Electrical Stimulation of Hindlimb Skeletal Muscle has Beneficial Effects on Sublesional Bone in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Bone, 2021 · DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2020.115825 · Published: March 1, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Musculoskeletal Medicine

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries lead to muscle and bone loss below the injury site. This study investigates if electrical stimulation (ES) of leg muscles, with or without testosterone (TE), can help. The study found that ES, alone or with TE, increased muscle mass and improved bone density in rats with spinal cord injuries, suggesting it could help preserve bone and muscle. The study indicates that electrical stimulation can reduce muscle atrophy and improve bone health by promoting bone formation and reducing bone breakdown after spinal cord injury.

Study Duration

4 weeks

Participants

Male Wistar rats (13 months old)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
ES alone or ES+TE treatment resulted in a clear and significant (~13%, p<0.05) increase of the left EDL muscle mass.
2
TE, ES and ES+TE treatment significantly increased BMD by +6.4%, +5.4%, +8.5% and bone volume by +22.2%, and +56.2% and+ 60.2%, respectively.
3
ES alone or ES+TE led to a nearly complete restoration of cortical stiffness [+11.4% vs. SCI (p<0.05) and +12.8% vs. SCI (p<0.01), respectively

Research Summary

This study investigated the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) and/or testosterone enanthate (TE) on muscle mass and bone formation in a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI). The results demonstrated that ES, alone or combined with TE, led to increased muscle mass, improved bone mineral density (BMD), and enhanced bone structure in SCI rats. The findings suggest that dynamic muscle resistance exercise by ES can reduce muscle atrophy, downregulate genes involved in muscle wasting, and preserve bone by inhibiting bone resorption and/or facilitating bone formation after SCI.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

Electrical stimulation could be used as a therapeutic intervention to counteract muscle atrophy and bone loss following spinal cord injury.

Combined Therapies

Combining electrical stimulation with testosterone treatment may provide synergistic benefits for musculoskeletal health in individuals with SCI.

Underlying Mechanisms

Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which electrical stimulation and testosterone influence muscle and bone metabolism after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.
2
The duration of the intervention was relatively short (4 weeks), and the long-term effects of electrical stimulation and testosterone on muscle and bone health are unknown.
3
The study focused on specific muscle and bone parameters, and further research is needed to assess the broader impact of these interventions on overall health and function.

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