Objective To investigate the effects of meridian and tendon acupuncture on the mitochondrial apoptosis of quadriceps femoris muscle cells in model rats of knee osteoarthritis(KOA);To explore its mechanism for the treatment of KOA.Methods Totally 40 SPF healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group(10 rats)and modeling group(30 rats).The modified Hulth method was used to establish a KOA rat model.The model rats were randomly divided into model group,celecoxib group and meridian and tendon acupuncture group,with 9 rats in each group.Corresponding intervention measures were given to each group for 14 consecutive days.Improved Lequesne MG score was used for evaluating knee joint function in rats,measuring thigh circumference,quadriceps femoris wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate and wet weight ratio of the affected limb,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of quadriceps femoris tissue,TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis of quadriceps femoris cells,immunofluorescence was used to detect the expressions of reactive oxygen species(ROS),superoxide dismutase(SOD),Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris muscle tissue,fluorescence double staining method was used to detect the co-expression of ROS and Caspase-3 in quadriceps femoris tissue,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of apoptosis related proteins in quadriceps femoris tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the improved Lequesne MG score of the knee joint in the model group rats increased(P<0.05),the circumference of the thigh,wet weight of the quadriceps femoris,wet weight maintenance rate and wet weight ratio of the affected limb decreased(P<0.05),the arrangement of quadriceps femoris muscle fibers was disordered and loose,with some muscle fibers dissolved and necrotic,accompanied by a large amount of inflammatory exudate,an increase in lymphocytes,and an increase in cell apoptosis index(P<0.05),the expressions of ROS,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue increased,while the expression of SOD decreased(P<0.05),the protein expressions of Bcl-2,Bcl-XL,Bax,Cytochrome C(CytC),Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the improved Lequesne MG scores of the knee joint in the celecoxib group and the meridian and tendon acupuncture group decreased(P<0.05),while thigh circumference,quadriceps femoris wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,wet weight ratio increased(P<0.05),the structure of quadriceps femoris muscle fibers was normal,the muscle membrane was relatively intact,the apoptosis index decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of ROS,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue decreased,while the expression of SOD increased(P<0.05),the protein expressions of Bcl-2,Bcl-XL,Bax,CytC,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris muscle tissue decreased(P<0.05),and the expression trend of ROS and Caspase-3 in fluorescent double staining was consistent.Conclusion Meridian and tendon acupuncture can reduce ROS in the quadriceps femoris tissue of KOA model rats,inhibit the expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis-related proteins,thereby improving skeletal muscle strength,and play a certain therapeutic role.

Objective:To discuss the effect of acupuncture on the differentiation and apoptosis of quadriceps muscle satellite cells in model rats with knee osteoarthritis(KOA),and to clarify its related mechanism.Methods:A total of 40 SPF-grade rats were selected and randomly divided into control group,model group,celecoxib group,and acupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group.The rats in control group only underwent joint cavity incision followed by suturing,while the rats in model group,celecoxib group,and acupuncture group were used to replicate the KOA models.The maximum circumference of the femoral segment of the affected limb,rat body mass,and quadriceps wet weight of the rats in various groups were measured;the quadriceps wet weight maintenance rate and quadriceps wet weight/body mass ratio of the rats in various groups were calculated.HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of articular cartilage and quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in various groups;terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)method was used to detect the apoptosis indexes in articular cartilage and quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in various groups;immunofluorescence method was used to detect the protein expression levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),Janus kinase(JAK),and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway proteins,and muscle satellite cells,and apoptosis-related proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in various groups.Results:Compared with control group,the affected hind limb circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight/body mass ratio of the rats in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the affected hind limb circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight/body mass ratio of the rats in celecoxib group and acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with celecoxib group,the affected hind limb circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight/body mass ratio of the rats in acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05).The HE staining results showed that the knee articular cartilage of the rats in control group remained intact,chondrocytes were aggregated and horizontally arranged with smooth edges,and quadriceps muscle cells were long cylindrical,orderly arranged,and regular in shape;in model group,the knee articular cartilage was thinner with rough edges,reduced number of cartilage layers,and disordered arrangement,and the quadriceps muscle fibers were disorganized,with some muscle fiber dissolution and muscle cell membrane damage,accompanied by muscle fiber fragments and a large amount of inflammatory exudate;in celecoxib group,the morphology of knee articular cartilage was generally normal,occasionally with irregular cartilage arrangement and reduced thickness,sporadically visible necrotic chondrocytes,quadriceps muscle fibers and sarcolemma were relatively intact,new muscle fibers appeared,some muscle fiber edges were blurred,accompanied by a small amount of cell debris and mild inflammatory infiltration;in acupuncture group,the knee articular cartilage structure remained intact with smooth edges,occasionally rough edges,and chondrocytes were aggregated and orderly arranged.The TUNEL assay results showed that compared with control group,the apoptosis indexes in articular cartilage and quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the apoptosis indexes in articular cartilage and quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in celecoxib group and acupuncture group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with celecoxib group,the apoptosis index in articular cartilage and quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in acupuncture group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The immunofluorescence assay results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of IL-6,JAK,and STAT3 proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of IL-6,JAK,and STAT3 proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in celecoxib group and acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with celecoxib group,the expression levels of IL-6,JAK,and STAT3 proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of IL-6,JAK,STAT3,paired box transcription factor 7(Pax7),Desmin,Myosin,and Myogenin proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of IL-6,JAK,STAT3,Pax7,Desmin,Myosin,and Myogenin proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in celecoxib group and acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with celecoxib group,the expression levels of IL-6,JAK,STAT3,Pax7,Desmin,Myosin,and Myogenin proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2),B-cell lymphoma-xl(Bcl-xl),and myeloid cell leukemia 1(MCL1)proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3(Caspase-3)proteins were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of Bcl-2,Bcl-xl,and MCL1 proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in celecoxib group and acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with celecoxib group,the expression levels of Bcl-2,Bcl-xl,and MCL1 proteins in quadriceps muscle tissue of the rats in acupuncture group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture can promote the differentiation of quadriceps muscle satellite cells and inhibit muscle cell apoptosis in the model rats with KOA,and the mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of expressions of IL-6,JAK,and STAT3 proteins in the quadriceps muscle tissue.

Objective To explore the mechanism of acupuncture protection of quadriceps muscle cells in knee osteoarthritis model rats based on Piezo1/YAP/Caspase3 axis.Methods 40 SPF grade Wistar rats were selected and adaptively fed for 7 days before being divided into three groups:sham surgery group,model group,western medicine group,and acupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group,according to a random control table.The model group,Western medicine group,and acupuncture group used the modified Hulth method to construct knee osteoarthritis models,while the sham surgery group only cut open the joint cavity and sutured it.After successful model replication,the sham surgery group was given physiological saline by gavage,the western medicine group was given celecoxib solution by gavage,and the acupuncture group was given acupuncture at the infrapatellar,crane top,and blood sea levels.Each group was intervened once a day for 14 consecutive days.During the treatment period,the rats continued to undergo treadmill training.After the intervention,the hematoxylin eosin staining method(HE)was used to detect the morphological changes of various rat quadriceps muscle tissues and articular cartilage;TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis of quadriceps muscle cells,immunofluorescence method was used to detect the protein expression of Piezo1,YAP,and p-YAP in quadriceps muscle cells,Western blot method was used to detect the expression of anti apoptotic proteins CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP in quadriceps muscle tissue,as well as the protein expression levels of apoptosis related proteins Bcl-2,Bcl-xl,Bax,cytc,and Caspase3.Results Compared with the model group,the western medicine group and the acupuncture group had higher thigh circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight to body weight ratio(P<0.05).Compared with the western medicine group,the acupuncture group had higher thigh circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight to body weight ratio(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the apoptosis index of the quadriceps muscle in the Western medicine group and acupuncture group rats was lower,and the apoptosis index of the quadriceps muscle in the acupuncture group was lower(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the Western medicine group and acupuncture group showed higher expression of Piezo1 and p-YAP proteins in the quadriceps femoris muscle tissue,lower expression of YAP protein,higher expression of CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP proteins,higher expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins,and lower expression of Bax,cytc,and Caspase3 proteins(P<0.05).Compared with the Western medicine group,the acupuncture group showed higher expression of Piezo1 and p-YAP proteins in the quadriceps muscle tissue,lower expression of YAP protein,higher expression of CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP proteins,higher expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins,and lower expression of Bax,cytc,and Caspase3 proteins(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture increases the expression of Piezo1 protein in the quadriceps femoris muscle of knee osteoarthritis model rats,promotes the phosphorylation of YAP into the nucleus,thereby promoting proliferation,anti apoptotic proteins CTGF,AREG,Gli2,and AFP protein expression,inhibiting Caspase3-dependent mitochondrial apoptosis,and protecting muscle cells.

Objective To investigate the effects of meridian and tendon acupuncture on the mitochondrial apoptosis of quadriceps femoris muscle cells in model rats of knee osteoarthritis(KOA);To explore its mechanism for the treatment of KOA.Methods Totally 40 SPF healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group(10 rats)and modeling group(30 rats).The modified Hulth method was used to establish a KOA rat model.The model rats were randomly divided into model group,celecoxib group and meridian and tendon acupuncture group,with 9 rats in each group.Corresponding intervention measures were given to each group for 14 consecutive days.Improved Lequesne MG score was used for evaluating knee joint function in rats,measuring thigh circumference,quadriceps femoris wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate and wet weight ratio of the affected limb,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of quadriceps femoris tissue,TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis of quadriceps femoris cells,immunofluorescence was used to detect the expressions of reactive oxygen species(ROS),superoxide dismutase(SOD),Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris muscle tissue,fluorescence double staining method was used to detect the co-expression of ROS and Caspase-3 in quadriceps femoris tissue,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of apoptosis related proteins in quadriceps femoris tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the improved Lequesne MG score of the knee joint in the model group rats increased(P<0.05),the circumference of the thigh,wet weight of the quadriceps femoris,wet weight maintenance rate and wet weight ratio of the affected limb decreased(P<0.05),the arrangement of quadriceps femoris muscle fibers was disordered and loose,with some muscle fibers dissolved and necrotic,accompanied by a large amount of inflammatory exudate,an increase in lymphocytes,and an increase in cell apoptosis index(P<0.05),the expressions of ROS,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue increased,while the expression of SOD decreased(P<0.05),the protein expressions of Bcl-2,Bcl-XL,Bax,Cytochrome C(CytC),Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the improved Lequesne MG scores of the knee joint in the celecoxib group and the meridian and tendon acupuncture group decreased(P<0.05),while thigh circumference,quadriceps femoris wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,wet weight ratio increased(P<0.05),the structure of quadriceps femoris muscle fibers was normal,the muscle membrane was relatively intact,the apoptosis index decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of ROS,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris tissue decreased,while the expression of SOD increased(P<0.05),the protein expressions of Bcl-2,Bcl-XL,Bax,CytC,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in quadriceps femoris muscle tissue decreased(P<0.05),and the expression trend of ROS and Caspase-3 in fluorescent double staining was consistent.Conclusion Meridian and tendon acupuncture can reduce ROS in the quadriceps femoris tissue of KOA model rats,inhibit the expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis-related proteins,thereby improving skeletal muscle strength,and play a certain therapeutic role.

Objective To explore the mechanism of acupuncture protection of quadriceps muscle cells in knee osteoarthritis model rats based on Piezo1/YAP/Caspase3 axis.Methods 40 SPF grade Wistar rats were selected and adaptively fed for 7 days before being divided into three groups:sham surgery group,model group,western medicine group,and acupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group,according to a random control table.The model group,Western medicine group,and acupuncture group used the modified Hulth method to construct knee osteoarthritis models,while the sham surgery group only cut open the joint cavity and sutured it.After successful model replication,the sham surgery group was given physiological saline by gavage,the western medicine group was given celecoxib solution by gavage,and the acupuncture group was given acupuncture at the infrapatellar,crane top,and blood sea levels.Each group was intervened once a day for 14 consecutive days.During the treatment period,the rats continued to undergo treadmill training.After the intervention,the hematoxylin eosin staining method(HE)was used to detect the morphological changes of various rat quadriceps muscle tissues and articular cartilage;TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis of quadriceps muscle cells,immunofluorescence method was used to detect the protein expression of Piezo1,YAP,and p-YAP in quadriceps muscle cells,Western blot method was used to detect the expression of anti apoptotic proteins CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP in quadriceps muscle tissue,as well as the protein expression levels of apoptosis related proteins Bcl-2,Bcl-xl,Bax,cytc,and Caspase3.Results Compared with the model group,the western medicine group and the acupuncture group had higher thigh circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight to body weight ratio(P<0.05).Compared with the western medicine group,the acupuncture group had higher thigh circumference,quadriceps wet weight,wet weight maintenance rate,and wet weight to body weight ratio(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the apoptosis index of the quadriceps muscle in the Western medicine group and acupuncture group rats was lower,and the apoptosis index of the quadriceps muscle in the acupuncture group was lower(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the Western medicine group and acupuncture group showed higher expression of Piezo1 and p-YAP proteins in the quadriceps femoris muscle tissue,lower expression of YAP protein,higher expression of CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP proteins,higher expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins,and lower expression of Bax,cytc,and Caspase3 proteins(P<0.05).Compared with the Western medicine group,the acupuncture group showed higher expression of Piezo1 and p-YAP proteins in the quadriceps muscle tissue,lower expression of YAP protein,higher expression of CTGF,AREG,Gli2,AFP proteins,higher expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins,and lower expression of Bax,cytc,and Caspase3 proteins(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture increases the expression of Piezo1 protein in the quadriceps femoris muscle of knee osteoarthritis model rats,promotes the phosphorylation of YAP into the nucleus,thereby promoting proliferation,anti apoptotic proteins CTGF,AREG,Gli2,and AFP protein expression,inhibiting Caspase3-dependent mitochondrial apoptosis,and protecting muscle cells.

AIM:This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which celoside I enhances mitophagy in a model of optic nerve injury through regulation of reactive oxygen species(ROS)-mediated c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)/c-Jun signaling pathway.METHODS:Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups:sham surgery,model,mecobalamin,and experimental group.Optic nerve injury was induced in the model,mecobala-min,and experimental groups,while the sham surgery group underwent a sham procedure.The mecobalamin group re-ceived mecobalamin,the experimental group received celoside I,and the sham surgery and model groups received saline.Interventions were administered daily for 28 d.Various techniques including endoscopy,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)stain-ing,TUNEL method,immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were used to assess fundus condition,retinal mor-phology,apoptosis,ROS expression,and protein levels in the retina.RESULTS:Fundus examination revealed im-proved blood flow in the mecobalamin and experimental groups compared to the model group.Retinal morphology showed enhanced retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)in the mecobalamin and experimental groups.Apoptosis index was lower in the mecobalamin group compared to the experimental group.Immunofluorescence staining indicated reduced ROS and P62 ex-pression and increased parkin and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3)expression in the experimental group compared to the mecobalamin group.Protein analysis showed decreased JNK,c-Jun,and P62 levels,and increased parkin and LC3 levels in the mecobalamin and experimental groups compared to the model group.CONCLUSION:Celo-side I reduces ROS expression,inhibits the JNK/c-Jun pathway,enhances mitophagy,reduces apoptosis,and protects RGCs in optic nerve injury models.

Non-specific lower back pain is a common clinical disease whose pathogenesis and causes are still unclear,and the advantages and disadvantages of various therapeutic programs are controversial.Current research on this disease is mostly limited to clinical studies,and there is an urgent need to invest in a large number of animal experiments to analyze its underlying mechanisms.The construction of animal models is an important means to study the pathogenesis of non-specific lower back pain and to explore therapeutic method,but there are certain limitations and delays in the establishment of models for this disease.Therefore,this paper reviews the selection of animals,construction method,and evaluation method of relevant indexes of animal models of non-specific lower back pain,and the advantages and disadvantages of various models,to clarify existing problems in current basic research of this disease.We provide new research ideas and aim to lay a theoretical foundation for studies into the mechanisms of non-specific lower back pain and improved therapeutic strategies.

Non-specific lower back pain is a common clinical disease whose pathogenesis and causes are still unclear,and the advantages and disadvantages of various therapeutic programs are controversial.Current research on this disease is mostly limited to clinical studies,and there is an urgent need to invest in a large number of animal experiments to analyze its underlying mechanisms.The construction of animal models is an important means to study the pathogenesis of non-specific lower back pain and to explore therapeutic method,but there are certain limitations and delays in the establishment of models for this disease.Therefore,this paper reviews the selection of animals,construction method,and evaluation method of relevant indexes of animal models of non-specific lower back pain,and the advantages and disadvantages of various models,to clarify existing problems in current basic research of this disease.We provide new research ideas and aim to lay a theoretical foundation for studies into the mechanisms of non-specific lower back pain and improved therapeutic strategies.

Objective To review the clinical features of the patients received massive transfusion (MT) in plastic surgery department.Methods Ten cases were reviewed.The reason of massive transfusion,the type and dosage of transfusion,the reaction of patients were included.For all the patients,consultation of related department preoperatively was necessary.Based on the through and detailed analysis of the patients' condition,necessary blood product should be prepared ahead of operation.During the therapy,adjustment of treatment plan was made from time to time,according to the patient's condition.Therefore efficient and prompt therapeutic result was achieved.Results In all the 10 MT cases suffered from acute blood loss,2 of them were in hemorrhagic shock before administration.Coagulation disorders happened in 2 patients,and recovered after appropriate treatment.RBC,which was 58.3％ of total amount of transfusion,used most commonly;the second was fresh frozen plasma (FFP),which was 38.6％ according to the total amount.All the patients had satisfactory recovery,without hemolysis or any other functional disorder.Conclusions For MT patients in the Department of Plastic Surgery,the main proposes are to restore and maintain an effective circulatory blood volume,while preventing the coagulation disorder.Also,detailed analysis,through consultation and timely adjustment are of great importance for the MT patients.It is also the essential of an effective perioperative management.

Objective To explore the effects of Ginkgolide B on the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1 α (HIF-1α) and P I3K/Akt pathway in the hippocampus of developing rats after pentylenetetrazol(PTZ)-induced status epilepticus,and to investigate the correlation between HIF-1α expression and PI3K/Akt pathway.Methods Ninety-six SD rats aged 21 days were randomly divided into normal saline group(group NS),status epilepticus group (group P),GKB treatment groups (group G+P),GKB +wortmannin treated group (group G+P+W),wortmannin treated group(group P+W).The brain tissue were harvested from the rats at 4 and 8 hours after the inducement,but in the group G+P at 1 h,4 h,8 h,24 h.Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used respectively to detect HIF-1α and p-Akt protein expression.Results (1) For the group G+P,there were statistical differences in the expression levels of p-Akt protein between 1 h,4 h,8 h and 24 h(P＜0.01),The p-Akt protein reached the peak level at 4 hours (0.85±0.03),there were statistical differences in the expression levels of HIF-1α protein between 1 h,4 h,8 h and 24 h(P＜0.01),the HIF-1α expression reached the peak level at 8 hours(1.00±0.13).(2) The expression of HIF-1α in all the groups at 8 hours time point:the expression levels of HIF-1α in the group P and group G+P were significantly higher than those in the group NS (P＜0.01) and the expression levels of HIF1α in the group G+P were higher than those in the group P(P＜0.01).Using wortmannin,the PI3K/Akt specific inhibitor,HIF-1α protein expression in the group G+P+W and P+W was significantly decreased when compared with the group G+P and P (P＜0.01).(3)The expression of p-Akt in all the groups at 4 hours time point:the expression levels of p-Akt in the group P and group G+P were significantly higher than those in the group NS (P＜0.01) and the expression levels of p-Akt in the group G+P were higher than those in the group P (P＜ 0.01).Using wortmannin,p-Akt protein expression in the group G+P+W and P+W was significantly decreased when compared with the group G+P and P (P＜0.01).Conclusion GKB can activate PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,and the pathway is involved in regulating the expression of HIF-1α.