Neuromuscular electrical stimulation induces beneficial adaptations in the extracellular matrix of quadriceps muscle after anterior cruciate ligament transection of rats.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the extracellular matrix remodeling of the quadriceps muscle after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transection in rats. The hypothesis of this study was that ACL transection would induce maladaptive modifications in the extracellular matrix through the increase in connective tissue (CT) accumulation and net degradation of type IV collagen of the quadriceps muscle. In addition, clinical-like NMES, applied to the quadriceps muscle immediately after the ACL transection, would reduce the accumulation of the CT content and net degradation of type IV collagen.