Massage effect on transforming growth factor beta1 signaling pathway in a rabbit model of gluteal muscle contracture.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that TCM massage can alleviate or even reverse the progression of muscle fibrosis, so it is speculated that massage can also improve the pathological changes of gluteal muscle contracture. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of massage on gluteal muscle contracture and the relevant mechanism. METHODS: Twenty young rabbits were divided into an experimental group and a control group, with penicillin and benzyl alcohol injection for 8 weeks respectively. Besides, the experimental group received massage therapies for 4 weeks, whereas the control group had no specific intervention. Cell morphology and structure were observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson staining and Sirius red staining. Expression of transforming growth factor-β1 in the rabbit model of gluteal muscle contraction was measured using immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription PCR and western blot assays. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital in China. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The experimental group had significantly less hyperplasia of fiber tissue compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The expression levels of collagen type I and transforming growth factor-β1 were significantly increased in the control group compared with the experimental group, as determined by reverse transcription PCR, western blot assay and immunohistochemical staining (P < 0.05). Therefore, massage therapy can alleviate the progression of gluteal fibrosis, which is expected to provide a new idea for the research and treatment of gluteal muscle contracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]