Imidazole myopathy. Production of the myopathy and its dependence on acetylcholine

An acetylcholine-mediated myopathy has been produced in the soleus muscle of the rat by the daily injection of imidazole, a compound that accelerates the metabolism of adenosine 3':5' cyclic phosphate by activating the enzyme phosphodiesterase. The imidazole-treated muscles were found to have a lowered resting membrane potential. This study suggests that a decrease in resting membrane potential may make skeletal muscle more vulnerable to necrosis by acetylcholine released during normal activity.