or transplantation was studied on the 3rd and 14th postoperative days in 5 groups of dogs undergoing total or partial denervation. The net movements of water and electrolytes were investigated by employing an experimental model of intestinal perfusion in isolated loops in vivo. The active uptake of phenylalanine and beta-methylglucoside and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity were used for in-vitro evaluation. Bacteriologic and histological specimens were also taken. Following total denervation with anastomosis, a considerable loss of water and electrolytes as well as numerous E. coli were found in the entire small intestine. This net secretion is due to the stagnation of bacteria in the presence of complete denervation and the absence of food since the animals in this group could not eat properly following general anesthesia and surgery. Consequently, peristalsis was not stimulated and bacterial overgrowth occurred. In the group denervation with pseudo-anastomosis, perfusion studies showed a decrease of absorption in the jejunum and minimal but significant secretion in the ileum. A high number of E. coli was also present. Since the mucosa remained intact, nutrition per os was resumed in the immediate postoperative period and excessive water and electrolyte loss was avoided. The high number of bacteria was due to a decrease in intestinal motility since complete denervation was performed. In the denervation group, water and electrolyte movements were identical to those observed in the preceding group but the entire intestine remained sterile.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-related proteins in experimental different denervated guinea-pig facial muscle].

OBJECTIVE: To study apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-related proteins in experimental different denervated guinea-pig facial muscle. METHOD: An experimental model was established with guinea pigs by compressing the facial nerve 30 second (reinnervated group) and resecting the facial nerve (denervated group). TUNEL method and immunohistochemical technique (SABC) were applied to detect the apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-related proteins bcl-2 and bax from 1st to 8th week after operation. RESULT: Experimentally denervated facial muscle revealed consistently increase of DNA fragmentation, average from(34.4 +/- 4.6)% to (38.2 +/- 10.6)%, from 1st week to 8th week after operation; Reinnervated facial muscle showed a temporal increase of DNA fragmentation, and then the muscle fiber nuclei revealed decreased DNA fragmentation along with the function of facial nerve recovered, latterly normal, average from (32.0 +/- 8.03)% to (5.6 +/- 3.5)%, from 1st week to 8th week after operation. In denervated group, bcl-2 and bax were expressed strongly; in reinnervated group, bcl-2 expressed consistently, but bax disappeared latterly along with the function of facial nerve recovered. CONCLUSION: Expression of DNA fragmentation and apoptosis-related proteins in denervated muscle are general reaction to denervation. bcl-2 can prevent early apoptotic muscle fiber to survival until reinnervation. It is concluded that proteins control apoptosis may give information for possible therapeutic interventions to reduce the rate of muscle fiber death in denervated atrophy in absence of effective primary treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

The influence of denervation of the maturation of the flight muscle of Periplaneta americana.

The metathoracic musculature of the American cockroach Periplaneta americana was denervated by dissecting the nerves originating in the metathoracic ganglion on one side within 2 days after the last moult. The biochemical and morphological differences between normal and denervated musculature were followed two weeks later. Denervation completely prevents the gain in weight, protein content and cytochrome oxidase activity which occur in normal muscles during the two weeks after previous moulting. The content of phosphoarginine in the denervated muscle does not differ from the control muscle and is lower than in young muscles. The ability to resynthesize phosphoarginine postanaerobically is substantially lower in the denervated muscle than in control muscles, or in young muscles immediately after the last moult. The ultramicroscopic structure of the denervated muscle differs from that of the normal muscle: the mitochondria possess less cristae, the matrix between them appears less dense and the sarcoplasmatic reticulum is less developed. Thus the denervated muscle not only fails to mature, but also developes serious structural and biochemical disorders.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed1991

Denervation does not alter the number of neuronal bungarotoxin binding sites on autonomic neurons in the frog cardiac ganglion.

The binding of neuronal bungarotoxin (n-BuTX; also known as bungarotoxin 3.1, kappa-bungarotoxin, and toxin F) was analyzed in normal and denervated parasympathetic cardiac ganglia of the frog Rana pipiens, n-BuTX blocks both EPSPs and ACh potentials at 5-20 nM, as determined by intracellular recording techniques. Scatchard analysis on homogenates indicates that cardiac ganglia have two classes of binding sites for 125I-n-BuTX: a high-affinity site with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd,app) of 1.7 nM and a Bmax (number of binding sites) of 3.8 fmol/ganglion and a low-affinity site with a Kd,app of 12 microM and a Bmax of 14 pmol/ganglion. alpha-Bungarotoxin does not appear to interfere with the binding of 125I-n-BuTX to either site. The high-affinity binding site is likely to be the functional nicotinic ACh receptor (AChR), given the similarity between its affinity for 125I-n-BuTX and the concentration of n-BuTX required to block AChR function. Light microscopic autoradiographic analysis of 125I-n-BuTX binding to the ganglion cell surface reveals that toxin binding is concentrated at synaptic sites, which were identified using a synaptic vesicle-specific antibody. Scatchard analysis of autoradiographic data reveals that 125I-n-BuTX binding to the neuronal surface is saturable and has a Kd,app similar to that of the high-affinity binding site characterized in homogenates. Surface binding of 125I-n-BuTX is blocked by nicotine, carbachol, and d-tubocurarine (IC50 less than 20 microM), but not by atropine (IC50 greater than 10 mM). Denervation of the heart increases the ACh sensitivity of cardiac ganglion cells but has no effect upon the number of high-affinity binding sites for 125I-n-BuTX in tissue homogenates. Moreover, autoradiographic analysis indicates that denervation does not alter the number of 125I-n-BuTX binding sites on the ganglion cell surface. n-BuTX is as effective in reducing ganglion cell responses to ACh in denervated ganglia as it is in normally innervated ganglia. These results suggest that denervation alters neither the total number of nicotinic AChRs in the cardiac ganglion nor the number found on the surface of ganglion cells. These autonomic neurons thus respond differently to denervation than do skeletal myofibers. The increase in ACh sensitivity displayed by cardiac ganglion cells upon denervation cannot be explained by changes in AChR number.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of ventilation on sodium excretion in the anesthetized dog with unilateral renal denervation.

We studied if the effect of mechanical ventilation induced to keep arterial blood gas values within normal physiological limits has any influence on renal sodium excretion in anesthetized dogs (n = 17) subjected to acute unilateral renal denervation. Compared to the control and the postcontrol periods, ventilation elevated arterial pO2 from 86 +/- 5 to 96 +/- 5 mmHg and blood pH from 7.37 +/- 0.02 to 7.41 +/- 0.01 while arterial pCO2 was decreased from 38 +/- 2 to 33 +/- 1 mmHg (p less than 0.05 in all cases). Compared to the innervated kidney urine flow, urinary sodium and potassium excretion from the denervated kidney were markedly elevated both during spontaneous respiration and during mechanical ventilation but GFR and cPAH were similar on the two sides. Ventilation decreased sodium excretion by the denervated kidney from 314 +/- 26 to 252 +/- 31 mumols/min/100 g k. w. (p less than 0.05). No other excretory changes were noted either in the innervated or in the denervated kidneys. Difference in sodium excretion between innervated and denervated kidneys was decreased from 209 +/- 19 to 126 +/- 20 mumole/min/100 g k. w. (p less than 0.001), due to the ventilation induced diminution of sodium excretion from the denervated kidney. It is concluded that mechanical ventilation of anesthetized dogs modifies sodium excretion, and this phenomenon can be demonstrated only in the denervated kidney.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1989

Excretory function of denervated kidney after inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis and furosemide administration in conscious dogs.

The experiments were carried out on unanaesthetized dogs with exteriorized ureters for separate urine collection from the left (denervated) and the right (intact) kidney. The osmolality and concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, chloride and creatinine were determined in the plasma as well as in the urine of the two kidneys. The function of the denervated and the innervated kidney was compared prior to and after indomethacin administration (5.0 mg/kg b.w.). The excretory function of both kidneys was also compared after furosemide treatment alone (0.5 mg/kg b.w.) as well as indomethacin pretreatment. Renal denervation increased urine flow rate, calcium and copper excretion. After administration, sodium excretion from the denervated kidney was higher than that from the intact one. Calcium excretion of the two kidneys did not differ significantly, while copper excretion from the denervated kidney was diminished, Furosemide administration after pretreatment with indomethacin did not lead to any difference between the denervated and intact kidney. The results show that renal nerves and prostaglandins participate jointly in the regulation of sodium, copper and calcium excretion. Renal prostaglandins do not change the response of the denervated kidney to furosemide as compared to the intact kidney.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[An experimental study on denervated muscle atrophy--effect of electrostimulation and comparison with immobilization muscle atrophy].

The efficacy of causing muscle atrophy was compared among denervation, arthrodesis and tenotomy in rat anterior tibial muscle. Reduction of wet weight was most pronounced in denervated muscle and least in arthrodesed muscle. Histochemical investigation by ATPase stain revealed that atrophy of Type 1 and Type 2 fiber was more severe in denervated muscle group than in the other two groups. Type 2 fiber atrophy was dominant in denervated muscle and in arthrodesed muscle. Type 1 fiber atrophy was dominant in tenotomized muscle. The effect of electrostimulation on denervated muscle was investigated. Electrostimulation significantly reduced the degree of denervation atrophy. Four weeks after severance of peroneal nerve, tibial nerve-crossing was done and electrostimulation was continued for eight weeks. Recovery of wet weight of re-innervated muscle with electrostimulation was significantly better than that without electrostimulation. Electrostimulation applied to denervated muscle reduced the progress of atrophy and improved the recovery after nerve repair.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Change in fiber type in partially-denervated soleus muscle of the rat.

In 30% or less partially denervated muscle, the reinnervation of denervated muscle fiber may give rise to a change in motor unit size or number of muscle fibers innervated by a single motor neuron. This study was designed to evaluate changes in fiber type and contractibility of partially denervated rat soleus muscle. Partial denervation (by 30% or less) of the soleus nerve does not cause a decrease in the number of muscle fibers. A histochemical study was performed on frozen sections of the muscle. The total number of muscle fibers, atrophied fibers and type II fibers were counted. In the muscle 4 weeks after partial denervation, the number of type II fibers was fewer with a decrease of about 40% which was not significant. The twitch time to peak and half-relaxation time were not changed. The number of type II fibers was significantly decreased (p less than 0.01) after 8 weeks. There was a prolongation of contraction time. The decrease of type II fibers was extensive involving not only the denervated area but also the rest of the muscle area. The transformation of fiber type observed in partially denervated muscle may be attributed to a possible diminution of neurotrophic substances in intact motor neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Dynamics of renal excretory function after furosemide or ethacrynic acid administration to unanaesthetized dogs after mannitol infusion or chronic renal denervation.

To unanesthetized dogs with exteriorized ureter allowing separate collection of urine from both kidneys, furosemide 0.2 mg/kg b.w. or ethacrynic acid 0.22 mg/kg b.w. was given intravenously. The volume of collected urine and the excretion of sodium, chloride, potassium and calcium were studied. The dynamics of diuretic administration was programmed. After unilateral renal denervation furosemide or ethacrynic acid was given and the response of the denervated (left) and intact (right) kidneys was compared. Prior to renal denervation the same dogs were infused with a 15% mannitol solution in a quantity and at a rate causing an increase of diuresis approximately equal to that after renal denervation. The effect of furosemide given with and without mannitol infusion was compared. Description of the dynamics of renal excretory function used by us allowed to demonstrate the modulating role of renal nerves in the regulation of water, chloride and sodium excretion after the administration of diuretics. The principal part of the compensatory reabsorption of chloride after renal denervation occurred in the ascending limb of Henle's loop. Comparison of calcium excretion after renal denervation and administration of furosemide with that after mannitol and furosemide allows to assume that after renal denervation calcium load from the proximal to the distal tubules does not increase.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

[Lung denervation. A study of therapy of shock lung].

It is the objective of this experiment to study the protective effect of pulmonary denervation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (shock lung). The experiments were performed by means of a model of pulmonary embolization with oleic acid in dogs. In the first series sequential tissue changes in the lung following oleic acid embolism are shown and the clinical changes are demonstrated. By a meticulous description of the anatomy of pulmonary innervation it is demonstrated that surgical denervation of the lung is only possible in the hilar area. A second series of experiments shows the effect of oleic acid embolism in animals after reimplantation of one lung. This means that the reimplanted lung is completely denervated. A description of the technique of pulmonary reimplantation is also given. It is stated that following oleic acid embolism, the reimplanted lung is less damaged than the contralateral innervated lung. In addition, animals with unilateral lung reimplantation have significantly better pulmonary function after oleic acid embolism than healthy animals with bilaterally innervated lungs. Finally, a technique of reversible bilateral denervation of the lung by transbronchial infiltration of both hili with a long acting local anaesthetic via bronchoscopy is described. Animals, whose lungs were denervated in this way were embolized with oleic acid. It could be shown that as long as the reversible denervation is effective there is no significant functional reaction following oleic acid embolism as compared to healthy and non-denervated animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Electrical stimulation effect on denervated skeletal myofibers in rats: a light and electron microscopic study.

The purpose of the present study was to determine morphologically the effect of electrical stimulation on denervated rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. Fifteen adult male rats were divided in to 3 groups: control, denervated-nonstimulated, and denervated-stimulated. Electrical stimulation treatment (1 hr/day for 24 days) began 4 days postsurgery. All animals were sacrificed 28 days after surgery; the EDL muscle was fixed in situ, removed, and processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Fibers from sections taken from the middle third of the muscle were differentiated into types I and II; fiber diameters were obtained and compared for each experimental group. Although both types atrophied following denervation, type I atrophied to a lesser extent than type II. Electrical stimulation was beneficial in retarding denervation atrophy for both types. Membrane-glycogen complexes were found on electron microscopy to be in high proportion in type II stimulated fibers but were observed infrequently in denervated nonstimulated muscles and were not apparent in control muscles. These glycogen arrays may be expressions of sarcoplasmic reticulum anabolic functions, indicating a high degree of regenerative metabolic activity in treated fibers. This study indicates that electrical stimulation as a method to induce muscle activity, can retard denervation atrophy.

Animals↗