Method for inducing angiogenesis by electrical stimulation of muscles

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for angiogenesis. The method comprises the steps of electrically stimulating a muscle below the threshold for muscle contraction.

1 . A method for inducing angiogenesis in a muscle tissue comprising the steps of applying electrical voltage to one or more areas of the tissue, wherein the electrical voltage does not induce contraction of muscle cells within the muscle tissue, and wherein angiogenesis is induced after application of the electric voltage.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the voltage is 0.1V at a frequency of 50 Hz.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the muscle cells are smooth muscle cells.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the muscle cells are skeletal muscle cells.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the muscle cells are cardiac muscle cells.  
     
     
         6 . A method for increasing VEGF in a muscle cell comprising the step of applying electrical voltage to the muscle cell, wherein the electrical voltage does not induce contraction of the muscle cell and wherein VEGF is increased after application of the electrical voltage.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the voltage is 0.1V applied at a frequency of 50 Hz.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the muscle is a smooth muscle.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the muscle is a skeletal muscle.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the muscle is a cardiac muscle.