Can Electrical Stimulation Training Shrink Fat Cells,Powers Up Brown Fat and Boost Metabolism? (Tokyo University Rat Study)

person Savannah Martin
calendar_today Sep 15, 2025
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Welcome to another post of our ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST blog series.

Every week we uncover one more legit study. Most outlets only repeat research approved by corporations and the wealthy — we don’t. We explain it so simply that anyone, 14 or 70, can follow.

Many studies stay hidden because they threaten profit, control, or power. Our mission is to break those walls, spotlight honest scientists, and cut the jargon so you see what really matters.

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The Story Behind the Study

This research was done at The University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo, Japan, a respected science and engineering university. The work was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Nakatomi Foundation, showing it had solid funding and credibility

The scientists wanted to test: What happens to body fat and metabolism when resistance exercise is triggered by electrical stimulation?

They used 16 male Wistar rats — a common and trusted lab model. Half of them received 4 weeks of electrical stimulation on their calf muscles, three times a week. The stimulation frequency was 100 Hz, strong enough to make the muscles contract like real resistance training

What They Found

After just 4 weeks, the results were surprising:

Fat loss without dieting: The rats in the training group ate the same food as the control group, yet their body weight dropped significantly.
Smaller fat cells: Subcutaneous white fat cells (the fat under the skin) shrank in size. On average, their diameter was much smaller compared to the control group (p < .001). Imagine your storage boxes getting smaller, so they can’t hold as much fat.
Brown fat activation: In brown fat (the “engine” fat that burns energy), the protein PGC-1α, known as the master switch for building new mitochondria, shot up. That means the brown fat became more efficient at burning fuel.
Blood myokine boost: The blood levels of a muscle hormone called Metrnl (meteorin-like) jumped up dramatically (p < .0001). The more Metrnl in the blood, the higher the mitochondrial activity in brown fat.

Why Does This Matter?

For athletes: Electrical stimulation resistance training could fine-tune fat metabolism while boosting performance. Think of it as upgrading your fuel system.
For people with limited mobility: Even without running or lifting, electrical stimulation may help shrink fat cells and improve energy use.
For busy people: Short, targeted EMS sessions might offer metabolic benefits without needing hours in the gym.
For those living with pain or weight struggles: Smaller fat cells are more metabolically active and less harmful. That means better glucose control and potentially lower risks tied to obesity.

This shows how electrical muscle stimulation can reach beyond muscle strength — it can touch the way fat itself behaves.

Study Summary

Question	Answer
What Was the Study About?	Testing how electrical stimulation resistance training changes fat tissue and blood markers.
Who Took Part?	16 male Wistar rats, 10 weeks old.
How Did They Test It?	4 weeks of 100 Hz electrical stimulation to calf muscles, 3 times per week.
What Did They Find?	Fat cells shrank, body weight dropped, brown fat got more mitochondria, and blood Metrnl shot up (p < .0001).

Research Reference Section

Original Paper Name: Effects of electrical stimulation-induced resistance exercise training on white and brown adipose tissues and plasma meteorin-like concentration in rats
Simplified Title: Electrical stimulation shrinks fat cells and boosts energy-burning brown fat in rats
Authors: Yuhei Amano, Yudai Nonaka, Reo Takeda, Yutaka Kano, Daisuke Hoshino
Year: 2020
Institute: The University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo, Japan
Link: Read the full study here

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Disclaimer

This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only. It is not medical advice. ORIEMS FIT does not diagnose, treat, or recommend. Research results apply only to the participants studied and may not apply to everyone. Electrical stimulation devices may not be suitable for all people. Risks can include muscle soreness, skin irritation, or discomfort if misused. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing any treatment, exercise program, or device use. Reading this blog is not a substitute for professional medical care. For full details, visit: ORIEMS Disclaimer.