RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of "Nape Seven Needles" on the expressions of Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll 4) and hairy and enhancer of split homolog 1(Hes 1) in cervical intervertebral disc degeneration(IVDD) rats, so as to explore its mechanism of deferring the degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc. METHODS: SD male rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and a nape seven needles group (n=11 in each group). The IVDD model was established by static-dynamic imbalance method. "Nape Seven Needles" acupoints were bilateral "Fengchi" (GB 20), "Tianzhu" (BL 10), "Wangu" (GB 12) and "Fengfu" (GV 16). The rats in the nape seven needles group were treated for 4 weeks, once a day, with needles retained for 20 minutes. Tilted plane test was used to observe the angle changes. The morphology of cervical intervertebral disc was observed after H.E. stain. Dll 4 and Hes 1 mRNA and protein expression in intervertebral disc tissues were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with that in the normal group, the angle of tilted plane in the model group decreased (P<0.05); compared with that in the model group, the angle in the nape seven needles group increased (P<0.05). The structure of cervical intervertebral disc was normal and the fiber ring was arranged orderly in the normal group. The morphology of cervical intervertebral disc is irregular in the model group, and the number of nucleus pulposus cells decreased compared with that in the normal group. The structure of cervical intervertebral disc in the nape seven needles group was similar to that in the normal group. Compared with that in the normal group, the expression of Dll 4 mRNA decreased in the model group (P<0.05). The expression of Dll 4 mRNA in the nape seven needles group was higher than that in the model group (P<0.05). The expression of Hes 1 mRNA in the model group was higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05). The protein expressions of Dll 4 and Hes 1 in the nape seven needles group were higher than those in the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture at "Nape Seven Needles" acupoints can defer the degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc, which may be related to its regulation of Dll 4 and Hes 1 mRNA and protein expression in the intervertebral disc tissue.