Genotype CC of rs12979860 is providing protection against infection rather than assisting in treatment response for HCV genotype 3a infection.

Recent discovery of single-nucleotide polymorphisms located in the upstream region of interleukin-28B (IL28B) has shown association with interferon (IFN) treatment response especially in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1-infected patients. Pakistan, being the country with second highest prevalence of HCV with predominantly 3a genotype infection, bears a significant disease burden. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of rs12979860 genotypes on treatment response in HCV-3a-infected patients. This study shows that the CC genotype is providing protection against infection to HCV. But once infected, the CC genotype patients show viral persistence following IFN therapy. The TT genotype is assisting the 3a patients in viral clearance after IFN treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing rs12979860 genotype association with IFN response in Pakistani HCV-3a-infected patients.

Cry genes profiling and the toxicity of isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis from soil samples against American bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to search for Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) harbouring cry1A gene which could effectively control cotton pest, American bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera. METHODS AND RESULTS: cry gene profiling of 50 Bt isolates showed the presence of cry1, cry2, cry3, cry4, cry7, cry8 and cry9 genes. None of the isolates harboured cry1 gene alone. It was always found in combination with cry3. There was no isolate positive for cry10 gene. Considering isolates with single cry genes, the frequency of cry4 was predominant (22%) followed cry2 (6%), cry3 (4%) and cry8 (2%). Isolates having two cry genes in combination had 14% incidence for cry2 + cry4, 12% for cry3 + cry4 and 10% for cry1 + cry3. The most dominant three gene linkage was cry1 + cry3 + cry4. Further profiling of cry1 gene showed that cry1K gene was abundantly present in all combinations such as cry1A, cry1D, cry1F and cry1I. However, cry1C existed independent of other subtypes. Finally, the Bt isolates with cry1A were analyzed for 16S rRNA gene, which showed two distinct groups of isolates on the basis of sequence homology. Bioassays of spore-crystal mixtures of SBS-Bt4, 8, 17, 21 and 26 harbouring cry1 against neonate larvae of H. armigera showed LC(50) 1288, 1202, 467·7, 524·8 and 108·5 µg ml(-1) . The SBS-Bt26 showed fourfold higher toxicity than the cry 1Ac harbouring positive control, HD-73. CONCLUSIONS: None of the isolates harboured single cry 1 gene. They were always in combination of two or three genes. A Bt isolate (Bt26) had fourfold higher toxicity against H. armigera larvae compared with the positive control HD 73 and hence can be commercially exploited to control insect pest. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The inter relationship between the cry genes content and the toxicity may allow better understanding of Bt ecology.

Heavy metal uptake by Euplotes mutabilis and its possible use in bioremediation of industrial wastewater.

A ciliate protozoan, Euplotes mutabilis, isolated from heavy metal laden industrial wastewater, has been shown to tolerate multiple heavy metals thus suggesting its significance in bioremediation of industrial effluents. This ciliate tolerated Zn(2+) up to 33 microg/mL, Cd(2+) up to 22 microg/mL and Ni(2+) up to 18 microg/mL. The ciliate could uptake 85% Zn(2+), 84% of Cd(2+) and 87% of Ni(2+) after 96 h of inoculation of growth medium containing 10 microg/mL of Zn(2+) and 5 microg/mL of Cd(2+) and Ni(2+), with actively growing ciliates. After 6 days of incubation the ciliate removed 87% Cd(2+), 92% Ni(2+), and 93% Zn(2+) from the wastewater. The heavy metal uptake capability of Euplotes mutabilis may be employed for metal detoxification operations.

Formulation of novel chitosan guargum based hydrogels for sustained drug release of paracetamol.

The report presents the formulation of hydrogel based on biopolymers chitosan and guar gum after cross-linking for sustained release of a commonly used orally prescribed analgesic Paracetamol. The oral ingestion of Paracetamol is associated with complications of the gastric tract and liver metabolism that can be effectually avoided by using transdermal drug delivery systems. The formulated transdermal patch was characterized for physicochemical properties including swelling, bonding pattern (using FTIR Fourier Transform Infra-Red and Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM) and antimicrobial activity. Biocompatibility and cytotoxicity was examined in vitro using cell culture in HeLa cell lines. After characterizing the novel formulated hydrogel were employed for the preparation of drug encapsulated in alginate beads as a transdermal patch. After formulation of the transdermal patch, the drug release was studied using an avian skin model. The results followed zero order kinetics and Non-Fickian law for diffusion. Paracetamol due to its small molecular mass (151.163g/mol) released in a sustained manner. The released drug successfully retained its biological effects including anti-inflammatory and anti-protease activity, indicating no interaction between the drug and the formulated hydrogel. It was shown that the formulated hydrogels could be safely used as a dermal patch for the sustained drug release of Paracetamol.

Contributions of distal and proximal promoter elements to glucocorticoid regulation of osteocalcin gene transcription.

Previous studies identified several glucocorticoid response elements (GREs) in the 5'-promoter region of the rat osteocalcin (OC) gene by purified receptor binding. The present study addresses functionality of the GRE sequences in the proximal promoter at nucleotide (nt) -16 to -1 downstream of the TATA element together with the GRE half-element in the OC box at nt -86 to -81. This was done by assaying glucocorticoid responsiveness [at 10(-6) M dexamethasone (DEX)], and in combination with 10(-8) M 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, of a series of deleted and mutated OC promoter reporter constructs (OCCAT) in osteoblast-like cells, the ROS 17/2.8 rat osteosarcoma line. Promoter deletion analysis revealed an additional GRE in the distal promoter at nt -697 to -683 that functions to suppress OC transcription. In the absence of this upstream negative GRE (nGRE), the -531 OCCAT construct exhibited enhanced promoter activity in response to DEX (1.8-fold DEX/Control), but further deletion (-348 and -108 OCCAT constructs) restored DEX suppression to OC promoter activity (0.6- and 0.8-fold DEX/Control, respectively). Mutations introduced in both the proximal GRE (nt -16 to -1) and the half-GRE in the OC box, or in the proximal GRE alone, nearly abrogated DEX responsiveness of OC promoter activity. Both distal and proximal GREs specifically bound glucocorticoid receptor present in ROS 17/2.8 nuclear extracts as shown by competition with wild type and mutated oligonucleotides and antibody inhibition of binding. Furthermore, both GREs, independently, conferred DEX-responsive transcriptional repression to the heterologous thymidine kinase basal promoter. We also report that glucocorticoid suppression of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-stimulated transcription occurs independently of distal or proximal GREs. Taken together, these results demonstrate that in vivo responsiveness of OC to DEX involves the integrative activities of several functional promoter elements.

Effect of pirimiphos-methyl on proteolytic enzyme activities in rat heart, kidney, brain and liver tissues in vivo.

To elucidate whether pesticide toxicity in higher animals involves pesticide-induced dysfunction of the intracellular protein catabolic process, we have determined the effect in vivo of the organophosphate insecticide pirimiphos-methyl on the activities of representative protein catabolising cytoplasmic and lysosomal proteases (responsible for the various stages of the protein degradation cascade and essential for normal cell functioning) in heart, kidney, brain and liver target tissues in the rat. In liver tissue (the major site of pesticide metabolism), the activities of all of the cytoplasmic proteases investigated (alanyl-, arginyl-, leucyl aminopeptidases, dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV, tripeptidyl aminopeptidase, proline endopeptidase) were significantly inhibited (by 20-40% of control activity) following administration of 10 mg pirimiphos-methyl/kg bodyweight, whereas of the lysosomal proteases investigated, only the activities of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I and cathepsin D were significantly reduced (by 15-20% of control activity). In contrast, there was no insecticide-induced inhibition of protease activities in heart, kidney or brain tissues; some lysosomal enzymes (dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I, cathepsins L and D) showed significantly increased activities in these tissues (the reason for which remains to be determined). We conclude that the effect of pirimiphos-methyl on proteolytic enzyme activities differs in different target tissues, and that pirimiphos-methyl induced inhibition of proteases in liver tissue may represent a previously unrecognised toxicity hazard in higher animals.

Sublethal effects of hexavalent chromium on the body growth rate and liver function enzymes of phenobarbitone-pretreated and promethazine-pretreated rabbits.

Hepatotoxic effects of chromium have been studied on the liver function enzymes of male New Zealand white rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, with and without pretreatment with phenobarbitone (PB) and promethazine (PM). The total body weight was decreased under all experimental conditions. After PB administration (5 mg/kg body wt/day for 5 days), the serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) activities decreased 21%, 65%, 25%, and 37%, respectively, whereas the alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity increased 70%. After PM treatment (5 mg/kg body wt/day for 5 days) the serum GPT was inhibited 73%, whereas LDH activity was increased 37%. The hepatic GPT and AP activities decreased after PB (52% and 31%, respectively), and PM (48% and 44%, respectively) treatments, whereas the activities of LDH and ICDH increased (after PB: 817% and 109%, respectively, and after PM: 136% and 44%, respectively). Potassium dichromate, administered at a dose of 8 mg/kg body wt/day for 5 days, decreased serum GOT (44%), GPT (61%), LDH (63%), and AP (44%) activities. The hepatic GOT, GPT and AP activities were likewise decreased (86%, 51%, and 46%, respectively), whereas hepatic LDH and ICDH activities increased 667% and 193%, respectively. When administered to PB-pretreated animals, the serum GOT and AP activities were decreased (50% and 68%), whereas ICDH was increased (29%). The hepatic GOT, LDH, and ICDH activities increased 79%, 221%, and 130%, respectively. In the PM-pretreated animals, the chromium treatment inhibited the activities of serum GOT (48%), GPT (44%), and LDH (43%). The hepatic GPT, LDH, and ICDH activities increased 90%, 133%, and 52%, respectively.

Sublethal effects of inorganic mercury on the body growth rate and liver function enzymes of phenobarbitone-pretreated and promethazine-pretreated rabbits.

Hepatotoxic effects of inorganic mercury with and without pretreatment of phenobarbitone and promethazine have been described in experiments on domesticated rabbits. The total body weight and the relative liver weight decreased after mercury treatment under all experimental conditions. After phenobarbitone (PB) treatment, the serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities decreased to 31%, 77%, 20%, and 27%, respectively, whereas the serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity increased 54%. After promethazine (PM) treatment, however, the serum GPT activity was inhibited 73%, whereas the serum LDH activity increased 53%. Both hepatic GPT and AP activities decreased after PB (41% and 46%, respectively) and after PM (50% and 52%, respectively) treatments, while the activities of LDH and ICDH increased (after PB: 924% and 108%, respectively; after PM: 147% and 40%, respectively). After mercuric chloride (HgCl2) treatment, the serum GOT, GPT, LDH, and ICDH activities decreased 69%, 83%, 11%, and 48%, respectively. The hepatic GOT, LDH, and AP activities increased 56%, 129%, and 51%, respectively. The administration of HgCl2 in PB-pretreated animals was associated with a decrease in the activities of serum GOT and AP (57% and 69%, respectively), while the ICDH activity increased 27%. The hepatic GOT, GPT, and AP increased 58%, 135%, and 77%, respectively, after mercury treatment, whereas LDH and ICDH were inhibited 78% and 29%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of hexavalent chromium on drug-metabolizing enzymes in male domesticated rabbits.

We studied the effect of chromium on the drug-metabolizing enzymes (DME) in male New Zealand white rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, with and without pretreatment with phenobarbitone (PB) and promethazine (PM). The activities of cytochrome P-450 (183%), aniline hydroxylase (ANH, 265%), acetanilide hydroxylase (ACH, 160%), benzphetamine demethylase (BD, 112%), aminopyrine demethylase (AD, 97%), N,N,-dimethyl aniline demethylase (DAD, 72%), and cytochrome-c-reductase (100%) were increased after PB treatment. The activities of cytochrome b5 and N,N,-dimethyl aniline N-oxide (DAO) were, however, decreased 79% and 47%, respectively. Most of the DME remained unaffected after PM treatment except for the increase in ANH (55%), ACH (56%), and BD (16%). Potassium dichromate administered to rabbits at a dose of 8 mg/kg body weight/day for 5 days resulted in an increase in the activities of ANH (108%), BD (76%), AD (25%), and DAD (49%), while that of cytochrome b5 and DAO were inhibited 81 and 77%, respectively. There was no effect on the activities of cytochrome P-450, ACH, and cytochrome-c-reductase. Chromium, administered to PB-pretreated animals decreased the activities of ANH (41%), ACH (35%), BD (34%), AD (30%), DAD (51%), cytochrome-c-reductase (72%), and DAO (62%). Other enzymes remained unaffected. When administered to PM-pretreated animals, the activities of ANH, BD, AD, and DAD increased 34, 69, 24 and 54%, respectively, whereas activities of cytochrome b5 and DAO were decreased 96 and 68%, respectively. All other DME remained unaffected.

An assessment of cadmium toxicity on cytochrome P-450 and flavin monooxygenase-mediated metabolic pathways of dimethylaniline in male rabbits.

Cadmium is an environmental pollutant and its effect on the in vitro metabolism of N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) using male rabbits was investigated. Activities of cytochrome P-450 and FMO-dependent monooxygenases were studied using hepatic microsomes. Following CdCl2 (i.p.) administration (6 mg/kg/day for 6 days), both DMA-N-oxidation and DMA-N-demethylation decreased by 86%. The effects of CdCl2 on the phenobarbitone (PB)-induced form of P-450 were also studied. Intraperitoneal pretreatment of rabbits with PB (5 mg/kg/day for 5 days) increased N-demethylation by 82%, while N-oxidation decreased by 49%. Both reactions decreased significantly on additional treatment with CdCl2. Promethazine (5 mg/kg/day for 5 days) did not produce any change in the activities of either enzyme. The enzymes remained unaffected by CdCl2 treatment in promethazine-pretreated animals thus confirming its role as a hepatoprotective agent.

Effect of Tri-O-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) on proteolytic enzyme activities in mouse liver in vivo.

To develop a clearer understanding of the biochemical mechanisms of toxicity in higher animals, we determined the effect of four sublethal dosages (0.25 to 1.0 g/Kg) of organophosphate (OP), and of tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) on the activities of a representative range of cytoplasmic and lysosomal proteolytic enzymes in mouse liver in vivo. Administration of the lowest sublethal dosage of TOCP (0.25g/1Kg, 24 hours) resulted in significant inhibition (10 to 30% of control activity) of the cytoplasmic proteases tripeptidyl aminopeptidase and proline endopeptidase only. An increasing dosage of TOCP (1g/Kg for 7 days) resulted in significant inhibition (10 to 50% of control activity) of the cytoplasmic proteases alanyl aminopeptidase, leucyl aminopeptidase, tripeptidyl aminopeptidase, and proline endopeptidase, as well as the lysosomal proteases dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I and cathepsins B, D, and L. The activities of the cytoplasmic proteases arginyl aminopeptidase and dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV, and of lysosomal proteases dipeptidyl aminopeptidase II and cathepsin H were not significantly altered following TOCP administration at this higher dosage. All of the above proteases are involved in the general process of intracellular protein turnover (common to all tissues), and may also have more specialized functions such as the processing of physiologically active hormonal peptides, and the processing of antigenic proteins in the immune response. Data obtained in the present study suggest that inhibition of the above enzymes by OP such as TOCP may represent a previously unrecognized toxicity hazard induced by the latter compound in higher animals.

Aetiology of shigellosis in northern Pakistan.

People of northern Pakistan face health hazards because of poor sanitation practices. Bacterial gastrointestinal infections are very common, and sometimes outbreaks occur. The present study was aimed at evaluating and analyzing infestation of Shigella spp. in patients with suspected gastroenteritis and ascertaining the status of antibiotic therapy. Five hundred and eighty-five faecal samples of patients with suspected gastroenteritis, referred to the District Headquarter Hospital Gilgit, were investigated for common enteropathogenic bacteria from July 1997 to September 1999. Seventy-seven (13.2%) of the faecal specimens were infected with different strains of Shigella spp., 61% of which were Shigella dysenteriae, 15.6% were S. flexneri, and 23.4% were Shigella sp. All Shigella strains were sensitive to ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, and enoxacin. Sixty-one percent of the strains were resistant to both ampicillin and chloramphenicol, and 3.9% to ampicillin and nalidixic acid, while 10.4% were resistant to ampicillin alone and 14.3% to chloramphenicol only. Only 10.4% of the strains were sensitive to all the antibiotics tested. Sixty strains of Shigella spp. were processed for isolation of plasmids, and 58 (97%) of these antibiotic-resistant bacteria harboured at least one plasmid. The number of plasmids varied from 1 to 9. Escherichia coli C600 were transformed with the isolated plasmids. Transformants, containing 23-kb plasmid, resisted growth in media containing antibiotics, thereby indicating that antibiotic resistance is plasmid-borne. Based on the findings of the study, it is concluded that the infestation of Shigella spp. is high in northern Pakistan, the aetiological agents are highly resistant to chloramphenicol and ampicillin, and the antibiotic resistance is mediated by the 23-kb plasmid.

Copper-resistant bacteria from industrial effluents and their role in remediation of heavy metals in wastewater.

Six copper-resistant bacterial strains were isolated from wastewater of tanneries of Kasur and Rohi Nala. Two strains tolerated copper at 380 mg/L, four up to 400 mg/L. Three strains were identified as members of the genus Salmonella; one strain was identified as Streptococcus pyrogenes, one as Vagococcus fluvialis and the last was identified as Escherichia coli. The pH and temperature optimum for two of them were 7.0 and 30 degrees C, respectively; four strains had corresponding optima at 7.5 and 37 degrees C, respectively. All bacterial isola-tes showed resistance against Ag+ (280-350 mg/L), Co2+ (200-420), CrVI (280-400), Cd2+ (250-350), Hg2+ (110-200), Mn2+ (300-380), Pb2+ (300-400), Sn2+ (480-520) and Zn2+ (300-450). Large-sized plasmids (> 20 kb), were detected in all of the strains. After the isolates were cured of plasmids with ethidium bromide, the efficiency of curing was estimated in the range of 60-90%. Reference strain of E. coli was transformed with the plasmids of the bacterial isolates which grew in Luria-Bertani medium containing 100 mg/L Cu2+. The capability to adsorb and afterwards accumulate Cu2+ inside their cells was assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer; all bacterial cells had the ability to adsorb 50-80% of the Cu2+ and accumulate 30-45% Cu2+ inside them after 1 d of incubation.

Effect of dichromate on population and growth of various protozoa isolated from industrial effluents.

Three protozoa belonging to genera Euglena, Vorticella and Stylonychia collected from industrial wastes were cultured in a medium containing inorganic salts, basically meant for the growth of algae. Protozoa showed rapid growth in the medium. Hexavalent chromium (K2Cr2O7) at a concentration of 5 micrograms/L in the medium adversely affected the growth of protozoa. At the end of eight days of Cr administration, the population of Euglena, Vorticella and Stylonychia increased 8-, 4.5- and 10-fold, respectively, as against 30-, 6.75- and 50-fold increase in the control cultures. No apparent death phase and no change in activity or morphology of protozoa was observed at this Cr concentration. The protozoa were also exposed to different metal ions, viz. Pb (2.42 mmol/L), Cr (0.48 mmol/L), Cd (0.36 mmol/L), administered in the culture medium for a period of 2 years. The metal tolerance for S. mytilus and V. microstoma was Pb > Cr > Cd. E. proxima could not tolerate any of the long-term metal treatments. Because of the ability of these protozoa to tolerate high concentrations of heavy metals, their potential role in remediation of heavy metals from industrial wastewater is considered.

Chromium-tolerant bacteria isolated from industrial effluents and their use in detoxication of hexavalent chromium.

Three bacterial strains were isolated from effluents of leather (CMBL Cr13, CMBL Cr14) and steel (CMBL Cr15) industries for their possible use in chromium(VI) detoxication of industrial waste. CMBL Cr13 was found to tolerate chromium(VI) up to a concentration of 45 g/L in the medium, while CMBL Cr14 and CMBL Cr15 could tolerate up to 40 g/L. These bacteria were also checked for resistance to other metals. They resisted a lead concentration of 1 g/L and cadmium concentration of 550 mg/L in the medium. They showed optimum growth at pH 7.3-7.5 at a temperature of 35-37 degrees C. CrVI-reducing ability of the three strains ranged from 70 to 80% after 3 d of incubation. The possible use of these bacteria in environmental cleanup is discussed.

Growth and survival of protozoa isolated from a tannery effluent.

Industrial effluent from a tannery was used for the growth of algae in a medium containing various inorganic salts. Growth of algal cells became visible after 7 d. Two species of protozoa were observed to proliferate in the algal culture containing no organic supplement in the medium. The culture was kept bacteria-free by the use of antibiotics and was perpetuated for at least 150 d with no decline in the protozoan population. Efficient growth of protozoa in a culture of algae elucidated new modes of nutrition in protozoa. Cr(VI) was added to the medium to check the resistance of algae and protozoa against this heavy metal. Protozoa showed different degrees of resistance. The results indicate the importance of algae and protozoa in the process of bioremediation.

Effect of exercise on transplanted extensor digitorum longus muscle in Sprague Dawley rats.

Effect of exercise has been studied on intact and transplanted extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle in rats. Majority of muscle fibres hypertrophied and a few showed hyperplasia in intact and transplanted EDL muscle after exercise. The weight, dimensions and diameter of muscle fibres increased, while total muscle area, number of muscle fibres and the number and diameter of nuclei decreased after exercise in all the experimental groups. The DNA, RNA and protein contents were however increased after exercise.

Regeneration following orthotopic transplantation of entire plantaris muscle in Sprague Dawley rats.

Regeneration of rat plantaris muscle has been studied without predeneration. The original muscle fibres were completely degenerated within one week, but were completely regenerated at the end of experiment. The weight of regenerate showed 51% recovery. The breadth, length and total area of muscle and number of muscle fibres was less by 42, 37, 26 and 29% respectively, compared to control muscle at the end of experiment. The diameter of regenerated fibres was almost normalized at the end of experiment. The number and diameter of nuclei in the regenerate was more than that of control which coincides with the increase in DNA and RNA contents. The protein contents after an initial loss started increasing and continued to do so till the end of the experiment. The better regeneration of the plantaris muscle seems to be due to the presence of supporting gastrocnemius muscle.

Microorganisms resistant to heavy metals and toxic chemicals as indicators of environmental pollution and their use in bioremediation.

Microorganisms present in water samples from various industrial effluents were analysed for their resistance to lead, chromium, and cadmium. The ability of these microorganisms to grow on or metabolize toxic hydrocarbons and pesticides was also checked. Microorganisms in samples from the steel and tanning industries were generally resistant to metal ions but were not capable of metabolizing toxic hydrocarbons. Conversely, microorganisms found in samples of pesticide and from the chemical industry were capable of metabolizing hydrocarbons and pesticides but were not much resistant to metal ions. Microorganisms from effluents of the paint industry and urban wastes were resistant to lead. A correlation between the population of microorganisms and the type of pollution was observed. Indigenous microorganism could be regarded as indicators of pollution and be used in various operations to resist, process, metabolize, and detoxify toxic industrial wastes.

Effect of tenotomy on extensor digitorum longus muscle in Sprague Dawley rats.

The effect of tenotomy on Extensor Digitorum Longus (EDL) muscle, brought about by removal of anterior tibialis muscle was studied in the rat. Hypertrophy as well as hyperplasia of the muscle fibres were observed following tenotomy of intact muscle. The transplanted muscle regenerated after tenotomy in the form of a flat strap. The weight, length, breadth and total muscle area of intact muscle increased but decreased in transplanted muscle following tenotomy. The number of muscle fibres/microscopic field increased during the entire experiment in intact muscle after tenotomy, while in transplant the number of fibres first decreased and then increased. The diameter of intact and transplanted muscle increased after tenotomy. The number and diameter of nuclei was normalized at the end of experiment in both groups. The DNA and RNA content was increased in intact muscle after tenotomy. In transplant DNA and RNA content first increased but than decreased. The protein content was increased in intact muscle at the end of the experiment but decreased in transplant after tenotomy.