ACTION OF LINDANE IN CAUSING ULTRASTRUCTURAL DAMAGE IN FROG SKELETAL-MUSCLE

1. 1. The insecticide lindane has been shown to cause extensive damage (at 5 × 10-5 M) to the myofilaments of frog skeletal muscle. 2. 2. The effect is much greater in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and at 23°C rather than at 18°C. 3. 3. It is suggested that lindane is able to promote both Ca2+ -influx and the release of Ca2+ from intracellular sites in the muscle. It has a similar dual effect at presynaptic terminals, modifies oxidation in isolated frog liver mitochondria and acts at the muscle membrane, as shown by recordings of the amplitude of the MEPPs. © 1979.