Skeletal Muscle Cross Sections Research Articles

The analysis of skeletal muscle by quantitative histochemical techniques.

Phosphorylase, total lipid, and total protein were measured and localized in sections of rat soleus, medial gastrocnemius, and anterior tibial muscles, using quantitative histochemical methods. Two types of fibers with high or low phosphorylase activity are found quantitatively. Three types of fibers are seen with the conventional histochemical method. The differences between the two types of fibers with low activity seen with the conventional method may not be related to the amount of enzyme present. Fibers with one of three possible colors are seen when frozen-dried cross sections of skeletal muscle are transilluminated with polarized light. The variations in color correlate with the variations in phosphorylase staining. The basis of the color variations may be related to a protein component of the fiber.