The purpose of this investigation is to identify and study the expression pattern of pertinent molecular factors involved in the differentiation of the intervertebral disk (IVD). It is likely that hedgehog genes and the BMP inhibitors are key factors involved in spinal joint formation. Radioactive in situ hybridization with mRNA probes for pax-1, SHH, IHH and Noggin gene was performed on mouse ...

At present, the molecular evidence involved in the degeneration of the IVD is still in its primitive stage. In general, however, intrinsic, extrinsic, and generic factors all have shown a contribution to the initiation of degeneration. These factors may stimulate cytokines and directly or indirectly generate the cellular events thus far detected and observed. Such changes discussed have been th...

BACKGROUND Proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 are expressed in herniated intervertebral disks of Kazakhs, but their significance is not yet understood. METHODS Specimens of herniated lumbar disk were collected from 30 patients with single disk herniation during lumbar discectomy. As a control, 10 specimens were collected postmortem from the cadavers of individu...

Pathogenesis Hoerlein determined that intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) accounted for 2.02% of all diseases diagnosed in dogs (Hoerlein 1952). Incidence of IVDD peaks at 4 to 6 years of age in chondrodystrophic breeds and at 6 to 8 years in nonchondrodystrophic breeds (Priester 1976). The Dachshund had the highest frequency followed in succession by the Pekingese, Welsh corgi, Beagle, Lhasa Ap...

Compelling evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a pivotal role in disk degeneration. Fullerol nanoparticles prepared in aqueous solution have been demonstrated to have outstanding ability to scavenge ROS. In this report, in vitro and in vivo models were used to study the efficacy of fullerol in preventing disk degeneration. For in vitro experiments, a pro-oxidant H2O2 or an...

We present an unusual case of a primary lumbar disk-space mass that presumably developed secondary to a chronic hyperextension spinal fracture associated with spinal stenosis. This injury resulted in the appearance of a lumbar intervertebral disk-space mass or pseudotumor. The pseudotumor most likely resulted from a prior spinal fracture, leading to a fused hyperextension deformity in a patient...

Dogs presented to the Small Animal Hospital of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran were included in the present study if spinal or intervertebral disc involvement was suspected. Clinical signs were recorded as well as general information of the patient such as age, breed and sex. Sixty dogs were examined radiographically and two standard orthogonal lateral and ventrodorsal projections wer...

Calcification of cervical intervertebral disks in childhood is a well-known entity [1-7], although the etiology remains unknown. Rarely, disk herniation also may be present and produce symptoms of cord compression . The disk herniation and calcification usually resolve with conservative therapy over a period of a few weeks to several months. We present an interesting case in which the diagnosis...