Method for inducing angiogenesis by electrical stimulation of muscles
The present invention comprises a method for stimulating angiogenesis. The method comprises the steps of electrically stimulating muscle below the threshold for muscle contraction.
1. A method for increasing VEGF mRNA 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 mRNA is increased after application of the electrical voltage.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the voltage is 0.1V applied at a frequency of 50 Hz.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the muscle is a smooth muscle.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the muscle is a skeletal muscle.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the muscle is a cardiac muscle.