文摘
A study was made of Wistar rat soleus muscle following intraperitoneal administration of denervated muscle extract over 1 and 2 days. Light microscopy revealed the appearance on fiber surfaces of basophilic satellite structures whose histochemical behaviour differed from that of the parent fiber. Small fibers showing regenerative characteristics were also detected, mainly in the extrafascicular spaces. At ultrastructural examination, activated satellite cells were visible, and there was evidence of splitting in subsarcolemmal regions of apparently hypertrophic muscle fibers. Interstitial cells were occasionally observed, containing structures like myofilaments. The hypothesis is advanced that denervated muscle extract contains substances able to stimulate new fiber formation in adult skeletal muscle.