Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the pathologic changes of the iliotibial tract and discusses its relationship with gluteal muscle contracture. Samples of contractual iliotibial tracts were collected from six patients with contractures of the gluteal muscles and iliotibial tracts during their surgical treatment. Samples of normal iliotibial tracts were collected from six patients receiving surgeries for avascular necrosis of the femoral head who had no contractures of the gluteal muscles and iliotibial tracts. The tissue samples were stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), Masson’s trichrome, and Sirius Red. The mRNA and protein levels of various tissue repair genes were determined using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. Both the normal and contractual iliotibial tracts consisted of type I and III collagens. The contractual iliotibial tracts had a significantly higher proportion of type III collagen in comparison with the normal iliotibial tracts. The mRNA expression levels and protein levels of tissue repair genes TGFβ 1, bFGF, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in the contractual iliotibial tracts were up-regulated in comparison with that in the normal iliotibial tracts. However, the mRNA expression levels and protein levels of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP) in the contractual iliotibial tracts were down-regulated in comparison with that in the normal iliotibial tracts. The contractures of both the gluteal muscles and the iliotibial tracts share similar histology and molecular pathology. Our results indicate that iliotibial tract contracture is secondary to the gluteal muscle contracture and is a constant tissue repair process.
Highlights
Gluteal muscle contracture is a clinical syndrome caused by fibrosis and necrosis of the gluteal muscles and fasciae
To understand the molecular pathology in the contractual iliotibial tracts, we examined the mRNA expression levels and the protein levels of six tissue repair genes
Our study found that the mRNA expression levels and protein levels of transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF-β1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 in the contractual iliotibial tracts were up-regulated in comparison with that in the normal iliotibial tracts
Summary
Gluteal muscle contracture is a clinical syndrome caused by fibrosis and necrosis of the gluteal muscles and fasciae. Earlier 2% benzyl alcohol was widely used as solvent for penicillin as a measure to ease the injection pain in children in China. The combination of benzyl alcohol and penicillin causes strong stimulation in the muscle, which can cause in hemolysis and immune reactions. This leads to local ischemia and hypoxia, and the initiation of tissue repair. Another theory is that rapid injection of fluid into the muscles causes local compression and ischemia, leading to tissue repair. The fibroblasts significantly proliferates and migrates (with possible differentiation), and secrets large amounts of type I and III collagens and multiple proteins
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
