Prevention of disuse muscle atrophy by means of electrical stimulation: maintenance of protein synthesis

Author(s): Smith, K., Rennie, M.

Journal/Book: Lancet. 1988; II: 767-770.

Abstract: The effect of percutaneous electrical stimulation in preventing immobilisation-induced muscle atrophy was determined from measurements of quadriceps mass, composition, and rate of protein synthesis in seven men who had a fracture of one tibia immobilised in a long-leg cast for 6 weeks. These features were compared with those of fourteen men with similar injuries who did not use an electrical stimulator. In men who did not use the stimulator, quardriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) at midthigh, measured by ultrasonography, fell by a mean (SD) 17 (10)% and the rate of muscle protein synthesis was 23 (10)% lower on the immobilised than on the control side (0 037 [0 016] vs 0 048 [0 02]%/h). In contrast, in those who used the stimulator, quadriceps CSA (55 5 [7 3]) cm2 control leg, 50 9 [9 0] cm2 immobilised leg) and the rate of muscle protein synthesis (0 053 [0 009] %/h control leg, 0 059 [0 012] %/h immobilised leg) were similar on the two sides. The results suggest that brief periods of low-voltage percutaneous electrical stimulation will reduce quadriceps atrophy secondary to knee immobilisation, and that the mechanism includes prevention of the fall in muscle protein synthesis that usually occurs on immobilisation.

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