THE INFLUENCE OF PROSTIGMINE, ATROPINE AND OTHER SUBSTANCES ON FIBRILLATION AND ATROPHY IN THE DENERVATED SKELETAL MUSCLE OF THE RAT

Abstract

On the hypothesis that fibrillation is the cause of atrophy in paralyzed muscles, various agents were tested for their influence on the degree of fibrillation in the denervated muscles of rats. Of the substances which influenced fibrillation, and of a number of others used for different reasons, only prostigmine and atropine had any significant influence upon the rate of atrophy. Prostigmine, which increased fibrillation, also increased the rate of atrophy by 47%. Atropine, which diminished fibrillation, decreased the rate of atrophy by 39%. The possibility of the therapeutic application of atropine to prevent atrophy of paralyzed muscles in humans is raised.