Functional electrical stimulation exercise increases GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 in paralyzed skeletal muscle

Metabolism. 1999 Nov;48(11):1409-13. doi: 10.1016/s0026-0495(99)90151-8.

Abstract

The study purpose was to determine the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES)-leg cycle ergometer training (30 minutes on 3 d/wk for 8 weeks) on the GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 content of paralyzed skeletal muscle. Biopsy samples of vastus lateralis muscle were obtained pre- and post-training from five individuals with motor-complete spinal cord injury ([SCI] four men and one woman aged 31 to 50 years, 3 to 25 years postinjury involving C5-T8). Western blot analysis indicated that GLUT-1 increased by 52% and GLUT-4 increased by 72% with training (P < .05). This coincided with an increase in the muscle oxidative capacity as indicated by a 56% increase in citrate synthase (CS) activity (P < .05) and an improvement in the insulin sensitivity index as determined from oral glucose tolerance tests (P < .05). It is concluded that FES endurance training is effective to increase glucose transporter protein levels in paralyzed skeletal muscle of individuals with SCI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Blotting, Western
  • Citrate (si)-Synthase / metabolism
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy*
  • Exercise Therapy*
  • Female
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1
  • Glucose Transporter Type 4
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monosaccharide Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Muscle Proteins*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / enzymology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Paralysis / enzymology
  • Paralysis / metabolism*

Substances

  • Glucose Transporter Type 1
  • Glucose Transporter Type 4
  • Monosaccharide Transport Proteins
  • Muscle Proteins
  • SLC2A1 protein, human
  • SLC2A4 protein, human
  • Citrate (si)-Synthase