Magnetic stimulation supports muscle and nerve regeneration after trauma in mice

• Published in: Muscle & nerve Vol. 53; no. 4; pp. 598 - 607
• Main Authors: StÖlting, Meline N.L., Arnold, Anne Sophie, Haralampieva, Deana, Handschin, Christoph, Sulser, Tullio, Eberli, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Female; Magnetic Field Therapy - methods; magnetic stimulation therapy; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; muscle contraction; Muscle Contraction - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - injuries; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Muscular Atrophy - physiopathology; Muscular Atrophy - therapy; Muscular dystrophy; nerve regeneration; Nerve Regeneration - physiology; neuromuscular junction; Neuromuscular Junction - physiology; Organ Culture Techniques; rehabilitation outcome; magnetic stimulation therapy; rehabilitation outcome; muscle contraction; nerve regeneration; neuromuscular junction
• ISSN: 0148-639X; 1097-4598
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.24780

ABSTRACT Introduction: Magnetic stimulation (MS) has the ability to induce muscle twitch and has long been proposed as a therapeutic modality for skeletal muscle diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its means of action have not been defined. Methods: Muscle regeneration after trauma was studied in a standard muscle injury mouse model. The influence of MS on the formation of motor units, posttrauma muscle/nerve regeneration, and vascularization was investigated. Results: We found that MS does not cause systemic or muscle damage but improves muscle regeneration by significantly minimizing the presence of inflammatory infiltrate and formation of scars after trauma. It avoids posttrauma muscle atrophy, induces muscle hypertrophy, and increases the metabolism and turnover of muscle. It triples the expression of muscle markers and significantly improves muscle functional recovery after trauma. Conclusions: Our results indicate that MS supports muscle and nerve regeneration by activating muscle–nerve cross‐talk and inducing the maturation of neuromuscular junctions. Muscle Nerve 53: 598–607, 2016