Abstract: BACKGROUND: Acupotomy is an effective method for the treatment of cervical spondylosis with definite clinical efficacy, but its key molecular mechanism is still unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupotomy intervention on the expression of fibroblast growth factor family and kinase insert domain protein receptor in the splenius capitis muscles of rats with cervical spondylosis, and to study the therapeutic mechanism of acupotomy in cervical spondylosis.
METHODS: The Genomics Expression Omnibus Database was searched to obtain the microarray dataset GSE153761, which was compatible with the study, and a bioinformatics approach was used for the initial screening of targets, followed by animal experiments. Twenty-four 6-month-old SPF grade Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. The model of cervical spondylosis was established by unbalanced dynamic and static forces in the model and acupotomy groups. The muscles and ligaments were not cut in the sham operation group. After successful modeling, acupotomy intervention was performed in the acupotomy group, once a week, 3 times in total. Normal rats were selected as controls. The posteroanterior and lateral X-rays of the cervical spine were taken for modeling verification; the open-field tests were performed in all rats to observe behavioral changes; the pathological structure of the splenius capitis muscles was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining; the mRNA and protein expression of fibroblast growth factor family and kinase insert domain protein receptor in the splenius capitis muscles was detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical method, respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Bioinformatics results indicated that fibroblast growth factor family/kinase insert domain protein receptor is an important signal axis for activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway. After modeling, the intervertebral space of the rats was narrowed, and the anterior and posterior borders of the vertebral body and the articular process were hyperosteogenous. In the open-field tests, the total distance and average speed in the model group were decreased after modeling (P < 0.05), while the total rest time in the model group was increased (P < 0.05). After treatment, the total distance and average speed in the acupotomy group were greater than those in the model group (P < 0.05), while the total rest time in the acupotomy group was shorter than that in the model group (P < 0.05). The pathological changes of the splenius capitis muscles indicated damage to the cervical muscle, and acupotomy improved cervical muscle strain. Compared with the normal group, The mRNA and protein expressions of fibroblast growth factor 7, fibroblast growth factor 9, fibroblast growth factor 10, fibroblast growth factor 18, and kinase insert domain protein receptor in the splenius capitis muscles were increased in the model group compared with the normal group (P < 0.05). In contrast, acupotomy treatment could downregulate the above indicators (P < 0.05). Thus, acupotomy may repair cervical muscle strain by regulating the expression of fibroblast growth factor 7, fibroblast growth factor 9, fibroblast growth factor 10, fibroblast growth factor 18, and kinase insert domain protein receptor, thereby improving intervertebral disc degeneration, which may be the key target for acupotomy treatment of cervical spondylosis.

中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建；骨细胞；软骨细胞；细胞培养；成纤维细胞；血管内皮细胞；骨质疏松；组织工程

Key words: acupotomy, cervical spondylosis, fibroblast growth factor, kinase insert domain protein receptor, engineered cytokine, engineered tissue construction