Chinese massage therapy (Tuina) inhibits motor neuron apoptosis in rats with sciatic nerve injury by regulating the cPLA2 and RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathways
ObjectiveTo investigate whether Tuina therapy alleviated inflammation and motor neuron apoptosis in sciatic nerve injury (SNI) rats by regulating cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and Ras homolog family member A/Rho-associated coiled-coil comprising protein kinase 2 (RhoA/ROCK2) signaling cascades....
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Neurology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1622602/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849245449969467392 |
|---|---|
| author | Jiawei Sun Yingqi Zhang Zhifeng Liu Hanyu Zhang Jiayue Liu Yue Xu Rentuya Na Hongzheng Zhang Jiawang Yan Tianyuan Yu |
| author_facet | Jiawei Sun Yingqi Zhang Zhifeng Liu Hanyu Zhang Jiayue Liu Yue Xu Rentuya Na Hongzheng Zhang Jiawang Yan Tianyuan Yu |
| author_sort | Jiawei Sun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveTo investigate whether Tuina therapy alleviated inflammation and motor neuron apoptosis in sciatic nerve injury (SNI) rats by regulating cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and Ras homolog family member A/Rho-associated coiled-coil comprising protein kinase 2 (RhoA/ROCK2) signaling cascades.MethodsFour experimental cohorts were established utilizing 36 male Sprague–Dawley rats: control, sham, SNI, and TUI. We implemented a sciatic nerve injury (SNI) model. At dthe mid-thigh level, sciatic nerves were exposed and crushed for 5 s using non-serrated forceps at points spaced approximately 2 mm apart. Postoperatively, Tuina therapy (Chinese therapeutic massage, Tuina) was administered to evaluate its neuromodulatory effects. SNI models were established in the SNI and TUI cohorts. TUI cohorts applied with “Three-Manipulation and Three-Acupoint” technique, which included pressing, plucking, and kneading on the acupoints Yinmen (BL37), Chengshan (BL57), and Yanglingquan (GB34). The control cohort underwent no intervention. The sham surgery and model cohorts underwent restraining interventions. Motor function was assessed using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores and CatWalk gait analysis. Spinal cord (SC) histology was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin and Nissl staining. NeuN-positive cells were quantified via immunofluorescence. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and aquaporin-4 levels were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RhoA, ROCK2, Bax, Bcl-2, and cPLA2 mRNA levels were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RhoA, ROCK2, Bax, Bcl-2, cPLA2, and p-cPLA2 protein expressions were analyzed using western blotting to investigate the impact of Tuina therapy on nerve regeneration and apoptosis regulation.ResultsThe TUI cohort showed better BBB scores and CatWalk results than the SNI cohort (all p < 0.001). Histological analysis revealed diminished inflammatory cell infiltration and increased neuronal survival. NeuN immunofluorescence indicated decreased motor neuron apoptosis in the anterior horn of the SC. Tuina therapy reversed TNF-α, IL-6, and aquaporin-4 levels (p < 0.01). The TUI cohort had lower mRNA expression of Bax, cPLA2, and ROCK2 (all p < 0.001), mRNA expression of RhoA (p < 0.01), and Bax, cPLA2, p-cPLA2, and RhoA/ROCK2 levels (all p < 0.001) than the SNI cohort. Conversely, mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl2 were higher in the TUI cohort than in the SNI cohort (all p < 0.001).ConclusionTuina therapy improved motor function in SNI rats by inhibiting motor neuron apoptosis via cPLA2 regulation, potentially via the RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4bf39f10fcc8436bb533cf0167f45daf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-2295 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neurology |
| spelling | doaj-art-4bf39f10fcc8436bb533cf0167f45daf2025-08-20T03:58:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-07-011610.3389/fneur.2025.16226021622602Chinese massage therapy (Tuina) inhibits motor neuron apoptosis in rats with sciatic nerve injury by regulating the cPLA2 and RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathwaysJiawei Sun0Yingqi Zhang1Zhifeng Liu2Hanyu Zhang3Jiayue Liu4Yue Xu5Rentuya Na6Hongzheng Zhang7Jiawang Yan8Tianyuan Yu9School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Tuina and Pain Management, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, ChinaObjectiveTo investigate whether Tuina therapy alleviated inflammation and motor neuron apoptosis in sciatic nerve injury (SNI) rats by regulating cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and Ras homolog family member A/Rho-associated coiled-coil comprising protein kinase 2 (RhoA/ROCK2) signaling cascades.MethodsFour experimental cohorts were established utilizing 36 male Sprague–Dawley rats: control, sham, SNI, and TUI. We implemented a sciatic nerve injury (SNI) model. At dthe mid-thigh level, sciatic nerves were exposed and crushed for 5 s using non-serrated forceps at points spaced approximately 2 mm apart. Postoperatively, Tuina therapy (Chinese therapeutic massage, Tuina) was administered to evaluate its neuromodulatory effects. SNI models were established in the SNI and TUI cohorts. TUI cohorts applied with “Three-Manipulation and Three-Acupoint” technique, which included pressing, plucking, and kneading on the acupoints Yinmen (BL37), Chengshan (BL57), and Yanglingquan (GB34). The control cohort underwent no intervention. The sham surgery and model cohorts underwent restraining interventions. Motor function was assessed using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores and CatWalk gait analysis. Spinal cord (SC) histology was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin and Nissl staining. NeuN-positive cells were quantified via immunofluorescence. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and aquaporin-4 levels were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RhoA, ROCK2, Bax, Bcl-2, and cPLA2 mRNA levels were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RhoA, ROCK2, Bax, Bcl-2, cPLA2, and p-cPLA2 protein expressions were analyzed using western blotting to investigate the impact of Tuina therapy on nerve regeneration and apoptosis regulation.ResultsThe TUI cohort showed better BBB scores and CatWalk results than the SNI cohort (all p < 0.001). Histological analysis revealed diminished inflammatory cell infiltration and increased neuronal survival. NeuN immunofluorescence indicated decreased motor neuron apoptosis in the anterior horn of the SC. Tuina therapy reversed TNF-α, IL-6, and aquaporin-4 levels (p < 0.01). The TUI cohort had lower mRNA expression of Bax, cPLA2, and ROCK2 (all p < 0.001), mRNA expression of RhoA (p < 0.01), and Bax, cPLA2, p-cPLA2, and RhoA/ROCK2 levels (all p < 0.001) than the SNI cohort. Conversely, mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl2 were higher in the TUI cohort than in the SNI cohort (all p < 0.001).ConclusionTuina therapy improved motor function in SNI rats by inhibiting motor neuron apoptosis via cPLA2 regulation, potentially via the RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1622602/fullperipheral nerve injuryTuinaapoptosisinflammatory responseCPLA2RhoA/ROCK2 pathway |
| spellingShingle | Jiawei Sun Yingqi Zhang Zhifeng Liu Hanyu Zhang Jiayue Liu Yue Xu Rentuya Na Hongzheng Zhang Jiawang Yan Tianyuan Yu Chinese massage therapy (Tuina) inhibits motor neuron apoptosis in rats with sciatic nerve injury by regulating the cPLA2 and RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathways Frontiers in Neurology peripheral nerve injury Tuina apoptosis inflammatory response CPLA2 RhoA/ROCK2 pathway |
| title | Chinese massage therapy (Tuina) inhibits motor neuron apoptosis in rats with sciatic nerve injury by regulating the cPLA2 and RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathways |
| title_full | Chinese massage therapy (Tuina) inhibits motor neuron apoptosis in rats with sciatic nerve injury by regulating the cPLA2 and RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathways |
| title_fullStr | Chinese massage therapy (Tuina) inhibits motor neuron apoptosis in rats with sciatic nerve injury by regulating the cPLA2 and RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathways |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chinese massage therapy (Tuina) inhibits motor neuron apoptosis in rats with sciatic nerve injury by regulating the cPLA2 and RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathways |
| title_short | Chinese massage therapy (Tuina) inhibits motor neuron apoptosis in rats with sciatic nerve injury by regulating the cPLA2 and RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathways |
| title_sort | chinese massage therapy tuina inhibits motor neuron apoptosis in rats with sciatic nerve injury by regulating the cpla2 and rhoa rock2 signaling pathways |
| topic | peripheral nerve injury Tuina apoptosis inflammatory response CPLA2 RhoA/ROCK2 pathway |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1622602/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jiaweisun chinesemassagetherapytuinainhibitsmotorneuronapoptosisinratswithsciaticnerveinjurybyregulatingthecpla2andrhoarock2signalingpathways AT yingqizhang chinesemassagetherapytuinainhibitsmotorneuronapoptosisinratswithsciaticnerveinjurybyregulatingthecpla2andrhoarock2signalingpathways AT zhifengliu chinesemassagetherapytuinainhibitsmotorneuronapoptosisinratswithsciaticnerveinjurybyregulatingthecpla2andrhoarock2signalingpathways AT hanyuzhang chinesemassagetherapytuinainhibitsmotorneuronapoptosisinratswithsciaticnerveinjurybyregulatingthecpla2andrhoarock2signalingpathways AT jiayueliu chinesemassagetherapytuinainhibitsmotorneuronapoptosisinratswithsciaticnerveinjurybyregulatingthecpla2andrhoarock2signalingpathways AT yuexu chinesemassagetherapytuinainhibitsmotorneuronapoptosisinratswithsciaticnerveinjurybyregulatingthecpla2andrhoarock2signalingpathways AT rentuyana chinesemassagetherapytuinainhibitsmotorneuronapoptosisinratswithsciaticnerveinjurybyregulatingthecpla2andrhoarock2signalingpathways AT hongzhengzhang chinesemassagetherapytuinainhibitsmotorneuronapoptosisinratswithsciaticnerveinjurybyregulatingthecpla2andrhoarock2signalingpathways AT jiawangyan chinesemassagetherapytuinainhibitsmotorneuronapoptosisinratswithsciaticnerveinjurybyregulatingthecpla2andrhoarock2signalingpathways AT tianyuanyu chinesemassagetherapytuinainhibitsmotorneuronapoptosisinratswithsciaticnerveinjurybyregulatingthecpla2andrhoarock2signalingpathways |