Objective  To observe the mRNA and protein expression of wingless-typeMMTV integration site family member 5a(Wnt5a), glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), and β-catenin, as well as the muscle fibers, and adipose tissue presented in pathological staining were observed in the gastrocnemius muscle of white rabbits with blunt gastrocnemius contusion injuries, which provided a basis for revealing the repair mechanism of the pressing and kneading method in treating the skeletal muscle injury. Methods  Forty-two healthy male and female New Zealand White rabbits were selected. They were randomly divided into blank group, model 3-day group, model 7-day group, model 14-day group, press-and-knead 3-day group, press-and-knead 7-day group, and press-and-knead 14-day group, by using a random number table method, with 6 rabbits in each group. Each model, press and knead groups were taken on the 4th, 8th and 15th days after operation. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression of Wnt5a, GSK3, and β-catenin were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot; the muscle tissue myofibers and adipose tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE) and oil red o staining. Results  The HE staining results showed that significant fibrous tissue proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration occurred on day 7 of the model; on day 14 of the model, some muscle fibers were degenerated and necrotic, regenerated accompanied by fibrous tissue proliferation and slight inflammatory cell infiltration, and slight calcification; pressing and kneading groups were seen to be obvious muscle fibers were degenerated and necrotic, regenerated, and inflammatory cell infiltration accompanied by significant fibrous tissue proliferation. The oil red o staining results showed that adipocyte deposition was visible in the model group, which was the heaviest on day 7; muscle fibers and sequences were not significantly damaged by pressing and kneading, and a small amount of adipocyte infiltration was visible in the interstitial space. There were statistically significant differences in the mRNA expression and protein expression of Wnt5a, GSK3, and β-catenin in the gastrocnemius of each group (P<0.001). Conclusions  The histopathological changes of gastrocnemius muscle injury recovered gradually over time, and the pressing and kneading method stimulated the mRNA expression activities of Wnt5a, GSK3, and β-catenin, which may slow down the degradation of β-catenin protein by the scaffolding protein complex (of which GSK3 is an important component), so that the protein level of β-catenin was maintained in the stable range at all times, the This led to a reduction of fatty degeneration in the gastrocnemius muscle after the intervention of the pressing method, which promoted the functional repair of the injured skeletal muscle.

Copyright © the editorial department of West China Medical Journal of West China Medical Publisher. All rights reserved