Herb Formula “Fufangqishe-Pill” Prevents Upright Posture–Induced Intervertebral Disc Degeneration at the Lumbar in Rats

Qian-Qian Liang; Zhi-Jie Xi; Qin Bian; Xue-Jun Cui; Chen-Guang Li; Wei Hou; Qi Shi; Yong-Jun Wang

Journal of Pharmacological Sciences (Jan 2010)

Herb Formula “Fufangqishe-Pill” Prevents Upright Posture–Induced Intervertebral Disc Degeneration at the Lumbar in Rats

Qian-Qian Liang,
Zhi-Jie Xi,
Qin Bian,
Xue-Jun Cui,
Chen-Guang Li,
Wei Hou,
Qi Shi,
Yong-Jun Wang

Affiliations

Qian-Qian Liang: Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China; Institute of Spine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
Zhi-Jie Xi: Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China; Institute of Spine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
Qin Bian: Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China; Institute of Spine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
Xue-Jun Cui: Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China; Institute of Spine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
Chen-Guang Li: Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China; Institute of Spine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
Wei Hou: Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China; Institute of Spine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
Qi Shi: Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China; Institute of Spine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
Yong-Jun Wang: Institute of Spine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China; Corresponding author. [email protected]

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 113, no. 1
pp. 23 – 31

Abstract

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Degeneration of the lumbar spine plays an important role in most chronic low back pain. Prevention of lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is therefore a high research priority. Both our previous multicenter clinical trials and pharmacological research showed that Fufangqishe-Pill (FFQSP), a newly patented traditional Chinese medicine, could effectively relieve the symptoms of neck pain and prevent cervical degeneration. To clarify the effect of FFQSP on lumbar IVD degeneration, we applied a lumbar IVD degeneration rat model induced by prolonged upright posture. Pretreatment of FFQSP for one month prevented the histological changes indicating IVD disorganization; increased type II–collagen level, decreased type X–collagen protein level, and increased Col2α1 mRNA expression at all time points; and decreased Col10α1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP13, and Interleukin (IL)-1β mRNA expression induced by upright posture for 7 and 9 months. These results suggest that FFQSP prevents lumbar IVD degeneration induced by upright posture. FFQSP is a promising medicine for lumbar IVD degeneration disease. Keywords:: chronic low back pain, Fufangqishe-Pill, lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, extracellular matrix

Published in Journal of Pharmacological Sciences

ISSN: 1347-8613 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Japan
LCC subjects: Medicine: Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-pharmacological-sciences

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