Effect of nitrite on the phosphorolytic and hydrolytic glycogen decomposition in the heart and skeletal muscle.

Sodium nitrite produces indirectly an increase in glycogen phosphorolysis and hydrolysis both in the working heart muscle and in quiescent skeletal muscle. The results indicate this effect being related to catecholamines liberation as it never occurs after adrenalectomy, reserpine administration or beta-receptor blocking. The most significant effect of nitrite and adrenalin interaction consists in abolition of inhibiting influence of adrenalin upon glycogen hydrolysis which leads to significant increase in contribution of unphosphorylated sugars to the total pool of products liberated in a course of enhanced glycogenolysis process in the heart.