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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Isolation of Mitochondria from Mouse Skeletal Muscle for Respirometric Assays
08:11

Isolation of Mitochondria from Mouse Skeletal Muscle for Respirometric Assays

Published on: February 10, 2022

Intermembrane inclusions induced by anoxia in heart and skeletal muscle mitochondria

S Schiaffino, E Severin, V Hanzlíková

    Virchows Archiv. B, Cell Pathology Including Molecular Pathology
    |October 1, 1979
    PubMed

    Insights

    Anoxia causes giant mitochondria and unique inclusions in adult rat heart and skeletal muscle. Developing muscle shows swelling but lacks these structures, suggesting postnatal changes influence anoxic response.

    Area of Science:

    • Cell Biology
    • Muscle Physiology
    • Mitochondrial Research

    Background:

    • Anoxia significantly impacts cellular structures, particularly mitochondria.
    • Previous studies noted changes in ischemic muscles in vivo.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effects of anoxia on muscle fine structure, focusing on mitochondria.
    • To compare the response of adult and developing rat cardiac and skeletal muscle to anoxia.

    Main Methods:

    • In vitro incubation of rat heart and skeletal muscle in an oxygen-free medium with substrates.
    • Microscopic examination of muscle fine structure, particularly mitochondrial changes.

    Main Results:

    • Anoxia induced giant mitochondria (via fusion) and paracrystalline intermembrane inclusions in adult skeletal muscle fibers.
    • Similar inclusions were observed in adult cardiac muscle cells but not in non-muscle cells.
    • Developing muscle (newborn rats) showed mitochondrial swelling but no inclusions under anoxia.

    Conclusions:

    • Adult cardiac and skeletal muscle mitochondria exhibit distinct structural responses to anoxia compared to developing muscle.
    • Postnatal development may alter protein components, influencing the formation of paracrystalline inclusions in response to anoxia.

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