ENERGY CATABOLISM IN RABBIT MUSCLE AS AFFECTED BY BRINE INJECTION - P-31 NMR-STUDIES

The energy catabolism in brine-injected muscles was examined by P-31 N uclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Immediately after death of rabbits, brines containing NaCl, with or without pyrophosphate, wer e injected into the arterial system. P-31 NMR spectra at 4 degrees C r evealed marked heterogeneity in postmortem catabolism due to brine dif fusion. The heterogeneity of the Pi signal for injected muscles reflec ted the existence of muscle areas with different intracellular pH valu es. This observation suggested an increase in rate of glycolysis for f ibers experiencing brine. The heterogeneity of brine diffusion seemed to be affected by method of injection.