title: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation alters gene expression and delays quadriceps muscle atrophy of rats after anterior cruciate ligament transection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is used to improve quadriceps mass after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. We studied the effect of NMES on mRNA levels of atrophy genes in the quadriceps muscle of rats after ACL transection.
  
  
  METHODS
  mRNA levels of atrogin-1, MuRF-1, and myostatin were assessed by quantitative PCR and the polyubiquitinated proteins by Western blot at 1, 2, 3, 7, and 15 days postinjury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NMES minimized the accumulation of atrogenes and myostatin according to time period. NMES also prevented reduction in muscle mass in all muscles of the ACLES group at 3 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of NMES decreased the accumulation of atrogenes and myostatin mRNA in the quadriceps muscles, inhibiting early atrophy at 3 days, although it did not prevent atrophy at 7 and 15 days after ACL transection. This study highlights the importance of therapeutic NMES interventions in the acute phase after ACL transection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
authors.forename: João L Q
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Durigan
authors.forename: Gabriel B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Delfino
authors.forename: Sabrina M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Peviani
authors.forename: Thiago L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.forename: André D B
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Da Silva Gomes
authors.forename: Tania F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Salvini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055435:Myostatin / Q000378:metabolism; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D044843:SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D000070584:Tripartite Motif Proteins; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009124:Muscle Proteins; D055435:Myostatin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000070584:Tripartite Motif Proteins; C486692:Fbxo32 protein, rat; D044843:SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases; C499086:Trim63 protein, rat; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
keywords: knee injury; physical therapy; rehabilitation; sports injuries; ubiquitin protein ligase