Resveratrol delivery by ultrasound-mediated nanobubbles targeting nucleus pulposus cells.

AIM: To improve nucleus pulposus cell-targeted therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) by fabricating a novel kind of ultrasound (US)-mediated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanobubbles (NBs) as a means of targeted drug delivery. MATERIALS & METHODS: The resveratrol (RES)-embedded NBs were synthesized using a double-emulsion method. The active NP cell-targeting biomarker CDH2 antibody (AbCDH2) was further conjugated to the NBs using a carbodiimide method. Then, this RES/AbCDH2 NBs were examined by physical properties, specifc cell-targeting ability, anticatabolism effect in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: RES/AbCDH2 NBs exhibited high RES-loading efficiency, and US triggered accelerated RES release. Furthermore, RES/AbCDH2 NB treatment exhibited excellent anticatabolic ability in vitro; and in an IDD rabbit model, US-mediated RES/AbCDH2 NB injection effectively retarded the degenerative process of the intervertebral disc in vivo. CONCLUSION: The combination of US irradiation and drug delivery through RES/AbCDH2 NBs can be considered as a novel treatment option for IDD.

Fusion or Not for Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) is the main cause for chronic low back pain in the elderly. When refractory to conservative treatment, symptomatic patients commonly undergo surgery. However, whether or not fusion is a relatively better surgical option still remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to systematically review the clinical outcomes of spinal decompression with or without spinal fusion for DLSS. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of the therapeutic effect for DLSS with or without fusion. METHODS: A literature search of 5 electronic databases was performed including PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and CENTRAL from inception to August 2016. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the comparison between decompression and fusion surgery for DLSS were included. RESULTS: A total of 5 RCTs involving 438 patients met the inclusion criteria. Low-quality evidence of the meta-analysis was performed for the heterogeneity of the included studies. Pooled analysis showed no significant differences between decompression alone and fusion groups for the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores at the baseline (P = 0.50) and 2 years follow-up (P = 0.71), and the satisfaction rate of operations was also similar for the groups (P = 0.53). However, operation time (P = 0.002), blood loss (P < 0.00001), and length of hospital stay (P = 0.007) were remarkably higher in the fusion group. Furthermore, there was no difference in the reoperation rate between these 2 groups at the latest follow-up (P = 0.49). LIMITATION: The methodological criteria and sample sizes were highly variable. The studies were heterogeneous. CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis is the first to compare the efficacy of decompression alone and spinal fusion for the treatment of DLSS, including 5 RCTs. Our results demonstrate that additional fusion surgery seems unlikely to result in better outcomes for patients with DLSS, but it may increase additional risks and costs. High-quality homogeneous research is required to provide further evidence about surgical procedures for patients with DLSS. KEY WORDS: Decompression, fusion, lumbar spinal stenosis, meta-analysis.