Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
Enhancing the Development and Growth of Infant Cerebral Palsy Rats Using Selective Spinal Manipulations
Published on: February 2, 2024
Paravertebral fascial massage promotes brain development of neonatal rats via the insulin-like growth factor 1
Zhongqiu Wen1, Wenqin Zeng1, Jingxing Dai1
1Key Laboratory of Tissue Construction and Detection of Guangdong Province, Department of Anatomy, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
Insights
Paravertebral fascial massage promotes neonatal rat brain development by increasing insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) expression. An IGF-1 receptor antagonist blocked these beneficial effects, suggesting IGF-1 pathway mediation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Background:
- Massage, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is recognized for its potential to enhance infant development.
- The insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) pathway is crucial for cellular growth and development, including in the brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of paravertebral fascial massage on brain development in neonatal rats.
- To elucidate the role of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) pathway in mediating the neurodevelopmental benefits of massage.
Main Methods:
- Neonatal rats received daily paravertebral fascial massage for 15 days.
- Following massage, rats were injected with JB1, an insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor antagonist, for 9 consecutive days.
- Insulin-like growth factor 1 expression and cell proliferation were assessed in specific brain regions.
Main Results:
- Paravertebral fascial massage significantly elevated IGF-1 expression and cell proliferation in the subventricular zone and hippocampus.
- Administration of the IGF-1 receptor antagonist JB1 counteracted the increases in IGF-1 expression and cell proliferation induced by massage.
- These findings indicate that massage positively influences neurodevelopmental markers.
Conclusions:
- Paravertebral fascial massage demonstrates a capacity to promote brain development in neonatal rats.
- The observed neurodevelopmental benefits are mediated through the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway.
- This study provides mechanistic insights into how massage can support neonatal brain maturation.
Abstract:
Massage in traditional Chinese medicine can promote body and brain development of premature and normal newborn infants. In the present study, neonatal rats (1 day old) underwent paravertebral fascial massage (15 consecutive days), followed by subcutaneous injection of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor antagonist, JB1 (9 consecutive days). Paravertebral fascial massage significantly increased insulin-like growth factor 1 expression and cell proliferation in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. However, JB1 inhibited this increase. Results suggest that paravertebral fascial massage can promote brain development of neonatal rats via the insulin-like growth factor 1 pathway.
