Mechanism of Acupuncture Inhibiting Apoptosis of Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Cells in a Rat Model of Knee Osteoarthritis Based on the Piezo1/ROS/SERCA1a Signaling Axis

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which acupuncture inhibits quadriceps femoris myocyte apoptosis in a rat model of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) based on the Piezo1/ROS/SERCA1a signaling axis.MethodsA total of thirty-six SPF-grade Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group, celecoxib group, and acupuncture group, with nine rats in each group. The KOA model was established in the model, celecoxib, and acupuncture groups using the modified Hulth method, while the sham-operated group only underwent arthrotomy followed by suture. After modeling, the sham-operated and model groups received 5 mL of normal saline by gavage, the celecoxib group received 1.8 mg/mL celecoxib solution 5 mL by gavage, and the acupuncture group received acupuncture at the infra-patellar, Hedingci, and Xuehaici acpoints. Interventions were performed once daily for 14 consecutive days. Thigh circumference and quadriceps wet weight were measured, and the wet weight maintenance rate and wet weight to body weight ratio were calculated. HE staining was used to observe quadriceps morphology; TUNEL assay was applied to detect quadriceps myocyte apoptosis rate; immunofluorescence staining was employed to assess intracellular ROS expression and co‑expression of Piezo1 and SERCA1a in quadriceps myocytes; and Western blot was performed to measure the relative expression levels of Piezo1, SERCA1a, and apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, BCL-XL, Bax, Cyt C, Caspase-3).ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed a smaller thigh circumference (P