Muscle pyruvate oxidation following denervation and reinnervation

Muscle pyruvate metabolism was studied in rats following sciatic nerve crush. Control studies showed high pyruvate dehydrogenase and lipoamide dehydrogenase enzyme activity in muscle with type 1 fiber predominance (soleus) and low activities in muscle with type 2 fiber predominance (extensor digitorum longus), whereas lactate dehydrogenase was much higher in the latter. Following denervation, both muscles showed a significant reduction in pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme activity. During reinnervation, muscle with type 2 predominance developed significantly elevated pyruvate oxidation enzyme activities.