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Molecular and neural adaptations to neuromuscular electrical stimulation; Implications for ageing muscle

Guo, Yuxiao; Phillips, Bethan E.; Atherton, Philip J.; Piasecki, Mathew

Molecular and neural adaptations to neuromuscular electrical stimulation; Implications for ageing muscle Thumbnail


Authors

Yuxiao Guo

BETH PHILLIPS beth.phillips@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Translational Physiology

PHILIP ATHERTON philip.atherton@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Clinical, metabolic & Molecular Physiology



Abstract

One of the most notable effects of ageing is an accelerated decline of skeletal muscle mass and function, resulting in various undesirable outcomes such as falls, frailty, and all-cause mortality. The loss of muscle mass directly leads to functional deficits and can be explained by the combined effects of individual fibre atrophy and fibre loss. The gradual degradation of fibre atrophy is attributed to impaired muscle protein homeostasis, while muscle fibre loss is a result of denervation and motor unit (MU) remodelling. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), a substitute for voluntary contractions, has been applied to reduce muscle mass and functional declines. However, the measurement of the effectiveness of NMES in terms of its mechanism of action on the peripheral motor nervous system and neuromuscular junction, and multiple molecular adaptations at the single fibre level is not well described. NMES mediates neuroplasticity and upregulates a number of neurotropic factors, manifested by increased axonal sprouting and newly formed neuromuscular junctions. Repeated involuntary contractions increase the activity levels of oxidative enzymes, increase fibre capillarisation and can influence fibre type conversion. Additionally, following NMES muscle protein synthesis is increased as well as functional capacity. This review will detail the neural, molecular, metabolic and functional adaptations to NMES in human and animal studies.

Citation

Guo, Y., Phillips, B. E., Atherton, P. J., & Piasecki, M. (2021). Molecular and neural adaptations to neuromuscular electrical stimulation; Implications for ageing muscle. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 193, Article 111402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2020.111402

Journal Article Type Review
Acceptance Date Nov 8, 2020
Online Publication Date Nov 13, 2020
Publication Date Jan 1, 2021
Deposit Date Nov 18, 2020
Publicly Available Date Nov 18, 2020
Journal Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
Print ISSN 0047-6374
Electronic ISSN 1872-6216
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 193
Article Number 111402
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2020.111402
Keywords Neuromuscular electrical stimulation, ageing, muscle, atrophy, denervation, motor unit remodelling
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5052737
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047637420301986

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