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The importance of peripheral changes in determining the sensitivity of striated muscle to depolarizing drugs
Author(s) -
Maclagan Jennifer,
Vrbová Gerta
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.1966.sp007935
Subject(s) - depolarization , extensor digitorum longus muscle , soleus muscle , atrophy , anatomy , tenotomy , medicine , skeletal muscle , tendon
1. The sensitivity of the flexor digitorum longus and soleus muscles to depolarizing drugs was tested after cross‐union of their respective motor nerves. 2. The alien innervation did not affect the sensitivity of either the flexor digitorum longus (FDL) or soleus muscles, which retained their normal characteristic responses to decamethonium and suxamethonium. The time course of muscle contractions was, however, altered by the cross‐union operation. 3. A considerable increase in sensitivity to depolarizing drugs was shown after de‐afferentation and after tenotomy of the soleus muscles. Both these conditions are associated with muscle atrophy. 4. It is suggested that hypersensitivity to depolarizing drugs can be expected in any situation where the muscle is undergoing atrophy.