Dry needling increases antioxidant activity and grip force in a rat model of muscle pain

Background: Muscle pain syndromes (MPS) are one of the main causes of functional, structural and metabolic problems, being associated with tissue oxidative damage. Although dry needling is widely used in the treatment of MPS, there is little scientific evidence of its efficacy and underlying mechanisms of action. Objectives: To investigate the effects of different dry needling techniques on thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, locomotor and functional activity, and oxidative stress markers in a rat model of muscle pain. Methods: A total of 48 male Wistar rats underwent injection of the gastrocnemius muscle with control neutral saline (pH 7) and remained untreated (Saline group), or acidic saline (pH 4) and remained untreated (ASA group) or received pregabalin (PG group), deep needling (DN group), superficial needling (SN group) or twitch needling (TN group) with n = 8 rats per group. Mechanical (von Frey test) and thermal hyperalgesia (acetone test), muscle edema (assessed with a caliper), strength and muscle function (grip force evaluation), surface thermography and locomotor and exploratory activities (open field test) were evaluated. The animals were then euthanized, and the gastrocnemius muscle was excised for assessment of oxidative analyses of lipid peroxidation with thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBA-RS) and total glutathione (GSH) levels. Results: All treatments significantly improved muscle strength and function when compared to the AS group (p < 0.05). Pregabalin reduced locomotor and exploratory activities, while the TN intervention increased the antioxidant response (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Dry needling improved strength, functionality and locomotor activity in a rat model of muscle pain. Twitch needling induced an antioxidant effect.

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Corrigendum to: “Localization of Muscle Edema and Changes on Muscle Contractility After Dry Needling of Latent Trigger Points in the Gastrocnemius Muscle”, Pain Medicine, Volume 20, Issue 7, July 2019, Pages 1387–1394, https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pny306

Pain Medicine ◽

10.1093/pm/pnz359 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 880-880

Keyword(s):

Muscle Pain ◽

Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽

Trigger Points ◽

Pain Medicine ◽

Dry Needling ◽

Muscle Contractility ◽

Muscle Edema

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Skeletal muscle lipid peroxidation in exercised and food-restricted rats during aging

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1989.67.1.69 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 67 (1) ◽

pp. 69-75 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

J. W. Starnes ◽

G. Cantu ◽

R. P. Farrar ◽

J. P. Kehrer

Keyword(s):

Lipid Peroxidation ◽

Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽

Thiobarbituric Acid ◽

Exercise Group ◽

Alpha Tocopherol ◽

Treadmill Running ◽

Control Group ◽

Muscle Lipid ◽

Fischer 344 ◽

Skeletal Muscle Lipid

The effects of chronic endurance exercise and food restriction on nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation (LP) of gastrocnemius muscle during aging were studied in male, Fischer 344 rats. One set of rats aged 6 and 18 mo were assigned to an exercise group (treadmill running) or an age-matched sedentary control group. After 6 mo (at the ages of 12 and 24 mo), LP and levels of alpha-tocopherol and its oxidized form, alpha-tocopheryl quinone, were measured. The extent of LP was determined in homogenates by measuring the content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. After homogenization, the muscles were immediately evaluated for basal LP and also incubated in the presence of oxidant stressors for 2 h to assess antioxidant capacity (AOC) and for 24 h to estimate total peroxidizable lipid (TPL). Basal LP was not affected by age or exercise. AOC was not affected by exercise at either age. However aging significantly decreased AOC and increased alpha-tocopheryl quinone in both sedentary and exercised groups. TPL was not affected by age, but was increased by exercise training (P less than 0.05). Another set of rats was divided into the following three groups at 3 mo of age: sedentary, fed ad libitum (S); sedentary, caloric restricted by alternate day feeding (R); and exercised by forced treadmill running (E). Two years later, when the rats were 27 mo of age, the extent of LP was assessed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Effects of Dry Needling of Latent Trigger Points on Viscoelastic and Muscular Contractile Properties: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Within-Participant Clinical Trial

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10173848 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (17) ◽

pp. 3848

Author(s):

Albert Pérez-Bellmunt ◽

Oriol Casasayas-Cos ◽

Carlos López-de-Celis ◽

Jacobo Rodríguez-Sanz ◽

Jorge Rodríguez-Jiménez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Pain Sensitivity ◽

Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽

Trigger Points ◽

Neuromuscular Function ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Single Session ◽

Dry Needling ◽

Pressure Pain

This study aimed to evaluate changes in neuromuscular function and pain perception in latent trigger points (TrPs) in the gastrocnemius muscle after a single session of dry needling. A randomized within-participant clinical trial was conducted. Fifty volunteers with latent TrPs in the gastrocnemius muscles were explored. Each extremity was randomly assigned to a control or experimental (dry needling) group. Viscoelastic parameters and contractile properties were analyzed by tensiomyography. Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was assessed with the lunge test. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and pain perceived were also analyzed. The results observed that three viscoelastic proprieties (myotonometry) showed significant differences in favor of the experimental extremity in the lateral gastrocnemius: stiffness (p = 0.02), relaxation (p = 0.045), and creep (p = 0.03), but not in the medial gastrocnemius. No changes in tensiomyography outcomes were found. The control extremity showed a higher increase in PPTs (i.e., decrease in pressure pain sensitivity) than the experimental extremity (p = 0.03). No significant effects for range of motion or strength were observed. In general, gender did not influence the effects of dry needling over latent TrPs in the gastrocnemius muscle. In conclusion, a single session of dry needling was able to change some parameters of neuromuscular function, such as muscle tone, relaxation, pressure pain sensitivity, and creep in the lateral (but not medial) gastrocnemius but did not improve strength or range of motion.

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Antihyperalgesic efficacy of lacosamide in a rat model for muscle pain induced by TNF

Neuropharmacology ◽

10.1016/j.neuropharm.2007.01.012 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 52 (5) ◽

pp. 1312-1317 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Bettina K. Beyreuther ◽

Christian Geis ◽

Thomas Stöhr ◽

Claudia Sommer

Keyword(s):

Rat Model ◽

Muscle Pain

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Spinal interleukin-17 promotes thermal hyperalgesia and NMDA NR1 phosphorylation in an inflammatory pain rat model

Pain ◽

10.1016/j.pain.2012.10.022 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 154 (2) ◽

pp. 294-305 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Xianze Meng ◽

Yu Zhang ◽

Lixing Lao ◽

Rikka Saito ◽

Aihui Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rat Model ◽

Inflammatory Pain ◽

Thermal Hyperalgesia ◽

Interleukin 17

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Protective Effects of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan on the Liver, Orbitofrontal Cortex Nissl Bodies, and Neurites in MSG+PH-Induced Liver Regeneration Rat Model

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2018/9090128 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bin-Bin Zhao ◽

Qing-hua Long ◽

Chao-yang Wang ◽

Lin-lin Chen ◽

Guang-jing Xie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Regeneration ◽

Rat Model ◽

Orbitofrontal Cortex ◽

Monosodium Glutamate ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Saline Group ◽

Neonatal Rat ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Nissl Staining ◽

Suspension Array

Introduction. To examine the protective effects of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan formula (LWDH) on liver and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) injuries in monosodium glutamate (MSG) and partial hepatectomy (PH) rat model. Methods. Neonatal Wistar rats were given MSG or saline on postnatal days 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. The rats were caged into five groups and treated accordingly at six weeks old as follows: Saline group, Saline+PH group, MSG group, MSG+PH group, and LWDH group (MSG+PH+LWDH). The PH was performed during week 8 by excision of the left and median hepatic lobes (occupying about 68% of whole liver).On day 8 after the PH, the rats were subjected to an inner OFT before being sacrificed. The liver and OFC were stained using H&E, ORO, or Nissl staining. The expression of neurotrophic factors (β-NGF, BDNF) was examined in the OFC lysates by ELISA. Serum levels of cytokines (IL-1β, VEGF) were examined using the Bio-Plex suspension array. Results. LWDH increased the total distance traveled by the animals (p<0.05), and LWDH improved the integrity of the Nissl bodies in the OFC (mean area of the Nissl bodies, p<0.01; mean diameter, p<0.05; mean density, p<0.05; and IOD, p<0.01). There were less white area in the liver (p>0.05) and decreased hepatic steatosis (p<0.01) in LWDH group. LWDH administration decreased the expression of serum levels of IL-1β (p>0.05), while it increased VEGF (p>0.05) expression. LWDH administration increased the expression of BDNF (p>0.05) and β-NGF (p>0.05) in the OFC, all as compared to the MSG+PH group. Conclusion. LWDH partly protected the animals from depressive-like behaviors in the MSG+PH-induced liver regeneration neonatal rat model. LWDH alleviated hepatic injury and steatosis and, furthermore, protected the Nissl body integrity and the growth of neurites.

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LncRNA PCAT19 Regulates Neuropathic Pain via Regulation of miR-182-5p/JMJD1A in a Rat Model of Chronic Constriction Injury

NeuroImmunoModulation ◽

10.1159/000518847 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Miao Huo ◽

Xingxing Zheng ◽

Ning Bai ◽

Ruifen Xu ◽

Guang Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neuropathic Pain ◽

Rat Model ◽

Noncoding Rna ◽

Thermal Hyperalgesia ◽

Luciferase Reporter Assay ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Inflammatory Factor ◽

Reporter Assay ◽

Withdrawal Threshold ◽

Dual Luciferase Reporter Assay

Introduction: Neuropathic pain (NP) is one of the most severe chronic pain types. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) plays a key role in a variety of human diseases, including NP. However, the role of LncRNA prostate cancer-associated transcript 19 (PCAT19) in NP and its specific mechanism remain unclear. Methods: A chronic constrictive injury (CCI) rat model was established. Rat paw withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal latency were used to evaluate the neuronal pain behavior of rats in this model. mRNA expression of PCAT19, neuroinflammatory factor, microRNA (miR)-182-5p, and Jumonji domain containing 1A (JMJD1A) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. ELISA analysis was used to detect inflammatory factor protein expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the targeting relationship between genes. Results: PCAT19 was continuously upregulated in CCI rats. miR-182-5p was the target of PCAT19, and miR-182-5p was increased after PCAT19 knockdown. NP behaviors such as mechanical ectopic pain and thermal hyperalgesia as well as neuroinflammation can be reduced by knocking down PCAT19. However, the injection of miR-182-5p antagomir significantly reversed the level of the NP behaviors and neuroinflammation caused by PCAT19 knockdown. Besides, dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that JMJD1A was the target gene of miR-182-5p. The level of JMJD1A in CCI rats increased with time. After PCAT19 knockdown, JMJD1A was significantly decreased, but inhibition of miR-182-5p can reverse its levels. Conclusion: This study shows that PCAT19 plays a role in NP by targeting the miR-182-5p/JMJD1A axis, and PCAT19 can be used as a new therapeutic target for NP.

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Dry needling of the gastrocnemius muscle. Overlap between trigger point area and the presence of blood vessels

Revista Fisioterapia Invasiva ◽

10.1055/s-0039-3401854 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 02 (02) ◽

pp. 063-063

Author(s):

Velasco Fernández P. ◽

Valera Garrido F.

Keyword(s):

Blood Vessels ◽

Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽

Trigger Point ◽

Trigger Points ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Dry Needling ◽

Lateral Gastrocnemius ◽

Myofascial Trigger Points ◽

Gastrocnemius Muscles ◽

Venous Pattern

Abstract Aims To evaluate the anatomic variability of the gastrocnemius venous system using ultrasound and the overlap of the same with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs 1 and 2) clinically located in this muscle. Material and Methods In total, 82 legs of 41 healthy adults were studied, belonging to 26 men and 15 women aged between 22 and 50 years. The blood vessels located below MTrP1 and MTrP2, described by Travell and Simons were observed, and each image was analyzed by sectors (medial, central and lateral) to quantify the number of blood vessels, their distribution and overlap with the MTrPs described at this level. Results Examination of the 164 heads of 82 gastrocnemius muscles revealed that at least one vessel exists for each section analyzed. The number of veins per head varied between 1 and 8. The most common pattern in the medial gastrocnemius was three vessels (41.5%) and two vessels (49%) in the lateral gastrocnemius. In 100% of the cases the localization of the veins coincided with the clinical localization of the MTrPs. Conclusions The venous pattern of the proximal gastrocnemius is highly variable among subjects regarding the number of blood vessels and their distribution. There is a complete overlap between the clinical localization of the gastrocnemius MTrPs and the presence of blood vessels.

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