TITLE:
Effect of Sijunzi Decoction on the Myonuclear Domain of Rat Soleus in Spleen Qi Deficiency
AUTHORS:
Linlin Zhang, Dan Ma, Songnan Wang, Xudong Liu, Lingzhi Wang, Dehong Shan
KEYWORDS:
Sijunzi Decoction, Spleen Qi Deficiency, Limb Weakness, Myonuclear Domain, Muscle Stem Cell
JOURNAL NAME:
Chinese Medicine,
Vol.14 No.4,
December
22,
2023
ABSTRACT: Objective: To study the mechanism of Sijunzi decoction treating limb weakness in
spleen Qi deficiency (SQD) based on the myonuclear domain (MND) theory. Methods:
40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal group, SQD
model group (model group), SQD+ still
water group (SW group) and SQD+ Sijunzi decoction group (CM group), 10 rats
each group; Grip-Strength Meter was used to measure limb grip strength;
transmission electron microscope was employed to observe the ultrastructural
changes of the myofibers, Image Pro 6.0 was used to measure the myonuclear
numbers, cross-section area (CSA) and then their ratios (the MND sizes) were
calculated, immunofluorescence assay was chosen to test the expressions of
paired box gene 7 (Pax7) and myogenic differentiation antigen (MyoD). Results:
Compared with those in the normal group, limb grip strength was decreased,
sarcomeres were abnormal, and all the myonuclear numbers, CSA and MND sizes
were reduced, but the Pax7+ cell numbers were increased, significantly, in the
model and SW groups; Compared with those in the model and SW groups, limb grip
strength was increased, sarcomeres were basically normal, the myonuclear number
and CSA were both greater, and the Pax7+ and MyoD+ cell numbers were both
increased, significantly, in the CM group. Conclusion: Sijunzi decoction
might increase the myonuclear number by activating the MSCs to treat limb
weakness in SQD.