Massage therapy modulates energy metabolism and alleviates skeletal muscle spasms in rats

IF 2.5 4区生物学 Q1 ANATOMY & MORPHOLOGY

Tissue & cell Pub Date : 2025-09-20 DOI:10.1016/j.tice.2025.103151

Jiawei Sun , Changhe Yu , Yang Zhang , Fenglin Li , Yanhua Wang , Eryang Liu , Junming Guo , Xiyou Wang , Zhifeng Liu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Skeletal muscle spasm is a common pathological response to trauma, exercise-induced fatigue, and neurological diseases. Massage therapy is common in relaxation and rehabilitation procedures; however, its underlying metabolic mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to explore the effects of massage therapy on muscle metabolism in a rat model of skeletal muscle spasm. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, model, and massage. A rat model of muscle spasm in the model and massage groups was established via exercise-induced fatigue. Kneading manipulation was performed in the massage group. The pain threshold was assessed using mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL). Hemorheological parameters were measured to evaluate blood viscosity. Lactic acid (LA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were quantified using biochemical assays. The ultrastructure of the gastrocnemius muscle was observed using transmission electron microscopy. The metabolomic profiling of the gastrocnemius muscle was performed through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Compared with those in the model group, the MWT and TWL in the massage group were increased, and the oscillation frequency, blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and LA and BUN levels were decreased. Electron microscopy revealed that the myofibrils in the massage group were more orderly arranged than those in the model group, with the massage group exhibiting clear light and dark bands and increased mitochondria. The metabolomics results showed 136 differential metabolites between the massage and model groups, which primarily participate in glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, inositol metabolism, and lipid metabolism. Massage therapy effectively alleviated skeletal muscle spasms, pain, and circulatory disorders caused by muscle spasms. It improved muscle metabolism by regulating the energy-related metabolic pathways and metabolites.

Trial registration

Clinical Trial Number: Not applicable.

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按摩疗法调节能量代谢，缓解大鼠骨骼肌痉挛

骨骼肌痉挛是创伤、运动性疲劳和神经系统疾病的常见病理反应。按摩疗法在放松和康复过程中很常见；然而，其潜在的代谢机制尚不清楚。我们旨在探讨按摩疗法对大鼠骨骼肌痉挛模型肌肉代谢的影响。24只sd大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组和按摩组。通过运动性疲劳建立模型组和按摩组大鼠肌肉痉挛模型。按摩组采用揉捏手法。采用机械戒断阈值（MWT）和热戒断潜伏期（TWL）评估疼痛阈值。测量血液流变学参数以评估血液粘度。采用生化法测定血清乳酸（LA）和尿素氮（BUN）水平。透射电镜观察腓肠肌超微结构。通过液相色谱-质谱法对腓肠肌进行代谢组学分析。与模型组比较，按摩组大鼠MWT、TWL升高，振荡频率降低，血黏度、血浆黏度降低，LA、BUN水平降低。电镜观察显示，与模型组相比，按摩组肌原纤维排列更有序，明暗带清晰，线粒体增多。代谢组学结果显示，按摩组与模型组之间存在136种代谢物差异，主要参与糖酵解、戊糖磷酸途径、肌醇代谢和脂质代谢。按摩疗法能有效缓解骨骼肌痉挛、疼痛和由肌肉痉挛引起的循环系统紊乱。它通过调节与能量相关的代谢途径和代谢物来改善肌肉代谢。临床试验号：不适用。

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来源期刊

Tissue & cell 医学-解剖学与形态学

CiteScore

3.90

自引率

0.00%

发文量

234

期刊介绍： Tissue and Cell is devoted to original research on the organization of cells, subcellular and extracellular components at all levels, including the grouping and interrelations of cells in tissues and organs. The journal encourages submission of ultrastructural studies that provide novel insights into structure, function and physiology of cells and tissues, in health and disease. Bioengineering and stem cells studies focused on the description of morphological and/or histological data are also welcomed. Studies investigating the effect of compounds and/or substances on structure of cells and tissues are generally outside the scope of this journal. For consideration, studies should contain a clear rationale on the use of (a) given substance(s), have a compelling morphological and structural focus and present novel incremental findings from previous literature.