Changes in soleus muscle capillarity, oxidative capacity and fiber composition in rats recovering from hyperthyroidism.

Soleus muscle oxidative capacity, fiber composition and capillarity were studied in rats that were injected with 300-400 micrograms/kg of triiodothyronine (T3) every other day for 28 days and then left to recover for 4, 8, 14, 21 or 28 days. The activities of cytochrome c oxidase and citrate synthase and the capacity to oxidize pyruvate plus malate of muscle homogenates were 40, 53 and 21% higher than control values at the end of T3 administration. The activity of citrate synthase and the capacity to oxidize pyruvate plus malate decreased rapidly after discontinuing T3 administration, reaching values below those of base line controls in 14 days, but were not different than controls at 21 days. The activity of cytochrome c oxidase decreased more slowly, reaching base line values 28 days after discontinuing treatment with T3. Fiber composition was studied in cross-sections treated to demonstrate ATPase activity after acid pre-incubation. Three fiber types were present in the soleus of control animals: Type 1 with a strong ATPase reaction (86%), type II a with a weak ATPase reaction (12%) and a small proportion of type IIc with intermediate ATPase reaction (2%). After 28 days of T3 administration the proportion of type I fibers was significantly reduced (74%) while that of IIc was higher (18%). Fiber composition returned to normal between 21 and 28 days after T3 treatment was discontinued. Muscle capillarity was increased by T3 administration. Values of capillary density or capillary to fiber ratio at a given fiber cross sectional area were approximately 30% higher than controls at the end of T3 treatment and remained high until 21 days after discontinuing T3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)