The influence of fasting and pancreatectomy on some glycolytic enzymes in the muscle of garden lizard, Calotes versicolor.

The leg muscle of Calotes versicolor consists mainly of white fibers. They can be classified into small, intermediate and broad fibers according to their diameter and staining reaction. The histochemical study of some of the glycolytic enzymes such as aldolase, phosphorylase, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPDH) is described in the muscle of normal, pancreactomized and insulin injected animals. Highest activity of all enzymes was observed in the small fibers, though they occur in negligiable amount (3%). The intermediate and broad fibers exhibited medial and lowest activities respectively. 24 h after the extirpation of the pancreas a considerable inhibition is noted in the activities of phosphorylase, LDH and alpha-GPDH. Induced inanition for 21 days ensued insignificant but gradual decrease and increase in the alpha-GPDH and phosphorylase activities respectively in both unoperated and operated animals. The aldolase shows its mere presence in normal and trace activity in pancreatectomized animals. The injection of insulin (40 i.u./kg) at the interval of 30 min, 60 min, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h is given. The activities of all enzymes is stimulated at 30 min and depleted 4 h after the injection. The level of activity was remaintained at 12 h to 24 h stage. The possible physiological role and significance of enzymes in the synthesis and breakdown of glycogen is discussed.