Objective To observe the effect of oblique needling at Ashi-point on behavior

and cell morphology

myogenic differentiation antigen(MyoD1) and paired box transcription factor Pax7(Pax7) of quadriceps femoris tissue in quadriceps femoris injured mice. Methods A total of 24 C57 BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into control

model

shallow insertion and deep insertion groups

with 6 mice in each group. The quadriceps femoris injury model was established by single intramuscular injection of 0.5% bupivacaine(BPVC). Twenty-four hours after modeling

mice of the two acupuncture groups were received oblique needling on the surface or through the muscle belly of quadriceps femoris for once

the oblique needling was lifted and inserted 3 times. The climbing pole test was conducted 24 h after modeling and 24 h after EA. Histopathological changes of quadriceps femoris was observed by H.E. staining. The expressions of MyoD1 and Pax7 were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with the control group

the score of climbing pole test was lower(P<0.01)

and the expressions of MyoD1 and Pax7 significantly increased(P<0.01) in the model group. After the intervention and compared with the model group

the score of climbing pole test was higher(P<0.01)

and the expressions of MyoD1 and Pax7 obviously increased(P<0.01) in the two acupuncture groups. The therapeutic effect of deep insertion group was apparently superior to that of shallow insertion group in up-regulating the climbing pole test score and expressions of MyoD1 and Pax7(P<0.05

P<0.01). H.E. stain showed large areas of inflammatory infiltration

muscle cells swelling

atrophy

rupture

degeneration and necrosis

different cell sizes and morphologies

enlarged intervals

nuclear aggregation

deep nuclear staining

nuclear pyknosis

and hemorrhage in the model group

which was relatively milder in both needling groups. Conclusion Oblique needling at Ashi-point can effectively promote the benign repair of injured quadriceps muscle and promote the recovery of exercise ability in mice

which may be associated with its effect in up-regulating the expression of MyoD1 and Pax7 protein. The role of deep insertion is superior to that of shallow insertion.