Changes in mitochondrial calmitine and calcium in rat denervated skeletal muscle after injection of a myotoxic drug, chlorpromazine

1. Calmitine and mitochondrial calcium were studied after injection of chlorpromazine into control and denervated gastrocnemius muscle in rat.

2. Calmitine decreased under the effect of chlorpromazine and then increased again. Regenerative capacity was more marked for denervated than control muscle. Calcium increased and then returned to its normal level in control muscle while remaining elevated in denervated muscle.

3. Thus, it would appear that calmitine synthesis can occur in the absence of innervation and that denervation, which probably causes disturbances in mitochondrial calcium regulation systems, may prevent total regeneration of muscle after an injury.