OBJECTIVEEstablishing a rabbit model of vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis(CSA) and to observe the characteristics of timeliness in improving the blood flow of vertebral artery by massage, and discusse the material basis of this timeliness based on NPY and ET-1.

METHODSFifty New Zealand healthy and white rabbits, 6-month-old, the body mass of (2.0±0.5) kg, with half males and half females, were randomly divided into blank group, model group, three massage groups(including massage for 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min group by random number table), 10 rabbits in each group. In addition to the blank group, CSA rabbit model was made by injection of sclerosing agent in other groups. The rabbits of massage for 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min groups received the massage therapy of corresponding duration, one times a day, continuous 10 days. The blood flow of vertebral artery in each group was detected by PeriFlux5000 laser doppler, and the contents of NPY and ET-1 in serum were detected by ELISA before and after treatment.

RESULTSChanges in blood flow of vertebral artery before and after treatment:there was no significant difference between model group and massage for 10 min group;there was significant difference between model group and massage for 20, 30 min groups(<0.01); there was significant difference between massage for 10 min group and massage for 20, 30 min groups(<0.01); there was no significant difference between massage for 20 min group and massage for 30 min group. Changes of NPY content before and after treatment: there was significant difference between model group and massage for 10 min group(<0.05); there was significant difference between model group and massage for 20, 30 min groups(<0.01); there was significant difference between massage for 10 min group and massage for 20, 30 min groups(<0.01); there was no significant difference between massage for 20 min group and massage for 30 min group. Changes of ET-1 content before and after treatment:there was no significant difference between model group and massage for 10 min group;there was significant difference between model group and massage for 20, 30 min groups(<0.01); there was significant difference between massage for 10 min group and massage for 20 min, 30 groups (<0.01); there was no significant difference between massage for 20 min group and massage for 30 min group.

CONCLUSIONSMassage needed 20 min for rabbits with CSA can only significantly improve the blood flow of vertebral artery. However, prolonging the time of massage has no obvious effect. The material basis of this timeliness characteristic of massage is closely related to the change of NPY and ET-1 levels in serum.