目的:观察夹脊电针对兔退变腰椎间盘组织中核心蛋白聚糖(decorin)蛋白表达的影响,探讨夹脊电针防治腰椎间盘退变的作用机制。方法:将40只新西兰大白兔随机分成4组:正常组、模型组、假模型组和电针组,每组各10只。正常组:自然饲养,不予任何处理;模型组:在实验兔L4、k椎体间横穿克氏针,并施以轴向加压造模器加压28d,不做治疗;假模型:同模型组,但不予椎体间加压,不做治疗;电针组:于造模成功后第1天开始进行电针治疗,疗程为28d。各组实验兔在术后第28d、第56d两个不同的时间点取出腰椎间盘组织,通过Westernblot检测其中decorin蛋白表达的情况。结果:模型组术后第28天、第56天及电针组术后第28天核心蛋白聚糖含量与正常组及假模型组术后第28、56天相比明显下降(均P〈0.05);模型组术后第56天较本组术后第28天核心蛋白聚糖含量进一步下降(P〈0.05);电针组术后第56天核心蛋白聚糖含量与本组术后第28天时及模型组术后第56d天明显上升(均P〈0.05)。结论:decorin参与了腰椎间盘退变的进程,随着腰椎间盘的退变的发生而表达下调;夹脊电针治疗可以使兔退变椎间盘组织中decorin的蛋白表达上调,通过纠正基质降解与合成代谢之间的失衡来达到延缓椎间盘退变的作用。
Objective. To observe the effect of electroacupunture at jiaji (EX-B2) on the protein expression of decorin in rabbit degenerated intervertebral disc so as to explore its mechanism in relieving intervertebral disc degen- eration. Method: A total of 40 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal, model, sham operation, and EA groups (n= 10 each). Rabbits in normal group were given natural breeding without any treatment. In model group, two K-wires were inserted into the intervertebal tissue between L4 and Ls, and pressure was given from axi- al-forcing molding device for 28 days, but without treatment. In sham operation group, two K-wires were inserted into the space between L4 and L5 but without inflating and treatment. EA group was given EA therapy for 28 days from the first day after the establishment of disc degeneration model. The expression levels of decorin protein in the lumbar intervertebral disc (L4-L5) were assayed by Western blotting on the postoperative day 28 and 56. Results: As compared with the normal and sham operation groups, decorin expression levels on the postoperative day 28 in the model group and EA group were significantly declined (P〈0.05 for all). The expression level of decorin on the postoperative day 56 in the model group was significantly reduced as compared with that on the postoperative day 28 (P〈0.05). The expression level of decorin on the postoperative day 56 in the EA group was remarkably higher than that on the postoperative day 28 and in the model group on the postoperative day 56 (P〈0. 05). Conclusion: Decorin was involved in the process of lumbar disc degeneration and the expression level of decorin was declined with the progress of the lumbar disc degeneratiorL The EA at jiaji point could increase the expression level of decorin in the tissues of lumbar intervertebral disc and delay the intervertebral disc degeneration through correcting the imbal- ance between degradation and anabolism in extracellular matrix.