The Study for the Neovascularization and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor(bFGF) Expression in the Intervertebral Disc Tissue Associated with Aging and Disc Degeneration / 대한척추외과학회지

ABSTRACT

Numerous studies have shown neovascularization and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) expression in herniated nucleus pulposus. It is not clear whether the neovascularization and bFGF expression are due to herniated nucleus pulposus with secondary reaction phenomenon or due to disc aging and degeneration. The purpose of this study is to investigate neovascularization and bFGF expression in both nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosus tissues from aging and degenerated discs and compare it to neonate intervertebral disc. Thirty disc blocks obtained during anterior interbody fusion of the lumbar spine with degenerative spine disease were studied by immunochemical stains to observe neovascularization with vascular endothelial cell growth factor(VEGF) and bFGF expression. There were 8 disc blocks from the patients with degenerative disc disease, 15 with spondylolytic spondylolisthesis, and 7 with spinal stenosis with instability. For the control group, 12 neonate disc blocks obtained at autopsy. The neovascularization and bFGF expression were observed in the outer one half layer of the anulus fibrosus in the disease group but not in the nucleus pulposus. The neovascularization and bFGF expression were not observed in the control group. There was a statistical significant difference of neovascularization and bFGF expression between the control and disease group(p0.05). The results of this study suggest that neovascularization and bFGF expression are inherently related to aging and degeneration of the intervertebral disc.