Cupping St 36 + O Is Hole For Acute Gastrocnemius Injury Rabbit Tgf - Beta 1 Expression

PurposeTo observe the changes in skeletal muscle morphology and TGF-β1content after electr o acupuncture therapy is applied to Ashi points, Zusanli(ST36) and combination of both Ashi points and Zusanli(ST36) on rabbits with acute skeletal muscle contusion. Discuss the mecha nism behind electro acupuncture’s regenerative and healing effects in acute skeletal muscle co ntusions.MethodWhile under anesthetic60New Zealand rabbits were hit on right hind leg gastrocnemiu s muscle with a blunt percussive device, creating a contusion. The rabbits were randomly divi ded into four groups, including model group (self-healing), Zusanli group, Ashi point group a nd a combined Zusanli Ashi group. The healthy limb of the model group was used as a control. Electro acupuncture therapy started24hours after contusion induction. On the7d,14d,28d a fter contusion induction,5rabbits were extracted from each group and sacrificed for examinat ion. HE staining was used to observe the general morphology of the muscle fibers and immun ohistochemistry to evaluate TGF-β1content.ResultsMorphology examination showed all treatment groups recovered better than the model group. Especially the combined Zusanli Ashi group which recovered the most ideally, with the damaged gastrocnemius muscle regeneration and healing of the best quality. On7d, large nu mbers of cell nucleus and new muscle fibres, in ordered and concentrated arrangement, can al ready be seen in the combined group Zusanli Ashi group. Muscle fibres were arranged disorde rly in the other three groups, with some parts showing fibre necrosis. On14d, the combined Z usanli Ashi point group had the most new cells, close to normal, with a pronounced reduction in extracellular inflammatory cells. On28d, muscle fibre cells were fine and compactly ordere d, inflammatory cells had dissipated, no obvious scarring and already basically normal. Immu nohistochemical examination showed TGF-β1expression in all groups declined, however TG F-β1levels in the combined Zusanli Ashi group was lower at all times. Proving that compared with the other treatment groups, muscle fibrosis inhibition was strongest in the combined Zus anli Ashi group.ConclusionElectro acupuncture at Ashi points and Zusanli(ST36) can promote healing of acute skel etal muscle contusions. This may be due to electro acupuncture inhibiting the overexpression of skeletal muscle TGF-β1and reducing extracellular aggradation, thereby indirectly helping muscle fiber regenerate and heal. Electro acupuncture at Zusanli(ST36) had a better inhibitory effect on TGF-β1expression. However combined use of both Zusanli(ST36) and Ashi points had the best inhibitive effect of the three.