Expression of ANGPTL4 in Nucleus Pulposus Tissues Is Associated with Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Objective. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4), encoding a glycosylated secreted protein, has been reported to be closely related to many kinds of diseases, including diabetes, tumor, and some musculoskeletal pathologies, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. The aim of the current study is to investigate the role of ANGPTL4 in intervertebral disc degeneration and analyze the association of ANGPTL4 expression with Pfirrmann grades. Methods. A total of 162 nucleus pulposus tissues were collected from lumbar intervertebral disc herniation patients undergoing interforaminal endoscopic surgery. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blot were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression of ANGPTL4 in nucleus pulposus samples. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze the association of ANGPTL4 expression with Pfirrmann grades. Results. Based on the clinical data of 162 patients, results showed that Pfirrmann grades were significantly associated with patients’ age ( r = 0.162 , P = 0.047 ) and were not significantly associated with patients’ gender ( P > 0.05 ). RT-qPCR and western blot results showed that the mRNA ( r = 0.287 , P < 0.05 ) and protein ( r = 0.356 , P < 0.05 ) expressions of ANGPTL4 were both closely associated with Pfirrmann grades. The expression of ANGPTL4 was remarkably increased in the groups of high IVDD Pfirrmann grades. Conclusion. The results demonstrated that ANGPTL4 expression was positively associated with the Pfirrmann grades and the severity of intervertebral disc degeneration. ANGPTL4 may be served as a candidate biomarker for intervertebral disc degeneration.

Subclinical Hypoventilation in Dogs Undergoing Ventral Slot Decompressive Surgery for Cervical Myelopathy Due to Intervertebral Disc Herniation

The objective of this prospective cohort study was to document the occurrence of post-operative hypoventilation in dogs undergoing decompressive ventral slot or hemilaminectomy for the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH). Twenty dogs undergoing ventral slot surgery and 20 dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy surgery for the treatment of IVDH that presented to XX between 2017 and 2020 were enrolled. Dogs were anesthetized using a standard protocol. Blood gas samples were taken at up to 11 time points beginning during anesthetic recovery and continuing for a maximum of 72 h post-operatively. Dogs with cervical lesions that were non-ambulatory before surgery had more evidence of subclinical hypoventilation in the immediate peri-extubation period than dogs with less severe injuries or those undergoing hemilaminectomy surgery. We found no difference in the ventilation status in dogs undergoing cervical or thoracolumbar decompressive surgery for IVDH from 8 to 72 h post-operatively. Other markers of acid-base status indicated that subclinical hypoventilation within the peri-extubation period was transient and self-limiting. There was a moderate positive correlation between sedation scores and estimated PaCO2. These data suggest that dogs with severe cervical spinal cord injuries may be at risk for subclinical hypoventilation in the immediate peri-extubation period. Increased sedation may be correlated with decreased ventilatory status in dogs recovering from decompressive vertebral column surgery.

A CLINICO-OPERATIVE STUDY OF LUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC HERNIATION

Background: Herniation is a greater threat in younger individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years, in whom the nucleusmaterial has good turgor, in contrast to older individuals in whom the nucleus is desiccated and fibrotic. Open discectomy is the gold standard for operative intervention in patients with herniated disc where conservative treatment has failed. Aim of objective: To study the reliability of clinical signs in diagnosing lumbar disc herniation. Material and Methods: This study was done collecting data of patients presenting to, JLNMCH, Bhagalpur. During this period there were 46 patients with a history of low back pain and at least one symptom suggesting root compression (Radiating pain, numbness,weakness or loss of sensation) who underwent surgery. Conclusion: Commonest presentation is that of, long histories of back pain with superimposed syndrome of sciatica. Patients with predominant leg pain or only leg pain have high incidences of ruptured herniations. Keywords: Herniation, Sciatica, Numbness, loss of sensation.

Criteria for selection of patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation complicated by spinal canal stenosis

Aim – to evaluate clinical and instrumental correlation (MRI data) in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation complicated by spinal canal stenosis for optimizing the indications for differentiated surgical treatment. Materials and methods. Clinical and neurological manifestations and MRI data in 80 patients (men – 36, women – 44), aged 27 to 72 years with a diagnosis of intervertebral disc herniation complicated by spinal canal stenosis were retrospectively analyzed. Depending on the size of the spinal canal, there were 2 groups: the first – with relative spinal canal stenosis (n = 20) – 75–100 mm2, and the second group – with absolute spinal canal stenosis (n = 60) – less than 75 mm2. We examined the correlation between the clinical and neurological presentations and MRI findings. Results. Our retrospective analysis has found that the first group consisted mainly of younger patients (46 years) and with a mean intervertebral disc herniation of 8.35 mm, while the second group included older patients (51.7 years) and the mean size of intervertebral disc herniation was 7.3 mm. The group of relative spinal canal stenosis was dominated by patients with radiculopathy syndrome (70 %) and pain in one lower limb (85 %). Radiculoischemia syndrome (50 %), pain in both lower extremities (33 %), neurogenic intermittent claudication syndrome (46.6 %), knee reflex disorders (58.3 %), pelvic organ dysfunction (11.6 %) were more common in the second group of patients. In addition, the longest disease duration (more than 24 months) was observed among patients of this group. We have found a relationship between pain syndrome (according to VAS), muscle strength, the disease duration and the spinal canal area. Conclusions. The correlation of clinical and instrumental methods of examination in patients with intervertebral disc herniation complicated by spinal canal stenosis allows the indications for differentiated surgery to be optimized.

Network Pharmacological Dissection of the Mechanisms of Eucommiae Cortex-Achyranthis Radix Combination for Intervertebral Disc Herniation Treatment

Eucommiae cortex (EC) and Achyranthis radix (AR) are herbal medicines widely used in combination for the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation (IDH). The mechanisms of action of the herbal combination have not been understood from integrative and comprehensive points of view. By adopting network pharmacological methodology, we aimed to investigate the pharmacological properties of the EC-AR combination as a therapeutic agent for IDH at a systematic molecular level. Using the pharmacokinetic information for the chemical ingredients of the EC-AR combination obtained from the comprehensive herbal drug-associated databases, we determined its 31 bioactive ingredients and 68 IDH-related therapeutic targets. By analyzing their enrichment for biological functions, we observed that the targets of the EC-AR combination were associated with the regulation of angiogenesis; cytokine and chemokine activity; oxidative and inflammatory stress responses; extracellular matrix organization; immune response; and cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, differentiation, migration, and activation. Pathway enrichment investigation revealed that the EC-AR combination may target IDH-pathology-associated signaling pathways, such as those of cellular senescence and chemokine, neurotrophin, TNF, MAPK, toll-like receptor, and VEGF signaling, to exhibit its therapeutic effects. Collectively, these data provide mechanistic insights into the pharmacological activity of herbal medicines for the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases such as IDH.