Chronic neuromuscular electrical stimulation improves muscle mass and insulin sensitivity in a mouse model

Figure 1. Concentration of isoflurane (%) used across the training sessions for both sham (grey dots and line) and NMES (black dots and line) groups.

Figure 2. Effect of NMES training on total body weight (a), lower limb muscle mass (c) and on the stimulated limb to non-stimulated limb muscle mass ratio, depending on the different muscle groups of the lower limb (b,d). Values are means +/− SE (n = 23). *Two ways analyze of variance (Anova), p < 0.05.

Figure 3. Effect of NMES training on insulin sensitivity as assessed by blood glucose concentration over time (a) and as an average (Least square means) (b) during the Intraperitoneal Insulin Tolerance Test. Values are means +/− SE (n = 16).

Figure 4. Relationship between muscle mass ratio (stimulated to non-stimulated leg ratio) and blood glucose concentration at T30 during the ITT in mice treated with NMES (a) or sham (b) training.

Figure 5. Effect of NMES training on arterial blood pressure. Individual example of a blood pressure measurement in mice. (a) Comparison of pre (plain) vs. post-training (hatched) values of systolic arterial pressure (SAP) (b), and diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) (c), in mice receiving NMES or sham training. Values are means +/− SE (n = 23).

Figure 6. Relationship between blood glucose concentration at T30 during the ITT and changes in systolic blood pressure after training in mice treated with NMES (a) or sham (b) training.

Figure 7. Study design. Mice were initially anesthetized through an induction chamber with isoflurane at 4% (blue box) before being continuously anesthetized during the NMES/sham training sessions with concentration of isoflurane regulated per awakening state of the mouse and respiratory movements (see Fig. 1 for isoflurane concentration).