An investigation of arterial insufficiency in rat hindlimb. An enzymic, mitochondrial and histological study.

A small animal model of arterial insufficiency has been used to investigate enzymic alterations in the gastrocnemius, plantaris and soleus muscles of the hypoperfused limb. At 7 days after induction of arterial insufficiency by unilateral femoral artery ligation, there were significant increases in the maximal activities of hexokinase, phosphorylase and 6-phosphofructokinase, whereas the activities of citrate synthase and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase remained unchanged. Similar increases in hexokinase, phosphorylase and 6-phosphofructokinase were still apparent 8-10 weeks after unilateral artery ligation, although only hexokinase remained significantly higher than contralateral control values. No enhancement of oxidative enzyme activities was observed. The results are discussed in relation to the conflicting findings reported by other groups investigating enzymic adaptations in patients with arterial insufficiency.