Oxygen dependence of energy metabolism in contracting and recovering rat skeletal muscle.

The relationship between the oxygen supply and the energy metabolism in perfused rat hindlimb muscles was evaluated both during contractions and during recovery from contractions. The 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique and conventional biochemical methods were used. Significant correlations were found between the oxygen delivery and the oxygen consumption, lactate release and glucose uptake, respectively. An increased degree of fatigue was observed at the lower oxygen deliveries. In both the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles the oxygen delivery correlated with the intramuscular concentrations of phosphocreatine, lactate, and glycogen. The 31P-NMR experiments showed a correlation between the oxygen delivery and the steady-state level of the phosphocreatine-to-inorganic phosphate (PCr+Pi) ratio during the contraction period. The rate of recovery in PCr/Pi after the contractions was also dependent on the oxygen delivery. The results demonstrate a causal relationship between the oxygen supply and the energy state in contracting as well as recovering skeletal muscles.