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Biomedicines
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Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions, 3rd Edition
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Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions, 3rd Edition

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 3792

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Juan Antonio Valera-Calero

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
VALTRADOFI Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health, Universidad Camilo José Cela, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, Spain
Interests: ultrasound imaging; neck pain; low back pain; myofascial pain syndromes; elastography; science education; physiotherapy; undergraduate education; health occupations students
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Gustavo Plaza-Manzano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Radiology, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: manual therapy; myofascial pain syndromes; neuropathic pain; neck pain; low back pain; chronic pain
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading contributor to disability around the world. Although most musculoskeletal conditions are commonly characterized by pain, there are more than 150 different conditions affecting the joints (e.g., osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), bones (e.g., osteoporosis and fractures), and muscles (e.g., myofascial pain syndromes and sarcopenia). Basic and clinical research studies currently aim to understand the pathogenetic peculiarities of each musculoskeletal condition to provide clinicians with evidence-based diagnosis and management recommendations.

This Special Issue, centered around musculoskeletal disorders, aims to collate high-quality research articles on the pathogenesis of different musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., molecular mechanisms and the identification of risk factors associated with specific conditions) and novel effective multidisciplinary therapeutics to provide clinicians with novel and evidence-supported recommendations. 

Dr. Juan Antonio Valera-Calero
Prof. Dr. Gustavo Plaza-Manzano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neck pain
  • low back pain
  • myofascial pain syndromes
  • chronic pain
  • musculoskeletal disorders
  • disability
  • pain treatment

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Related Special Issues

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3907 KiB  
Article
Palm Tocotrienol Preserves Trabecular Osteocyte Indices and Modulates the Expression of Osteocyte Markers in Ovariectomized Rats
by Sophia Ogechi Ekeuku, Shafiq Zikry Zarir, Anis Nazira Razali, Syamima Mohamad Zaidi, Noor Halinah Mohamed Ali Jinnah, Muhamed Lahtif Nor Muhamad, Sok Kuan Wong and Kok-Yong Chin
Biomedicines 2025, 13(5), 1220; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13051220 - 18 May 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objective: Palm tocotrienol has bone-protective properties in animal models, yet its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Given osteocytes’ role in bone homeostasis, this research aimed to investigate the effects of palm tocotrienol on the quantity of osteocytes and the expression of osteocyte-specific markers in [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Palm tocotrienol has bone-protective properties in animal models, yet its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Given osteocytes’ role in bone homeostasis, this research aimed to investigate the effects of palm tocotrienol on the quantity of osteocytes and the expression of osteocyte-specific markers in ovariectomized rats. Methods: Adult female rats (Sprague Dawley; three-month-old; n = 6/group) were randomly divided into baseline, sham control, ovariectomized control, unemulsified palm tocotrienol (UPT), emulsified palm tocotrienol (EPT), and positive control. The baseline group was euthanized without intervention, whereas the sham group underwent a laparotomy procedure in which the ovaries were not excised. The other groups underwent bilateral removal of the ovaries and subsequently received UPT (100 mg/kg/day, 50% vitamin E), EPT (100 mg/kg/day, 25% vitamin E), or a combination of glucosamine sulfate (250 mg/kg/day) and calcium carbonate (1% in drinking water). Control groups were induced with similar gavage stress with olive oil. After 10 weeks, all rats were sacrificed for bone and serum analysis. Results: UPT and EPT significantly increased trabecular osteocyte and total lacunae numbers (p < 0.05 versus ovariectomized control). Both treatments significantly reduced mRNA expression levels of dentin matrix protein-1 (p < 0.05 versus ovariectomized control), whereas sclerostin mRNA expression was unchanged (p > 0.05 versus ovariectomized control). However, neither UPT nor EPT improved circulating or skeletal redox status (p > 0.05 versus ovariectomized control). Conclusions: Palm tocotrienol may support bone health by preserving the quantity of trabecular osteocytes and modulating osteocyte-mediated bone remodeling. Further research is required to elucidate its precise mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions, 3rd Edition)
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15 pages, 1752 KiB  
Article
Modulation of Neurturin Expression by Lumbosacral Spinal Stenosis, Lifestyle Factors, and Glycemic Dysregulation
by Małgorzata Sobańska, Dawid Sobański, Rafał Staszkiewicz, Paweł Gogol, Damian Strojny, Tomasz Pawłaszek, Werner Dammerman and Beniamin Oskar Grabarek
Biomedicines 2025, 13(5), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13051102 - 1 May 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Lumbosacral spinal stenosis (LSS) is a degenerative condition characterized by narrowing of the spinal canal and associated neuropathic pain. While mechanical compression is well-characterized, the molecular mechanisms contributing to symptom severity remain poorly understood. Neurturin (NRTN), a member of the glial [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Lumbosacral spinal stenosis (LSS) is a degenerative condition characterized by narrowing of the spinal canal and associated neuropathic pain. While mechanical compression is well-characterized, the molecular mechanisms contributing to symptom severity remain poorly understood. Neurturin (NRTN), a member of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family, has emerged as a potential mediator of neural plasticity and nociception, but its role in spinal stenosis is largely unexplored. Methods: We analyzed NRTN mRNA and protein expression in ligamentum flavum samples from 96 patients undergoing surgery for LSS and 85 non-degenerative postmortem controls. Quantification was performed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Pain severity Visual Analog Scale (VAS), body mass index (BMI), diabetes, smoking, and alcohol use were assessed as modulators of NRTN expression. Results: NRTN expression was significantly elevated in LSS patients versus controls at both transcript and protein levels (p < 0.05). NRTN levels positively correlated with pain intensity (VAS; ANOVA p = 0.032 for mRNA, p = 0.041 for protein). Multivariate regression identified BMI (β = 0.50, p = 0.015) and diabetes (β = 0.39, p = 0.017) as independent predictors of increased NRTN expression. Alcohol use also showed a positive association (p = 0.046), while smoking showed no significant independent effect. Conclusions: Neurturin is upregulated in ligamentum flavum tissue from LSS patients and correlates with pain severity and metabolic risk factors. These findings suggest NRTN as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in degenerative spine disease. Further longitudinal and mechanistic studies are warranted to elucidate its role in chronic pain and neuroinflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions, 3rd Edition)
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Other

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14 pages, 694 KiB  
Systematic Review
Prevalence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Patients with Radiating and Non-Radiating Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review
by Germán Monclús-Díez, María José Díaz-Arribas, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Dariusz Kosson, Marcin Kołacz, Mateusz D. Kobylarz, Sandra Sánchez-Jorge and Juan Antonio Valera-Calero
Biomedicines 2025, 13(6), 1453; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13061453 - 12 Jun 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Muscle tissues are a common source of symptoms related to low back pain (LBP), with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) being a significant contributor. Since previous meta-analyses support interventions targeting MTrPs for reducing pain and improving functional disability in patients with LBP, this [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Muscle tissues are a common source of symptoms related to low back pain (LBP), with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) being a significant contributor. Since previous meta-analyses support interventions targeting MTrPs for reducing pain and improving functional disability in patients with LBP, this review aimed to synthesize current knowledge on the prevalence of MTrPs in LBP patients. Methods: To conduct this systematic review, data were collected from PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science. Published articles at any time up to February 2025 that comprised descriptive, observational, or experimental studies in English/Spanish language reporting the prevalence of active or latent MTrPs in patients with LBP were eligible. After assessing the methodological quality, a structured and qualitative synthesis was conducted using a standardized form that captured participant characteristics, evaluated muscles, the number or percentage of active and latent MTrPs in each group, clinical features, summarized results, and conclusions. Results: Nine articles with acceptable methodological quality were included. The prevalence of active MTrPs in patients with LBP was quadratus lumborum (ranging from 30% to 55%), gluteus medius (from 34% to 45%), piriformis (42%), psoas (from 5% to 10%), and lumbar iliocostalis (from 33% to 38%). Latent MTrPs were most common in the gluteus medius (74%) and quadratus lumborum (14–17%), with the piriformis, psoas, and lumbar iliocostalis also affected. Conclusions: Active and latent MTrPs are common in muscles such as the quadratus lumborum, gluteus medius, and iliocostalis in individuals with LBP, with prevalence varying by pain chronicity and etiology. MTrPs in the gluteal region are more frequent in lumbosacral radiculopathy, suggesting a neurogenic-like component. Since the subjectivity of manual palpation and study heterogeneity limit generalizability of the results, future research should standardize diagnostic criteria of MTrPs to ensure the consistency of results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Novel Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Conditions, 3rd Edition)
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