ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the mechanism of An-Pressing manipulation in relieving energy crisis in chronic myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) by observing the effects of An-Pressing manipulation on adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) pathway and mitochondrial ultrastructure of skeletal muscle cells in MTrPs rats. Methods: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a lidocaine group, and an An-Pressing manipulation group, with 12 rats in each group. The model group, lidocaine group and An-Pressing manipulation group were used to replicate the MTrPs rat model by blunt shock and centrifugal motion method. After modeling, the An-Pressing manipulation group was subjected to 7 times An-Pressing manipulation, once every other day; the lidocaine group was treated with 3 times of injection of lidocaine at the MTrPs, once every 6 d. The blank group and the model group were fed normally without intervention. After the intervention, local muscle tissue was taken to detect the content of ATP and the expression of AMPK, phosphorylated AMPK (phospho-AMPK), PGC-1α, and glucose transporter 4 (GluT4), and the ultrastructure of mitochondria was observed under an electron microscope. Results: Compared with the blank group, the ATP content in the model group was decreased (P<0.05), the protein expression levels of phospho-AMPK, PGC-1α, and GluT4 and the ratio of phospho-AMPK to AMPK were decreased (P<0.05); under the electron microscope, the number of mitochondria decreased, and they were deformed, small in volume, and had deformed cristae. Compared with the model group, the ATP contents in the An-Pressing manipulation group and the lidocaine group were increased (P<0.05), and the protein expression levels of phospho-AMPK, PGC-1α, and GluT4 and the ratio of phospho-AMPK to AMPK were increased (P<0.05); under the electron microscope, the number of mitochondria increased, the shape and size of the mitochondria were basically normal, and the cristae could be seen. Compared with the lidocaine group, phospho-AMPK and the ratio of phospho-AMPK to AMPK in the An-Pressing manipulation group were increased (P<0.05); under the electron microscope, the numbers of mitochondria were similar, and the shape and size of the mitochondria were basically normal without swelling, and the cristae could be observed. Conclusion: An-Pressing manipulation can increase the ATP content in MTrPs tissue, improve the expression levels of PGC-1α and GluT4 proteins and the ratio of phospho-AMPK to AMPK; its mechanism may relate to the activation of AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway to promote the repair of mitochondrial damages.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of Rhizoma Alismatis extracts on oxidative stress induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats,and to explore its protective mechanism in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods A total of 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,Alisma orientalis group and Nimodipine positive control group (n=15,each).Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model was prepared by suture method after 14 days of intragastric administration.After 24 hours,scores of neurological dysfunction,the infarct size,the water content of the brain,the malondialdehyde (MDA),superoxide dismutase (SOD),nitric oxide (NO) levels in serum and brain tissues,and the activity of inducible NO synthase (iNOS)were detected.Results As compared with the model group,Alisma orientalis group showed that the scores of neurological dysfunction,cerebral water content,cerebral infarction size,contents of MDA and NO,and the activity of iNOS were significantly reduced,and the activity of SOD was significantly increased in respectively [(2.21 ± 0.38) vs.(2.78 ± 0.43),(81.18 ± 2.09)％ vs.(88.33±4.15)％,(0.26±0.07) ％ vs.(0.35±0.04)％,(5.92±1.64) μmol/L vs.(8.21±1.47)μmol/L,(115.48±18.65) mU/L vs.(75.52±20.78) mU/L,(28.23±4.32) μmol/L vs.(41.73±3.85) μmol/L,(15.31±1.68) mU/L vs.(23.49±3.53) mU/L,(5.41±0.68) μmol/L vs.(7.58±1.49) μmol/L,(168.57±10.65) mU/L vs.(150.11±13.62) mU/L,(14.37±0.77) μmol/L vs.(22.08±1.57) μmol/L,(9.83±0.75) mU/L vs.(13.28±1.84) mU/L,respectively,all P＜0.05]Conclusions Alisma orientalis extract has the protective effect on focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury,and the mechanism may be related to antioxidant and scavenging free radicals.