Dry needling increases antioxidant activity and grip force in a rat model of muscle pain

Abstract

Background: Muscle pain syndromes (MPS) are one of the main causes of functional, structural and metabolic problems, being associated with tissue oxidative damage. Although dry needling is widely used in the treatment of MPS, there is little scientific evidence of its efficacy and underlying mechanisms of action. Objectives: To investigate the effects of different dry needling techniques on thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, locomotor and functional activity, and oxidative stress markers in a rat model of muscle pain. Methods: A total of 48 male Wistar rats underwent injection of the gastrocnemius muscle with control neutral saline (pH 7) and remained untreated (Saline group), or acidic saline (pH 4) and remained untreated (ASA group) or received pregabalin (PG group), deep needling (DN group), superficial needling (SN group) or twitch needling (TN group) with n = 8 rats per group. Mechanical (von Frey test) and thermal hyperalgesia (acetone test), muscle edema (assessed with a caliper), strength and muscle function (grip force evaluation), surface thermography and locomotor and exploratory activities (open field test) were evaluated. The animals were then euthanized, and the gastrocnemius muscle was excised for assessment of oxidative analyses of lipid peroxidation with thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBA-RS) and total glutathione (GSH) levels. Results: All treatments significantly improved muscle strength and function when compared to the AS group (p < 0.05). Pregabalin reduced locomotor and exploratory activities, while the TN intervention increased the antioxidant response (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Dry needling improved strength, functionality and locomotor activity in a rat model of muscle pain. Twitch needling induced an antioxidant effect.

Acupuncture therapy on myofascial pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Nevertheless, research indicates that acupuncture can suppress pain transmission by reducing substance P (SP) levels and enhancing the release of endogenous opioids (8,9). A recent study revealed that acupuncture enhances strength, function, and locomotor activity in a rat model of muscle pain syndrome through its antioxidant effects (10). Additionally, another study demonstrated that acupuncture at trigger points modulated gene expression in muscle tissue, consequently promoting muscle regeneration.…”

Research Trends of Acupuncture Therapy on Myofascial Pain Syndrome from 2000 to 2022: A Bibliometric Analysis

“… 14 , 22 A recent research suggested that dry needling improved strength, functionality and locomotor activity in a rat model of muscle pain syndromes by inducing an antioxidant effect. 23 Another research showed that the needling on trigger point changed the gene expression of muscle tissue to accelerate the muscular regeneration. 24 As for the central aspect, some scholars supported that acupuncture could activate the supraspinal and higher centres involved in pain processing.…”