Effect of spinal cord stimulation on the metabolism of developing latissimus dorsii muscles in chick embryo

Abstract Influence of chronic spinal cord stimulation upon some characteristic enzyme activities of energy metabolism was investigated in slow anterior (ALD) and fast posterior (PLD) latissimus dorsii muscles of the chick embryo. During embryonic life, oxidative metabolism (as evaluated by the activity of malate dehydrogenase (MDH)) represents the main energetic pathway in both slow and fast muscles. At the end of embryonic life, an increase in anaerobic (as evaluated by the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities occurs in PLD muscle. Chronic spinal cord stimulation at a low frequency was performed from the 10th day to the 16th day of embryonic development. In ALD, the enzyme activities were unaffected, while in PLD a concomitant decrease in LDH and CPK activities was observed.