Clenbuterol treatment stimulates cell proliferation in denervated chick gastrocnemius muscle

Daily administration of clenbuterol, a beta adrenoceptor agonist (0.5 mg/kg body weight; for 7 days) to normal innervated and denervated adult chicks (Gallus domesticus) resulted in different growth related responses by gastrocnemius muscle. While normal innervated muscle undergoes hypertrophy, structural reorganization in denervated tissue is accomplished by the de novo emergence of new cells. A contrasting cell population with extremely narrow cross sectional dimensions is a characteristic feature of denervated muscle in presence of clenbuterol. Measurement of fiber dimensions, number of cells per unit area and examination of histochemical preparations support this.