Effects of Twitch Contraction Induced by Magnetic Stimulation on Expression of Skeletal Muscle Fibrosis Related Genes and Limited Range of Motion in Rats. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kubo, Kiyoko; Sakamoto, Junya; Honda, Ayana; Honda, Yuichiro; Kataoka, Hideki; Nakano, Jiro; Okita, Minoru
• Is Part Of: American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation. Volume 98:Number 2(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Immobilization -- Muscle Contracture -- Muscle Contraction -- Magnetic Stimulation; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Medicine, Physical -- Periodicals; 617.062
• DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0894-9115

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: We examined the effects of twitch contraction induced by lumbar spinal root magnetic stimulation on immobilization-induced limited range of motion and skeletal muscle fibrosis in rat soleus muscle. Design: The groups included male Wistar rats (controls), rats with both bilateral ankle joints immobilized with plaster casts for 4 wks (immobilization [IM]), and rats in which twitch contraction of the soleus muscle was induced by lumbar magnetic stimulation for 4 wks of immobilization (twitch contraction [TC]). Group differences in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, collagen content as determined by hydroxyproline assay, and the expression of fibrosis-related genes as determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (hypoxia inducible factor 1α, α-smooth muscle actin, and types I and III collagen) in the soleus muscle were examined after the 4-wk-long experiment. Results: Range of motion in the TC group was significantly greater than that in the IM group. The hydroxyproline content and the expressions of fibrosis-related genes decreased significantly in the TC group compared with those in the IM group. No significant differences were seen in the expression of transforming growth factor β mRNA. Conclusions: These results suggest that twitch contraction induced by lumbar spinal root magnetic stimulation may reduce immobilization-induced limited range of motion and skeletal muscle fibrosis.