The Effects of Electrical Stimulation on Glycometabolism and Its Regulating Mechanism in C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Cell

Abstract:Objective:The aim of this study was to measure changes in cellular glucose content,AMPK-α2 and GLUT4 gene expression in electrically stimulated mouse C2C12 skeletal muscle cells.Method:After five days of differentiation,myotubes were stimulated using an electrical stimulator set at 15v at a frequency of 3 Hz.Acute stimulations were performed for 60 or 120 min in each dish.GLUT4 protein contents and AMPK-α2 protein expression in myotubes were detected respectively using Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay(ELISA)and Western blot.GLUT4 mRNA and AMPK-α2 mRNA in myotubes were detected using fluorescence quantification PCR technology.Results:1) Compared with the control group,the glucose contents of 120 min group was significantly reduced(P<0.05) and the activity of LDH was no significant difference(P>0.05).2) GLUT4 gene expression and protein content increased after 60min of electrical stimulation(ES)(P<0.05).3) AMPK-α2 gene expression increased after 60min or 120 min of electrical stimulation(P<0.05),but AMPK-α2 protein expression showed no significant deviation between ES and control group.Conclusion:1)Electrical stimulation can cause cultured C2C12 skeletal muscle cells to produce contraction at the correct frequency(3Hz) using voltages as low as 15V.Therefore we established the cell model of the research skeletal muscle contraction function.2) Long time electrical stimulation can reduce glucose content,activate AMPK-α2mRNA expression,and alter GLUT4 mRNA expression and GLUT4 protein contents in cultured C2C12 skeletal muscle cells.