Redox responses in skeletal muscle following denervation

Previous studies have shown a significant increase in the mitochondrial generation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and other peroxides in recently denervated muscle fibers. The mechanisms for generation of these peroxides and how the muscle responds to these peroxides are not fully established. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of denervation on the muscle content of proteins that may contribute to mitochondrial peroxide release and the muscle responses to this generation. Denervation of the tibialis anterior (TA) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles in mice was achieved by surgical removal of a small section of the peroneal nerve prior to its entry into the muscle. An increase in mitochondrial peroxide generation has been observed from 7 days and sustained up to 21 days following denervation in the TA muscle fibers. This increased peroxide generation was reduced by incubation of skinned fibers with inhibitors of monoamine oxidases, NADPH oxidases or phospholipase A2 enzymes and the muscle content of these enzymes together with peroxiredoxin 6 were increased following denervation. Denervated muscle also showed significant adaptations in the content of several enzymes involved in the protection of cells against oxidative damage. Morphological analyses indicated a progressive significant loss of muscle mass in the TA muscle from 7 days up to 21 days following denervation due to fiber atrophy but without fiber loss. These results support the possibility that, at least initially, the increase in peroxide production may stimulate adaptations in an attempt to protect the muscle fibers, but that these processes are insufficient and the increased peroxide generation over the longer term may activate degenerative and atrophic processes in the denervated muscle fibers.