Repartitioning effect of a mixed beta-agonist on body composition.

Subcutaneous administration of a mixed beta-agonist to young rats induced no changes in animal growth and food conversion efficiency. However, a repartitioning effect was found with increases in lean tissue and decreases in body fat. The enhancement of muscle protein deposition was attributed to a fall in protein breakdown as muscular cathepsin A activity was lower in treated rats. A reduction of muscle reduction-oxidation state is associated to those changes in protein metabolism.