title: [Effect of Acupotomy Lysis at Cervical Acupoints on Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 1 and Changes of Pulpiform Nucleus Ultrastructure in Rats with Degenerated Cervical Intervertebral Discs].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the effect of acupotomy lysis at acupoints around the neck on expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), MMP-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) genes and ultrastructure of pulpiform nucleus in cervical intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying easing IVDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  SD rats were randomly allocated to control (n = 15), model (n = 14), Jiaji (EX-B 2, n = 13), cervico-acupoint (n = 14) and medication groups (n = 14). The cervical IVDD model was established by using static-dynamic imbalance method. For rats of the Jiaji (EX-B 2) and cervico-acupoint groups, EX-B 2-points of the cervical 2-7 segments, and peri-cervical acupoints: bilateral "Naokong" (GB 19) , "Naohu" (GV 17), "Dazhui" (GV 14), bilateral "Quyuan" (SI 13) and bilateral "Tianzong" (SI 11) were separately punctured with a needle-knife, once every 5 days for 3 times, and for rats of the medication group, Brufen Capsules (15 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1)) and Jingfukang Granule (0.5 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1)) were given by intragastric administration, once daily for 10 days. The expression levels of MMP-1, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 genes in the pulpiform nucleus of cervical intervertebral discs were detected by RT-PCR and changes of the ultrastructure of the pulpiform nucleus observed under transmission electron microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the control group, the expression levels of MMP-1 mRNA and MMP-3 mRNA of the cervical intervertebral disc tissues were significantly up-regulated in the model group (P < 0.05), and that of TIMP-1 mRNA was obviously down-regulated in the model group (P < 0.05). After the treatment, the increased expression of MMP-1 mRNA and MMP-3 mRNA and the decreased expression of TIMP-1 mRNA were reversed by acupotomy lysis and medication (P < 0.05) except TIMP-1 mRNA in the medication group (P > 0.05). No significant differences were found between the Jiaji (EX-B 2) and cervico-acupoint groups in down-regulating MMP-1 mRNA and MMP-3 mRNA expression and up-regulating TIMP-1 mRNA expression (P > 0.05). Results of electron microscope examinations showed that the ultrastructural injury changes of cells of the pulpiform nucleus were relatively milder in the Jiaji (EX-B 2) and cervico-acupoint groups, followed by the medication group in comparison with those of the model group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupotomy lysis at acupoints around the neck can improve the ultrastructural changes of cells of the pulpiform nucleus of cervical intervertebral discs in IVDD rats, which is possibly by regulating the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 genes.
authors.forename: Li-jin
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhong-shu
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Qin-ran
authors.initials: QR
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yu-ning
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Fang-ming
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yan-ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Wei-ju
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bing-yun
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Xu-guo
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Cong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Dao-ping
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wen-qing
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000818:Animals; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1