Effect of electrostimulation on denervated muscle.

The influence of electrostimulation on denervated and reinnervated muscle was investigated. First, the left peroneal nerve was severed in rats. Wet weight and muscle fiber diameter of denervated anterior tibial muscle was compared as a percentage of contralateral muscle in stimulated and non-stimulated rats. In a second experiment, four weeks after the peroneal nerve was severed, the tibial nerve was cross-sutured to the distal stump of the peroneal nerve. Electrostimulation was continued in rats that had electrostimulation before nerve-crossing. Recovery of wet weight was assessed at eight weeks and at one year after nerve-crossing. The mean decrease in weight and fiber diameter of the denervated muscle was significantly less in the group that was electrostimulated for eight weeks. Recovery of weight of reinnervated muscle was significantly better in the electrostimulated group. Electrostimulation of denervated muscle retarded denervation atrophy and improved recovery after reinnervation.