摘要
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of probe puncture on the expression of VEGF, PLA2 and PGE2 and extracellular matrix collagen and metabolic enzymes in the intervertebral disc of rats with cervical disc degeneration. Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to the following three groups (n = 25 per group): sham operation group (cut neck and then suture), model group (treated by modeling), and acupuncture treatment group (continuous daily) 30 minutes, complete course of treatment consisted of 14 days, 2 days between two courses);mRNA expression levels of VEGF, PLA2 and PGE2 were analyzed by qRT-PCR;protein levels of VEGF, PLA2 and PGE2 proteins were determined by Western blotting;Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect type I and type II collagen;TNF-α, IL-1β, MMP-1 and MMP-3 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;TUNEL assay was used to evaluate acupuncture treatment for cervical disc degeneration The effect of apoptosis. Results: The expression levels of VEGF, PLA2 and PGE2 mRNA and protein in the model group were higher than those in the sham operation group, while the acupuncture treatment group reduced the expression levels of VEGF, PLA2 and PGE2 mRNA and protein in the model group (P<0.05). The type I collagen was positively correlated with disc degeneration, and type II collagen was negatively correlated with disc degeneration. In the model group (0.18±0.05, 0.11±0.03), the expression level of type I collagen was higher than that of the sham operation group (0.12±0.03), the expression level of type II collagen was decreased (0.19±0.04), and the acupuncture treatment group was able to restore the model. Collagen levels of group I (0.14±0.03) and type II (0.17±0.03) were different between the three groups (P<0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, the model group was TNF-α, IL-1β, The expression levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3 were increased, while the acupuncture treatment group reduced the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, MMP-1 and MMP-3 in the model group (P<0.05). The nuclear membrane of the model group was destroyed, the nucleus became denser, and the cells in the acupuncture treatment group showed a relatively intact nuclear membrane. The number of TUNEL-positive cells in the model group (131.17±12.15) was increased compared with the sham-operated group (64.53±8.73). Compared with the model group, the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the acupuncture treatment group decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture can reduce the expression of type I collagen and metabolic enzymes in VEGF, PLA2 and PGE2 and extracellular matrix of cervical intervertebral disc degeneration, and increase the expression of type II collagen.
