Icing after skeletal muscle injury decreases M1 macrophage accumulation and TNF-α expression during the early phase of muscle regeneration in rats

Regulation of Satellite Cells Functions during Skeletal Muscle Regeneration: A Critical Step in Physiological and Pathological Conditions

Skeletal muscle regeneration is a complex process involving the generation of new myofibers after trauma, competitive physical activity, or disease. In this context, adult skeletal muscle stem cells, also known as satellite cells (SCs), play a crucial role in regulating muscle tissue homeostasis and activating regeneration. Alterations in their number or function have been associated with various pathological conditions. The main factors involved in the dysregulation of SCs' activity are inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. This review critically summarizes the current knowledge on the role of SCs in skeletal muscle regeneration. It examines the changes in the activity of SCs in three of the most common and severe muscle disorders: sarcopenia, muscular dystrophy, and cancer cachexia. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in their dysregulations is essential for improving current treatments, such as exercise, and developing personalized approaches to reactivate SCs.

Is it the End of the Ice Age?

The use of the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) protocol has been the preferred method of treatment for acute musculoskeletal injuries for decades. However, the efficacy of using ice as a recovery strategy following injury in humans remains uncertain, and there is a growing trend recommending against icing following injury. Animal models suggest that while ice can help to accelerate the recovery process, extreme muscle cooling might delay repair and increase muscle scarring. Despite the conflicting evidence, ice should not be dismissed as a potential treatment option. When considering what is known about the injury cascade, the optimal application window for ice is in the immediate acute stage following injury to reduce the proliferation of secondary tissue damage that occurs in the hours after the initial injury. Practitioners should tailor the application of ice based on the injury timeline and repair process, consistent with applications in 20-30 minute intervals within the first 12 hours post-injury. Until the evidence unanimously proves otherwise, the culture of icing injuries should remain a staple in sports medicine.