Serum Aldolase Activity in Neuromuscular Disorders. 2. Experimental Application.

Abstract

Dogs were submitted to a variety of experimental procedures for the purpose of creating various forms of muscle atrophy. When the femoral nerve or cauda equina roots were severed, there was a delayed depression of muscle tissue phosphorylase b and aldolase as well as a delayed, transient rise in serum aldolase. Dogs in which atrophy was caused by tenotomy or supressed blood supply showed no depression of the tissue enzymes or elevation of the serum aldolase. The histologic degree of atrophy, however, was about equal in all groups. These findings are in agreement with accumulated clinical data and appear to indicate that atrophy due to denervation may be distinguished from atrophy of other causes by the moderate and transient rise in the serum aldolase.