Figure 1. Plantaris fiber areas.
Plantaris muscles from rats chronically fed alcohol (EtOH) for 35 weeks had a 46% reduction in cross-sectional area (CSA) compared to controls. Interestingly, plantaris muscles from a subgroup of EtOH-fed rats that had their diets supplemented with the glutathione precursor procysteine (PRO) for 12 weeks displayed increased CSAs compared to unsupplemented, EtOH-fed rats. Values are expressed as means + SEM (n=6-7 rats/group). Significance was accepted at p ≤ 0.05. *, compared to control group. #, compared to EtOH group.