Background <p>Belt electrode–skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (B-SES) has been reported to influence bone remodeling and muscle function. However, its potential role in fracture healing remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of B-SES on fracture repair in a rat femoral fracture model.</p> Methods <p>Twelve male Sprague–Dawley rats with surgically induced femoral fractures were randomly assigned to either a B-SES group or a control group (<i>n</i> = 6 per group). B-SES was initiated immediately after fracture induction and applied for 20&#xa0;min per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. At 4 weeks post-fracture, femora, tibiae, periosteum, and vastus medialis muscle were harvested for radiographic assessment, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), histological analysis, biomechanical testing, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.</p> Results <p>Radiographic evaluation demonstrated improved cortical bone continuity and greater callus formation in the B-SES group. Micro-CT analysis revealed significantly increased callus bone volume, trabecular bone thickness, and trabecular bone number in fractured femora, as well as improved trabecular bone microarchitecture in non-fractured tibiae. Biomechanical testing showed significantly higher yield load and toughness in the B-SES group. Histological analysis confirmed increased callus area in B-SES–treated rats. At 4 weeks post-fracture, RT-PCR analysis of the periosteum showed no significant between-group differences in runt-related transcription factor 2 (<i>Runx2</i>), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (<i>Rankl</i>), or secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich (<i>Sparc</i>) expression, whereas Sclerostin (<i>Sost</i>) expression was significantly higher in the B-SES group. In skeletal muscle, Myostatin (<i>Mstn</i>) expression was significantly reduced in the B-SES group, while insulin-like growth factor 1 (<i>Igf1</i>) expression did not differ significantly between groups.</p> Conclusion <p>B-SES was associated with improved fracture healing parameters, enhanced bone microarchitecture, and increased mechanical strength in this preclinical model. Reduced Mstn mRNA expression suggests a potential contribution of muscle–bone interactions; however, given the single time-point and transcription-level analyses, these findings should be considered preliminary. Further studies are required to clarify the underlying mechanisms and translational relevance of B-SES in fracture management.</p>

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Effect of belt electrode-skeletal muscle electrical stimulation on fracture healing in a rat femoral fracture model

  • Yuta Tsubouchi,
  • Takashi Kataoka,
  • Ryota Takase,
  • Takefumi Otsu,
  • Ryoji Hamanaka,
  • Masashi Kataoka,
  • Nobuhiro Kaku

摘要

Background

Belt electrode–skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (B-SES) has been reported to influence bone remodeling and muscle function. However, its potential role in fracture healing remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of B-SES on fracture repair in a rat femoral fracture model.

Methods

Twelve male Sprague–Dawley rats with surgically induced femoral fractures were randomly assigned to either a B-SES group or a control group (n = 6 per group). B-SES was initiated immediately after fracture induction and applied for 20 min per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. At 4 weeks post-fracture, femora, tibiae, periosteum, and vastus medialis muscle were harvested for radiographic assessment, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), histological analysis, biomechanical testing, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.

Results

Radiographic evaluation demonstrated improved cortical bone continuity and greater callus formation in the B-SES group. Micro-CT analysis revealed significantly increased callus bone volume, trabecular bone thickness, and trabecular bone number in fractured femora, as well as improved trabecular bone microarchitecture in non-fractured tibiae. Biomechanical testing showed significantly higher yield load and toughness in the B-SES group. Histological analysis confirmed increased callus area in B-SES–treated rats. At 4 weeks post-fracture, RT-PCR analysis of the periosteum showed no significant between-group differences in runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (Rankl), or secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich (Sparc) expression, whereas Sclerostin (Sost) expression was significantly higher in the B-SES group. In skeletal muscle, Myostatin (Mstn) expression was significantly reduced in the B-SES group, while insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf1) expression did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusion

B-SES was associated with improved fracture healing parameters, enhanced bone microarchitecture, and increased mechanical strength in this preclinical model. Reduced Mstn mRNA expression suggests a potential contribution of muscle–bone interactions; however, given the single time-point and transcription-level analyses, these findings should be considered preliminary. Further studies are required to clarify the underlying mechanisms and translational relevance of B-SES in fracture management.