The Effect of Joint Mobilization on the Expressions of Nadph-Diaphorase and Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Spinal Cord Neurons

Abstract

Knee joint immobilization is common medical practice used to manage musculoskeletal injuries; however, immobilization of the knee joint for a period generally causes degenerative alterations in many articular tissues (He & Dishman, 2009). Together with the articular tissues, neural tissue in the knee joint will also be altered after knee joint immobilization (Fuglsang-Frederiksen & Scheel, 1978; Michinaka et al., 1997; Kanemura et al., 2002). Progressive degeneration of articular tissues by immobilization of the knee joint, especially longterm immobilization appears to result in the Knee joint problems. Knee joint problems are one of the most common ailments of the musculoskeletal system and can produce pain. Chiropractic manipulative therapy can be helpful in alleviating some of the pain in knee joint problems (Xiaohua et al., 2008), and are also effective on extremity conditions (Hoskins et al., 2001; Nelson et al., 2005). Recent interest in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has been focused on its expression in motor neurons of the central nervous system (CNS) after peripheral nerve injury (Gonzalez et al., 1987; Lei et al., 1992; Wu & Li, 1993; Hama & Sagen, 1994; Wu et al., 1994; Hee et al., 1997). NADPH-d had been detected in a subpopulation of neurons in the CNS and myentric plexus (Bredt et al., 1990; Hee et al., 1997). NOS is an enzyme for generation of nitric oxide (NO) which is implicated in a multiplicity of biological functions (Vincent & Hope, 1992; Pannu & Singh, 2006). At the CNS, it is known that, low concentrations of NO promote neuronal survival and growth (Dimmeler & Zeiher, 1999; Xiong et al., 1999), while high concentrations exert toxic effects and neuron death