The effects of clenbuterol on satellite cell activation and the regeneration of skeletal muscle: an autoradiographic and morphometric study of whole muscle transplants in mice.

The beta-2 agonist clenbuterol was tested for its effect on the proliferation of satellite cells in transplanted skeletal muscles. Using autoradiographic techniques it was found that satellite cells in clenbuterol treated transplants began proliferating earlier than in control animals. The effect of clenbuterol on the growth of regenerating muscle fibres was also examined using morphometric techniques, which manifested itself as hypertrophy of the fibres when compared with the controls.