Neuromuscular stimulation ameliorates ischemia-induced walking impairment in the rat claudication model.

ABSTRACT: Intermittent claudication (IC) is the most common symptom of peripheral arterial disease which significantly deteriorates the quality of life of patients. Exercise training is by far the most effective treatment for IC; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. To determine the local mechanisms by which exercise training improves walking performance in claudicants, we developed an implantable device to locally induce ischemic skeletal muscle contraction mimicking exercise via electrical stimulation (ES). Rats were assigned to four groups, Sham, Ischemia (Isch), Isch + exercise and Isch + ES groups. Following both unilateral femoral and iliac artery occlusion, rats showed sustained impairment of walking performance in the treadmill test. Chronic low-frequency ES of ischemic skeleta

SUBMITTER: Shiragaki-Ogitani M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10717074 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature