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Electroacupuncture alleviates multifidus muscle injury by modulating mitochondrial function and Ca2+ uptake
Xia Li1, Jun Zhao1, Qiaoqiao Lv1
1School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)
|March 2, 2022
Summary
Electroacupuncture (EA) protects lumbar multifidus muscles from bupivacaine injury by reducing calcium overload and restoring mitochondrial function. This treatment helps maintain muscle energy demands and aids recovery.
Area of Science:
- Muscle physiology
- Mitochondrial biology
- Pain management
Background:
- Multifidus muscles are vital for lumbar spine stability and implicated in lower back pain.
- Electroacupuncture (EA) has shown potential in alleviating low back pain and protecting multifidus muscles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of EA on bupivacaine-induced multifidus muscle injury in a rat model.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms involving mitochondrial function and calcium handling.
Main Methods:
- Established a rat model of multifidus muscle injury using bupivacaine injection.
- Treated the injured rats with EA at the BL40 acupoints.
- Analyzed muscle structure, function, cytosolic Ca2+, mitochondrial dynamics (fission/fusion), and ATP production.
Main Results:
- Bupivacaine-induced injury led to multifidus muscle dysfunction, increased cytosolic Ca2+, and impaired mitochondrial ATP production.
- Increased mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) expression exacerbated Ca2+ overload and disrupted mitochondrial fission proteins (Drp1, MFF).
- EA treatment inhibited MCU overexpression, reversed cytosolic Ca2+ overload, and restored mitochondrial fission protein expression and ATP production.
Conclusions:
- EA protects against bupivacaine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in multifidus muscles.
- The protective mechanism involves attenuating MCU overexpression and reducing Ca2+ overload.
- EA promotes mitochondrial function recovery and maintains muscle cell energy demands.
