A Study of the Reinnervation of Fast and Slow Mammalian Muscles

Miniature end plate potential (mepp) frequency in innervated extensor muscle is significantly higher than in soleus muscle. 9 days after nerve crush mepps of low amplitude and prolonged duration reappeared at a frequency of 2% of control and were similar to normal muscles after 35 days. Membrane potential began to increase 9–10 days after nerve crush and at 30 days was similar to controls. The region most sensitive to ACh in denervated and reinnervated muscles was the end plate. Caffeine (20 mM, 23°C) induced contracture in innervated soleus but not in extensor muscles. After denervation the extensor became sensitive to caffeine while the soleus muscles decreased in sensitivity to the drug; 4–5 days after reinnervation the effect of caffeine on these muscles was similar to control. The events during reinnervation are: (a) reappearance of mepps at the same time as end plate potential and muscle twitch; (b) partial restoration of the membrane potential; (c) return of caffeine-induced contracture to normal levels in the soleus and its absence in the extensor muscles; (d) return of membrane resistance to normal values in both muscles at about 25 days; and (e) return of ACh-sensitivity to control levels at about 30 days in both muscles. Although these results suggest that the membrane potential and sarcoplasmic reticulum are under neural influence, it remains to be established whether or not separate neurotrophic factors are involved.