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Background <p>To investigate the effects of combination combining Percutaneous Needle Fasciotomy (PNF) with stretching(Str) on early-stage skeletal muscle fibrosis in rats, focusing on the transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway.</p> Methods <p>Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into Control, immobilization(imm), Acupuncture(Apu) + Str, and PNF + Str groups (n = 6 each). After establishing a gastrocnemius fibrosis model by 4-week ankle imm in the right hindlimb ankle, intervention groups received either PNF (0.35 × 25&#xa0;mm needle insertion with fascial release) or Apu (following an identical protocol), both combined with daily passive Str (3-N dorsiflexion for 7&#xa0;days). Post-intervention assessments included functional tests (ankle joint range of motion, hindlimb grip strength, andgastrocnemius twitch/tetanic contractile forces), histological evaluation (collagen content via Masson's trichrome staining and immunofluorescence), and molecular analysis of TGF-β1/Smad pathway components<b>.</b></p> Results <p>Compared to the imm group, the PNF + Str group exhibited significantly better muscle performance, reduced histopathological damage, and favorable modulation of TGF-β1/Smad signaling markers. Importantly, these improvements were more pronounced than those in the Apu + Str group, wich demonstrates PNF's superior therapeutic effects in enhancing functional recovery, reducing fibrosis, and regulating the TGF-β1/Smad pathway.</p> Conclusion <p>Our findings from this animal model demonstrate that PNF was superior to Apu in alleviating early-stage skeletal muscle fibrosis over the short term, potentially via modulation of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway, though long-term effects warrant further investigation.</p>

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Mechanistic effects of percutaneous needle fasciotomy combined with stretching on early-stage skeletal muscle fibrosis in rats: focus on the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月7日

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  • Han Zhang,
  • Wanrong Li,
  • Hanyu Zhang,
  • MeiXuan Lu,
  • Xinren Zhao,
  • Jiahui Li,
  • Rui Hu,
  • Yi Zhang

摘要

Background

To investigate the effects of combination combining Percutaneous Needle Fasciotomy (PNF) with stretching(Str) on early-stage skeletal muscle fibrosis in rats, focusing on the transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway.

Methods

Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into Control, immobilization(imm), Acupuncture(Apu) + Str, and PNF + Str groups (n = 6 each). After establishing a gastrocnemius fibrosis model by 4-week ankle imm in the right hindlimb ankle, intervention groups received either PNF (0.35 × 25 mm needle insertion with fascial release) or Apu (following an identical protocol), both combined with daily passive Str (3-N dorsiflexion for 7 days). Post-intervention assessments included functional tests (ankle joint range of motion, hindlimb grip strength, andgastrocnemius twitch/tetanic contractile forces), histological evaluation (collagen content via Masson's trichrome staining and immunofluorescence), and molecular analysis of TGF-β1/Smad pathway components.

Results

Compared to the imm group, the PNF + Str group exhibited significantly better muscle performance, reduced histopathological damage, and favorable modulation of TGF-β1/Smad signaling markers. Importantly, these improvements were more pronounced than those in the Apu + Str group, wich demonstrates PNF's superior therapeutic effects in enhancing functional recovery, reducing fibrosis, and regulating the TGF-β1/Smad pathway.

Conclusion

Our findings from this animal model demonstrate that PNF was superior to Apu in alleviating early-stage skeletal muscle fibrosis over the short term, potentially via modulation of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway, though long-term effects warrant further investigation.