AN APPARENT INFLUENCE OF SYMPATHETIC NERVES ON MUSCLE GLYCOGEN

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Abstract
In the chronic condition, the glycogen content of sympathectomized muscle seems to diminish. If removal of the sympathetic supply to a limb is followed by reestablishment of the nervous connections, the glycogen store in the muscle is augmented as compared to that on the un-operated side. This increase may result from hyper-activity of the regenerated sympathetic nerves. The blood flow through the sympathectomized fore limbs in animals killed 1-2 mos. after operation was found approximately normal, but much greater than normal through the operated hind limbs. Reunion of the nerve trunk in the former cases and non-union in the latter probably explain the circulatory differences. The muscle glycogen changes do not appear to depend alone (if at all) on vascular shifts. It is recalled that changes in glycogen equilibrium in tissues may be brought about by certain sympathetic (splanchnic) and also by medul-liadrenal (sympathieomimetic) agencies. In keeping with these activities the peripherally distributed sympathetic nerves now appear to subserve a glycotaxic or glycogenotaxic function in skeletal muscle.

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