title: Changes in elemental composition of human muscle fibres following surgery and immobilization. An X-ray microanalytical study.
abstract: X-ray microanalysis of single muscle fibres visualized in the electron microscope has been applied to human muscle biopsies to quantify changes of intracellular elements after knee-surgery with subsequent immobilization for 6 weeks. An increase of intracellular chlorine (Cl; P less than 0.001) and of sodium (Na; P less than 0.1) concentrations were found 1 and 6 weeks post-surgery. Intracellular potassium (K), phosphorus and sulphur concentrations were not significantly changed. The increased Cl and Na concentrations may be an indication of a decreased activity of the ATPase-dependent Na/K-pump in the sarcolemma and/or of an increased sarcolemmal permeability for Na and Cl.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D006801:Humans; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000032:analysis; D007717:Knee / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000032:analysis* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes