Three-dimensional models of skeletal muscle under tension and methods to induce traumatic injury: systematic review search protocol v1

Volumetricmuscle loss (VML) is defined as the significant loss of skeletal muscle as a result of traumatic injury or surgical intervention, resulting in functional and regenerative impairment. It is a considerable form of morbidity and is implicated in blast, penetrating or blunt trauma. Current research on VML is centred around models that are not specific to the injury patterns or environments usually encountered. In order to examine the effects of traumatic injury on skeletal muscle, more representative in vitro models are required to generate a deeper cellular picture prior to preclinical validation. Whilst in vivo models are invaluable, they are expensive and have a lower throughput platform for discovery research. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the types of in vitro muscle models that are applicable to understanding VML. We have therefore designed an inclusive search protocol to incorporate all relevant muscle models under tension and endeavour to subcategorise these depending on methods of inducing injury. “Skeletal muscle” was the major inclusion criterion, followed by “three dimensional” and “model”. The Ovid interface was used to search MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science Core Collection databases to yield 4,895 eligible articles after de-duplication. As of 30/05/2024 articles are in the process of being blindly screened by two independent reviewers. Major inclusion criteria are three dimensional in vitro models under tension. A sub analysis will subsequently be performed to examine how injury is induced in such muscle models.