Electroacupuncture attenuates intervertebral disc degeneration by upregulating aquaporins via the cAMP/PKA pathway.

IF 2.8 3区 医学 Q1 ORTHOPEDICS
Min Wang, Jia-Bao Huang, Jing Zou, Guo-Fu Huang
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is characterized by a decrease in extracellular matrix (ECM) and water loss, which is a major cause of low back pain (LBP). Electroacupuncture (EA) has long been used to relieve LBP in IVDD. To investigate whether EA can upregulate aquaporins (AQPs) in IVDD via the cAMP/PKA pathway in a rabbit model of disc degeneration.

Methods: A homemade loading device was adapted to trigger a disc degeneration model. After 28 days, EA treatment was performed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed to evaluate AQP content and water diffusion. AQP protein expression in the slices was observed by Western blot and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The pathology of the intervertebral discs was determined by staining. cAMP and PKA levels were examined using ELISA, and the expression of AQP genes as well as the cAMP/PKA pathway and its related molecules were examined using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis.

Results: The EA intervention reduced MRI Pfirrmann scores, fractional anisotropy (FA), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. EA can upregulate the expression of AQP1 and AQP3, thereby improving the pathological morphology of the nucleus pulposus (NP) and the cartilage endplate of the intervertebral disc. cAMP and PKA levels were significantly increased after EA intervention in rabbits with IVDD. EA intervention can partially improve the expression of related molecules in the cAMP/PKA pathway, but H-89 reverses the effect of EA.

Conclusion: EA can attenuate intervertebral disc degeneration by regulating AQP expression, a process that may be mediated by the cAMP/PKA pathway.

电针通过cAMP/PKA通路上调水通道蛋白,减轻椎间盘退变。
背景:椎间盘退变(IVDD)的特征是细胞外基质(ECM)减少和水分流失,这是腰痛(LBP)的主要原因。电针(EA)长期用于缓解IVDD患者的LBP。探讨EA是否能通过cAMP/PKA通路上调兔椎间盘退变模型中水通道蛋白(AQPs)的表达。方法:采用自制加载装置触发椎间盘退变模型。28 d后进行EA治疗。采用磁共振成像(MRI)、弥散加权成像(DWI)和弥散张量成像(DTI)评估AQP含量和水分扩散。Western blot和免疫荧光(IF)染色观察AQP蛋白在切片中的表达。通过染色确定椎间盘的病理变化。ELISA检测cAMP和PKA水平,qRT-PCR和Western blot检测AQP基因表达及cAMP/PKA通路及其相关分子的表达。结果:EA干预降低了MRI Pfirrmann评分、分数各向异性(FA)和表观扩散系数(ADC)值。EA可上调AQP1和AQP3的表达,从而改善髓核(NP)和椎间盘软骨终板的病理形态。经EA干预后,IVDD家兔cAMP和PKA水平显著升高。EA干预可部分改善cAMP/PKA通路相关分子的表达,但H-89逆转了EA的作用。结论:EA可通过调节AQP的表达来减轻椎间盘退变,这一过程可能与cAMP/PKA通路有关。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
4.10
自引率
7.70%
发文量
494
审稿时长
>12 weeks
期刊介绍: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research is an open access journal that encompasses all aspects of clinical and basic research studies related to musculoskeletal issues. Orthopaedic research is conducted at clinical and basic science levels. With the advancement of new technologies and the increasing expectation and demand from doctors and patients, we are witnessing an enormous growth in clinical orthopaedic research, particularly in the fields of traumatology, spinal surgery, joint replacement, sports medicine, musculoskeletal tumour management, hand microsurgery, foot and ankle surgery, paediatric orthopaedic, and orthopaedic rehabilitation. The involvement of basic science ranges from molecular, cellular, structural and functional perspectives to tissue engineering, gait analysis, automation and robotic surgery. Implant and biomaterial designs are new disciplines that complement clinical applications. JOSR encourages the publication of multidisciplinary research with collaboration amongst clinicians and scientists from different disciplines, which will be the trend in the coming decades.
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