An investigation of arterial insufficiency in the rat hindlimb. Correlation of skeletal muscle bloodflow and glucose utilization in vivo.

Muscle bloodflow and the rate of glucose uptake and phosphorylation were measured in vivo in rats 7 days after unilateral femoral artery ligation and section. Bloodflow was determined by using radiolabelled microspheres. At rest, bloodflow to the gastrocnemius, plantaris and soleus muscles of the ligated limb was similar to their respective mean contralateral control values; however, bilateral sciatic nerve stimulation at 1 Hz caused a less pronounced hyperaemic response in the muscles of the ligated limb, being 59, 63 and 49% of their mean control values in the gastrocnemius, plantaris and soleus muscles respectively. The rate of glucose utilization was determined by using the 2-deoxy[3H]glucose method [Ferré, Leturque, Burnol, Penicaud & Girard (1985) Biochem. J. 228, 103-110]. At rest, the rate of glucose uptake and phosphorylation was statistically significantly increased in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of the ligated limb, being 126 and 140% of the mean control values respectively. Bilateral sciatic nerve stimulation at 1 Hz caused a 3-5-fold increase in the rate of glucose utilization by the ligated and contralateral control limbs; furthermore, the rate of glucose utilization was significantly increased in the muscles of the ligated limb, being 140, 129 and 207% of their mean control values respectively. For the range of bloodflow to normally perfused skeletal muscle at rest or during isometric contraction determined in the present study, a linear correlation between the rate of glucose utilization and bloodflow can be demonstrated. Applying similar methods of regression analysis to glucose utilization and bloodflow to muscles of the ligated limb reveals a similar linear correlation. However, the rate of glucose utilization at a given bloodflow is increased in muscles of the ligated limb, indicating an adaptation of skeletal muscle to hypoperfusion.