[Effect of hydrocortisone on protein metabolism in skeletal muscles]

Using a radioindicator method the authors studied the effects of hydrocortisone on the synthesis and breakdown of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins in white (m. extensor digitorum longus) and red (m. soleus) functioning and idle skeletal muscles of rats. It was found that in addition to the catabolic effects, i.e. inhibition of the protein synthesis and/or stimulation of their breakdown the hormone also exhibited an "anticatabolic" effect that manifested itself in an inhibition of the protein breakdown. This effect was observed in all the cases (except the white functioning muscle) simultaneously with the protein synthesis inhibition, thus counteracting to this or that degree the development of atrophic reactions in the muscles.