OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of the electric stimulation of denervated muscle atrophy. METHODS: Sixteen SD rats were made the model of denervated skeletal muscle in two lower limbs by cutting off the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve. The right gastrocnemius muscle was stimulated with JNR-II nerve amp; muscle recovery instrument by skin as the experimental side and the left was not treated as the control side. The muscle histology, ultrastructure, fibrillation potential amplitude, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase activities were observed 2 weeks and 4 weeks after operation. RESULTS: Electric stimulation could protect mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum from the degeneration. The reduction rates of muscle cell diameter and cross section in the experimental side were slower significantly than those in control side. There was no influence on fibrillation potential amplitude in the both sides after electric stimulation. The reduction rates of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in the experimental side were slower 15.59% and 27.38% respectively than those in the control side. The reduction rates of Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in the experimental side were slower 4.83% and 21.64% respectively than those in the control side. CONCLUSION: The electric stimulation can protect muscle histology, electrophysiology and enzymic histochemistry of denervated skeletal muscle from the degeneration. The electric stimulation is an effective method to prevent and treat muscle atrophy.
