[The effect of anti-inflammatory substances on free muscle transplants in the experimental animal (author's transl)].

The effect of repeated subcutaneous injections of hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone on connective tissue formation was investigated in free rat muscle transplants. The follow-up investigation took place 4 weeks after transplantation of the long extensor muscles of the digits to the vastus lateralis group of the rectus femoris muscle. Connective tissue measurements were performed on the basis of hydroxyproline determinations. It was observed that in the untreated transplant there is twice as much connective tissue (expressed as a percentage) as in the same muscle remaining in situ. Hydrocortisone did not reduce the amount of connective tissue in the transplant. Phenylbutazone reduced the amount of connective tissue by 27%. At the same time the total weight of the transplants treated with hydrocortisone and phynylbutazone was reduced by 15% and 33% respectively. Attention is drawn to the myotoxic properties of hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone. Hence, in spite of the inhibited connective tissue formation there is no improvement in muscle fibre regeneration and their use cannot be recommended.