ABSTRACT
@# Objective To explore the effect of the combination of Tuina and treadmill training on denervation skeletal muscle atrophy. Methods A total of 80 Sprague-Dawley rats (one month old) were randomly divided into control group (n=40) and manipulation group (n=40). Their sciatic nerves were transected, and the manipulative group accepted treadmill training and kneading of Tuina, while the control group accepted no intervention. Their muscle wet weight ratio, muscle satellite cells and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) positive cells count were measured, and HE staining of gastrocnemius muscle were observed one, two, three and four months after intervention, ten rats in each group. Results Compared with the control group, the muscle wet weight ratio decreased three months after intervention (F=4.590, P<0.05), muscle satellite cells increased three months after intervention (F=12.466, P<0.01), and IGF-I positive cells increased two, three and four months after intervention (F>6.489, P<0.05). HE staining showed the skeletal muscle injury relieved somehow.Conclusion The combination of Tuina and treadmill training can relieve denervation skeletal muscle injury, but it is not enough for skeletal muscle atrophy, which may associate with promoting the expression of muscle satellite cells and IGF-I.