[Inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase on the denervated muscle atrophy]

To study the effect of the competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on the denervated muscle atrophy.

A model of the denervated gastrocnemius at the right lower limb was established in 36 SD adult rats. The rats were randomly divided into two groups: the L-NAME group (Group A) and the control group (Group B). L-NAME 10 mg/kg daily was injected into the denervated gastrocnemius in Group A, and normal saline was injected into the denervated gastrocnemius in Group B. At 2, 4 and 8 weeks after operation, the rate of the muscle wet weight preservation, the cross section area of the myocyte, the protein amount, and the percentage of the apoptotic muscle cells were measured respectively and the ultramicrostructure of the myocyte was observed.

At 2 and 4 weeks after operation, the rate of the muscle wet weight preservation, the cross section area of the myocyte, and the protein amount were significantly greater in Group A than in Group B; however, the percentage of the apoptotic muscle cells was significantly smaller in Group A than in Group B. The observation of the ultramicrostructure of the myocyte showed that an injection of L-NAME could protect the ultramicrostructure of the myocyte. At 8 weeks after operation, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the above-mentioned parameters.

The nitric oxide synthase inhibition can delay the denervated muscle atrophy.