Carbohydrate metabolism of dog skeletal muscle during immobilization.

The effect of immobilization and the following mobilization on muscle carbohydrate metabolism was investigated in dogs. Total carbohydrate and glycogen content of skeletal muscle fell during immobilization. The glycogen-degrading enzyme phosphorylase was activated 1 week after immobilization (a/b ratio 40.6 +/- 7.6 vs. 27.1 +/- 6.5%). Thereafter, the enzyme activity decreased and remained significantly lowered even 2 weeks after the following mobilization. In contrast, muscle glucose and lactate concentration were unchanged. Our data indicates glycogen breakdown of dog skeletal muscle during immobilization. Even after 2 weeks of mobilization muscle glycogen content has not reached glycogen values of the untreated dogs.