Electrical Stimulation Prevents Muscular Atrophy and the Decrease of Interleukin-6 in Paralyzed Muscles after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Abstract

Objective To analyze the muscle trophism and expression of interleukin-6 in the biceps brachii muscle of rats with incomplete cervical spinal cord injury treated with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES).

Methods Adult rats underwent C5-C7 spinal cord hemisection and a 5-week NMES protocol. Trophism of the biceps brachii was assessed using muscle weight/body weight ratio and histological analysis. Interleukin-6 expression from biceps brachii was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.

Results Preservation of the biceps brachii muscle trophism was found in the NMES treated group, along with prevention of the reduction of interleukin-6 levels.

Conclusion Spinal cord injury causes muscle atrophy and decreases interleukin-6 levels. These alterations are partially prevented by NMES. The results suggest a possible NMES action mechanism and underscore the clinical use of this therapeutic tool.

Keywords

electric stimulation therapy - interleukin-6 - muscular atrophy - paralysis - rehabilitation - spinal cord injury

Work carried out at the Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.

Publication History

Received: 23 August 2023

Accepted: 20 February 2024

Article published online:
04 September 2024

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