Degenerative changes in masseter muscle following injection of lidocaine: a histochemical study.

Changes in succinic dehydrogenase, adenosine triphosphatase, and phosphorylase activities occurred in masseter muscle by 15 minutes following injection of 2% lidocaine. Abolishment of phosphorylase activity suggested an effect on the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Increased staining for succinic dehydrogenase and adenosine triphosphatase activities suggested damage to mitochondria and myofibrils, respectively. Leucine aminopeptidase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities appeared in macrophages.