title: Prevention of disuse muscle atrophy by means of electrical stimulation: maintenance of protein synthesis.
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, quadriceps 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.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009124:Muscle Proteins