Therapeutic Effects of Multimodal Biophysical Stimulation on Muscle Atrophy in a Mouse Model

Abstract

Muscle atrophy is defined as the decrease in the size and number of muscle fibers, and is associated with injury to muscle structures. Recently, biophysical therapies using laser, ultrasound, and vibration has been widely used to improve muscle atrophy. However, although the effects of these stimuli seem to be similar, the mechanisms by which they stimulate biological tissue may be different. From this point of view, we expected that it would be possible to produce synergetic effects through combining these three different types of biophysical stimuli on biological tissues, based on the therapeutic benefit of each stimulus. For this, 35 males, 12-week old, C57BL/6 mice (21 ± 1.2 g), were randomly assigned to five groups: a) a sciatic nerve neurectomized “control” group (C, n = 7), b) a MILNS (Minimally Invasive Laser Needle System) therapy after sciatic nerve neurectomized group (L, n = 7), c) a LIPUS (Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound) therapy after sciatic nerve neurectomized group (U, n = 7), e) a PVS (Partial Vibration Stimulation) therapy after sciatic nerve neurectomized group (V, n = 7), and e) a multimodal biophysical stimulation after sciatic nerve neurectomized group (MS, n = 7).