Abstract
The goal of the present study were (1) to investigate the pathological characteristics of gastrocnemius muscle (GM) and quantitatively assess GM tissue stiffness in rat models with spinal cord injury (SCI) and (2) to explore the correlation between pathological characteristics changes and Young's modulus value of GM. 24 Sprague Dawley male rats were allocated into normal control groups and SCI model subgroups, respectively. GM stiffness was assessed with shear wave sonoelastography technology. All GMs were further analyzed by pathological examinations. GM weights were decreased, the ratio of type I fibers was decreased, and the ratio of type II fibers was increased in the GM in the model group. MyHC-I was decreased, while MyHC-II was increased according to the electrophoretic analysis in model subgroups. The elastic modulus value of GM was increased in the model group. A significant negative correlation was found between Young's modulus value of GM and the ratio of type I fibers of GM in model subgroup. Our studies showed that the stiffness of GM is correlated with pathological characteristics during the initial stages of SCI in rats. We also identified shear wave sonoelastography technology as a useful tool to assess GM stiffness in SCI rat models.
Highlights
Spasticity is a common disorder in patients with injury of the brain and spinal cord
The weights of the gastrocnemius muscle (GM) were higher in the 4 w and 12 w subgroups compared to the control group (P < 0.05)
The present study used sonoelastography to evaluate GM in rats after spinal cord injury (SCI). We found that this imaging technique can be used in the evaluation of modifications to GM hardness in rats following SCI
Summary
Spasticity is a common disorder in patients with injury of the brain and spinal cord. Severe spasticity impacts patient limb function and subsequently their daily life. Previous studies have shown that spastic skeletal muscle secondary structures changes (such as shortening of muscle fibers, increased connective tissue, and adipose tissue) can modify certain biomechanical properties, such as increased stiffness levels [1, 2]. Understanding the pathophysiology of spasticity may provide important clues to its treatment. According to studies on the pathophysiology of spasticity, exaggerated reflexes and secondary changes in mechanical muscle fibers properties have a major role in spastic movement disorder [3]. The assessment of spastic muscle stiffness is conductive to the development of personalized spasticity treatment strategy and helpful to study the effectiveness of the therapeutic intervention
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