title: Effect of Yaobitong capsule on histomorphology of dorsal root ganglion and on expression of p38mark phosphorylation in autologous nucleus pulposus transplantation model of rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the effect of Yaobitong capsule on histomorphology of dorsal root ganglion and on expression of p38MARK phosphorylation in autologous nucleus pulposus transplantation model of rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group and Yaobitong capsule group, with 20 rats in each group. The animal model of autologous nucleus pulposus transplantation around the lumbar nerve root was built. Three days after the modeling, rats were given the drugs for the first time, while rats in the model group were given the equivalent normal saline. After 30 d of continuous administration, samples were collected from rats. HE staining was performed on the dorsal root ganglion of L4 and L5 spinal cord of rats in each group and the expression of p38MARK phosphorylation was measured. All data were treated with the statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The histological examination showed that the histomorphology of dorsal root ganglion in the Yaobitong capsule group was more significantly improved than the one in the model group, while the results of western blot showed that Yaobitong capsule could significantly inhibit the level of p38MAPK phosphorylation of dorsal root ganglion cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Yaobitong capsule can improve the symptoms and nerve radiculopathy of autologous nucleus pulposus transplantation of rats and its mechanism may be associated with its inhibiting effect on the level of p38MAPK phosphorylation.
authors.affiliation: Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan, China; Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan 250011, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xin
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Third Hospital of Ji'nan, Ji'nan 250011, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Feng-Shuang
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan 250011, Shandong, China. Electronic address: xzw6001@126.com.
authors.forename: Zhan-Wang
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Xu
keywords: Autologous nucleus pulposus; Dorsal root ganglion; Phosphorylation of p38MARK; Yaobitong capsule