Peripheral nerve autografts increase soleos muscle hydrolase activity

A peripheral nerve autograft placed on the surface of a normally innervated muscle has been shown to induce acetylcholine hypersensitivity and myofibrillar degeneration. Using a similar preparation, we determined the acid protease, alkaline protease, and N-acetylglucosaminidase activity in rat soleus muscle and the effect of protease inhibitors on these enzymes. Three days after nerve transplant, the muscle showed a significant increase in all three enzymes assayed. The protease inhibitors leupeptin and pepstatin totally prevented the nerve-induced increase in hydrolase activity. Our data suggest that muscle degeneration is secondary to an inflammatory response induced by the nerve.