Effects Of Electroacupuncture On The Inflammatory Cytokines And IKKβ/NF-κB In Chondrocytes Of Rats With Cervicovertebral Disc Degeneration

Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Cervical Jiaji" point and "Shousanli" point (LI 10) on the contents of inflammatory cytokines and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinaseβ (IKKβ) with NF- kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65) in the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway in chondrocytes of rats with cervicovertebral disc degenerateon so as explored its mechanism underlying relief of intervertebral disc degeneration.Methods:A total of 40 SD rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=10, male and female halp), model group (n=30, male and female halp). The sham grouo only cutting the skin incision without muscle tissue. The model of rat degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc caused by imbalance between the dynamic and static force was established. The model was confirmed successfully by toluidine blue staining 3 months later. Then the rats of model group were randomly divided into model control group (control group), model electroacupuncture group (EA group) and model Meloxicam treatment group (MT group),8 model rats for each group. The EA group accepted the electroacupuncture on the Cervical Jiaji points and Shousanli points, 25 min/d, 1 time/day, 14 days for 1 course, two courses between interval of 2 d, a total of 2 courses of treatment. The gavage treatment was given to the MT group with the meloxicam tablets of 0.7878mg/kg/d. The sham group and the model group just fixed in the same conditions without any treatment. After the end of treatment to take the intervertebral disc. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in the disc cartilage cells; western blotting was used to detect the expression of NF-κB p65 and IKKβ in the disc cartilage cells.Results:(1) Toluidine blue staining:Cartilage endplate toluidine blue stain was purple blue and the thickness of the endplate thicker in the sham group. Cartilage endplate toluidine blue stain in the control group faded. The thickness of the endplate and the number of endplate cartilage cell decreased markedly.(2) Immunohistochemistry (IHC):Compared with the sham group, the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in the other group were increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in the EA group and MT group were decreased considerably (P＜0.05).(3) Western Blot: Compared with the sham group, the contents of NF-κB p65 and IKKβ in the other group were increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the contents of NF-κB p65 and IKKβ in the EA group and MT group were decreased considerably (P<0.05).Conclusion:(1) Electroacupuncture at Cervical Jiaji points and Shousanli points can inhibit the TNF-a and IL-6 in chondrocytes of rats with cervical intervertebral disc degeneration.(2) Electroacupuncture intervention can decrease the expression of the NF-κB p65, IKKβ in the disc cartilage cells regulation of IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway.(3) EA "Cervical Jiaji" and "Shousanli" point delay cervical intervertebral disc degeneration may be through inhibition of IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway, reducing the contents of the inflammatory factor TNF-a, IL-6 in chondrocytes.