Early and late systemic effects of colchicine on muscle permeability to inorganic phosphate

A single systemic injection of 75 micrograms colchicine/100 g body weight in the lumbar muscles increases within 6 h the permeability of the extensor digitorum longus muscle to inorganic phosphate. Twenty four hours after the injection the specific activities and isotope uptakes of both inorganic and organic-bound acid-soluble phosphates are markedly increased. By the third day a maximal four-fold increase in rate of inorganic phosphate exchange is reached. The observed effects are slowly reversible, a near normal situation obtaining after 30 days. They are qualitatively different from those observed after administration of vincristine sulphate and bupivacaïne (Marcaine).