Objective To observe the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) at “Weizhong” (BL40) on expressions of Fas and FasL in rat models with lumbar disc degeneration; To discuss its mechanism of action.MethodsThirty SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operationgroup, model group and EA group, with 10 rats in each group. The sham-operation group was treated with sham operation to incide local skin; the model and EA groups established rat model of lumbar disc degeneration by puncturing the annulus fibrosus. Four weeks after modeling, rats in the sham-operation and model groups received fixed treatment under identical condition, and rats in the EA group were treated with EA at “Weizhong” (BL40) in 20 minutes, once a day, for 4 weeks. After treatment, Western blot and RT-PCR technology were used to test the protein and mRNA expression levels of Fas and FasL.ResultsThe expressions of Fas and FasL in the model group were higher than those in the sham-operation group (P<0.05); protein and mRNA expression levels of Fas and FasL in the EA group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). ConclusionEA at “Weizhong” (BL40) can reduce the expressions of Fas and FasL to inhibit the development of lumbar disc degeneration.%目的：观察电针“委中”对腰椎间盘退变模型大鼠椎间盘组织Fas、FasL表达的影响，探讨其作用机制。方法30只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、电针组，每组10只。假手术组仅手术切开皮肤，模型组和电针组通过纤维环穿刺法建立大鼠腰椎间盘退变模型。成模4周后，假手术组和模型组行等条件固定处理，电针组电针“委中”治疗，20 min/次，每日1次，连续4周。治疗结束后，Western blot、RT-PCR检测Fas、FasL的蛋白和mRNA表达。结果模型组Fas、FasL蛋白和mRNA表达较假手术组明显升高（P＜0.05），电针组 Fas、FasL 蛋白和 mRNA 表达较模型组明显降低（P＜0.05）。结论电针“委中”可降低 Fas、FasL的表达，起到抑制腰椎间盘退变的作用。
展开▼
