[Effects of Chiropractics on Intervertebral Disk Extracell Matrix and Metabolic Enzymes in Rats with Cervical Spondylosis].

Objective: To observe the effect of chiropractics on intervertebral disk extracell matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, cellular collagen type Ⅱ (COL-Ⅱ), tissue inhibitor 1 of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) and extracellular matrix (ECM) in the rats with cervical spondylosis, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of cervical spondylosis.
Methods: A total of 40 SD rats were randomized into a sham group, a model group, a chiropractics group and a mobic group, 8 rats in each one. The model was established by static-dynamic imbalance method. The rats in the chiropractics group were treated with chiropractic therapy for two courses, 14 times a day and 14 days as a course. The rats in the mobic group were treated with intragastric administration of mobic. The expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, COL-Ⅱ and TIMP-1 in the intervertebral disk tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the protein expression of ECM was detected by Western blot.
Results: Compared with those in the sham group, the expressions of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13 in the model group increased (all P <0.05), and COL-Ⅱ, TIMP-1 decreased (both P <0.05).Compared with those in the model group, the expressions of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13 in the chiropractics group and the mobic group decreased (all P <0.05), and COL-Ⅱ, TIMP-1 increased (all P <0.05). Compared with that in the sham group, the expression of ECM protein in the model group decreased ( P <0.05). Compared with that in the model group, the expression of ECM protein in the chiropractics group and the mobic group increased (both P <0.05).
Conclusions: Chiropractics may improve the degeneration in rats with cervical spondylosis by regulating intervertebral disc ECM system and relevant metabolic enzymes.