Modulation of BDNF expression by electrical stimulation in hindlimb muscles of rats

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the soleus and medial gastrocnemius muscles, we investigated temporal changes in BDNF protein and mRNA expression following electrical stimulation, and the optimal electrical stimulus paradigm for increasing BDNF expression in rats. The sciatic nerve was electrically stimulated with three different paradigms: 1 ms/40 Hz/30 min, 1 ms/40 Hz/5 min and 1 ms/1 Hz/30 min. Levels of BDNF protein and mRNA increased gradually over time after electrical stimulation in both muscles. Of the three stimulus paradigms, electrical stimulation at 1 ms/40 Hz/30 min produced the highest levels of BDNF protein and mRNA in both muscles, whereas stimulation at 1 ms/40 Hz/5 min produced the lowest expression levels. These results suggest that electrical stimulation could enhance neuronal plasticity by increasing BDNF production and paradigms of the stimulus can modulate the level of BDNF production.