[Satellite cells in movement disorders of various etiologies]

The ultrastructural analysis of the muscle biopsy samples from patients with different neuro-muscular diseases revealed; both degeneration and regeneration of the muscle fibres. The number of satellite cells was increased due to their division and myonuclear segregation. Activated satellite cells were converted into myoblasts which probably could replace the injured fragments of the muscle fibres or form the myotubes. The process of muscle fibre regeneration is restricted not only by the damage of the muscle itself, but by the dystrophic process affecting satellite cells.