Objective  To observe the mRNA and protein expression of wingless-type MMTV 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 in the gastrocnemius muscle of white rabbits with blunt gastrocnemius contusion injuries, and provide a basis for revealing the repair mechanism of the pressing and kneading method in treating 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. Samples of the model groups and the press-and-knead groups were taken on the 4th, 8th and 15th days after operation. The 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 (HE) staining and oil red O staining. Results  The HE staining results showed that significant fibrous tissue proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration occurred in the model 7-day group; in the model 14-day group, some muscle fibers were degenerated, necrotic, and regenerated, accompanied by fibrous tissue proliferation, slight inflammatory cell infiltration, and slight calcification; in the press-and-knead groups, obvious muscle fiber degeneration, necrosis, and regeneration, and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed, accompanied by significant fibrous tissue proliferation. The oil red O staining results showed that adipocyte deposition was visible in the model groups, which was the heaviest in the model 7-day group; in the press-and-knead groups, muscle fibers and sequences were not significantly damaged, 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 among groups (P<0.001). Conclusions  The histopathological changes of gastrocnemius muscle injury recover gradually over time, and the pressing and kneading method stimulates 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 is maintained in the stable range at all times. This leads to a reduction of fatty degeneration in the gastrocnemius muscle after the intervention of pressing and kneading method, and promotes the functional repair of the injured skeletal muscle.

Citation： XU Yao, LUO Jian, LI Hui, LU Qunwen. Research on the repair mechanism of wingless MMTV integration site family member 5a, glycogen synthase kinase 3/β-catenin axis regulation of blunt contusion injury of the gastrocnemius muscle by pressing and kneading method. West China Medical Journal, 2025, 40(5): 770-776. doi: 10.7507/1002-0179.202408329 Copy

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