Prolonged treatment with the beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol (1-2 mg. kg body mass(-1). day (-1)) is known to induce the hypertrophy of fast-contracting fibers and the conversion of slow- to fast-contracting fibers. We investigated the effects of administering a lower dose of clenbuterol (250 microgram. kg body mass(-1). day (-1)) on skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain (MyHC) protein isoform content and adenine nucleotide (ATP, ADP, and AMP) concentrations. Male Wistar rats were administered clenbuterol (n = 8) or saline (n = 6) subcutaneously for 8 wk, after which the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles were removed. We demonstrated an increase of type IIa MyHC protein content in the soleus from approximately 0.5% in controls to approximately 18% after clenbuterol treatment (P < 0.05), which was accompanied by an increase in the total adenine nucleotide pool (TAN; approximately 19%, P < 0.05) and energy charge [E-C = (ATP + 0.5 ADP)/(ATP + ADP + AMP); approximately 4%; P < 0.05]. In the EDL, a reduction in the content of the less prevalent type I MyHC protein from approximately 3% in controls to 0% after clenbuterol treatment (P < 0.05) occurred without any alterations in TAN and E-C. These findings demonstrate that the phenotypic changes previously observed in slow muscle after clenbuterol administration at 1-2 mg. kg body mass(-1). day(-1) are also observed at a substantially lower dose and are paralleled by concomitant changes in cellular energy metabolism.

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