1.A multi-dimensional analysis of pollen broadcasting concerns in Chinese population: a large-scale multi-center cross-sectional survey
Chiyu XU ; Yanshu ZHANG ; Ning LUAN ; Xiangyi LIU ; Dayang QIN ; Hongmin WANG ; Xuping XIAO ; Shuihong ZHOU ; Jie ZHANG ; Ping ZHANG ; Yuqing BAI ; Pengpeng WANG ; Yan QI ; Zhongwu SUN ; Zhuang LIU ; Luo BA ; Wenchao WANG ; Xing LU ; Min WANG ; Rui GUO ; Deyi SUN ; Liyuan TAO ; Li ZHU
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2024;59(1):2-11
Objective:To investigate the concern about pollen broadcasting in Chinese population from multiple dimensions and to understand the information about allergic rhinitis (AR) in China by analyzing related factors.Methods:From March 1 to September 30, 2022, a large-scale multi-center cross-sectional survey was conducted based on the Questionnaire Star platform in 21 Chinese hospitals. A total of 7 056 subjects from 7 regions in China: Northeast, North, East, Central, South, Southwest, and Northwest China were included. Basic characteristics (including social demographic characteristics and disease characteristics of AR patients), concern about pollen broadcasting, the willingness of pollen-induced AR (PiAR) patients to receive pollen broadcasting, and the treatment satisfaction rate of AR patients were collected. The chi-square test, multivariate linear regression model, and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the concern about pollen broadcasting in the Chinese population and related factors from multiple dimensions.Results:Among 7 056 subjects, 23.02% were concerned about pollen broadcasting. Among 3 176 self-reported AR and 1 019 PiAR patients, 25.60% and 39.16% were concerned about pollen broadcasting, respectively, which was higher than that of non-AR or non-PiAR subjects ( χ2 value was 21.74 and 175.11, respectively, both P<0.001). Among AR patients, the proportion of spring and autumn allergen-positive patients concerned about pollen broadcasting was higher than that in perennial allergen-positive patients ( χ2 value was 20.90 and 19.51, respectively, both P<0.001). The proportion of AR patients with asthma, sinusitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases was higher than those without complications ( χ2 value was 50.83, 21.97, 56.78, 7.62, respectively, all P<0.05). The proportion of AR patients in North China who could find pollen broadcasting locally was 31.01%, significantly higher than those in other regions (all P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression model analysis showed that among PiAR patients, those with higher per capita household income and higher AR disease cognition levels had been concerned about pollen broadcasting in the past, and those complicated with allergic conjunctivitis had stronger intention to receive pollen broadcasting (B value was 0.24, 0.13, 0.66, 0.47, respectively, all P<0.05). The higher the disease cognition level of PiAR patients, the stronger their willingness to actively participate in treatment ( R2=0.72, P<0.001). Only 18.89% of AR patients felt satisfied with the treatment effect. Logistic regression analysis showed that in AR patients, the treatment satisfaction rate was significantly higher among those concerned about pollen broadcasting compared to those who were not ( OR=1.83, P<0.001). Conclusions:Currently, the dissemination of pollen broadcasting in China is hindered by various factors such as disease cognition level. The treatment satisfaction among AR patients remains unsatisfactory.
2.Experts consensus on standard items of the cohort construction and quality control of temporomandibular joint diseases (2024)
Min HU ; Chi YANG ; Huawei LIU ; Haixia LU ; Chen YAO ; Qiufei XIE ; Yongjin CHEN ; Kaiyuan FU ; Bing FANG ; Songsong ZHU ; Qing ZHOU ; Zhiye CHEN ; Yaomin ZHU ; Qingbin ZHANG ; Ying YAN ; Xing LONG ; Zhiyong LI ; Yehua GAN ; Shibin YU ; Yuxing BAI ; Yi ZHANG ; Yanyi WANG ; Jie LEI ; Yong CHENG ; Changkui LIU ; Ye CAO ; Dongmei HE ; Ning WEN ; Shanyong ZHANG ; Minjie CHEN ; Guoliang JIAO ; Xinhua LIU ; Hua JIANG ; Yang HE ; Pei SHEN ; Haitao HUANG ; Yongfeng LI ; Jisi ZHENG ; Jing GUO ; Lisheng ZHAO ; Laiqing XU
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2024;59(10):977-987
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients′suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.
3.Research Progress on Medical Imaging and New Ultrasound Techniques for Assessing the Degree of Carotid Artery Stenosis
Yigang DU ; Shengli WANG ; Zhaoling LU ; Yanbo LIU ; Yuexin GUO ; Xing AN ; Shuangshuang LI ; Lei ZHU
Chinese Journal of Medical Instrumentation 2024;48(6):624-630
The paper summarizes the imaging evaluation methods for assessing the degree of carotid artery stenosis and analyzes the unique advantages and limitations of various imaging techniques in vascular imaging based on existing guidelines and consensus.The paper focuses on reviewing the clinical applications of several novel ultrasound technologies,including the use of advanced hemodynamic parameters such as blood flow dispersion(Tur index)and wall shear stress(WSS).Carotid artery stenosis is closely associated with cardiovascular disease.Although non-invasive and radiation-free ultrasound technology has certain limitations in diagnostic accuracy to a certain extent,with the continuous emergence of advanced functions such as ultrasound hemodynamics and vascular elasticity,the combination of multi-modality and multi-parameter ultrasound is expected to become an important method for efficient diagnosis of arterial stenosis in the future.
4.Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation as a novel mechanism of polystyrene microplastics(PS-MPs)-induced pulmonary inflammation in chickens
LU HONGMIN ; GUO TIANTIAN ; ZHANG YUE ; LIU DEWANG ; HOU LULU ; MA CHENGXUE ; XING MINGWEI
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2024;25(3):233-243,中插7-中插10
Microplastics(MPs)have attracted growing attention worldwide as an increasingly prevalent environmental pollutant.In addition,chicken meat is currently the most widely consumed kind of poultry in the global market.Consumer demand for chicken is on the rise both at home and abroad.As a result,the safety of chicken raising has also received significant attention.The lungs play an essential role in the physiological activities of chickens,and they are also the most vulnerable organs.Lung injury is difficult to repair after the accumulation of contaminants,and the mortality rate is high,which brings huge economic losses to farmers.The research on the toxicity of MPs has mainly focused on the marine ecosystem,while the mechanisms of toxicity and lung damage in chickens have been poorly studied.Thus,this study explored the effects of exposure to polystyrene microplastics(PS-MPs)at various concentrations for 42 d on chicken lungs.PS-MPs could cause lung pathologies and ultrastructural abnormalities,such as endoplasmic reticulum(ER)swelling,inflammatory cell infiltration,chromatin agglutination,and plasma membrane rupture.Simultaneously,PS-MPs increased the expression of genes related to the heat shock protein family(Hsp60,Hsp70,and Hsp90),ER stress signaling(activating transcription factor 6(ATF6),ATF4,protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase(PERK),and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit α(eIF2α)),pyroptosis-related genes(NOD-,LRR-and pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 1(Caspase1),and gasdermin-D(GSDMD)),and the inflammatory signaling pathway(nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)).The above results showed that PS-MP exposure could result in lung stress,ER stress,pyroptosis,and inflammation in broilers.Our findings provide new scientific clues for further research on the mechanisms of physical health and toxicology regarding MPs.
5.Clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression for lumbar disc herniation
Yan LU ; Ying GUO ; Changhai LIANG ; Guo XING
China Journal of Endoscopy 2024;30(1):67-72
Objective To observe the clinical effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy(UBE)decompression in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.Methods 80 patients with lumbar disc herniation who were treated with UBE decompression from January 2021 to March 2022 were collected,and the visual analogue scale(VAS)was applied to assess patient pain,Oswestry disability index(ODI)to assess limb function,and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)score to evaluate patient vertebral body function at the preoperative and postoperative periods of 1 day,3 months,6 months,and 12 months,respectively.Results The mean VAS of the lumbar and back of patients before surgery was(5.72±2.18),(2.74±1.52),(1.92±1.26),(1.73±1.36),and(0.87±0.72)at the 1 day,3 months,6 months,and 12 months after surgery,respectively,with statistical significance(P<0.05).The VAS of the patient's leg decreased from(4.63±2.17)to(4.22±1.91)before and 1 day after surgery,with no significant difference(P>0.05),at 3 months(3.73±1.42),6 months(2.13±1.16),and 12 months(0.76±0.63)after surgery,with statistical significances(P<0.05);The preoperative ODI of the patients was(60.23±8.13)%,and decreased to(41.91±6.53)%,(12.82±4.24)%,(8.19±3.84)%,and(6.75±2.14)%after 1 day,3 months,6 months,and 12 months of follow-up,respectively,with statistical significances(P<0.05).The preoperative JOA scores was(9.08±1.34),1 day after surgery,the score was(10.89±0.88),3 months(13.34±1.25),6 months(15.75±1.24),and 12 months(18.12±1.86)after surgery,with significant improvement in lumbar function(P<0.05).Conclusion UBE decompression can achieve good clinical efficacy in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation,providing another option for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation,which is worth promoting.
6.Short-term efficacy and safety of cardiac contractility modulation in patients with heart failure
Yankai GUO ; Shuai SHANG ; Tianheng SUN ; Yongqiang FAN ; Jiasuoer XIAOKERETI ; TuErhong Kela ZU ; Xu YANG ; Ling ZHANG ; Yaodong LI ; Yanmei LU ; Jianghua ZHANG ; Qiang XING ; Xianhui ZHOU ; Baopeng TANG
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2024;52(4):391-396
Objective:To investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) in patients with heart failure.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study of patients with heart failure who underwent CCM placement at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from February to June 2022. With a follow-up of 3 months, CCM sensation, impedance, percent output, and work time were monitored, and patients were compared with pre-and 3-month postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) values, and 6-minute walk test distance and New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function classification, and the occurrence of complications was recorded.Results:CCM was successfully implanted in all 9 patients. Seven(7/9) of them were male, aged (56±14) years, 3 patients had ischaemic cardiomyopathy and 6 patients had dilated cardiomyopathy. At 3-month postoperative follow-up, threshold was stable, sense was significantly lower at follow-up than before (right ventricle: (16.3±7.0) mV vs. (8.2±1.1) mV, P<0.05; local sense: (15.7±4.9) mV vs. (6.7±2.5) mV, P<0.05), and impedance was significantly lower at follow-up than before (right ventricle (846±179) Ω vs. (470±65) Ω, P<0.05, local sense: (832±246) Ω vs. (464±63) Ω, P<0.05). The CCM output percentage was (86.9±10.7) %, the output amplitude was (6.7±0.4) V, and the daily operating time was (8.6±1.0) h. LVEF was elevated compared to preoperative ((29.4±5.2) % vs. (38.3±4.3) %, P<0.05), the 6-minute walk test was significantly longer than before ((96.8±66.7)m vs. (289.3±121.7)m, P<0.05). No significant increase in the number of NYHA Class Ⅲ-Ⅳ patients was seen (7/9 vs. 2/9, P>0.05). The patient was not re-hospitalised for worsening heart failure symptoms, had no malignant arrhythmic events and experienced significant relief of symptoms such as chest tightness and shortness of breath. No postoperative complications related to pocket hematoma, pocket infection and rupture, electrode detachment, valve function impairment, pericardial effusion, or cardiac perforation were found. Conclusions:CCM has better short-term safety and efficacy in patients with heart failure.
7.Construction of CD138-targeted chimeric antigen receptor- modified T cells and their effect in multiple myeloma therapy
Chengcai GUO ; Yang LU ; Kejing TANG ; Haiyan XING ; Zheng TIAN ; Qing RAO ; Min WANG ; Dongsheng XIONG ; Jianxiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(5):436-444
Objective:To construct a novel chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell targeting CD138 and to investigate its cytotoxicity against myeloma cells.Methods:The hybridoma strain that can stably secrete the CD138 monoclonal antibody (mAb) was prepared and obtained through monoclonal antibody screening technology. The hybridoma strain cells were intraperitoneally injected into mice to produce ascites containing monoclonal antibodies, which were then collected and purified to obtain pure CD138 mAb. Further examinations were performed to assess the biological characteristics of CD138 mAb. The variable region sequence of this antibody was amplified through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and was used as the antigen recognition domain of CD138 CAR, which was subsequently expressed on the surface of T cells by lentiviral infection. Flow cytometry was employed to assess the phenotype of CD138 CAR-T cells. In vitro cytotoxicity and degranulation assays were performed to evaluate their antitumor effects.Results:① We successfully prepared anti-human CD138 antibody hybridoma cell lines and screened a hybridoma cell strain, 5G2, which could persistently and stably secrete the anti-CD138 antibody. ② The purified CD138 (5G2) mAb can especially recognize CD138 + cells with a binding affinity constant (K D) of 6.011×10 -9 mol/L and showed no significant binding activity with CD138 - cells. ③The variable region sequence of the CD138 (5G2) antibody was obtained using molecular cloning technology, and CD138 (5G2) CAR was successfully constructed and expressed on T cells through lentivirus infection and, concurrently, demonstrated effective binding to recombinant human CD138 protein.④ The proliferation of T cells transduced with the CD138 (5G2) CAR was highly efficient. The phenotype analysis revealed that CD138 (5G2) CAR-T cells exhibited a greater tendency to differentiate into central memory T cells and memory stem T cells, with a reduced proportion of terminally differentiated effector memory subsets. ⑤CD138 (5G2) CAR-T cells demonstrated specific cytotoxicity against CD138 + myeloma cell line H929, whereas CD138 - cell line K562 remained unaffected. The percentage of residual H929 cells was (12.92±8.02) % after co-culturing with CD138 (5G2) CAR-T cells, while (54.25±15.79) % was left in the Vector-T group (E∶T=1∶2; P<0.001). ⑥Results of degranulation assays demonstrated a significant activation of CD138 (5G2) CAR-T cells after co-culture with the H929 cell line, whereas no significant activation was observed in Vector-T cells [ (25.78±3.35) % vs (6.13±1.30) %, P<0.001]. ⑦After co-culturing with CD138 + cells, CD138 (5G2) CAR-T cells exhibited a significant increase in cytokine secretion compared to the Vector-T group [interleukin-2: (1 697.52±599.05) pg/ml vs (5.07±1.17) pg/ml, P<0.001; interferon-γ: (3 312.20±486.38) pg/ml vs (9.28±1.46) pg/ml, P<0.001; and tumor necrosis factor-α: (1 837.43±640.49) pg/ml vs (8.75±1.65) pg/ml, P<0.001]. However, no significant difference was observed in cytokine secretion levels between the two groups after co-culturing with CD138 - cells. Conclusion:This study successfully prepared a novel monoclonal antibody against CD138, and CAR-T cells constructed with the antigen recognition domain derived from this 5G2 mAb demonstrated effective antitumor activity against myeloma cells. This can be used as a new option for the detection of the CD138 antigen and proposes a novel strategy for multiple myeloma immunotherapy.
8.Effect of Abdominal Massage Combined with Thumb-tack Needling for Subcutaeous Embedding on Ventrolateral Preoptic Nucleus of Hypothalamic Sleep Homeostasis System in Rats with Anxiety Insomnia
Si-Gan QIU ; Xue-Feng ZHANG ; Gulaisaer·AIKEBAIER ; Xu-Sheng LU ; Lei GUO ; Xing-Ping ZHANG ; Jun-Chang LIU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(6):1549-1559
Objective To observe the effect of abdominal massage combined with thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding on sleep homeostasis system in rats with anxiety insomnia.Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,abdominal massage group,thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group and abdominal massage plus thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group,with 8 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,the rats in the other groups were used to replicate the model of anxiety insomnia by multi-factor compound stimulation.After the corresponding intervention,Morris water maze test was used to detect the level of learning and memory.Open field test was used to detect the degree of anxiety stress.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the pathological changes of hypothalamic ventral lateral preoptic nucleus(VLPO)neurons.Immunohistochemistry,real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and Western Blot were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)receptor subunits NR1,NR2B and calmodulin kinase Ⅱ(CaMK Ⅱ)in hypothalamic VLPO area,respectively.Results Compared with the normal group,the daytime anxiety symptoms of the rats in the model group were aggravated,the sleep latency was prolonged and the duration was shortened(P<0.01).The average total swimming distance and average escape latency of the water maze directional navigation experiment were increased(P<0.01).The number of crossing the hidden platform and the retention time of the target quadrant in the space exploration experiment were decreased(P<0.01).The movement distance,the number of central grid crossings and the retention time of the central grid in the open field experiment were significantly reduced(P<0.01).There was no significant difference in the modification frequency and the number of uprights(P>0.05).Neurons in the VLPO brain region showed pathological damage.The protein and mRNA expression levels of NR1 and CaMK Ⅱ were decreased(P<0.01)in VLPO brain region,and the protein and mRNA expression levels of NR2B were increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the level of learning and memory in the water maze test and the degree of anxiety stress in the open field test were significantly restored in the abdominal massage group,the thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group and the abdominal massage combined with thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),the neuronal damage in the VLPO brain region was improved,the protein and mRNA expression levels of NR1,CaMK Ⅱ were increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the protein and mRNA expression levels of NR2B were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The improvement effect of the above indexes in the abdominal massage plus thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group was superior to that in the abdominal massage group or thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Abdominal massage combined with thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding can promote sleep and anti-anxiety in rats with anxiety insomnia.The related mechanism may be related to adjusting the dynamic balance between NR1/NR2B in VLPO brain area and up-regulating the expression level of CaMK Ⅱ,improving the function of neurons in VLPO brain area,and then restoring the regulation of sleep homeostasis system.
9.A multicenter study of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China
Li-Xiu SHI ; Jin-Xing FENG ; Yan-Fang WEI ; Xin-Ru LU ; Yu-Xi ZHANG ; Lin-Ying YANG ; Sheng-Nan HE ; Pei-Juan CHEN ; Jing HAN ; Cheng CHEN ; Hui-Ying TU ; Zhang-Bin YU ; Jin-Jie HUANG ; Shu-Juan ZENG ; Wan-Ling CHEN ; Ying LIU ; Yan-Ping GUO ; Jiao-Yu MAO ; Xiao-Dong LI ; Qian-Shen ZHANG ; Zhi-Li XIE ; Mei-Ying HUANG ; Kun-Shan YAN ; Er-Ya YING ; Jun CHEN ; Yan-Rong WANG ; Ya-Ping LIU ; Bo SONG ; Hua-Yan LIU ; Xiao-Dong XIAO ; Hong TANG ; Yu-Na WANG ; Yin-Sha CAI ; Qi LONG ; Han-Qiang XU ; Hui-Zhan WANG ; Qian SUN ; Fang HAN ; Rui-Biao ZHANG ; Chuan-Zhong YANG ; Lei DOU ; Hui-Ju SHI ; Rui WANG ; Ping JIANG ; Shenzhen Neonatal Data Network
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2024;26(5):450-455
Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75%(27/36);boys accounted for 64%(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86%)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53%)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61%)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36%)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75%)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72%)and seizures in 10 neonates(34%).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33%,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44%(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.
10.Acupotomy ameliorates knee osteoarthritis-related collagen deposition and fibrosis in rabbit skeletal muscle through the TGF-β/Smad pathway
Tingyao Hu ; Einar Khavaza ; Chuxi Liang ; Longfei Xing ; Xilin Chen ; Yue Xu ; Weiwei Ma ; Farid Mokhtari ; Juan Lu ; Changqing Guo
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2024;11(3):376-385
Objective:
To investigate the effects of acupotomy on skeletal muscle fibrosis and collagen deposition in a rabbit knee osteoarthritis (KOA) model.
Methods:
Rabbits (n = 18) were randomly divided into control, KOA, and KOA + acupotomy (Apo) groups (n = 6). The rabbits in the KOA and Apo groups were modeled using the modified Videman's method for 6 weeks. After modeling, the Apo group was subjected to acupotomy once a week for 3 weeks on the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and anserine bursa tendons around the knee. The behavior of all animals was recorded, rectus femoris tissue was obtained, and histomorphological changes were observed using Masson staining and transmission electron microscopy. The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Smad 3, Smad 7, fibrillar collagen types I (Col-I) and III (Col-III) was detected using Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results:
Histological analysis revealed that acupotomy improved the microstructure and reduced the collagen volume fraction of rectus femoris, compared with the KOA group (P = .034). Acupotomy inhibited abnormal collagen deposition by modulating the expression of fibrosis-related proteins and mRNA, thus preventing skeletal muscle fibrosis. Western blot and RT-PCR analysis revealed that in the Apo group, Col-I, and Col-III protein levels were significantly lower than those in the KOA group (both P < .01), same as Col-I and Col-III mRNA levels (P = .0031; P = .0046). Compared with the KOA group, the protein levels of TGF-β1 and Smad 3 were significantly reduced (both P < .01), as were the mRNA levels of TGF-β1 and Smad 3 (P = .0007; P = .0011). Conversely, the levels of protein and mRNA of Smad 7 were significantly higher than that in the KOA group (P < .01; P = .0271).
Conclusion
Acupotomy could alleviate skeletal muscle fibrosis and delay KOA progress by inhibiting collagen deposition through the TGF-β/Smad pathway in the skeletal muscle of KOA rabbits.


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