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Effect of electromyostimulation on apoptosis‐related factors in denervation and reinnervation of rat skeletal muscles
Author(s) -
Lim JaeYoung,
Han Tai Ryoon
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.21719
Subject(s) - reinnervation , tunel assay , denervation , muscle atrophy , skeletal muscle , atrophy , medicine , apoptosis , terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase , sciatic nerve , endocrinology , anatomy , anesthesia , immunohistochemistry , chemistry , biochemistry
Electromyostimulation (EMS) has been utilized to reduce muscle atrophy, but its effect on denervated muscles is controversial. This study was performed to determine the effect of EMS on intramuscular changes and apoptosis during denervation and reinnervation following nerve damage. Rat sciatic nerves were denervated completely (CD) or partially (PD), and EMS was applied for 2 weeks. The same numbers of cases were followed without EMS. Nerve conduction studies, muscle weights, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay to measure apoptotic changes, and Western blot were done 4, 8, and 12 weeks after injury. TUNEL‐positive nuclei of CD muscles (18.6 ± 5.5%) were more prevalent than those of PD muscles (7.5 ± 3.3%). The EMS group showed greater muscle weight, fewer positive nuclei (4.7 ± 1.9%), and lower BAX and Bcl‐2 expression levels compared with the non‐EMS group at 4 weeks after PD but not after CD. Denervated muscle atrophy delayed by EMS may be linked with enhanced anti‐apoptosis under the control of apoptosis‐related factors. Muscle Nerve, 2010