The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of phasic neuromuscular electric stimulation (ES) on morphometric and metabolic parameters of rats' soleus muscles for 3, 7and 15 days. Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=5): control (C), ES for 3 days (ES-3), ES for 7 days (ES-7) and ES for 15 days (ES-15). Glycogen content, muscle mass, fibers area and area fraction of the intramuscular connective tissue were assessed. The statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and Tukey (p<0.05). Regarding muscle mass, there was a significant increase in ES-15 (11.55%) compared to C. The glycogen content didn't show significant changes in ES-3 when compared to C. ES-7 and ES-15 showed the significant increase of 74.19% and 80.64%, respectively, compared to C. In the morphometric analysis, a significant increase in ES-15 (16.23%) compared to C was found. The area fraction of the intramuscular connective tissue didn't present significant changes in all groups submitted to ES when compared to C. The ES fostered an increase of the glycogen content in 7 and 15 days, as well as increased muscle mass, fibers area and glycogen content in 15 days.
Electric stimulation therapy; Rats Wistar; Morphology; Metabolism; Physiotherapy
