1.Study on anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets based on HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS and network pharmacology
Yuan-hong LIAO ; Jing-kun LU ; Yan NIU ; Jun LI ; Ren BU ; Peng-peng ZHANG ; Yue KANG ; Yue-wu WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):449-458
The analysis presented here is based on the blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets, the key anti-atherosclerosis pathway of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was screened by network pharmacology, and the anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was clarified and verified by cell experiments. HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS technique was used to analyze the components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood, to determine the precise mass charge ratio of the compounds, and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the components by using secondary mass spectrometry fragments and literature comparison. Finally, a total of 42 components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood were identified. To better understand the interactions, we employed the Swiss Target Prediction database to predict the associated targets. Atherosclerosis (AS) disease targets were searched in disease databases Genecard, OMIM and Disgent, and 181 intersection targets of disease targets and component targets were obtained by Venny 2.1.0 software. Protein interactions were analyzed by String database. The 32 core targets were selected by Cytscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed in DAVID database. It was found that the anti-atherosclerosis pathways of Guanxin Qiwei tablets mainly include lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications and other signal pathways. The core targets and the core compounds were interlinked, and it was found that cryptotanshinone and tanshinone ⅡA in Guanxin Qiwei tablets were well bound to TNF, PPAR
2.Oral Chinese patent medicines in treatment of dysmenorrhea and clinical research status: a scoping review.
Xiao-Jun BU ; Zhi-Ran LI ; Wen-Ya WANG ; Rui-Xue LIU ; Jing-Yu REN ; Lin XU ; Xing LIAO ; Wei-Wei SUN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):787-797
A scoping review was performed to systematically search and summarize the clinical research in the treatment of dysmenorrhea with oral Chinese patent medicines. The oral Chinese patent medicines for treating dysmenorrhea in three major drug lists, guidelines, and textbooks were screened, and the relevant clinical trials were retrieved from eight Chinese and English databases. The key information of the included trials was extracted and visually analyzed. A total of 50 Chinese patent medicines were included, among which oral Chinese patent medicines for the dysmenorrhea patients with the syndrome of Qi stagnation and blood stasis accounted for the highest proportion, and the average daily cost varied greatly among Chinese patent medicines. A total of 150 articles were included, involving 22 Chinese patent medicines, among which Guizhi Fuling Capsules/Pills, Sanjie Zhentong Capsules, and Dan'e Fukang Soft Extract were the most frequently studied. These articles mainly reported randomized controlled trial(RCT), which mainly focused on the comparison of the intervention effect between Chinese patent medicines combined with western medicine and western medicine alone, and the sample size was generally 51-100 cases. The high-frequency outcome indicators belonged to nine domains such as effective rate, adverse reactions, and laboratory examinations. This study showed that oral Chinese patent medicines had advantages in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, and the annual number of related clinical trials showed an overall growing trend. However, there were still problems such as insufficient safety information and vague description of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndromes types in the instructions of Chinese patent medicines. The available clinical research had shortcomings such as uneven distribution of Chinese patent medicines, limited research scale, poor methodological rigor, and insufficient standardization of outcome indicators. In the future, it is necessary to deepen the development of high-quality clinical research and improve the contents of the instructions to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the clinical application of oral Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
Dysmenorrhea/drug therapy*
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Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Female
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Administration, Oral
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Nonprescription Drugs/administration & dosage*
3.Study on the gene expression and regulation mechanisms of fibroblasts in acute inflammatory response.
Meng DU ; Hanjing LIAO ; Manjing HUANG ; Yaqin WANG ; Zongjie ZHAO ; Zhixiang ZHU ; Jun LI
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(5):391-397
Objective To investigate the gene expression and regulatory mechanisms of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) under inflammatory conditions, aiming to elucidate the role of MEFs in inflammatory responses and provide a foundation for discovering anti-inflammatory drugs that act by modulating MEF function. Methods MEFs cultured in vitro were divided into the following groups: lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-treated group, inflammatory conditioned medium (CM)-treated group, and control group, which were treated with LPS, CM, and equal volume solvent, respectively. Transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the effects of two stimuli on gene expression profile of MEFs. Real time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was employed to verify the transcription levels of highly expressed genes of MEFs induced by CM. ELISA was performed to determine the concentrations of cytokines in cell supernatants. Finally, the regulatory effects of CM on the activation of signaling pathways in MEFs were analyzed by immunoblotting. Results Transcriptome analysis showed that both LPS and CM induced the transcription of a large number of genes in MEFs. Compared with LPS, CM potentiated the mRNA transcription of some acute phase proteins, inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), prostaglandin synthetases, and colony-stimulating factors. The transcriptome analysis was verified by RT-qPCR. The results of ELISA showed that CM treatment significantly increased the secretion of interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL2), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL1) by MEFs compared with LPS. Mechanism study showed that both LPS and CM induced the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), and TANK-binding kinase (TBK) in MEFs, and CM strongly stimulated the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in MEFs. Conclusion Both LPS and CM can induce transcription and protein secretion of various inflammation-related genes in MEFs. CM can partly enhance LPS-induced activation of MEFs, and the mechanism may be related to the enhancement effect of CM on the activation STAT3 signaling pathway.
Animals
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Fibroblasts/immunology*
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Mice
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Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology*
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Inflammation/metabolism*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects*
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Cytokines/genetics*
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Culture Media, Conditioned/pharmacology*
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Cells, Cultured
4.Observation and imaging analysis of signs of ankylosing spondylitis in spinal specimens
Wei-Xing ZHONG ; Zhi-Hong WANG ; Jun-Hua LI ; Li-Qing LIAO ; Zu-Jiang CHEN ; Yi-Kai LI
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2024;55(3):329-333
Objective To provide anatomical,radiological,and clinical diagnostic and therapeutic references for ankylosing spondylitis and spinal surgical operations.Methods Non-measurement spinal observations,X-ray examinations,and measurements were performed on two spinal specimens,along with digital image acquisition and processing.Results The first specimen included thoracic vertebra 7(T7)to lumbar vertebra 3(L3),with an average total length of 29.7 cm;the second specimen ranged from cervical vertebra 7(C7)to lumbar vertebra 2(L2),with an average total length of 38.3 cm.The specimens showed partial or complete calcification of ligaments,ossification of the small joints and intervertebral discs,and osteoporosis;The anterior-posterior diameter(width)of the vertebral foramen was narrower than that of a normal adult,while most of the superior-inferior diameter(height)was wider.Radiographically,the anterior longitudinal ligament calcification appeared as dot-like or striated,but it was actually flaky in the actual specimens.The specimens provided views of the facet joints,costovertebral joints,and intervertebral foramina that was difficult to demonstrate on two-dimensional X-ray images.Conclusion As ankylosing spondylitis progresses,the range of motion in spinal bending and rotation decreases,as does the extent of thoracic expansion,thereby affecting respiration and complicating procedures such as intraspinal anesthesia and sacral canal injections.In terms of diagnosis,bone specimens and X-ray films allow us to understand the development process and severity of ankylosing spondylitis more directly and accurately.
5.Mechanism of Xibining Ⅱ Combined with ADSC-Exos in Improving Knee Osteoarthritis by Regulating Mitochondrial Autophagy
Junfeng KANG ; Lishi JIE ; Houyu FU ; Taiyang LIAO ; Lei SHI ; Zishan SU ; Likai YU ; Yibao WEI ; Deren LIU ; Di TIAN ; Jun MAO ; Peimin WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(11):111-119
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Xibining (XBN) and adipose stem cell exosome (ADSC-Exos) in the cases of separate or joint application on cartilage degeneration and mitochondrial autophagy and explore its mechanism of action to improve knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodSD rats were divided into a sham operation group (sham group), a model group, an ADSC-Exos group (Exos group), an XBN group, and an ADSC-Exos+XBN group (Exos+XBN group). KOA model was established by using anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). The pain sensitivity status of rats was evaluated, and the degeneration degree of the knee joint and cartilage tissue was detected by Micro-CT and pathological staining. The expression of p62 and LC3B was observed by immunofluorescence, and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-15 in rats were detected by ELISA. The Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS5, ColⅡ, TIMP, ACAN, PINK1, Parkin, p62, and LC3A/B. ResultCompared with the sham group, rats in the model group showed decreased cold-stimulated foot-shrinkage thresholds and mechanical pain sensitivity thresholds, varying degrees of abrasion and loss of cartilage tissue, degeneration of cartilage tissue, elevated serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-15, and TNF-α levels (P<0.01), and increased protein expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS5 in cartilage tissue. In addition, the protein expression of ColⅡ, TIMP1, and ACAN was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, rats in each treatment group showed higher cold-stimulated foot-shrinkage thresholds and mechanical pain sensitivity thresholds, reduced cartilage tissue degeneration, lower serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-15, and TNF-α (P<0.05,P<0.01), decreased protein expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS5, and higher protein expression of Cold, TIMP1, and ACAN in cartilage tissue (P<0.05,P<0.01). Moreover, the changes were the most obvious in the Exos+XBN group. ConclusionBoth ADSCs-Exos and XBN can increase the level of mitochondrial autophagy in chondrocytes and delay cartilage tissue degeneration by promoting the expression of the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway, and the combination of the two can enhance the therapeutic effect.
6.Analysis on comprehensive noise control effects in an automobile engine manufacturing enterprise
Lin CHEN ; Youmei SHU ; Yang LIAO ; Hai ZHANG ; Kunpeng ZHONG ; Jun LIU ; Fengyi OU ; Zhi WANG
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(2):168-171
ObjectiveTo analyze the measures and effects of comprehensive noise control in an automobile engine manufacturing enterprise. Methods An automobile engine manufacturing enterprise with noise exposure work-sites was selected as the research subject. The noise hazard status of the enterprise was investigated. The noise hazard exceeded the national standard in work-sites was comprehensively treated. The treatment effect was analyzed. Results A total of 395 work-sites exposed to noise were detected. Among them, 16 work-sites exceeded the national noise standard, with the rate of 4.1%. The work-sites with noise exceeding the national standard were mainly in the machine workshop and the casting workshop, with normalization of equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level to a nominal eight hours working day (LEX,8h) ranging from 86.8 to 89.2 and 85.2 to 90.2 dB(A), respectively. In addition, the classification of occupational noise exposure of the mold protection group in the casting workshop was level Ⅱ, and classification of occupational noise exposure of other work-sites with excessive national standard was grade Ⅰ. After the enterprise implemented noise control measures such as process reform, equipment replacement, sound insulation, noise reduction, sound absorption, and vibration isolation, the LEX,8h of nine positions were lower than those before rectification [(86.7±1.1) vs (83.3±1.3) dB(A), P<0.01]. Conclusion The use of comprehensive control measures can achieve the purpose of reducing noise from the sources, and can be used for reference by relevant enterprises with noise hazards.
7.Effects of treadmill exercise on osteoporosis and wnt/beta-catenin signal pathway in aged rats
Linwei YIN ; Xiarong HUANG ; Mengjian QU ; Lu YANG ; Jinling WANG ; Feiyang JIA ; Yang LIAO ; Jun ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(2):231-236
BACKGROUND:Exercise training can improve osteoporosis,but its effects and mechanisms on senile osteoporosis are not fully understood. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of treadmill exercise on osteoporosis and wnt/β-catenin signal pathway in aged rats. METHODS:Sixteen 24-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into osteoporosis group(n=8)and treadmill group(n=8)and eight 6-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as young control group.The model of senile osteoporosis was replicated by natural aging and the rats in the treadmill group were treated with treadmill exercise once a day,5 days a week,for 8 weeks.Levels of bone metabolic markers such as type I collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide,tartrate resistant acid phosphatase,osteocalcin and bone specific alkaline phosphatase were detected by ELISA;bone mineral density of the left femur and L5 was measured by dual energy X-ray;bone scanning and bone microstructure quantitative analysis were performed by bone micro-CT;and the mRNA and protein expression levels of wnt3a,β-catenin,LRP5,DKK1 and GSK3β were detected by RT-PCR and western blot,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the young control group,the osteoporosis group showed a reduction in serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels(P<0.05),bone mineral density of the femur and L5,the number of tibia and L4 bone trabeculae,bone volume,bone volume fraction(P<0.05),and mRNA and protein expression of wnt3a,β-catenin,and LRP5 in bone marrow tissue(P<0.05)as well as an increase in serum levels of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase and type I collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide(P<0.05),the intertrabecular space between the tibia and L4,structural model index(P<0.05),and mRNA and protein expression of DKK1 and GSK3 β in bone marrow tissue(P<0.05).In addition to the reduced number of trabeculae in the tibia and L4 vertebrae,the trabeculae were structurally disturbed and sparsely aligned and fractured.Compared with the osteoporosis group,the treadmill group showed an increase in serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels(P<0.05),bone mineral density of the femur and L5(P<0.05),the number of tibial trabeculae,bone volume,bone volume fraction(P<0.05),mRNA and protein expression of wnt3a,β-catenin,and LRP5 in bone marrow tissue(P<0.05)but a reduction in the serum levels of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase and type I collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide,L4 trabecular space,tibial trabecular space,structural model index,and mRNA and protein expression of DKK1 and GSK3 β in bone marrow tissue(P<0.05).In addition to the increased number of tibial and L4 trabeculae,the trabeculae were arranged in a regular and dense pattern and were connected to a network.To conclude,treadmill exercise may improve osteoporosis in aged rats by activating the wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.
8.Downregulation of MUC1 Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis by Inactivating NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Shou-Wu WU ; Shao-Kun LIN ; Zhong-Zhu NIAN ; Xin-Wen WANG ; Wei-Nian LIN ; Li-Ming ZHUANG ; Zhi-Sheng WU ; Zhi-Wei HUANG ; A-Min WANG ; Ni-Li GAO ; Jia-Wen CHEN ; Wen-Ting YUAN ; Kai-Xian LU ; Jun LIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(9):2182-2193
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of mucin 1 (MUC1) on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its regulatory mechanism. MethodsThe 60 NPC and paired para-cancer normal tissues were collected from October 2020 to July 2021 in Quanzhou First Hospital. The expression of MUC1 was measured by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the patients with PNC. The 5-8F and HNE1 cells were transfected with siRNA control (si-control) or siRNA targeting MUC1 (si-MUC1). Cell proliferation was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assay, and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry analysis in the 5-8F and HNE1 cells. The qPCR and ELISA were executed to analyze the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Western blot was performed to measure the expression of MUC1, NF-кB and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and Bcl-2). ResultsThe expression of MUC1 was up-regulated in the NPC tissues, and NPC patients with the high MUC1 expression were inclined to EBV infection, growth and metastasis of NPC. Loss of MUC1 restrained malignant features, including the proliferation and apoptosis, downregulated the expression of p-IкB、p-P65 and Bcl-2 and upregulated the expression of Bax in the NPC cells. ConclusionDownregulation of MUC1 restrained biological characteristics of malignancy, including cell proliferation and apoptosis, by inactivating NF-κB signaling pathway in NPC.
9.Effects of periodontitis on bone and tryptophan metabolism of gut microbiota in estrogen-deficient mice
Yuan WEI ; Nannan WANG ; Min WANG ; Jun QIAN ; Hua NIE ; Ruiyang GE ; Wenzheng LIAO ; Fuhua YAN
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2024;59(4):354-363
Objective:To study the effects of periodontitis on bone and tryptophan metabolism of gut microbiota in the context of estrogen deficiency.Methods:Thirty-two female C57BL6/J mice were randomly divided into four groups based on table of random numbers ( n=8 in each group): Sham group, in which mice were given sham surgery; Sham_Lig group, in which mice were given sham surgery and were induced to periodontitis by ligating the bilateral maxillary second molars with 5-0 silk threads at the fourth week; Ovx group, in which mice were given bilateral ovariectomy; Ovx_Lig group, in which mice were given bilateral ovariectomy and were induced to periodontitis at the fourth week. After 8 weeks of ligation, the mice of 4 groups were euthanized for collecting the samples of femur, tibia, mandible and skull. Those samples were scanned by micro-CT to measure the bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume versus total volume ratio (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) and trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp). The cecum contents of 4 groups of mice were collected for gut microbiota 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The tryptophan and its metabolites in intestinal tracts were detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between the abundance of gut microbiota and the content of tryptophan and its metabolites. Results:Femur BMD [(82.23±3.97) mg/cm 3], BV/TV [(9.25±1.37)%] and Tb.Th [(70.95±5.70) μm] in Ovx_Lig group were significantly lower than Ovx group [(96.30±3.76) mg/cm 3 ( P=0.004); (14.45±1.55)% ( P=0.022) and (87.58±8.02) μm ( P<0.001), respectively]. The β-diversity analysis of gut microbiota based on Bray-Curtis distance showed that samples of Ovx_Lig group and Ovx group were obviously grouped. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) showed that Alistipes was the representative genus in Ovx_Lig group. The relative abundance of Alistipes in Ovx_Lig group [(0.42±0.14)%] were significantly higher than that in Ovx group [(0.17±0.05)%] ( t=4.45, P<0.001). Tryptophan metabolism analysis showed that the content of kynurenic acid [(531.12±158.60) ng/g] in Ovx_Lig group were significantly higher than that in Ovx group [(400.42±57.96) ng/g] ( t=2.19, P=0.046). And the content of indole-3-carbaldehyde [(383.37±144.06) ng/g] in Ovx_Lig group were significantly lower than Ovx group [(701.72±141.93) ng/g] ( t=4.45, P<0.001). Correlation analysis showed that relative abundance of Alistipes was positively correlated with kynurenic acid ( r=0.32, P=0.088), while negatively correlated with indole-3-carbaldehyde ( r=-0.32, P=0.088). Conclusions:Periodontitis can induce bone destruction of femur in estrogen-deficient mice, the mechanism of which may be related to Alistipes in gut and the tryptophan metabolites kynurenic acid and indole-3-carbaldehyde.
10.Study on the mechanism of electroacupuncture stimulation to activate the acupoint effect and promote skeletal muscle repair
Yuting HUANG ; Jun LIAO ; Tianyu RAO ; Kezhi LIU ; Jia LIN ; Yuye LIN ; Chufan ZENG ; Guojun ZHANG ; Xia ZHANG ; Xiubing TONG ; Jingyu ZHANG ; Yu KAN ; Yanping FANG ; Xianghong JING ; Xuan WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(8):1160-1170
Objective To investigate the mechanism of inducing macrophage polarization induced by acupoint effect of electroacupuncture to promote the repair of acute skeletal muscle injury.Methods 45 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,electroacupuncture group(EA group),sodium chrominate group (DSCG group) and electroacupuncture+sodium chrominate group (hereinafter referred to as EA+DSCG group),with 9 rats in each group. The rats in the EA group and the EA+DSCG group were subjected to EA intervention at the right "Chengshan" (BL57) and "Yanglingquan"(GB34),with a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz. The gait changes of rats were recorded by animal gait analyzer. The morphological changes of the right gastrocnemius were observed by HE staining. The changes of mast cell aggregation and degranulation in local skin muscles of "chengshan" point were observed by toluidine blue staining. The expressions of Pax7,MyoD and skin mast cells and 5-HT in the right gastrocnemius were detected by immunofluorescence method. The positive expressions of CD68 and CD206 in right gastrocnemius macrophage was observed by immunohistochemical staining.Results Compared with blank group,the wiggle time of the right hind leg in model group and DSCG group increased,stride length decreased,HE staining showed inflammatory cell infiltration,myocyte enlargement,degeneration and necrosis. The degranulation rate of local skin mast cells in "Chengshan" (BL57) area increased,and the expressions of mast cell tryptase,5-HT,Pax7,MyoD,CD68 and CD206 increased (P<0.05). Compared with model group,the wiggle time of the right hind leg in EA group and EA+DSCG group decreased,stride length increased,HE staining showed that inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced,muscle cells were uniform in size and arranged neatly. Mast cell degranulation rate increased significantly in EA group,and the expressions of mast cell tryptase,5-HT,Pax7,MyoD and CD206 increased (P<0.05),while CD68 expression decreased (P<0.05). Compared with EA+DSCG group,the degranulation rate of mast cells and the expressions of mast cell tryptase,5-HT,Pax7,MyoD and CD206 increased (P<0.05),while CD68 expression decreased in EA group (P<0.05). Conclusion EA "Chengshan" (BL57) and "Yanglingquan" (GB34) can stimulate acupuncture points to locally induce mast cell degranulation,promote the polarization of macrophages,and then activate muscle satellite cells to play the regulatory process of repairing skeletal muscle injury.

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