Abstrakt: |
Abstract: This study attempted to compare the muscle fiber morphological responses to dynamic electrical muscle stimulation (DEMS) and dynamic hydraulic stimulation (DHS) in rats under hindlimb suspension (HLS). DEMS at 1 Hz, 50 Hz and 100 Hz for 10 min/day, 5 days/ week were introduced to the animals’ right quadriceps. Static and 2 Hz DHS were introduced to the right tibiae of other animal groups on a "10 min on - 5 min off - 10 min on" loading regime for 5 days/week. In the end of the 4 -week experiments, histologic al changes in the corresponding soleus, gastrocnemius and quadriceps of the stimulated sites were examined. Compared to age-matched, HLS led to muscle atrophy and strongly reduced muscle wet weights and averaged cross-sectional fiber areas. Among the tested DEMS frequencies, the averaged cross-sectional quadriceps fiber area in the 50 Hz group was 29 % larger than the 100 Hz group. In contrast, difference in the muscle fiber response to the static and 2 Hz DHS was not observed in either soleus or gastrocnem ius. Muscle fiber morphological responses to the active DEMS was in a load frequency dependent manner under disuse condition. Relatively passive compressions, either via static or 2 Hz DHS, were unable to induce any difference in the muscle fiber res ponses under functional disuse. |