ObjectiveTo detect mRNA and protein expression of steroidogenic factor-1 ( SF-1 ) and DAX-1 in human adrenocortical tumors and normal adrenal cortex,and to investigate the effect of SF-1 and DAX-1 on the steroidogenesis and development of adrenocortical tumors.Methods Total RNA and protein was extracted from angiotensin Ⅱ unresponsive aldoterone-producing adenomas ( A Ⅱ -U-APA,n =12 ),angiotensin Ⅱ responsive aldoterone-producing adenomas ( AⅡ -R-APA,n =5 ),cortisol-producing adenomas ( CPA,n =10 ),adrenal nonfunctional adenomas ( NFA,n =10 ),aldosterone-producing carcinoma ( APC,n =2 ) and normal adrenal cortex ( NAC,n =8).To analyze gene expression of SF-1,DAX-1,ACTH receptor(ACTHR),and β-actin by real-time quantitative PCR in different tissues.The protein expression of SF-1,DAX-1,and β-actin in the same tissues by Western blot.To study the relationship of ACTHR,SF-1,and DAX-1 with clinical data in adrenocortical tumors.ResultsThe expression of SF-1,DAX-1 mRNA and protein was different in NAC,AⅡ -U-APA,A Ⅱ -R- APA,APC,CPA,and NFA tissues [ relative expression of SF-1 mRNA:24.58±2.45,23.89±3.17,21.59±3.00,(38.75,44.16),14.17±2.80,and 36.38±3.50; DAX-1 mRNA:0.57±0.06,0.37±0.05,0.43±0.05,( 1.52,1.21 ),0.39 ±0.04,and 0.83 ±0.08 ; SF-1 protein:0.76 ±0.11,0.76 ±0.10,0.73 ±0.07,(1.24,1.40),0.55±0.04,and0.98±0.10; DAX-1 protein:0.65±0.14,0.39±0.13,0.43±0.14,(1.18,1.02),0.56±0.04,and 1.03±0.13 ; all P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ].There was negative correlation by higher SF-1/DAX-1 ratio and tumor size in AⅡ -U-APA tissues.The mRNA and protein expression of SF-1 was lower in CPA and there was the positive correlation with tumor size.Conclusion SF-1 and DAX-1 might play a key role in the development of the adrenocortical tumorigenesis and steroidogenic tissues.

BACKGROUND:Many studies have focused on acupuncture,such as silver needles,for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation,but there are few studies based on the myofascial trigger point theory. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of silver needle comprehensive therapy on the ultrasound morphology and clinical efficacy of multifidus muscles in patients with lumbar disc herniation based on the theory of myofascial trigger points. METHODS:A total of 159 patients with lumbar disc herniation who were seen from January 2022 to April 2023 were selected as the research subjects and randomly divided into three groups:conventional group(n=53),traditional acupuncture group(n=53),and silver needle group(n=53).The conventional group received routine western medicine treatment;the traditional acupuncture group used traditional acupuncture therapy based on meridian pathways and symptom localization;and the silver needle group used silver needle warm acupuncture at myofascial trigger points for intervention.All three groups received continuous treatment for 4 weeks.The number of myofascial trigger points,pain assessment,lumbar function evaluation,ultrasound morphology changes of multifidus muscles,clinical efficacy,and traditional Chinese medicine symptom score were recorded before and after treatment in the three groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After treatment,the number of myofascial trigger points in the lumbar muscles decreased in all groups,and the silver needle group showed a significant reduction compared with the traditional acupuncture group and the conventional group(P<0.05).(2)The pain rating index score,visual analogue scale score,present pain intensity score,Oswestry disability index score,and Roland-Morris disability questionnaire score in the silver needle group were lower than those in the traditional acupuncture group and the conventional group(P<0.05).(3)The ultrasound morphology indexes of multifidus muscles in the silver needle group were superior to those in the traditional acupuncture group and the conventional western medicine group(P<0.05).(4)Traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores in the silver needle group were lower than those in the traditional acupuncture group and the conventional western medicine group(P<0.05).(5)There were significant differences in clinical efficacy among the three groups(P<0.05).To conclude,applying silver needle comprehensive therapy based on the theory of myofascial trigger points can effectively reduce pain,improve clinical efficacy,and enhance lumbar spine dysfunction and multifidus muscle morphology in patients with lumbar disc herniation.