Increase in myoglobin content and decrease in oxidative enzyme activities by leg muscle immobilization in man.

Biopsies from m. quadriceps femoris from the operated leg of nine patients were taken before, and 6 weeks after, knee surgery. During the whole postoperative period the operated leg was immobilized with the knee in 40-50 degrees of flexion. Myoglobin (MYO) and the enzymes citrate synthase (CS), creatine kinase (CK) and its isozymes MB (CK-MB) and mitochondrial CK (CK-MIT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), phosphofructokinase (PFK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LD) were determined on the biopsies. Citrate synthase, ASAT, CK, CK-MB, CK-MIT and LD activities were decreased (12-30%) after the postoperative leg immobilization period. Phosphofructokinase did not change, while MYO content was increased (16%). In conclusion, a different control of the synthesis of oxidative enzymes and MYO is suggested, as the induced changes following immobilization were in opposite directions. The function of the increased MYO content may be to facilitate the oxygen extraction.