Energetics of isometric contraction in dystrophic fast and slow muscles

The amount of phosphoryl creatine (PC) hydrolysed during a ten‐second isometric contraction was measured in the biceps brachii (fast) and soleus (slow) muscles of adult normal and dystrophic mice (Re 129 strain) following inhibition of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. The dystrophic muscles were found to have a lower isometric economy (tension‐time integral per μmol PC) than the normal muscles. This was particularly so in the case of the fast biceps brachii muscle which is affected by dystrophy to a greater extent than the slow soleus muscle. The isometric economy of the dystrophic muscles was lower even when the results were based on a total creatine rather than on a weight basis. This suggests there may be some defect in the contractile proteins of dystrophic muscle. The normal soleus muscle was found to be approximately three times more economical in maintaining tension than the normal biceps brachii muscle. This indicates the adaptation of slow muscles such as the soleus are used for maintenance of posture.