Effects of Electroacupuncture at Jiaji(EX-B2) on the expression of actin and tubulin in rabbit degenerated intervertebral disc
Li Yanling, Zou Jing, Huang Guofu
(1 Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Wuhan 430065,China ;2 Wuhan Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine,Wuhan 430022,China;3 WuChang Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan
technology and science University,Wuhan 430063,China)
Abstract: Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at jiaji(EX-B2) on the expression of actin and tubulin in rabbit degenerated intervertebral disc so as to explore its mechanism in relieving intervertebral disc degeneration. Methods: A total of 40 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal, model, sham operation and EA groups, with 10 rabbits in each group. In model group, the lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration was established by using an axial compression device. EA group was treated with EA at bilateral jiaji(EX-B2) for 20 minutes, once daily for 28 days. The expression levels of actin and tubulin of the lumbar intervertebral disc(L4-L5)were assayed by Western blot at the 28th and 56th day after operation. Results: The expression levels of actin and tubulin on the postoperative day 28 in the model group and EA group were significantly declined as compared with the normal group and sham operationgroup (P<0.05). The expression levels of actin and tubulin on the postoperative day 56 in the EA group was significantly increased than that on the postoperative day 28 and in the model group on the postoperativeday 56 (P<0.05). Conclusions: Electroacupuncture at jiaji(EX-B2) could increase the expression levels of actin and tubulin in rabbit degenerated intervertebral disc and delay the intervertebral disc degeneration through promoting the restoration of the cytoskeleton in degenerated intervertebral disc.
Key words: intervertebral disc degeneration;electroacupuncture;jiaji(EX-B2);actin;tubulin