A Rodent Model to Advance the Field Treatment of Crush Muscle Injury During Earthquakes and Other Natural Disasters

Abstract

Approximately 170 earthquakes of 6.0 or higher magnitude occur annually worldwide. Victims often suffer crush muscle injuries involving impaired blood flow to the affected muscle and damage to the muscle fiber membrane. Current rescue efforts are directed toward preventing acute kidney injury (AKI), which develops upon extrication and muscle reperfusion. But field-usable, muscle-specific interventions may promote muscle regeneration and prevent or minimize the pathologic changes of reperfusion. Although current rodent crush injury models involve reperfusion upon removal of the crush stimulus, an analysis of their methodological aspects is needed to ensure adequate simulation of the earthquake-related crush injury. The objectives of this systematic review are to (a) describe rodent crush muscle injury models, (b) discuss the benefits and limitations of these models, and (c) offer a recommendation for animal models that would increase our understanding of muscle recovery processes after an earthquake-induced crush muscle injury. The most commonly used rodent model uses a clamping or pressing crush stimulus directly applied to murine hindlimb muscle. This model has increased our understanding of muscle regeneration but its open approach does not adequately represent the earthquake-related crush injury. The model we recommend for developing field-usable, muscle-specific interventions is a closed approach that involves a nonclamping crush stimulus. Findings from studies employing this recommended model may have greater relevance for developing interventions that lessen the earthquake's devastating impact on individual and community health and quality of life, especially in developing countries.

Skeletal muscle fibrosis: an overview

“…Crushing-induced injury is performed through applying a clamp or dropping a mass on a superficial muscle (Speck et al, 2013, Takagi et al, 2011. As a result of crushing injury, collagen fibers accumulate around the myofiber bundles (Filippin et al, 2011) with increased levels of TGF-β1 and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) (Takagi et al, 2011, Zimowska et al, 2009.…”

17β-estradiol alters mRNA co-expression after murine muscle injury and mild hypobaria

“…1,2 In general, the early stage of pathophysiologic progression of muscle crush injury includes ischemia, necrosis, inflammation, reperfusion, and in the later stages, regeneration. [3][4][5] Estrogen is a key hormone that influences muscle tissue and is active in healthy and injured muscle, including both the early and later stages.…”

The effects of acetaminophen and mannitol on crush injuries in rats: Experimental study

“…[17,[30][31][32][33] It was presently understood that a closed, piston-activated compression model most accurately mimicked factors causing crush trauma in earthquakes. [20][21][22] In animal experiments with ischemia-reperfusion models, it was shown that disruption of circulation in the extremities increased muscle damage. After removal of pressure on the extremity, myoglobin-containing oxidative ferrous derivatives that may cause cell injury, hemoglobin, lactic acid, potassium, and creatinine are released during the reperfusion.…”

“…A pilot mechanical crushing procedure was performed on 2 rats in order to ensure that it could be performed effectively, similar to the rodent model of Kirsten Speck et al [22] After In order to prevent slippage of the crushing device piston, as well as skin maceration, the gastrocnemius regions were wrapped loosely with 1 fold of 5-cm plaster without harming circulation, creating a surface area.…”