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SUMMARY: Conducting morphometric studies including many parameters and establishing certain standards for the anatomy of the lumbar spine will facilitate clinical applications. The Turkish example of lumbar vertebrae and disc morphometry has not yet been presented comprehensively. In our study, abdominal computed tomography images of 700 adults were evaluated retrospectively. It was observed that the anterior height of the vertebral bodies increased from L1 to L4 in males, and from L1 to L5 in females. The posterior height of the vertebral bodies was lowest at L5 in both sexes, while it was highest at L3 in males and L4 in females. In all age groups, the values for males were greater (p0.05). In all age groups and both sexes, an increase in anterior disc heights towards disc 5 was observed. The values for males were greater than those for females (p<0.05). The posterior disc height at disc 5 was higher in females, and in other discs, it was higher in males (p<0.05). In conclusion, it was found that the measurement values of the parameters examined varied according to lumbar level and sex, but were independent of age. The morphometric data we obtained are important in terms of providing a reference for the people of our region and contributing to the literature.
La realización de estudios morfométricos que incluyan diversos parámetros anatómicos y el establecimiento de ciertos estándares para la anatomía de la columna lumbar facilitarán los procedimientos clínicos. Como ejemplo, aún no se ha presentado de manera detallada la morfometría de las vértebras lumbares y del disco intervertebral en individuos turcos. En nuestro estudio evaluamos retrospectivamente imágenes de tomografía computarizada abdominal en 700 individuos adultos de ambos sexos. Observamos que la altura anterior de los cuerpos vertebrales aumentaba de L1 a L4 en los hombres y de L1 a L5 en las mujeres. La altura posterior de los cuerpos vertebrales fue más baja en L5 en ambos sexos, mientras que fue más alta en L3 en hombres y L4 en mujeres. En todos los grupos etarios los valores para los hombres fueron mayores (p0,05). En todos los grupos de edad y en ambos sexos se observó un aumento en la altura anterior del disco intervertebral hacia el disco 5. Los valores de los hombres fueron mayores que los de las mujeres (p<0,05). La altura posterior del disco intervertebral en el disco 5 fue mayor en las mujeres y en otros discos fue mayor en los hombres (p<0,05). En conclusión, se encontró que los valores de medición de los parámetros examinados variaron según el nivel lumbar y el sexo, pero fueron independientes de la edad. Los datos morfométricos que obtuvimos son importantes en términos de proporcionar una referencia para la población de nuestra región y contribuir a la literatura.
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Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Young Adult , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Intervertebral Disc/diagnostic imaging , Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging , Sex Characteristics , Intervertebral Disc/anatomy & histology , Lumbar Vertebrae/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
Osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gouty arthritis (GA), and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) are the most common bone and joint-related diseases in clinical practice. They can all affect related joints, leading to joint pain, swelling, dysfunction, and other symptoms. The difference is that OA is mainly caused by joint wear and age-related degradation and is manifested as joint pain, stiffness, and limited movement. RA is an autoimmune disease, manifested as joint pain, swelling, morning stiffness, and systemic symptoms. GA is caused by abnormal uric acid metabolism, manifested as acute arthritis, and IVDD is caused by intervertebral disc degeneration. Studies have shown that the mechanism of the occurrence and development of these bone and joint diseases is extremely complex. Pyroptosis is closely related to these bone and joint-related diseases by participating in bone and joint inflammation, cartilage metabolism imbalance, extracellular matrix degradation, and pathological damage of bone and joint. Inhibition of bone and joint-related pyroptosis will effectively prevent and treat bone and joint-related diseases. At the same time, many studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a prominent curative effect and obvious advantages in the prevention and treatment of bone and joint-related diseases. TCM can reduce the inflammatory reaction of bone and joints, improve the pathological damage of bone and joint diseases, and relieve bone and joint pain by inhibiting pyroptosis. Therefore, this article aims to briefly explain the relationship between pyroptosis and the occurrence and development of bone and joint-related diseases and summarize the latest research reports on the intervention of pyroptosis in the treatment of bone and joint-related diseases by TCM monomers, TCM extracts, and TCM compounds. It offers new ideas for the in-depth study of the pathogenesis and drug treatment of bone and joint diseases and provides a basis for the clinical use of TCM to prevent and treat bone and joint diseases.
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Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with kneading and massage manipulation at pain points in treating patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and chronic low back pain (LBP).Methods:Randomized controlled trial. A total of 91 patients with LDH and LBP who were admitted to Lu'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as the observation subjects. They were divided into the experimental group (46 cases) and the control group (45 cases) by random number table method. The control group was treated with conventional massage manipulation, while the experimental group was treated with heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with kneading and massage manipulation at pain points. Both groups received 4 weeks of continuous treatment. The degree of lumbar pain was evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the degree of lumbar dysfunction was evaluated with modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Plasma viscosity, hematocrit, whole blood low shear viscosity and whole blood high shear viscosity were measured using a blood rheometer. Clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total clinical effective rates in the experimental group and the control group were 93.48% (43/46) and 77.78% (35/45), with a statistical significance between groups ( χ2=4.58, P=0.032). After treatment, the VAS score [(3.81±0.74) vs. (4.29±0.85), t=2.88] and ODI score [(8.79±2.65) vs. (11.25±3.74), t=3.63] of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group ( P<0.01). Plasma viscosity [(1.35±0.06) mPa?s vs. (1.41±0.08) mPa?s, t=4.05], hematocrit [(37.46±2.38)% vs. (40.15±2.94)%, t=4.80], whole blood low shear viscosity [(7.41±1.53) mPa?s vs. (8.64±1.72) mPa?s, t=3.61] and whole blood high shear viscosity [(3.81±0.29) mPa?s vs. (4.07±0.31) mPa?s, t=4.13] were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with kneading and massage manipulation at pain points can effectively relieve LBP in patients with LDH and chronic LBP, improve lumbar dysfunction and hemodynamic status, and enhance clinical efficacy.
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Objective To evaluate the potential clinical value of T2 mapping and mDixon Quant in the diagnosis of early interver-tebral disc degeneration.Methods A total of 79 volunteers who underwent lumbar MRI examination were enrolled.All subjects were examined for 3.0T MR with T2WI,T2 mapping,and mDixon Quant while recording the condition of low back pain.The differ-ences between T2 mapping(map)value and fat fraction(FF)values of the vertebral(V)and nucleus pulposus(NP)within the Pfir-rmann Ⅰ and Pfirrmann Ⅱ intervertebral disc(grade Ⅰ 76,grade Ⅱ 87)were statistically analyzed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analyses were performed for meaningful parameters.Results V-FF showed a mild positive correlation with degenera-tive intervertebral disc lesions,and NP-FF and NP-map values showed a mild negative correlation with lesions.There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in V-FF(P<0.001),NP-FF(P=0.005),and NP-map(P<0.001).Some measure-ments had statistically significant differences when different intervertebral disc segments were compared.Conclusion V-FF,NP-FF,and NP-map are associated with intervertebral disc degeneration.T2 mapping and mDixon Quant are potentially valuable as diagnostic tools to quantitatively assess early intervertebral disc degeneration and help diagnose.
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Objective To investigate the change rule of T1ρ value in the process of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration(IVDD)based on Pfirrmann grading by Meta-analysis.Methods PubMed,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,CNKI,Wanfang Data,VIP and Sinomed were searched to collect studies on quantitative assessment of IVDD using T1ρ imaging technology.The retrieval time limit was from the establishment of the database to December 20,2022.Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 14.0 software.Results A total of 12 articles were included,and the numbers of Pfirrmann grade Ⅰ-Ⅴ lumbar discs were 316,1 460,769,430 and 98,respectively.T1ρ relaxation time decreased gradually with the increase of the grade of degeneration.The T1ρ values of grade Ⅰlumbar discs were significantly higher than those of grade Ⅱ lumbar discs[weighted mean difference(WMD)=14.55,95%confidence interval(CI)6.35-22.75,P<0.01],and the T1ρ values of grade Ⅱ lumbar discs were significantly higher than those of grade Ⅲlumbar discs(WMD=34.20,95%CI 27.05-41.34,P<0.01).The T1ρ values of grade Ⅲ lumbar discs were significantly higher than that of grade Ⅳ lumbar discs(WMD=22.94,95%CI 17.08-28.80,P<0.01).The T1ρ values of grade Ⅳ lumbar discs were significantly higher than that of grade Ⅴ lumbar discs(WMD=9.35,95%CI 6.81-11.89,P<0.01).Conclusion T1ρ imaging technology can objectively and quantitatively evaluate degeneration at different stages,especially sensitive to IVDD in the early and middle stages,which can provide imaging evidence for clinical diagnosis of early IVDD.
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Objective To explore the application effect of multimodal MRI in the diagnosis of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration.Methods A total of 78 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration treated conservatively were retrospectively selected.The patients underwent sagittal T2WI,axial T2WI sequence and sagittal synthetic MRI scanning and post-processing to generate T1,T2 and proton density(PD)mapping quantitative sequences by GE Signa Pioneer 3.0T MR machine.The T1,T2 and PD values of the anterior and posterior annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus of L1-L2 to L5-S1 lumbar intervertebral disc were measured.The Pfirrmann grade,visual analogue scale(VAS)and Oswestry disability index(ODI)scale of each intervertebral disc were evaluated.The T1,T2,PD,VAS and ODI of patients with different Pfirrmann grades were compared.Pearson linear analysis was used to analyze the relationship between T1,T2,PD and VAS,ODI.Spearman rank correlation method was used to analyze the relationship between T1,T2,PD and Pfirrmann.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the evaluation value of T1,T2 and PD in Pfirrmann.Results With the increase of Pfirrmann grade,the T1,T2 and PD values of patients decreased,while the VAS score and ODI increased(P<0.05).The T1,T2 and PD values were negatively correlated with VAS score,ODI and Pfirrmann grade(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that T1,T2 and PD values had good evaluation values for Pfirrmann grade(P<0.05).Conclusion Multimodal MRI can effectively evaluate the Pfirrmann grade,pain and lumbar function of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration,which can be used to help determine the diagnosis.
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Objective:To explore the optimum opportunity for lumbodorsal muscles exercises of patients undergoing posterior lumbar decompression and instrumentation, and investigate its effect on the rehabilitation outcomes and kinesiophobia.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was used. By convenient sampling method, a total of 120 lumbar disc herniation patients were prospectively selected from Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai(Nantong Sixth People′s Hospital) from February 2020 to December 2021. The paitients were assigned to early group, middle group and late group, with 40 cases in each group. All patients were given routine postoperative care and lumbodorsal muscles exercises. The early group started to exercise 10th day after operation, the middle group started to exercise 3 weeks after operation, and the late group started to exercise 6 weeks after operation. The intervention effect was respectively evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedics Association (JOA) and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK).Results:There were 3, 1 and 1 missing cases in the early, middle and late group respectively, the age in the 3 groups were (56.05 ± 11.77), (57.33 ± 14.64) and (54.23 ± 15.73) years old in turn. Three months after exercising, the total score of JOA in the early, middle and late group were (25.32 ± 2.45), (24.44 ± 2.19) and (22.13 ± 1.58) in turn, the difference was significant ( F=23.64, P<0.05); the score of TSK in the early, middle and late group were (37.95 ± 6.81), (34.18 ± 6.39) and (33.33 ± 7.36) in turn, the difference was significant ( F=4.82, P<0.05). Conclusions:Lumbodorsal muscles exercises start at 3 weeks after operation can significantly improve the rehabilitation outcome of lumbar disc herniation patients undergoing posterior lumbar decompression and instrumentation, and will not increase the level of kinesiophobia, its can be consider as optimum opportunity for lumbodorsal muscles exercises.
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Objective To investigate the effect of Yiqi Huoxue Tongluo Decoction on microRNA-126a-5p(miR-126a-5p)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)signaling pathway in cervical spondylotic myelopathy model rats.Methods Thirty healthy male SD rats were divided into the sham operation group,the model group and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)group by random number table method.Cervical spondylotic myelopathy models were prepared in the model group and the TCM group.The TCM group was given intragastric administration of Yiqi Huoxue Tongluo Decoction,while the sham operation group and the model group were given intragastric administration of normal saline for 12 weeks.After intervention,the threshold of mechanical stimulation and retraction time of thermal stimulation in each group were measured by behavior tests.Rats were sacrificed to collect intervertebral disc tissue for hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and observe the number of vascular buds in intervertebral disc.Rat intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus cells were subjected to terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)staining.The miR-126a-5p and VEGF mRNA of rat intervertebral disc tissue were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The expression of VEGF protein of rat intervertebral disc tissue was detected by Western blot assay.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the number of vascular buds in intervertebral disc was decreased in the model group and the TCM group.The cell destruction of intervertebral disc annulus was obvious in rats,and apoptosis was high and cell density decreased.Mechanical stimulation threshold decreased,and mechanical stimulation threshold decreased.The level of miR-126a-5p was decreased,and the expression levels of VEGF mRNA and protein were increased.Compared with the model group,the number of vascular buds in intervertebral disc was increased in the TCM group.The destruction of intervertebral disc annulus cells was alleviated in rats.The apoptosis of annulus fibrosus cells in intervertebral disc decreased and cell density increased.The threshold of mechanical stimulation increased,and the retraction time of thermal stimulation was prolonged.The level of miR-126a-5p increased,and the expression levels of VEGF mRNA and protein decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion The mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue Tongluo Decoction in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy may be related to the up-regulation of miR-126a-5p expression and the down-regulation of VEGF expression.
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BACKGROUND:Intervertebral disc degeneration is clinically considered to be the main cause of low back pain,but due to the unclear pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration,there is still a lack of effective means to delay the progression of the disease.Single-cell RNA sequencing technology can amplify and sequence mRNA at the single-cell level,reveal the gene expression intensity of a single cell,discover different cell subsets in tissues according to the heterogeneity of cells,study the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration at the molecular level,and provide a new theoretical basis for its early diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVE:To introduce the basic principles of single-cell RNA sequencing technology and review the research progress of single-cell RNA sequencing technology in intervertebral disc degeneration in recent years. METHODS:A computer was used to search PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI and WanFang databases for the literature published from 2012 to 2022.Key words were"single-cell RNA sequencing,intervertebral disc degeneration,sequencing Technology"in Chinese and English.Duplicate,poor-quality and irrelevant articles were excluded;a total of 70 articles were eventually included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)We identified new cell subsets such as homeostatic chondrocytes,hypertrophy chondrocyte-like nucleus pulposus cells and fibrous nucleus pulposus cells,identified the marker genes and transcription factors of these cell subsets,and described the functions,differentiation paths and cell fate of these cell subsets during the development and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration,and proposed the concept of progenitor nucleus pulposus cells.A cell subpopulation with progenitor nucleus pulposus cells properties was identified and its effectiveness in treating intervertebral disc degeneration was verified in mice.(2)Fibro chondrocyte-like annulus fibrosus cells and annulus fibrosus stem cells with both cartilage and fiber properties were identified,and a new type of composite hydrogel was prepared by combining fibrous cartilage inducers silk fibroin and hyaluronic acid in vitro.Experiments in mice demonstrated that this hydrogel could repair both annulus fibrosus tissue and cartilage matrix,and was remarkably effective in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.(3)Regulatory chondrocytes were found in endplate cartilage.Two distinct fates in the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration were analyzed and the differential genes in the two fates were identified.Intercellular communication analysis indicated that regulatory chondrocytes interact with endothelial cells to promote angiogenesis.(4)Immune cells such as macrophages,T cells,myeloid progenitor cells and neutrophils were identified in the degenerated intervertebral disc tissues,demonstrating the existence of immune response during intervertebral disc degeneration.It was found that apolipoprotein induced the polarization of macrophages M1 and M2 subtypes,and this polarization process affected the activity of progenitor nucleus pulposus cells by amplifying the inflammatory response through the MIF signaling pathway.
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BACKGROUND:MicroRNA(miRNA)levels are closely related to cell apoptosis and proliferation,extracellular matrix metabolism and inflammatory response in intervertebral disc cells.However,the specific role of miR-142-3p in lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation between the expression of miRNA-142-3p,mixed lineage kinase 3 and interleukin-1β in nucleus pulposus tissue and degree of human lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS:A total of 82 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc degenerative diseases in Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital from January 2020 to March 2022 were collected as the study subjects,all of whom underwent MRI examination before operation.According to the Videman classification,the patients were divided into mild degeneration group(n=36),moderate degeneration group(n=26)and severe degeneration group(n=20).Eighty-two specimens of the nucleus pulposus were obtained.The mRNA expression of miRNA-142-3p as well as the mRNA and protein expression of mixed lineage kinase 3,interleukin-1β,type I collagen,type II collagen in nucleus pulposus tissue were detected by qPCR and western blot assay.The correlation between the degree of human lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration and the expression levels of miRNA-142-3p,mixed lineage kinase 3,and interleukin-1β was also assessed using the Spearman correlation coefficient method.Thirty adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham-operated group(executed after puncturing skin and muscle only),mild degeneration group(executed 1 week after puncturing Co7/8 segments)and severe degeneration group(executed 2 weeks after puncturing Co7/8 segments),with 10 rats in each group.After that,we detected the protein expression of mixed lineage kinase 3 and interleukin-1β as well as the gene expression of miRNA-142-3p,mixed lineage kinase 3 and interleukin-1β in the nucleus pulposus tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In human nucleus pulposus tissue,the miRNA-142-3p expression ranked from high to low as follows:mild degeneration group>moderate degeneration group>severe degeneration group(P<0.05);the gene and protein expression of mixed lineage kinase 3 and interleukin-1β from low to high was as follows:mild degeneration group<moderate degeneration group<severe degeneration group(P<0.05);the gene and protein expression of type I collagen from low to high was as follows:mild degeneration group<moderate degeneration group<severe degeneration group(P<0.05),and the gene and protein expression of type I collagen from high to low was as follows:mild degeneration group>moderate degeneration group>severe degeneration group(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that the degree of disc degeneration was negatively correlated with miRNA-142-3p expression(P<0.05)and positively correlated with mixed lineage kinase 3 and interleukin-1β expression(P<0.05).In rat nucleus pulposus tissue,compared with the sham-operated group,the expression of mixed lineage kinase 3 and interleukin-1β gene and protein was elevated in the mild degeneration group(P<0.05)while miRNA-142-3p expression was decreased(P<0.05);compared with the mild degeneration group,the expression of mixed lineage kinase 3 and interleukin-1β gene and protein was increased in the severe degeneration group(P<0.05)while miRNA-142-3p expression was decreased(P<0.05).To conclude,the degree of human lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration is negatively correlated with miRNA-142-3p expression and positively correlated with mixed lineage kinase 3 and interleukin-1β expression in nucleus pulposus tissue.
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BACKGROUND:Intervertebral disc degeneration is the basis of spinal degenerative diseases;however,there is no effective treatment. OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether sinomenine can inhibit interleukin-1β-induced apoptosis in nucleus pulposus cells and its molecular mechanism. METHODS:Rat nucleus pulposus cells were cultured in vitro by trypsin combined with type II collagenase digestion,and the cell growth curve was plotted.An appropriate sinomenine concentration was determined using the cell counting kit-8 kit.Nucleus pulposus cells were divided into control group,sinomenine group,interleukin-1β group,sinomenine+interleukin-1β group,zinc protoporphyrin group,zinc protoporphyrin+sinomenine group,zinc protoporphyrin+interleukin-1β group,and sinomenine+zinc protoporphyrin+interleukin-1β group.Proliferative activity,reactive oxygen species content,apoptosis rate,and heme oxygenase-1 expression in nucleus pulposus cells were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The rat nucleus pulposus cells cultured in vitro were polygonal,triangular,and short wedge-shaped,and the cell growth showed an"S"curve.The cells grew slowly in the first 3 days of culture,rapidly in 4-6 days,and slowly again in 7-8 days.The cells then entered the"platform stage"where the number of cells no longer increased.The proliferative activity of myeloid cells showed no significant changes when the concentration of sinomenine was≤80 μmol/L(P>0.05).Interleukin-1β significantly reduced the proliferative activity of nucleus pulposus cells,increased the content of reactive oxygen species and led to apoptosis(P<0.01).Sinomenine intervention not only promoted heme oxygenase-1 expression(P<0.05)but also inhibited interleukin-1β-induced decrease in proliferative activity and increase in reactive oxygen species content and apoptosis rate in nucleus pulposus cells(P<0.05).These effects could be reversed by zinc protoporphyrin(P<0.01).
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BACKGROUND:Salvianolic acid B can inhibit cell damage induced by H2O2,effectively remove excess reactive oxygen species,and exert antioxidant properties.It has been used in the treatment of many diseases.However,there are relatively few studies on the role and mechanism of salvianolic acid B in intervertebral disc degeneration. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect and mechanism of salvianolic acid B on oxidative stress-induced intervertebral disc degeneration by using gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel as a carrier through the in vitro cell experiment and the in vivo animal experiment. METHODS:The gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel(drug-loaded hydrogel)loaded with salvianolic acid B was prepared.(1)In vitro cell experiment:The lumbar nucleus pulposus cells of adult SD rats were isolated and extracted,and passage 3 nucleus pulposus cells were selected and divided into groups:Group A was added complete medium.In group B,a complete medium containing H2O2 was added.Group C was inoculated on methylacrylylated gelatin hydrogel and added with a complete medium containing H2O2.Group D was inoculated on methyl acrylyl gelatin hydrogel loaded with salvianolic acid B and added into a complete medium containing H2O2.The E group was inoculated on the methylacrylyl gelatin hydrogel loaded with salvianolic acid B,and the complete medium containing H2O2 and the complete medium containing TLR4 signaling pathway inhibitor were added.Cell proliferation,oxidative stress,inflammatory response,gene expression of cell matrix-associated proteins and the protein expression of TLR4/nuclear factor-kB signaling pathway were detected.(2)Animal in vivo experiment:Sixty adult SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,acupuncture group,acupuncture + salvianolic acid group,acupuncture + hydrogel group and acupuncture + loading potion gel group,with 12 rats in each group.The last four groups were treated with acupuncture to establish models of intervertebral disc degeneration and then injected with normal saline,salvianolic acid B solution,non-drug loaded gel and drug-loaded gel in turn.Imaging examination and pathological observation were performed 4 weeks after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In vitro cell experiment:Compared with group A,the cell proliferation was decreased;the oxidative stress reaction and inflammation reaction were enhanced;the expression of extracellular matrix degrading enzymes(matrix metalloproteinase 3,matrix metalloproteinase 13,ADAMTS4,ADAMTS5)was increased in group B(P<0.05),and the synthesis of extracellular matrix(type Ⅱ collagen,proteoglycan)was decreased(P<0.05).The protein expression of the TLR4/nuclear factor-kB signaling pathway was increased(P<0.05).Compared with group B,the cell proliferation of groups D and E was increased,the oxidative stress response and inflammatory response were weakened,and the expression of extracellular matrix degrading enzymes(matrix metalloproteinase 3,matrix metalloproteinase 13,ADAMTS4,ADAMTS5)was decreased(P<0.05),and the synthesis of extracellular matrix was increased(P<0.05).The protein expression of TLR4/nuclear factor-kB signaling pathway was decreased(P<0.05),and the effect was more significant in group E.(2)Animal in vivo experiment:4 weeks after surgery,intervertebral disc height index,index of MRI and pathological and histological grading of the intervertebral disc had improved significantly in the acupuncture+drug-loaded hydrogel group,and simply injecting hydrogel or salvianolic acid B solution can to a certain extent improve the intervertebral disc degeneration,but they are not as good as the injection of the drug-loaded hydrogel.(3)It is concluded that gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel loaded with salvianolic acid B can inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation in the degenerated intervertebral disc tissue,inhibit the degradation of extracellular matrix,and alleviate the process of intervertebral disc degeneration,which may be accomplished by inhibiting the TLR4/nuclear factor-kB signaling pathway.
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BACKGROUND:Nucleus pulposus degeneration is an important pathological link of intervertebral disc degeneration.Melatonin has a protective effect on cells through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways,but the effect of melatonin on the nucleus pulposus has been less studied.At present,the emergence of various biological scaffolders provides a new idea for the study of drug-material combinations.OBJECTIVE:To explore whether melatonin can improve the metabolic state of the nucleus pulposus by reducing oxidative stress damage as well as the effect of gelatin methacryloyl(GelMA)microspheres loaded with melatonin on intervertebral disc degeneration in vivo.METHODS:In vitro,melatonin was combined with GelMA solution,and GelMA hydrogel was prepared into microspheres by microfluidic technology to co-culture with nucleus pulposus cells.The cell proliferation activity was detected by cell counting kit-8 assay,the surface morphology of the microspheres was observed under scanning electron microscopy,and the rate of drug release was detected by ultraviolet spectrophotometer.Then,interleukin-1β was used to induce degeneration of the nucleus pulposus.After treatment,the expression levels of aggrecan,type Ⅱ collagen α1,matrix metalloproteinase 13 and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5(ADAMTS5)in the nucleus pulposus were detected by qRT-PCR.In vivo,nucleus pulposus degeneration was induced by puncture.Subsequently,GelMA and GelMA@MT microspheres were injected.After 6 weeks,the specimens were taken for tissue staining,and the changes in tissue morphology were observed under the microscope for histological analysis and scoring.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)When the GelMA and GelMA@MT microspheres were observed under electron scanning microscope,melatonin binding did not change the morphology and external appearance of the microspheres.Drug release experiments showed that the drug release reached about 80%after 40 days.(2)Cell counting kit-8 assay results showed that both GelMA and GelMA@MT microspheres had no obvious cytotoxicity and promoted the proliferation of nucleus pulposus cells.(3)qRT-PCR results revealed that GelMA@MT microspheres increased the expression of aggrecan and type Ⅰ collagen α1 in the interleukin 1β environment by 42.1%and 27.1%,respectively,and decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and ADAMTS5 by 70.7%and 109.3%,respectively.(4)The level of reactive oxygen species was significantly lower in the interleukin 1β+GelMA@MT group than in the interleukin 1β and interleukin 1β+GelMA groups.(5)Histological staining of the sections showed that melatonin-loaded GelMA microspheres significantly delayed disc degeneration in vivo.(6)These findings indicate that GelMA@MT microspheres made by combining melatonin with GelMA hydrogel have good cytocompatibility in vitro and significantly delay nucleus pulposus degeneration in vitro and in vivo.
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BACKGROUND:The imbalance of matrix synthesis and degradation is the main cause of nucleus pulposus degeneration.Small molecule drug Kartogenin(KGN)can restore the balance of matrix synthesis and degradation.Sustained release of KGN using an appropriate drug delivery system is essential for the long-term and effective treatment of KGN.OBJECTIVE:To prepare the injectable hydrogel microspheres by encapsulating KGN with gelatin methacryloyl(GelMA)by microfluidic technology and to investigate the biocompatibility and biological function of nucleus pulposus cells.METHODS:β-Cyclodextrins(β-CD)and KGN were mixed firstly and then mixed with 10%GelMA at a volume of 1:9.Injectable hydrogel microspheres GelMA@β-CD@KGN were prepared by microfluidic technology.The micromorphology of the microspheres was characterized using a scanning electron microscope.The drug release of hydrogel microspheres immersed in PBS within one month was measured.Nucleus pulposus cells were isolated from SD rats and passage 1 cells were cultured in three groups.In the control group,nucleus pulposus cells were cultured separately.In the other two groups,GelMA@β-CD microspheres and GelMA@β-CD@KGN microspheres were co-cultured with nucleus pulposus cells.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay and cell survival was detected by live/dead cell staining.Cells were cultured by two complete media with and without interleukin-1β with two kinds of microspheres.mRNA expressions of matrix synthesis and decomposing proteins in nucleus pulposus cells were detected by RT-PCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Under the scanning electron microscope,the GelMA@β-CD@KGN microspheres after lyophilization were regularly spherical,highly dispersed,uniform in size and full in shape.GelMA@β-CD@KGN microspheres sustained drug release in vitro,reaching 62%of the total drug release at 30 days.(2)Live/dead cell staining showed that GelMA@β-CD@KGN could maintain the activity of nucleus pulposus cells.CCK-8 assay showed that GelMA@β-CD@KGN could promote the proliferation of nucleus pulposus cells.(3)In the complete media with and without interleukin-1β,mRNA expression of aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen was higher in the GelMA@β-CD@KGN microsphere group than that in the GelMA@β-CD microsphere group(P<0.05,P<0.01);mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and platelet reactive protein disintegrin metallopeptidase 5 was lower than that in the GelMA@β-CD microsphere group(P<0.01).(4)These findings indicate that GelMA@β-CD@KGN microspheres have good biocompatibility and sustained drug release ability.As a drug delivery system,it is a kind of biomaterial with broad application prospects.
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BACKGROUND:Cadmium is a common environmental pollutant,which can damage multiple organs and tissues,such as the kidney and bone,but its effect on annulus fibrosus cells in the intervertebral disc has been less reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of cadmium chloride on the senescence of annulus fibrosus cells and the role of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. METHODS:Annulus fibrosus cells from Sprague-Dawley rat intervertebral discs were harvested and passage 3 cells were intervened with different concentrations of cadmium chloride(0,1,5,10,20 μmol/L).Cell viability and proliferation were detected by cell counting kit-8 assay.Transcriptome sequencing and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional enrichment analysis were performed on annulus fibrosus cells with or without cadmium chloride addition.Passage 3 annulus fibrosus cells were divided into control group,cadmium chloride group and LY294002 group.Cell proliferation rate was detected by EdU method,positive cell rate was detected by senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining,and expressions of senescence-associated proteins(p16,p21 and p53)and p-Akt at protein and mRNA levels were measured by western blot,RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:5 μmol/L cadmium chloride could inhibit the proliferation of annulus fibrosus cells.Results from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional enrichment analysis showed that the main signal transduction pathways included PI3K/Akt,cell cycle and p53 signaling pathways,which were related to cell senescence and proliferation.PI3K/Akt signaling pathways with significant differential expression were selected for validation.Compared with the control group,the EdU-positive rate was significantly decreased in the cadmium chloride group(P<0.05),while the β-galactosidase-positive rate,the expression of senescence-associated proteins(p16,p21 and p53)and p-Akt significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the cadmium chloride group,the EdU-positive rate and p-Akt expression were significantly decreased in the LY294002 group(P<0.05),while the β-galactosidase-positive rate and the expression of senescence-associated proteins(p16,p21 and p53)significantly increased(P<0.05).To conclude,cadmium chloride can regulate the senescence of annulus fibrosus cells by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,thereby inducing the occurrence and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration.
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BACKGROUND:The problem of intervertebral disc injury and degeneration has been studied in many ways.Many studies have shown that intervertebral disc injury and degeneration is driven by mechanical loading factors.However,the potential relationship between common phenotypes of intervertebral disc injury and degeneration and mechanical loading factors has been rarely summarized. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the types of common structural abnormalities exhibited by intervertebral disc injury and degeneration in the published literature,and sum up the potential links to the types of mechanical loading that lead to these structural abnormalities in in vitro and ex vivo experimental studies. METHODS:Using the terms"intervertebral disc failure,intervertebral disc injury,mechanical load,mechanical factor,load factor,biomechanics"as Chinese and English key words in PubMed,CNKI,and WanFang databases,articles related to intervertebral disc injury degeneration and mechanical load factors were retrieved.Literature screening was performed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,and 88 articles were finally included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Common structural abnormalities of intervertebral discs include decreased intervertebral disc height,disc bulge,osteophyte formation,annulus fibrosus tear,intervertebral disc herniation or disc prolapse,endplate damage,Schmorl nodes and intervertebral disc calcification.Intervertebral discs are susceptible to mechanical load types such as compression,bending,axial rotation,and compound loads.(2)The compressive load mainly causes the decrease of the proteoglycan content and the water-binding ability of the intervertebral disc,leading to the decrease or swelling of the intervertebral disc and further damage and degeneration of the intervertebral disc.In addition,the excessive compressive load causes greater damage to the endplate.(3)Bending load and axial rotation load damage the annulus fibrosus more than the endplate,and prolonged or repeated bending loads can cause tearing of the fibrous annulus and herniation or prolapse of the intervertebral disc,while pure axial rotation loads can induce less damage to the intervertebral disc and only cause the tear of the annulus fibrosus.(4)However,when different load types act in combination,it is more likely to result in high stress on the disc and a greater risk of disc injury.(5)Injury and degeneration of the intervertebral disc present progressive structural damage,and early prevention and protection are particularly important in clinical practice.Future tissue engineering research can start with early repair of the intervertebral disc.
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BACKGROUND:Intervertebral disc degeneration is an important cause of low back pain.At present,there are many modeling methods for disc degeneration in China and abroad,but there is not a model for low back pain due to disc degeneration. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effect of mechanical puncture combined with tumor necrosis factor α and complete Freund's adjuvant with a conventional disc mechanical puncture alone. METHODS:A total of 18 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups,with 6 animals in each group.No treatment was given in the blank group.Animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration were made in the L4-5 segments of rats in the control using conventional mechanical puncture.In the experimental group,on the basis of mechanical puncture,tumor necrosis factor α+complete Freund's adjuvant was injected into the L4-5 intervertebral discs using a microinjector to establish a model of disc degeneration induced by mechanical puncture combined with inflammatory factors.Four weeks after surgery,the pain threshold of rats was measured by the hot plate method for assessing the perception of heat injury in rats with intervertebral disc degeneration.MRI examination was performed to observe the disc degeneration in each group.ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,interleukin 6 and prostaglandin E2.Hematoxylin-eosin and Safranin O-fast green staining were used to observe the morphological changes of the disc. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In terms of pain,the behavioral pain threshold of the experimental group was continuously decreased,and the levels of serum inflammatory factors were significantly higher compared with the control group.In terms of morphology,the MRI results showed that the L4-5 nucleus pulposus signal completely disappeared in the experimental group.Histopathological results showed that in the control group,the nucleus pulposus was intact,more notochord cells were visible,and some fiber rings were ruptured,while in the experimental group,there are fewer notochord cells and the structure of the nucleus pulposus and fibrous ring is disturbed,with the boundary disappearing.To conclude,mechanical puncture combined with tumor necrosis factor alpha and complete Freund's adjuvant can successfully establish a discogenic low back pain model in rats.This operation is simple and economical to achieve obvious disc degeneration and low back pain,with greatly shortened molding cycle.This model can be used as a reference for studying discogenic low back pain models.
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BACKGROUND:Wnt signaling pathway is overexpressed in degenerative intervertebral discs,and inhibition of its expression can delay the process of intervertebral disc degeneration.Therefore,Wnt signaling pathway is closely related to intervertebral disc degeneration. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the relationship between Wnt signaling pathway and intervertebral disc,especially the specific role and influence of Wnt signaling pathway in intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS:The first author took"intervertebral disc,Wnt,cell proliferation,cell senescence,cell apoptosis,extracellular matrix"as the English search terms.PubMed,Web of science and OVID LWWSpringerlink were searched for articles published from 2000 to January 2023,and articles related to Wnt signaling pathway and disc degeneration were consulted.Totally 54 articles were reviewed by reading,collating and preserving. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)During intervertebral disc formation in embryos,Wnt signaling pathway is overexpressed,which is involved in intervertebral disc formation and promotes posterior extension of notochord.(2)During intervertebral disc degeneration,Wnt signaling pathway can inhibit cell proliferation by stagnating cell cycle,increase the expression of age-related proteins and promote cell aging by participating in oxidative stress,and participate in cell apoptosis by regulation of long non-coding RNA.(3)Wnt signaling pathway can also decrease extracellular matrix related protein synthesis,promote extracellular matrix degradation and accelerate intervertebral disc degeneration.(4)Wnt signaling pathway can promote cell regeneration by activating as early intervertebral disc formation signal and participate in inducing stem cells to differentiate into intervertebral disc cells to repair damaged intervertebral disc.For example,Wnt signaling pathway can induce stem cells from cartilage endplate cells to migrate and transform to intervertebral disc.
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BACKGROUND:Intervertebral disc degeneration is one of the most common underlying factors causing low back pain.Recent studies have shown that melatonin has a positive effect on alleviating intervertebral disc degeneration.However,the underlying mechanism of melatonin remains to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE:To explore the biological effect and potential mechanism of melatonin in inhibiting hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)-induced injury of human nucleus pulposus cells. METHODS:Human nucleus pulposus cells insolated from degenerative intervertebral disc were cultured in vitro.Cell proliferation and the optimal intervention concentration of melatonin and H2O2 were detected by cell counting kit-8.The Human nucleus pulposus cells treated with H2O2 were used as a model group;the cells treated with H2O2 and intervened with melatonin were used as a melatonin group;the cells cultured in simple medium were used as a control group.The reactive oxygen species levels were detected by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate(DCFH-DA),the expression levels of BAX and Caspase3 were detected by immunofluorescence,and the mRNA expression levels of BAX,BCL-2,Casepase3,PI3K and AKT were detected using the real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The results of cell counting kit-8 experiment showed that the optimal intervention concentration of H2O2 was 400 μmol/L and the optimal intervention concentration of melatonin was 5 μmol/L.The reactive oxygen species level in the melatonin group was significantly lower than that in the model group.The average fluorescence intensity of BAX and Caspase3 in the melatonin group was significantly lower than that in the model group.The mRNA expressions of BAX and Caspase3 in the melatonin group were lower than those in the model group,while the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 was increased.In addition,the mRNA expressions of PI3K and AKT were also higher in the melatonin group compared with the model group.To conclude,melatonin may protect human nucleus pulposus cells from H2O2-induced oxidative damage through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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BACKGROUND:Oxidative stress plays a critical role in intervertebral disc degeneration.As a reducing material with good biocompatibility,black phosphorus quantum dots have the potential to resist oxidative stress and retard intervertebral disc degeneration.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of black phosphorus quantum dots on scavenging reactive oxygen species in the microenvironment of an intervertebral disc through in vivo and in vitro experiments,and further explore the role of black phosphorus quantum dots in Nrf2/ARE pathway and intervertebral disc inflammation.METHODS:Black phosphorus quantum dots were prepared by a liquid exfoliation technique.(1)In vitro experiment:The nucleus pulposus cells of SD rats were isolated and extracted,and the passages 2-4 nucleus pulposus cells were cocultured with different solutions,including F12-DMEM medium(blank group),black phosphorus quantum dot solution,hydrogen peroxide solution,hydrogen peroxide+black phosphorus quantum dot solution,hydrogen peroxide+black phosphorus quantum dot+Nrf2 specific inhibitor ML385 solution.Cell live/dead staining and intracellular reactive oxygen species,mitochondrial membrane potential and western blot assay were performed respectively.(2)In vivo experiment:Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation,puncture and puncture + black phosphorus groups,with 10 rats in each group.A Co7-10 intervertebral disc degeneration model was established using intervertebral disc puncture in the puncture group and the puncture+black phosphorus group.Black phosphorus quantum dot solution was injected in the intervertebral disc after a puncture in the puncture+black phosphorus group.The intervertebral disc tissue imaging and histological staining were evaluated at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In vitro experiment:Live/dead staining revealed that the black phosphorus quantum dots had good biocompatibility,were non-toxic to cells,and had a protective effect on nucleus pulposus cells under oxidative stress.Intracellular reactive oxygen species and JC-1 fluorescent probes showed that black phosphorus quantum dots could regulate the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential caused by oxidative stress in nucleus pulposus cells and protected cells from hydrogen peroxidation-induced intracellular oxidative stress.Western blot analysis showed that compared with the blank group,the protein expressions of Nrf2,heme oxygenase 1,quinone oxidoreductase and type Ⅱ collagen were decreased in the hydrogen peroxide group(P<0.05),while the protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,matrix metalloproteinase 13 and p65 were increased(P<0.05).The addition of black phosphorus quantum dots could reverse the inhibitory effect of hydrogen peroxide on the Nrf2 pathway and reduce the inflammatory response caused by oxidative stress,but NrF2-specific inhibitors could cancel this effect.(2)In vivo experiment:X-ray and MRI demonstrated that at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery,the intervertebral disc height and water content of nucleus pulposus in the puncture group were lower than those in the sham operation group(P<0.05),and the intervertebral disc height and water content of nucleus pulposus in the puncture+black phosphorus group were higher than those in the puncture group(P<0.05).Histological staining exhibited that the degree of intervertebral disc degeneration in the puncture+black phosphorus group was less than that in the puncture group,and the expression of heme oxygenase 1 protein was higher than that in the puncture+black phosphorus group.(3)Our results have indicated that black phosphorus quantum dots can exert an antioxidant effect and delay intervertebral disc degeneration by regulating Nrf2/ARE pathway.