Heteronymous recurrent inhibition from gastrocnemius muscle to soleus motoneurones in humans.

Presence of heteronymous recurrent inhibition in motoneurones (Mns) innervating the soleus muscle (Sol) was investigated following electrical stimulation of the nerve of gastrocnemius medialis muscle (GM). Sub-threshold electrical stimulation for alpha Mns produced short-lasting inhibition of the Sol, reflecting non-reciprocal group I inhibition. After increasing the intensity of stimulation above the motor threshold, a short-latency, long-lasting inhibition appeared superimposed on the group I inhibition. Its amount increased with the size of the conditioning motor response and after acute administration of L-acetylcarnitine. It is concluded that this long-lasting inhibition of the Sol Mns is due to the heteronymous activity of the GM-coupled Renshaw cells.