The combination of intermittent electrical stimulation with acute intermittent hypoxia strengthens genioglossus muscle discharge in chronic intermittent hypoxia-pretreated rats

摘要

Objective: Exploring whether the genioglossus discharge in chronic intermittent hypoxia(CIH)-pretreated rats could be enhanced by intermittent electrical stimulation combined with acute intermittent hypoxia(AIH). Methods: Rats were pretreated with CIH for 4 weeks and then were randomly divided into 6 groups: time control, intermittent electric stimulation, AIH, intermittent electric stimulation + AIH, continuous electric stimulation and continuous hypoxia exposure. The genioglossus discharges were recorded and compared before and after stimulation. Normoxic-treated rats were grouped and treated with the same stimulation protocols. Results: Intermittent electrical stimulation or AIH temporarily increased the activity of the genioglossus discharge, in which the degree of the increase was significantly higher in CIH-pretreated rats than in normoxic rats.After intermittent electrical stimulation, AIH evoked a sustained elevation of genioglossus discharge activities in CIH-pretreated rats, in which the degree of the increase was significantly higher than in rats induced by a single intermittent electric stimulation. Conclusion: Intermittent electrical stimulation combined with AIH strengthens the genioglossus plasticity in CIHpretreated rats.