Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of Jiaji (EX-B 2) on the contents of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in the cervical intervertebral disc (OIVD) tissue in rats with CIVD degeneration so as to explore its mechanism in relieving intervertebral disc degeneration.
Methods: SD rats were randomized into control (n = 15), model (n = 14), EA (n = 13) and medication (n = 14) groups. CIVO model was established according to Wang's and Shi's method. EA (10/20 Hz, 1 - 3 mA) was applied to Jiaji (EX-B 2) for 10 min, once daily for 30 days. The rats of medication group were fed with Fenbid (15 mg/kg/d) and Jingfukang (0.5 g/kg/d) for 30 days. Extracellular matrix MMP-1, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 levels of the intervertebral disc tissue (C4-6) were detected by ELISA.
Results: The contents of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in model group were increased significantly compared with control group (P < 0.05), while TIMP-1 in model group was markedly lower than that of control group (P < 0.05). Compared with model group, both MMP-1 and MMP-3 levels in EA group and MMP-1 in medication group were reduced considerably (P < 0.05), while TIMP-1 of EA group increased significantly (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between medication and model groups in MMP-3 and TIMP-1 levels (P > 0.05). Under optical microscope, the injured degrees of the fibrous ring and nucleus pulposus, and the outline of the intervertebral disc of both EA and medication groups were evidently lighter than those of model group, but the degeneration severity of the intervertebral disc of EA group was lighter than that of medication group.
Conclusion: EA of Jiaji (EX-B 2) can effectively relieve the degeneration degree of cervical intervertebral disc in the rat, which is probably related to its effect in regulating extracellular matrix system.