| الوصف: |
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of electrical stimulation on disuse muscular atrophy in a rabbit model of knee joint contracture and explore the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced Parkin-dependent mitophagy in this process.Methods: Two sub-experiments were carried out successively in our study. In the first sub-experiment, 24 rabbits were divided into four groups on average based on the immobilization time: Ctrl 1, I-2, I-4, and I-6 groups. In the second sub-experiment, 24 rabbits were also divided into four groups on average in accordance with the process mode: Ctrl2, ES, NR, and EST groups. To test the time-dependent changes of the rectus femoris muscles after immobilization in rabbits, and to evaluate the effect of electrical stimulation on the atrophic rectus femoris muscles, the wet weights of rectus femoris muscles were assessed in this study, along with the protein levels of atrogin-1, p-PERK, Parkin and COXIV.Results: The wet weights of rectus femoris muscles, the protein levels of atrogin-1, p-PERK and Parkin increased after immobilization. It was also revealed that the protein levels of COXIV decreased after immobilization. Electrical stimulation was effective against muscle atrophy, the elevated expression of atrogin-1, p-PERK, Parkin, and the decreased expression of COXIV.Conclusions: Immobilization of unilateral lower limb could induce rectus femoris muscle atrophy, endoplasmic reticulum stress and Parkin mediated mitophagy. Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced Parkin-dependent mitophagy may be one of the mechanisms by which electrical stimulation can play a significant role. |
