1.Mechanical Loading Improves Qi-Blood Nourishment in "Sinew Wei (痿)"via Mitochondrial Regulation
Xili CHANG ; Sipeng HUANG ; Wuquan SUN ; Mengni SHI ; Chengheng YOU ; Min FANG ; Qingguang ZHU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):725-729
This study focuses on the core pathology of sinew wei (痿), which is mainly characterized by the fai-lure of qi and blood to nourish the sinews. A mechanical-biological response framework is constructed with mitochondria as a key component, explaining the modern interpretation of the disease location of sinew transmitting to qi and blood pathology. Mechanical loading, as a physical stress stimulus applied to the body, manifests primarily as passive loading formed by external forces such as massage, and active loading resulting from voluntary muscle contractions, such as dao yin (导引). Mechanical loading can regulate mitochondrial function through two pathways, mechanical signal transduction and metabolic demand-driven regulation. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction is regarded as the core microscopic basis of qi imbalance in sinew wei, highlighting the intrinsic connection between qi and mitochondrial energy metabolism, as well as between blood and microcirculatory efficiency. Accordingly, distinct regulatory patterns of mechanical loading are identified. Wei associated with qi stagnation may correspond to mitochondrial network fragmentation and can be treated by regulating qi through passive loading, such as tuina, to restore mitochondrial dynamics. In contrast, wei caused by qi deficiency is attributed to insufficient mitochondrial biogenesis and may be treated by tonifying qi through active loading, such as dao yin, to promote mitochondrial biogenesis. This framework reveals the biological differences in mitochondrial regulation induced by distinct mechanical loading modalities and provides a microscopic mechanism-based explanation for the principle of "treating the same disease with different methods" in sinew wei.
2.Biomechanical Characteristics of One-Finger Zen Push Method Applied at the Fengchi Acupoint in Traditional Chinese Tuina Therapy
Mengni SHI ; Wuquan SUN ; Jingxian LI ; Lei GUO ; Zhiwei WU ; Min FANG ; Qingguang ZHU
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2025;40(2):456-461
Objective To systematically investigate biomechanical characteristics of one-finger Zen push method applied at the Fengchi acupoint under different force conditions,in order to provide precise quantitative data and enhance the treatment efficacy.Methods Ten senior Tuina practitioners were recruited.The German Novel Pliance-X 32 Expert dynamic pressure distribution system was used to record the mechanical parameters during the application of one-finger Zen push at the Fengchi acupoint under three force intensities:light,medium,and heavy,for 3 minutes.Data from the stable 1-minute segment of the mechanical output was selected for data analysis,and key biomechanical parameters such as the maximum force,average force,peak pressure,mean pressure,force-time integral(FTI),pressure-time integral(PTI),and operational frequency were evaluated.Results Under light,medium,and heavy force conditions,the mean maximum force applied by senior Tuina practitioners at the Fengchi acupoint were 6.31,9.45,and 18.27 N,respectively,while the mean force were 3.31,5.64,and 9.05 N,respectively.The mean peak pressures were 26.10,34.80,and 70.00 kPa,while the mean pressures were 11.95,21.00,and 26.15 kPa,respectively.The mean FTIs were 55.65,182.10,and 225.21 N·s,and the mean PTIs were 167.10,489.59,and 795.83 kPa·s,respectively.The mean operational frequencies were 156.00,150.60,and 154.80 times/min,respectively.Conclusions Ten senior Tuina practitioners showed a high degree of consistency between their subjective definitions of light,medium,and heavy force and the objectively measured mechanical parameters.This reflected their precise control over the applied force under different force conditions,verifying the practicality and reproducibility of the one-finger Zen push method in clinical applications.This study provides a reliable basis for quantitative research and development of standardized clinical operation guidelines.
3.Biomechanical Characteristics of One-Finger Zen Push Method Applied at the Fengchi Acupoint in Traditional Chinese Tuina Therapy
Mengni SHI ; Wuquan SUN ; Jingxian LI ; Lei GUO ; Zhiwei WU ; Min FANG ; Qingguang ZHU
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2025;40(2):456-461
Objective To systematically investigate biomechanical characteristics of one-finger Zen push method applied at the Fengchi acupoint under different force conditions,in order to provide precise quantitative data and enhance the treatment efficacy.Methods Ten senior Tuina practitioners were recruited.The German Novel Pliance-X 32 Expert dynamic pressure distribution system was used to record the mechanical parameters during the application of one-finger Zen push at the Fengchi acupoint under three force intensities:light,medium,and heavy,for 3 minutes.Data from the stable 1-minute segment of the mechanical output was selected for data analysis,and key biomechanical parameters such as the maximum force,average force,peak pressure,mean pressure,force-time integral(FTI),pressure-time integral(PTI),and operational frequency were evaluated.Results Under light,medium,and heavy force conditions,the mean maximum force applied by senior Tuina practitioners at the Fengchi acupoint were 6.31,9.45,and 18.27 N,respectively,while the mean force were 3.31,5.64,and 9.05 N,respectively.The mean peak pressures were 26.10,34.80,and 70.00 kPa,while the mean pressures were 11.95,21.00,and 26.15 kPa,respectively.The mean FTIs were 55.65,182.10,and 225.21 N·s,and the mean PTIs were 167.10,489.59,and 795.83 kPa·s,respectively.The mean operational frequencies were 156.00,150.60,and 154.80 times/min,respectively.Conclusions Ten senior Tuina practitioners showed a high degree of consistency between their subjective definitions of light,medium,and heavy force and the objectively measured mechanical parameters.This reflected their precise control over the applied force under different force conditions,verifying the practicality and reproducibility of the one-finger Zen push method in clinical applications.This study provides a reliable basis for quantitative research and development of standardized clinical operation guidelines.
4.Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide promotes osteogenesis by signaling pathway activation after LRP5 silencing
Xiaoming PENG ; Shaohui ZONG ; Gaofeng ZENG ; Mengni NONG ; Li DU ; Keke LI ; Jichen HE ; Xiongzhi SHI ; Yunle WU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2017;21(4):493-498
BACKGROUND:Our previous studies have found that polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PSP) promotes osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s (BMSCs) by Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, but the molecular mechanism is unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of PSP promoting the osteogenic differentiation via Wnt signaling pathways in BMSCs after LRP5 silencing. METHODS:LRP5 interference vectors were constructed and then transfected into C57BL/6 mouse BMSCs cultured in vitro. The transfection efficiency of cel s was calculated under fluorescence inverted microscope and the expression of LRP5 protein was detected by western blot assay. The osteogenic potential of BMSCs after LRP5-siRNA transfection was analyzed by alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red staining and western blot assay. Effect of PSP on the osteogenic differentiation of LIRP5-silenced mouse BMSCs was detected by real-time PCR and dual luciferase assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group, the mineralization ability, the mRNA expressions of Runx2 and Osterix, and the protein expression of LRP5 were significantly decreased in the LRP5-siRNA group (P<0.05). PSP could promote LRP5-siRNA transfected mouse BMSCs differentiating into osteoblasts and significantly upregulated the expressions ofβ-catenin and Osterixin, and also induced the high expression of luciferase reporter gene (TOPFlash) containing wild type TCF binding sites (P<0.05). To conclude, LRP5 plays an important role in the process of mouse BMSCs differentiating into osteoblasts. PSP can promote the osteogenic differentiation of mouse BMSCs by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway independent on LRP5.

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