Determination of Succinic Oxidase Activity in Human Skeletal Muscle

Abstract

Succinic oxidase was determined by a manometric method on a micro scale in human muscle obtained by percutaneous needle biopsy technique. Differences of activity along the muscle fibers in the vastus lateralis muscle region were found to be small while variation at different depths was higher. The activity was apparently not interfered with by surgical procedures. Human and rat femoral muscles contained higher succinic oxidase activity than abdominal muscle. The human heart showed extremely high activity. Succinic oxidase activity was higher in physically fit persons.

Key Words:

• Human skeletal muscle
• muscle biopsy
• oxidation capacity
• succinic oxidase