Yiqi Huoxue Recipe alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration by suppressing interleukin-17, nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and promoting SOX9/β-catenin pathway

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Recipe (YQHXF) on the pathological changes, Th-17 lymphocyte infiltration, nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis, and the expression of extracellular matrix related proteins in degenerative intervertebral disc of rats. Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (Sham, Model, Low YQHXF, Medium YQHXF, and High YQHXF). In this paper, the annulus fibrosus was broken and arranged disorderly, nucleus pulposus cells apoptosis was increased, and the intervertebral discs were infiltrated by a large number of inflammatory cells in model group rats. However, YQHXF treatment group significantly attenuated these effects. Annulus fibrosus puncture caused increase in Th-17 lymphocyte infiltration and inflammatory factors in the model group, however, those effects were inhibited by YQHXF intervention. YQHXF treatment significantly reduced nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis, which was increased in the model group. The down-regulation of SOX-9 phosphorylation, type II collagen, BMP-2 and the up-regulation of β-catenin, MMP-3, MMP-13 and ADAMTS5 were found in the model group compared with sham group. However, those changes were significantly attenuated by YQHXF treatment. YQHXF could alleviate intervertebral disc degeneration in rats by reducing Th-17 lymphocyte infiltration, inhibiting nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and promoting SOX-9/β-catenin-mediated ECM synthesis