EFFECT OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION UPON ATROPHY OF PARTIALLY DENERVATED SKELETAL MUSCLE OF THE RAT

Abstract

Electrical stimulation by means of a modulated sinusoidal current with a carrier frequency of 25 cycles per sec. significantly retards the wt. and strength loss of the gastrocnemius muscle of the rat which occurs following partial as well as complete motor denervation. The difference in wt. and strength between treated and untreated muscles, which have been subjected to a partial denervation, becomes significantly greater as either the period of denervation or the extent of the denervation is increased. The difference in strength (and presumably wt.) between treated and untreated muscles is due to the effect of the electrical stimulation upon those fibers which have lost their innervation. The tension developed by those fibers whose innervation is still intact is apparently unaffected by daily electrical stimulation for periods of 14-28 days.