Low-frequency stimulation regulates metabolic gene expression in paralyzed muscle

Michael Petrie; Manish Suneja; Richard K Shields

doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00628.2014

Back

Low-frequency stimulation regulates metabolic gene expression in paralyzed muscle

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Low-frequency stimulation regulates metabolic gene expression in paralyzed muscle

Michael Petrie, Manish Suneja and Richard K Shields

Journal of applied physiology (1985), Vol.118(6), pp.723-731

03/15/2015

DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00628.2014

PMCID: PMC4360022

PMID: 25635001

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00628.2014View

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

The altered metabolic state after a spinal cord injury compromises systemic glucose regulation. Skeletal muscle atrophies and transforms into fast, glycolytic, and insulin-resistant tissue. Osteoporosis is common after spinal cord injury and limits the ability to exercise paralyzed muscle. We used a novel approach to study the acute effect of two frequencies of stimulation (20 and 5 Hz) on muscle fatigue and gene regulation in people with chronic paralysis. Twelve subjects with chronic (>1 yr) and motor complete spinal cord injury (ASIA A) participated in the study. We assessed the twitch force before and after a single session of electrical stimulation (5 or 20 Hz). We controlled the total number of pulses delivered for each protocol (10,000 pulses). Three hours after the completion of the electrical stimulation (5 or 20 Hz), we sampled the vastus lateralis muscle and examined genes involved with metabolic transcription, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, and mitochondria remodeling. We discovered that the 5-Hz stimulation session induced a similar amount of fatigue and a five- to sixfold increase (P < 0.05) in key metabolic transcription factors, including PGC-1α, NR4A3, and ABRA as the 20-Hz session. Neither session showed a robust regulation of genes for glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, or mitochondria remodeling. We conclude that a low-force and low-frequency stimulation session is effective at inducing fatigue and regulating key metabolic transcription factors in human paralyzed muscle. This strategy may be an acceptable intervention to improve systemic metabolism in people with chronic paralysis.

Spinal Cord Injuries - metabolism

Humans

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism

Mitochondria - metabolism

Paralysis - metabolism

Glycolysis - physiology

Electric Stimulation Therapy - methods

Gene Expression - physiology

Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology

Paralysis - physiopathology

Spinal Cord Injuries - physiopathology

Mitochondria - physiology

Muscle Fatigue - physiology

Electric Stimulation - methods

Details

Title: Subtitle: Low-frequency stimulation regulates metabolic gene expression in paralyzed muscle
Creators: Michael Petrie - Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Manish Suneja - Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; and
Richard K Shields - Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa richard-shields@uiowa.edu
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of applied physiology (1985), Vol.118(6), pp.723-731
DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00628.2014
PMID: 25635001
PMCID: PMC4360022
NLM abbreviation: J Appl Physiol (1985)
ISSN: 8750-7587
eISSN: 1522-1601
Publisher: United States
Grant note: I01 RX000149 / RRD VA R01 HD062507 / NICHD NIH HHS R01-HD-062507 / NICHD NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 03/15/2015
Academic Unit: Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science; Nephrology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984047774902771

Metrics

12 Record Views

27 Times Cited - Web of Science