AlM: To observe retinal hemodynamic influence of compound xueshuantong capsule on nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy ( NPDR) after laser photocoagulation.METHODS:A total of 41 patients (72 eyes) with NPDR after laser photocoagulation were enrolled in this study. They were all given compound xueshuantong capsule, and used color Doppler flow imaging for detection of retinal hemodynamics.
RESULTS: After treatment, patients with retinal blood perfusion significantly improved; central retinal arterial peak systolic velocity ( PSV ) , end - diastolic velocity (EDV) and medial velocity (Vm) were increased, while the resistance index ( Rl) decreased. The difference have statistical significance (P<0. 05). The visual acuity of 61 eyes improved, efficiency was 85%. Visual acuity was related with PSV, Vm and Rl.
CONCLUSlON: Compound xueshuantong capsule can improve retinal blood perfusion for nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy after laser photocoagulation, which is related to improvement of visual prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo establish a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration by puncturing the anulus fibrosus through an approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and obliquus externus abdominis.

METHODSThe L(4/5) and L(5/6) intervetebral discs of 6 New Zealand white rabbits were punctured by an 18-gauge pin in the anterolateral annular fibrosus through an approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and the obliquus externus abdominis with the right transverse processes of L(5) and L(6) resected; the L(2/3) discs were used as the control without exposure or needle stab, and the L(3/4) discs were subjected to sham operation with the discs exposed but not punctured after resecting the right transverse process of L(4). X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed preoperatively and at the 4th week after puncture. At 4 weeks after the operation, histological and immunohistochemical analyses of the discs were carried out.

RESULTSX-ray of the punctured discs at 4 weeks after the operation presented a significant decrease of disc height, osteophytosis formation, and end-plate stiffness; an obvious decrease of signal intensity on T(2)-weighted images was found in the puncture group but not in the control or sham-operated groups. Gross morphological inspection showed atrophy of the nucleus pulposus, which became loose, soft, and fragile with a light yellow color. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses showed a significant decrease of notochordal cells and type II collagen in the nucleus pulposus in the puncture group as compared to the control and sham-operated groups.

CONCLUSIONPuncture through the approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and the obliquus externus abdominis allows the establishment of a reliable animal model for studying intervertebral disc degeneration.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rabbits