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Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Paradigms of Lower Extremity Electrical Stimulation Training After Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: February 1, 2018
Electrical Stimulation Prevents Muscular Atrophy and the Decrease of Interleukin-6 in Paralyzed Muscles after Spinal
Nicolas A M M Machado-Pereira1, Patrícia S do Nascimento2, Gabriel R de Freitas1
1Núcleo de Pesquisa em Lesão da Medula Espinal (NULEME), Departamento de Fisioterapia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde e do Esporte (CEFID), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Florianópolis, SC, Brasil.
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.
