OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between cartilage end-plate calcification (CEC) and cervical intervertebral discs regression (CIDR) in rabbits, and to study the inhibitory effect of combined therapy of Kanggu Zengsheng Capsule (KZC) ansforming growth factor-apsule (TGF-PLC) and igene therapy (GT) on CEC by measuring the thickness of CEC layer.

METHODSThirty-five New Zeland rabbits of 4 months old were selected to establish cervical dynamic imbalance rabbit model for inducing CIDR (No disposal was given to rabbits in the normal control group). Seven months after operation, combined therapy of KZC and PLC were given, in doses calculated by body weight, to the modeled rabbits in the drug treated group with CEC of either superficial layer or full layer, twice a dantly by gavage for 30 successive days. While to those in the gene therapy group, the recombinant plasmid DNA with transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) was injected once their intervertebral discs (ID) of C(2-3) C(3-4) and C(4-5), 20 microl for each injection. One month later, all rabbits were sacrificed with periotic venous gas embolic method and their ID of C(4-5) (including partial body of the upper and lower vertebrae) was resected. The degree of CIDR was evaluated morphologically, and the thickness of CEC in rabbits was measured and compared between groups.

RESULTSThickness of CEC in the model group, either of superficial layer or of full layer, was significantly more than that in the normal control group with significant difference. Both combined KZC and PLC therapy and gene therapy showed significant inhibitory effects on CEC in treating CIDR (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCEC is the initial factor of CIDR with highly positive correlation. Both combined therapy of KZC and PLC and gene therapy can significantly inhibit CEC.