2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (20): 3123-3128

Effects of point-pressing of the spleen meridian on inflammatory factors and calcium homeostasis in the skeletal muscle of acute blunt contusion rats

Liu Haichao1, Wang Hao2, Wang Shizhong2, Lin Jianping2, Jin Jing1, Chen Shaoqing1   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that tuina can promote the repair of skeletal muscle injuries, but the specific mechanism is unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of point-pressing of the spleen meridian on inflammation and calcium homeostasis in skeletal muscle repair in rats with acute blunt contusion injuries.
METHODS: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, non-acupoint percussion group, and acupoint percussion group. Except for the blank group, animal models of acute gastrocnemius blunt contusion were established in the other three groups. In the non-acupoint pressing group, the intersection point of the same horizontal line of Yinlingquan acupoint (SP 9) and the midline of the gallbladder and bladder meridians was taken for percussion. In the acupoint pressing group, percussion was performed at the Yinlingquan acupoint. Point-pressing in the two groups was done once a day, for 7 consecutive days. Catwalk small animal gait analysis system was used to observe locomotor activity of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the skeletal muscle morphology changes. ELISA method was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors and the activity of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ATPase (SERCA). Calcium concentration in the skeletal muscle was measured using the calcium assay. The level of apoptosis in the skeletal muscle was detected by TUNEL method.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the model and non-acupoint pressing groups, the average support phase was significantly increased in the acupoint pressing group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Aggregation of inflammatory cells and red blood cells was reduced in the acupoint percussion group, and skeletal muscle repair was also better in the acupoint percussion group than the non-acupoint pressing group. Compared with the model group, the levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6 were significantly decreased in the acupoint pressing group (P < 0.01), and the SERCA activity was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the non-acupoint pressing group, the level of tumor necrosis factor α was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), the level of interleukin-6 changed insignificantly (P > 0.05), and the activity of SERCA was significantly increased in the acupoint pressing group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model and non-acupoint pressing groups, the concentration of Ca2+ was significantly decreased in the acupoint pressing group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the apoptotic rate was significantly reduced in the two point-pressing groups (P < 0.01). The apoptotic rate in the acupoint percussion group was significantly lower than that in the non-acupoint pressing group (P < 0.05). To conclude, percussion of the spleen meridian can effectively improve the motor function of rats with skeletal muscle injury and promote skeletal muscle repair. Its mechanism may be related to reducing inflammatory factors, promoting calcium pump function, maintaining calcium homeostasis, and thereby reducing cell apoptosis.

Key words: skeletal muscle, blunt contusion, calcium homeostasis, calcium pump, inflammatory factor, apoptosis, point-pressing, the main muscles of the spleen