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

The study purpose was to determine the effect of functional electrical stim ulation (FES)-leg cycle ergometer training (30 minutes on 3 d/wk for 8 week s) on the GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 content of paralyzed skeletal muscle. Biopsy sa mples 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 inc reased by 72% with training (P < .05). This coincided with an increase in t he muscle oxidative capacity as indicated by a 56% increase in citrate synt hase (CS) activity (P < .05) and an improvement in the insulin sensitivity index as determined from oral glucose tolerance tests (P <.05). It is concl uded that FES endurance training is effective to increase glucose transport er protein levels in paralyzed skeletal muscle of individuals with SCI. Cop yright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.