Recovery from immobilization-induced atrophy of rabbit soleus muscles can be accelerated by chronic low-frequency stimulation.
Immobilization of rabbit soleus muscles with an ankle joint angle of 90 degrees led to gross degeneration after 2 weeks. Natural recovery in the subsequent 2 weeks had little effect on the mean area of soleus fibres, although there were signs of regeneration. However chronic low-frequency activation of soleus muscles by nerve stimulation greatly accelerated recovery, producing muscle fibres of normal areas and with characteristics of maturity.
Cotter
M
M
Department of Physiology, Marischal College, University of Aberdeen.
Barry
J
J
Cameron
N
N
D000818:Animals; D001284:Atrophy; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D007103:Immobilization; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011817:Rabbits; D012016:Reference Values