scholarly journals The effects of simulated +Gz and microgravity on intervertebral disc degeneration in rabbits

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Di Wu ◽  
Xi Zhou ◽  
Chao Zheng ◽  
Yu He ◽  
Lingjia Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
The Body ◽  
Microgravity Environment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Group A ◽  
Suspension Model ◽  
Mixed Groups ◽  
Over Time

Abstract The overall objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that +Gz (hypergravity/positive acceleration) and microgravity can both aggravate intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Due to +Gz and microgravity, many pilots develop IVDD. However, the lack of animal models of IVDD under conditions of simulated +Gz and microgravity has hampered research on the onset and prevention of IVDD. Rabbits were randomly allotted to a control group, microgravity group, +Gz group, or mixed (+Gz + microgravity) group. A tail-suspension model was utilized to simulate a microgravity environment and an animal centrifuge to mimic +Gz conditions. After exposure to the above conditions for 4, 8, and 24 weeks, the body weights (BW) of animals in the control group gradually increased over time, while those of animals in the microgravity and mixed groups both decreased (p < 0.001). As compared with the control group, the proteoglycan content of animals in the other three groups was significantly reduced (F = 192.83, p < 0.001). The imageological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical changes to the L6–S1 intervertebral disc samples suggests that the effects of +Gz and microgravity can aggravate IVDD over time. The mixed effects of +Gz and microgravity had the greatest effect on degeneration and +Gz had a particularly greater effect than microgravity.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Containing Xenogenic Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Cells on Restoring Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: A Preclinical Study in a Rabbit Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Chao Ma ◽  
Ran Wang ◽  
Dingliang Zhao ◽  
Naikun Wang ◽  
Ying Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Signal Intensity ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Platelet Rich Plasma ◽  
Rabbit Model ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Arterial Blood

Objective. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) containing multiple growth factors is a promising strategy for disc degeneration. Thus, this study hypothesizes that the combination of PRP and adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) may repair degenerative disc more effectively than using each one of them alone. Methods. The model of early intervertebral disc degeneration was induced by annular puncture in the New Zealand rabbit. Autologous PRP was extracted from fresh arterial blood by using two centrifugation techniques. ADSC was offered by the Center for Clinic Stem Cell Research. Four weeks after the first experiment, PRP or ADSCs or a combination of PRP and ADSCs was injected into the punctured intervertebral disc. Four weeks later, disc height and signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were assessed. Results. One month after puncture, we detected relatively narrow discs and lower signal intensity in MRI T2-weighted images. At four weeks after injection, the PRP-ADSC group statistically significantly restored discs, compared with PRP, ADSCs, or negative control group. Conclusions. The combination of PRP and ADSCs shows an effective potential to restore degenerated intervertebral discs in the rabbit.

scholarly journals Integrated Analysis of a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA Axis in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laifu Wei ◽  
Bizhi Tu ◽  
Fei Gao ◽  
Jun Qian
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Circular Rnas ◽  
Integrated Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Sequencing Data

Abstract Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common symptom in daily life and one of the primary causes is intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Growing studies have indicated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are intimately associated with IDD; however, the underlying mechanism has not yet been elucidated. We aimed to explore how circRNAs regulate IDD in an effort to provide novel insight for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: The sequencing data of circRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), and mRNA were acquired from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. By analyzing the dataset consisting of a control group and degenerated group, differentially expressed circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs were collected, and then the intersection of circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs was screened. According to these intersectional RNAs, we constructed an integrally circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network. Finally, using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses, we further clarified functions of the intersectional mRNA in IDD. Results: we obtained 620 differentially expressed circRNAs(DEcircRNAs), 13 miRNA (DEmiRNA), 273 mRNAs(DEmRNAs), 12 intersectional miRNAs, and 47 intersectional mRNAs. Finally, based on interactional 8 circRNA, 5 miRNAs and 15 mRNAs, an integrally circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed. Eight circRNAs, contained hsa_circ_0032254, hsa_circ_0003183, hsa_circ_0032253, hsa_circ_0001293, hsa_circ_0004565, hsa_circ_0091570, hsa_circ_0077526, and hsa_circ_0057552, may regulate IDD onset and progression by acting as competing endogenous RNAs. The results of GO and KEGG analyses implied that the targeted genes might significantly correlate to IDD.Conclusion: our findings improved a better understanding of the circRNA-related ceRNA regulatory mechanism in IDD and offered possible targets for IDD treatment.

scholarly journals LDHA-Mediated Glycolytic Metabolism in Nucleus Pulposus Cells Is a Potential Therapeutic Target for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Longxi Wu ◽  
Jieliang Shen ◽  
Xiaojun Zhang ◽  
Zhenming Hu
Keyword(s):  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Therapeutic Target ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Potential Therapeutic Target ◽  
Strong Activity ◽  
Upstream Gene

The intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is considered to be an initiator of a series of spinal diseases, among which changes in the nucleus pulposus (NP) are the most significant. NP cells reside in a microenvironment with a lack of blood vessels, hypoxia, and low glucose within the intervertebral disc. Due to the strong activity of HIF-1α, glycolysis is the main pathway for energy metabolism in NP cells. Our previous study found that higher SIRT1 expression is beneficial to delay the degeneration of NP cells. In order to find the downstream genes by which SIRT1 acts on NP cells, we used iTRAQ sequencing to detect the differences between degenerated NP cells overexpressing SIRT1 and a control group (human NP cells were derived from surgery) and found that the expression of LDHA changed in the same direction with SIRT1. This suggests that SIRT1 may delay the degeneration of NP cells by regulating glycolysis. We then used a Seahorse XFe24 analyzer to measure the bioenergetic parameters of NP cells and obtained three findings: (a) glycolysis is the main energy metabolism pathway in NP cells, (b) there is a large difference in ATP production between senescent cells and young cells, and (c) SIRT1 can regulate the production of ATP from glycolysis by regulating LDHA. We also found that SIRT1 in NP cells has a positive regulatory effect on c-Myc which is an upstream gene of LDHA. Through observing IDD-related indicators such as apoptosis, proliferation, senescence, and extracellular matrix, we found that SIRT1 can delay degeneration, and interference with c-Myc and LDHA, respectively, weakens the protective effect of SIRT1. Interfering with LDHA alone can also inhibit glycolysis and accelerate degeneration. Overall, we found that the inhibition of glycolysis in Np cells significantly affects their normal physiological functions and determined that LDHA is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of IDD.

A case of invertebral disc degeneration and prolapse with Schmorl's node formation in a sheep

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (03) ◽  
pp. 187-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Brown ◽  
G. L. D. Alterio ◽  
D. Fews
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
The Body ◽  
Vertebral Disc ◽  
Schmorl’S Nodes ◽  
Schmorl's Node ◽  
Schmorl’S Node ◽  
Node Formation ◽  
Adjacent Vertebra

SummaryA Schmorl's node is the herniation of nucleus pulposus through the cartilaginous end plate of the vertebral disc into the body of the adjacent vertebra. Their formation is relatively common in people, and they may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. In contrast, there are few reported cases of Schmorl's nodes in non-human animals. This report describes a case of thoracic intervertebral disc degeneration, with Schmorl's node formation in a sheep.

scholarly journals A metabolic profiling analysis of degenerative intervertebral disc disease in a rabbit model via GC/TOF-MS

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolin Wu ◽  
Hongfei Xiang ◽  
Guoqing Zhang ◽  
Yougu Hu ◽  
yan wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Rabbit Model ◽  
Intervertebral Discs ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Model Group ◽  
New Zealand White Rabbits ◽  
Tof Ms

Abstract Background: To establish an analytical method for studying intervertebral disc metabolomics based on gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOF-MS). Methods: To establish a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration, the intervertebral discs of six New Zealand white rabbits were punctured. GC/TOF-MS was applied to analyze degenerated discs of the six model group animals and six similar New Zealand white rabbits considered as the control group. Pattern recognition and nonparametric test analyses were utilized to evaluate the data as well as screen for and identify significant biomarkers. Metabolites and metabolic pathways relevant to associated pathological processes were studied. Results: We established a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration and an orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) disease-distinguishing model of intervertebral disc degeneration for contrast against the typical physiological state of intervertebral discs. Expression of six metabolites in degenerated and normal intervertebral discs of New Zealand white rabbits was evaluated. Levels of four metabolites expressed in the model group were significantly higher than in the control group, while two other metabolites were expressed at significantly lower levels in the model group as compared to the control group. Conclusions: This paper demonstrates that metabolic profiling of both degenerated and normal intervertebral rabbit discs is a feasible method of metabolomic analysis. Via in-depth filtering of characteristic metabolites, we found a high correlation between metabolic variations and intervertebral disc degeneration. Further studies on endogenous metabolites and pathways involved in intervertebral disc degeneration will provide a better understanding of associated molecular mechanisms and lay foundations for effective clinical treatment.

scholarly journals Knockout of miR-17-92 Cluster Protect Against Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Inhibiting Apoptosis of Nucleus Pulposus Cells in Mice via the Activation of PI3K/Akt Pathway

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingjun Guo ◽  
Yang Meng ◽  
Hao Liu ◽  
Xiaofei Wang ◽  
Ying Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Akt Pathway ◽  
Functional Genes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Protein Levels

Abstract Background: microRNA(miR)-17-92 cluster is involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, and the purpose of this study is to preliminarily explore the role of miR-17-92 cluster in disc degeneration and the corresponding mechanisms.Methods: Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) and Safranin O Staining were used to evaluate the degeneration of intervertebral disc. qRT-PCR was applied to evaluate the mRNA level of miR-17-92 cluster and functional genes of nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues, whose protein level was evaluated with Western-blot. Terminal-Deoxynucleoitidyl Transferase Mediated Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) was used to evaluate the apoptotic level of nucleus pulposus cell (NPC).Results: The expression levels of members of the miR-17-92 cluster were significantly increased in the NP tissues from patients with intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Furthermore, in the 3-months and 24-months miR-17-92-ccKO mice, the degree of IVDD was significantly lower than that of the control group. At the same time, we also detected the expression levels of related functional genes in the NP tissues of mice in two groups. The results showed that the mRNA and protein levels of Bax and Caspase-3 in the knockout group were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2 were significantly higher. The TUNEL results showed that the apoptosis level of NPCs in the 3-month knockout mice was significantly lower than that in the control group. Finally, the assessment of pathway-related protein levels showed that p-Ser473-Akt expression ratio in the nucleus pulposus of mice in the knockout group were significantly increased, suggesting that the PI3K/Akt pathway was activated after miR-17-92 cluster knockout.Conclusion: To sum up, miR-17-92 cluster does play an important regulating role in IVDD, and the results showed that miR-17-92 cluster could inhibiting NPCs apoptosis by activating PI3K/Akt pathway, eventually producing protective effect against IVDD.

scholarly journals Danshen Attenuates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration via Antioxidation in SD Rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Rongqing Qin ◽  
Shouqian Dai ◽  
Xing Zhang ◽  
Hongpeng Liu ◽  
Bing Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Needle Puncture ◽  
Sd Rats ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Safranin O

Objective. To investigate the effects of Danshen on the imaging and histological parameters, expression levels of ECM-associated proteins and inflammatory factors, and antioxidative activity in the degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD) of SD rats. Methods. Sixty male rats were randomly divided into three groups (control, IDD, and Danshen IDD). Percutaneous needle puncture in Co8-9 intervertebral disc was conducted in all rats of the IDD and Danshen IDD groups to induce intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). After operation, animals of the Danshen IDD group were administrated with Danshen granules (3 g/kg body weight ) by gavage once a day. Four weeks later, the coccygeal vertebrae were harvested and used for imaging (disc height and MR signal), histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical [water content, glycosaminoglycans (GAG), superoxide dismutase (SOD2), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA)] analyses. Results. The puncture induced significant decreased IVD space and MR T2 signal at both 2 and 4 weeks, which were attenuated by Danshen treatment. The disc degeneration in the IDD group (HE and Safranin O-Fast Green histological staining was markedly more serious compared with that in the control group. Four weeks of Danshen treatment significantly alleviated this degeneration compared with the IDD group. Needle puncture resulted in the upregulation of IL-1β and TNF-α, MMP-3, and downregulation of COL2 and aggrecan in the IDD group. However, this change was significantly weakened by Danshen treatment. Significantly lower water and GAG content, as well as the SOD2 and GSH levels, in the IDD group were found compared with those in the control group. However, the above parameters of the Danshen IDD group were significantly higher than those of the IDD group. Danshen treatment significantly decreased the content of MDA which was increased by needle puncture in the IDD group. Conclusion. Danshen can attenuate intervertebral disc degeneration in SD rats by suppressing the oxidation reaction.

Do Low-Speed Vehicle Collisions Cause Intervertebral Disc Degeneration or Herniation?

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Rawson L. Wood ◽  
Mathew J. Greenston ◽  
Charles E. Bain ◽  
Charles N. Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Spinal Pain ◽  
The Body ◽  
Vehicle Collisions ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Disc Herniations ◽  
Causation Analysis

Abstract Complaints of spinal pain are common after motor vehicle collisions (MVCs), and evaluators may be asked whether the collision caused permanent injury to the spine, including aggravating intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and/or causing a disc herniation. To determine causality, evaluators can use the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) to understand if a low-speed collision caused IDD. Injury causation analysis (ICA) is the scientific method used to analyze the mechanism and magnitude of injury for people who experience an MVC. ICA involves comparing the mechanical forces involved in the incident with the body's injury tolerance. Low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint following MVCs, but the literature regarding automobile collision testing has been compared to the body of evidence regarding real-world collision data and shows that, for low-speed impacts, any injuries are minor and self-limiting. Further, disability due to LBP was predicted by an abnormal baseline psychological test profile or a previously disputed compensation claim. The motions, forces, and accelerations generated in low-speed collisions are less than those encountered in activities of everyday living. ICA suggests that disc degeneration and disc herniations are pre-existing and are not caused by low-speed MVCs. Although the pain caused by a muscle sprain associated with a low-speed collision may prompt imaging studies that show disc pathology, these are coincidental and are not causally related.

scholarly journals A Study on COMP and CTX-II as Molecular Markers for the Diagnosis of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Dong-Duo Qi ◽  
Zhong-Han Liu ◽  
De-Sheng Wu ◽  
Yu-Feng Huang
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Disc Degeneration ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sham Operation ◽  
Male Adult ◽  
Experimental Group

Background. Diagnosis of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is challenging at the early stage. The cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and extracellular matrix degradation products of C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) serve as markers for the serological diagnosis of IVDD. Oxidative stress might cause IVDD and matrix degeneration. Methods. A total of 128 male adult Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly and equally assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group was used to construct IVDD models by acupuncture, while the control group underwent sham operation. The animals were executed every week for 8 weeks after intervertebral disc acupuncture, and serum samples were collected for the estimation of CTX-II and COMP concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Also, the histological changes and caudal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes were examined in the intervertebral disc. Results. IVDD in rats worsened with prolonged follow-up after acupuncture. At all the time points, the experimental group showed altered histological and caudal vertebra MRI signals, and serum CTX-II and COMP concentrations were significantly greater than those of the control group. These levels increase with the process of IVDD. Conclusion. Serum CTX-II and COMP estimation is a reliable method to diagnose IVDD, and their concentrations show a positive correlation with the process of IVDD.

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