title: [Effect of electroacupuncture intervention on expression of extracellular matrix collagen and metabolic enzymes].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Dazhui" (GV 14) on the contents of extracellular matrix (ECM), collagen type II (COL-II), collagen type V (COL-V), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in rats with cervicovertebral disc degeneration so as to explore its mechanism underlying relief of intervertebral disc degeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 28 SD rats were randomly divided into sham group (n = 7), model group (n = 7), EA group (n = 7) and medication group (n = 7). The model of cervical intervertebral disc degeneration was established by trans-section of the deep neck splenius, the longest muscles of head, neck costocervicalis, head semi-spinatus muscle, supraspinous ligament and interspinal ligaments of cervical 2-7 segments, etc. to produce imbalance between the dynamic and static force. EA was applied to "Dazhui" (GV 14) for 30 min, once daily for 28 days, with a 2 days' interval between two courses. Animals of the medication group were treated by oral administration of meloxicam tablets (0.75 mg/kg) once daily for 28 days, with a 2 days' interval between two courses. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of ECM, COL- II, COL-V, MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in the cervicovertebral disc tissue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the sham group, the expression levels of ECM and COL-II proteins in the cervicovertebral disc tissue were significantly decreased in the model group (P < 0.01), while COL-V and MMP-13 expression levels in the model group were significantly increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, both ECM and COL-Il expression levels were considerably increased in the EA group and medication group (P < 0.01), while COL-V and MMP-13 expression levels were considerably down-regulated (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). No significant differences were found among the four groups in TIMP-1 expression levels (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EA of "Dazhui" (GV 14) can effectively regulate extracellular matrix system in rats with cervical intervertebral disc degeneration, which is possibly related to its effect in relieving cervical spondylosis.
authors.affiliation: College of Acu-moxribustion, Fujian University of Chinese Medicine Fuzhou 350122, China. 77liaojun@163.com
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: College of Acu-moxribustion, Fujian University of Chinese Medicine Fuzhou 350122, China.
authors.forename: Le
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation-Physiotherapy, Xiamen Municipal 2nd Hospital Haicang Branch, Xiamen 361026.
authors.forename: Mei-gui
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ke
authors.affiliation: College of Acu-moxribustion, Fujian University of Chinese Medicine Fuzhou 350122, China.
authors.forename: Teng
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D003094:Collagen; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13