ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss features of angiogenesis in degenerative intervertebral disc and related factors.Methods In this case-control study,52 patients undergoing single level posterior lumbar interbody fusion during October 2012 to December 2013 were selected as research objects.Annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus and cartilage end plate of responsible level were collected in surgery for frozen section and HE staining.Angiogenesis in the intervertebral disc was identified according to the morphological characteristics of vascular endothelial cells,i.e.typical lumen structure and blue stained nucleus.These intervertebral disc specimens were divided into two groups according to the angiogenesis phenomenon.All specimens with angiogenesis were evaluated by blood micro-vessel density (MVD) counting.Related factors of angiogenesis including gender,age,VAS score,JOA lumbar score,classification of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration,intervertebral disc calcification rate and classification of intervertebral disc herniation were compared between the two groups.Logistic regression analysis was further conducted on indicators with differences of statistical significance.Results In our group of 52 patients,28 patients had obvious angiogenesis:12 patients in annulus fibrosus,7 patients in cartilage endplate and 9 patients in annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus.Angiogenesis rate was 53.8％ (28/52).The mean value of MVD was 12.5±3.1.24 patients did not have obvious angiogenesis.Intervertebral disc calcification rate (75.0％ vs.37.5％),VAS score (6.79±2.06 vs.5.25±2.23) and JOA lumbar score (16.32±3.89 vs.19.08±4.24) were significant differences between two groups (P=0.006,0.013,0.018).Multi-factor regression analysis showed that VAS score (OR=7.248,P=0.011) and intervertebral disc calcification (OR=8.881,P=0.006) were important factors associated with intervertebral disc angiogenesis.JOA lumbar score (OR=3.739,P=0.070) was not associated with intervertebral disc angiogenesis.Conclusion Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is accompanied by angiogenesis.Intervertebral disc calcification and VAS score are important factors associated with angiogenesis in intervertebral disc.