Nitric oxide synthase inhibition delays low-frequency stimulation-induced satellite cell activation in rat fast-twitch muscle

This study examined the effect of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition via N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) administration on low-frequency stimulation-induced satellite cell (SC) activation in rat skeletal muscle. L-NAME only delayed stimulation-induced increases in SC activity. Also, stimulation-induced increases in hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mRNA and protein expression were only abrogated at the mRNA level in L-NAME-treated animals. Therefore, early stimulation-induced SC activation appears to be NOS-dependent, while continued activation may involve NOS-independent HGF translational control mechanisms.