1.Association between specific-frequency vibration and ferroptosis-related indicators in vascular endothelial cells
Siheng WU ; Hongyu YANG ; Kanshou ZHOU ; Fanfei ZENG ; Qingsong CHEN ; Yun XIA
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(3):278-285
Background Prolonged vibration exposure can lead to vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and cellular injury. However, research on the association between vibration and ferroptosis in vascular endothelial cells remains insufficient. Objective To explore whether occupational vibration exposure is associated with alterations in serum markers related to ferroptosis in patients with hand-arm vibration disease (HAVD), and to further investigate, through in vitro cell experiments, whether vibration exposure may induce ferroptosis in vascular endothelial cells. Methods ①A judgmental sampling method was employed to select 50 workers with HAVD (the HAVD group), 50 vibration-exposed workers without HAVD (the vibration exposure group), and 50 non–hand-transmitted vibration-exposed workers (the control group). Serum iron levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured using serum iron assay kits, MDA detection kits, and SOD detection kits, respectively. One-way analysis of variance and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to examine the relationships between these indicators and HAVD. ②Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were divided into a vibration group and a control group. The vibration group was subjected to vibration at 120 Hz with an acceleration of 6.5 m·s−2 and further subdivided into four subgroups: 1 d 2 h, 1 d 4 h, 2 d 2 h, and 2 d 4 h. The control group was treated identically except for vibration exposure. Cellular iron (Fe2+) content and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in HUVEC were measured using ferrous iron colorimetric assay kits and GSH colorimetric assay kits, respectively, to assess the effects of different vibration exposure schedules. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect the mRNA expression levels of ferroptosis-related genes, including acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), tumor suppressor protein P53 (P53), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Western blot analysis was conducted to determine the protein expression levels of ferroptosis-related markers in HUVEC. Results ①Compared with the control group, the patients in the HAVD group showed increased serum iron and MDA levels, along with decreased SOD levels (P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis indicated that elevated serum iron levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of HAVD (OR=4.034; 95%CI: 2.063, 7.887), and elevated MDA levels were also associated with an increased risk of HAVD (OR=1.523; 95%CI: 1.026, 1.936). ②Compared with the control group, increased intracellular Fe2+ content and decreased GSH content were observed in HUVECs in the 1 d 4 h and 2 d 4 h vibration subgroups (P<0.05). The RT-qPCR results showed that, compared with the control group, vibration exposures of 1 d 4 h and 2 d 4 h significantly upregulated the expression of ACSL4 and P53 (P<0.05), whereas the mRNA expression levels of GPX4 and FTH1 were downregulated in all vibration-exposed endothelial cells (P<0.05). The Western blot results revealed that, compared with the control group, the vibration exposure schedules of 1 d 2 h and 1 d 4 h significantly upregulated the protein expression levels of ACSL4 and P53 (P<0.05), while the vibration exposure schedules of 1 d 4 h, 2 d 2 h, and 2 d 4 h significantly downregulated the protein expression levels of FTH1 and GPX4 (P<0.05). Conclusion Occupational vibration exposure is associated with alterations in iron metabolism and oxidative stress status in workers with HAVD. The in vitro experiments further demonstrates that vibration stimulation induces intracellular iron accumulation and reduces antioxidant capacity in vascular endothelial cells, accompanied by dysregulated expression of ferroptosis-related molecules. These findings suggest that ferroptosis may play a role in vibration-induced vascular injury and the pathogenesis of HAVD.
2.Analysis of sports supplement usage among grade 9 students and associated factors
GE Meiqin, CUI Yinchen, XUE Yaqi, BA Yi, CHEN Shuo, LAI Fengkun, ZHANG Hongyu, ZHEN Zhiping
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):323-326
Objective:
To investigate the status and associated factors of sports supplement usage among grade 9 students, so as to provide a scientific basis for targeted supervision and health education regarding sports supplement usage among junior high school students.
Methods:
From June to September 2025, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 2 261 grade 9 students from 10 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in China. A questionnaire survey was conducted on their sports supplement usage and related factors. The Chi square test was used to compare the usage rates of sports supplements among different groups of students, and binary Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the related factors of sports supplement usage among grade 9 students.
Results:
Totally 59.7% of the grade 9 students used sports supplements. The usage rate (62.5%) was higher among boys than girls (56.3%), higher among students from rural areas and towns/counties (66.5%, 66.2%) than those from urban districts (52.9%), higher among boarding students (65.2%) than non resident students (54.3%), higher among students whose parents occupations were businessmen and workers (fathers: 65.0%, 63.7%; mothers: 63.6%, 61.1%) than those whose parents were farmers and civil servants (fathers: 57.5%, 54.1%; mothers: 58.8%, 55.7%), higher among students with a monthly family income of 5 000- 10 000 yuan (66.3%) than those in other income groups, and higher among students in the high score zone for the entrance physical examination to senior high school (67.7%) than those in the medium and low score zones ( 56.3% , 56.5%) ( χ 2=8.99, 42.21, 27.98, 20.55, 8.20, 22.74, 24.70, respectively, all P <0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that boys ( OR =1.26), those from rural areas ( OR =1.59), boarding students ( OR =1.36), those with a monthly family income of 5 000- 10 000 yuan ( OR =1.41), and those in the high score zone for entrance physical examination to senior high school ( OR =1.34) were more likely to use sports supplements during the entrance physical examination to senior high school; the probability of sports supplement usage was lower among students whose fathers were civil servants ( OR =0.74) (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
The usage of sports supplements is relatively common among grade 9 students. Intervention measures should be targeted at specific populations to reduce the risk of misuse.
3.Relationship of non-suicidal self-injury behavior with serum lipid levels and thyroid function among college students with depression
CHEN Lu, YANG Zhiqiang, CAO Xiaoping, ZHAO Yanxia, LIANG Shaoying, LUO Yi, LI Hongyu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):394-397
Objective:
To explore the relationship between non suicidal self injury (NSSI) behavior and serum lipid levels as well as thyroid function among college students with depression.
Methods:
A total of 169 college students with depression in the psychiatry departments of tertiary hospitals (grade 3A and 3B) in Ningbo from December 2023 to April 2025 were selected. The Adolescent Self injury Scale (ASIS) was used to assess the presence of NSSI, and participants were accordingly divided into a NSSI group ( n =51) and a non NSSI group ( n =118). General demographic data (including gender, age, and family situation) were collected from both groups. Blood tests were performed to measure lipid profiles [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)] and thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)]. Multivariate Logistic regression was employed to analyze risk factors for NSSI, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum lipid and thyroid hormone levels for NSSI occurrence in college students with depression.
Results:
The levels of TC, LDL-C, and TSH in the NSSI group were (4.02±0.73) mmol/L, (2.32±0.36) mmol/L, and (6.57±1.95) mU/L , which were significantly higher than those in the non NSSI group [(3.41±0.56) mmol/L, (2.00±0.27) mmol/L, and ( 4.48± 1.09) mU/L, respectively] ( t =5.32, 5.60, 7.20, all P <0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that college students from single parent/reconstituted families, those who had experienced school bullying, and those with higher levels of TC, LDL-C, and TSH had a significantly increased risk of engaging in NSSI ( OR =5.22, 6.12, 5.90, 83.64, 3.64, all P <0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the combined detection of TC, LDL-C, and TSH had high diagnostic efficacy for predicting NSSI in college students with depression, with a sensitivity of 86.3% and a specificity of 94.9%.
Conclusions
NSSI behavior in college students with depression is associated with serum lipid levels and thyroid function. These biomarkers may serve as useful reference indicators for assessing the conditions of these patients.
4.Consideration of Health Economics Evidence in Clinical Practice Guidelines: Methods and Steps
Dongrui PENG ; Qi ZHOU ; Xufei LUO ; Zijun WANG ; Hui LIU ; Junxian ZHAO ; Jinghong HUANG ; Hongyu HU ; Xin XING ; Jing WU ; Shitong XIE ; Xiaohui WANG ; Yaolong CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):862-870
Health economics evidence plays an important role in linking clinical value evidence with health resource allocation decisions in the development of clinical practice guidelines. It can not only effectively balance clinical effectiveness and economic feasibility but also avoid forming "idealized" recommendations that are detached from the affordability of the healthcare system or the burden-bearing capacity of patients. To promote guideline developers to use health economics evidence more standardizedly and fully, this paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the current application status, existing challenges, access channels, and application processes of health economics evidence in current guidelines, and on this basis, puts forward considerations and suggestions for strengthening and standardizing the application of health economics evidence in China's clinical practice guidelines.
5.Family report of Hb K-Woolwich compound with Southeast Asian α-thalassemia: a case report
Hongyu CHEN ; Jingning FU ; Jian MA
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(7):947-951
Objective: To report the hematological phenotypic characteristics and molecular variant features of a rare abnormal hemoglobin Hb K-Woolwich compound with Southeast Asian α-thalassemia in a Chinese family pedigree, aiming to summarize the laboratory screening patterns and the value for clinical genetic counseling, and to supplement the baseline data of this rare variant in the Chinese population. Methods: A three-generation pedigree involving three carriers was enrolled in this study. The proband's medical history and general clinical data of the family were retrospectively analyzed. Phenotypic analysis and molecular genotypic confirmation were performed using complete blood count parameters, capillary hemoglobin electrophoresis, H100Plus high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and gene sequencing, followed by Sanger sequencing. Results: All three individuals in this pedigree were identified as heterozygous carriers of the HBB:c. 397A>C mutation (Hb K-Woolwich) in the β-globin gene, combined with the αα/--SEA Southeast Asian type α-thalassemia genotype. Hematological findings revealed compensatory elevation of red blood cell count, decreased mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), while hemoglobin (Hb) levels remained within the normal range with no overt anemic phenotype. Both capillary electrophoresis and HPLC detected characteristic abnormal variant peaks, with good concordance between the two screening methods. Conclusion: Hb K-Woolwich compound with αα/--SEA thalassemia presents with distinctive hematological phenotypes, characterized by prominent microcytic and hypochromic changes without anemia, which may be easily overlooked in routine thalassemia screening programs. This is the first report of this compound genotype in China, providing valuable reference for laboratory identification, prenatal screening, and family genetic counseling of rare hemoglobin variants.
6.Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Extract Regulates Blood Pressure in Rat Model of Metabolic Hypertension Induced by High-sugan and High-fat Diet via TRPC3/6/NOX2/4 Sigraling Pathway
Chang CHEN ; Hongyu WU ; Ling LI ; Yuebo JIANG ; Sheng ZHANG ; Yunna CHEN ; Weidong CHEN ; Daiyin PENG ; Lei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):217-228
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in treating metabolic hypertension induced by a high-sugar and high-fat diet in rats based on network pharmacology, proteomics, and animal experiments. MethodsThirty male SD rats were randomized into the control, model, positive drug (tetrandrine, Tet, 50 mg·kg-1·d-1), low-dose Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (DS-L, 45×104 mg·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (DS-H, 90×104 mg·kg-1·d-1) groups. Except for the control group, each group was fed a high-fat and high-sugar diet for 8 weeks for the modeling of metabolic hypertension. Following successful modeling, drug interventions were conducted through gavage for 4 weeks. Blood pressure and lipid indicators were monitored, and cardiac function was assessed via echocardiography. Samples from the thoracic aorta and cardiac tissue were collected for histopathological examination. Network pharmacology analysis identified key active components, potential targets, and mechanisms of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in treating hypertension. Proteomics technology was employed to analyze the differential proteins and major pathway targets to synergistically elucidate the antihypertensive mechanism of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Ca2+ concentrations in the thoracic aorta and cardiac tissue were measured. The protein levels of transient receptor potential cation channel (TRPC)3, TRPC6, NADPH oxidase (NOX)2, and NOX4 were quantified via Western blotting. The levels of oxidative stress markers and inflammatory factors, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Molecular docking analysis was performed for the main components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma with TRPC3, TRPC6, NOX2, and NOX4. ResultsThe experimental results indicated that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited abnormally elevated blood pressure and increased lipid levels (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the DS-L group exhibited reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (P<0.05), decreased serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.05), and increased level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P<0.01). The DS-H and Tet groups showed more significant effects (P<0.01). Moreover, the interventions attenuated vascular wall thickening, myocardial cell injury, and collagen and lipid deposition. Network pharmacology and proteomics prediction results indicated that the core targets of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in treating hypertension were TRPC3, TRPC6, NOX2, and NOX4, and the core pathways included calcium signaling, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) signaling, and atherosclerosis-related pathways. The molecular mechanism experiment results indicated that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significantly elevated tissue Ca2+ concentrations, exacerbated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and upregulated protein levels of TRPC3, TRPC6, NOX2, and NOX4 in the thoracic aorta and myocardial tissue (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, DS-L reduced the free Ca2+ concentration, lowered the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, SOD, and MDA (P<0.05), and downregulated the protein levels of TRPC3, TRPC6, NOX2, and NOX4 in the thoracic aorta and myocardial tissue (P<0.05). DS-H and Tet exhibited more significant effects (P<0.01). Meanwhile, the main components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma had strong binding affinity with the core targets of hypertension. ConclusionSalviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma may ameliorate oxidative stress and mitigate inflammatory responses by regulating the TRPC3/6/NOX2/4 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating abnormal blood pressure abnormality and myocardial injury in hypertensive rats.
7.Effect of standardized rehabilitation unit on traumatic brain injury
Qianqian CHI ; Xiaonian ZHANG ; Xiaomin ZHU ; Wanyue SUN ; Xin ZHANG ; Jin ZHOU ; Hongwei BU ; Lei ZHAI ; Xin ZHANG ; Zirui LING ; Hongyu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(9):1033-1040
ObjectiveTo establish three standardized rehabilitation unit models covering acute, critical and comprehensive recovery stages for traumatic brain injury (TBI) that fit the whole-course characteristics, clarify their multidisciplinary collaborative framework, standardized procedures, and information management system, and verify the clinical effectiveness of this staged rehabilitation unit on long-term functional prognosis and in-hospital complications of TBI patients. MethodsThis study was conducted at two stages: model construction and efficacy verification. At the first stage, TBI rehabilitation units for acute, critical and recovery stages were established in the Department of Neurosurgery, Intensive Care Unit and Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, respectively, with unified multidisciplinary team configuration, standardized assessment and treatment protocols, collaborative workflows, and a dedicated information management system. At the second stage, 324 TBI patients admitted to the newly built rehabilitation units from July, 2023 to July, 2025 were enrolled as the observation group, and 167 TBI patients receiving traditional management from January, 2018 to December, 2022 were retrospectively selected as the control group. The primary outcomes were 1-year post-injury Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) scores. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of in-hospital complications and the mean indwelling time of tracheal intubation, gastric tube and urinary catheter. ResultsThe 1-year GOS score was significantly higher (t = -7.836, P < 0.001), and the DRS score was significantly lower (t = -6.742, P < 0.001) in the observation group than in the control group. The overall incidence of complications was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (χ2 = 18.762, P < 0.001). The incidences of pulmonary infection, urinary tract infection, pressure ulcer, lower extremity venous thrombosis and joint contracture deformity were all significantly reduced (χ2 > 4.328, P < 0.05). The indwelling time of tracheal intubation, gastric tube and urinary catheter was significantly shorter in the observation group than in the control group (t > 10.276, P < 0.001). ConclusionThe acute-critical-comprehensive three-stage standardized TBI rehabilitation unit could significantly improve the long-term functional outcomes of TBI patients, reduce the incidence of complications, and shorten the indwelling time of invasive tubes through multidisciplinary collaboration, whole-course standardized management and information-based quality control. This model conforms to the pathological and functional laws of TBI, realizes seamless whole-course connection from acute treatment to recovery rehabilitation, and has good clinical feasibility and promotion value. It can provide evidence-based evidence and practical reference for the homogenized and standardized development of TBI rehabilitation in China.
8.Epidemiological and etiological characteristics of hand-foot-and-mouth disease in Jinjiang District of Chengdu City from 2014 to 2024
Chunxia WU ; Hongyu CHEN ; Jinghan WEI ; Lihuang CHEN ; Xiaojing LI
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(8):620-626
ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) in Jinjiang District of Chengdu City from 2014 to 2024, and to provide a reference basis for HFMD prevention and control. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted to collect confirmed and clinically diagnosed cases of HFMD in Jinjiang District from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2024. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the distribution of cases by person, time, and place. Joinpoint regression models were applied to examine trends for incidence and severe case rates, while seasonal patterns were analyzed using the seasonal index method. Chi-square tests were used for comparing rates, Mann-Whitney U tests were applied for comparing two groups with skewed distributions, and Kruskal-Wallis H rank-sum tests were used for multiple groups with skewed distributions. Pathogen characteristics were primarily analyzed using descriptive statistics. ResultsA total of 15 561 HFMD cases were reported from 2014 to 2024. The annual crude incidence rate ranged from 51.32/100 000 to 502.50/100 000, the age-standardized incidence rate ranged from 55.56/100 000 to 721.07/100 000, peaking in 2018, and the overall epidemic intensity generally showed an alternating-year pattern of intensification. A total of 85 severe cases were reported, showing a declining trend in the severe case rate (APC=AAPC=-37.57%, 95%CI∶ -51.49%‒21.33%, P<0.01). Severe cases were most common in the 1‑year‑old age group (43.53%), with a median age of 1.88 years. Recurrent infections accounted for 1 245 cases (8.00%), with 96.73% of these being reinfections. The median age at first infection for recurrent cases was 1.98 years, significantly lower than that of single-infection cases (2.69 years, P<0.001), and the median interval between consecutive infections was 1.19 years. The disease exhibited a bimodal seasonal pattern, with epidemic peaks occurring from May to July and from October to December, however, summer peaks extending into autumn were observed in 2018 and 2023. There were statistically significant differences in age distribution across different years (H=467.51, P<0.001), with the median age increasing from 2.25 years in 2018 to 4.18 years in 2024, and the interquartile range widening from 1.84 to 3.78 years. Since its initial detection in 2017, CVA6 has been identified annually, showing a peak proportion of 87.50% in 2023 and a second peak of 68.18% in 2018. CVA10 was detected during 2021‒2023, peaking at 18.75% in 2021 and decreasing to 14.29% in 2022. Male incidence rates were consistently higher than female rates each year (P<0.05). The proportion of males in the reinfection group was significantly higher than that in the single-infection group (χ2=9.951, P=0.002). Pathogen analyses showed that CVA16 was detected annually, EV71 detection declined fluctuantly and was not detected after 2022. CVA6 was first detected in 2017 and rapidly increased in prevalence, reaching 87.50% in 2023 and becoming the dominant strain. Among severe cases, EV71 accounted for the highest proportion (52.63%), while CVA16 was most common in non-severe cases (41.60%). There was a statistically significant difference in pathogen composition between severe and non-severe cases (χ2=10.402,P=0.011). ConclusionThe epidemiological profile of HFMD undergoes continuous changes over time. It is necessary to strengthen routine surveillance, with particular attention to changes in the pathogen spectrum and age distribution, so as to provide evidence for precise prevention and control measures and the adjustment of vaccination strategies.
9.Epidemiological characteristics and spatial clustering of brucellosis in Qinhuangdao City from 2015 to 2024
SUN Hongyu ; LÜ ; Yumeng ; WANG Chen ; WANG Dantong ; TAO Xu
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(6):635-638
Objective:
To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatio-temporal clustering characteristics of brucellosis in Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province from 2015 to 2024, so as to provide the evidence for formulating brucellosis prevention and control strategies.
Methods:
Data on reported brucellosis cases in Qinhuangdao City from 2015 to 2024 were collected through the Infectious Disease Reporting Information System of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the temporal, demographic and regional distribution characteristics of brucellosis. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was used to analyze the spatial clustering of cases, and spatio-temporal scan analysis was used to analyze spatio-temporal clustering.
Results:
A total of 1 789 human brucellosis cases were reported in Qinhuangdao City from 2015 to 2024, with an average annual reported incidence of 5.76/105. The reported incidence ranged from 4.11/105 to 7.72/105, with statistically significant variation (P<0.05). The incidence peak occurred from March to July, with 1 097 cases, accounting for 61.32% of the total. There were 1 348 male cases and 441 female cases, with a male-to-female ratio of 3.06∶1. The majority of cases were aged 50-<60 years and farmers, with 535 cases (29.90%) and 1 592 cases (88.99%), respectively. Changli County had a relatively high average annual reported incidence of 11.06/105. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed a positive spatial correlation of brucellosis incidence from 2015 to 2024 (all P<0.05). High-high clusters were mainly townships in Changli County, southern Qinhuangdao City, while low-low clusters were concentrated in the eastern urban area. Spatio-temporal scan analysis identified one primary cluster centered on Huangdianzhuang Town, Changli County, covering seven townships, with the clustering period from 2019 to 2023.
Conclusions
Brucellosis in Qinhuangdao City presented a high incidence in spring and summer from 2015 to 2024. Males, middle-aged and elderly people, and farmers were the key populations for prevention and control. The disease showed obvious spatio-temporal clustering, and townships in southern Changli County were the priority areas for brucellosis prevention and control.
10.Effects and mechanisms of swimming for inhibiting traumatic joint contracture in a rat model
Xiaoping SHUI ; Chunying LI ; Xin ZHANG ; Bin LI ; Chao FENG ; Hongyu ZHOU ; Ke CHEN ; Yingying LIAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):262-268
BACKGROUND:Early exercise treatment is the main prevention way for traumatic joint contracture and is also a research focus.Swimming may be a potential intervention for joint contracture due to the special physical properties of water. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of swimming on the development of joint contracture in a rat model and study its mechanisms. METHODS:Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank control group(n=8)and a joint contracture group(n=16).After the surgical operation of knee joint contracture rat models,the joint contracture group was randomly subdivided into a surgical control group(n=8)and a swimming treatment group(n=8).Swimming started in the swimming treatment group in the second week after surgery and lasted for a total of 5 weeks.At the 6th week after surgery,the body mass,knee joint range of motion,and quadriceps diameter were tested,and the diameter/body mass index was calculated.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to detect the pathological changes in the knee joint capsule and quadriceps muscle,and Masson staining was used to observe fibrotic changes in the knee joint capsule.Furthermore,the protein expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen in the knee joint capsule was quantified by immunohistochemical assay and western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of MuRF1 in the quadriceps femoris. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,the knee range of motion decreased in the surgical control and swimming treatment groups(P<0.01),and knee extension deficit and arthrogenic extension deficit were significantly increased(P<0.01),the diameter of the quadriceps muscle was decreased(P<0.01),the joint capsule showed significant fibrosis,the quadriceps muscle was atrophied,and the diameter/body mass index was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the surgical control group,the swimming treatment group showed a significant increase in knee joint range of motion and quadriceps diameter(P<0.01),and significant improvement in joint capsule fibrosis and quadriceps atrophy.Compared with the blank control group,collagen fiber content and expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen were increased in the joint capsule of rats in both the surgical control group and the swimming treatment group(P<0.01).Compared with the surgical control group,collagen fiber content and expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen protein in the joint capsule were decreased in the swimming treatment group.Compared with the blank control group,the expression of MuRF1 protein in the quadriceps muscle of rats in the surgical control group and the swimming treatment group was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the surgical control group,the expression of MuRF1 protein in the quadriceps muscle of rats in the swimming treatment group was decreased(P<0.05).To conclude,early swimming intervention reduces transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen expression in the joint capsule of traumatic joint contracture rats,decreases MuRF1 expression in the quadriceps muscle,and increases joint range of motion and quadriceps diameter,thereby inhibiting the development of joint contracture.


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