Lumbar disc herniation is a relatively common disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the firstused diagnostic tool for evaluating spinal pathologies and represents adiagnostic gold standard. However, the diagnosis of intervertebral disc herniation can still be very difficult in some cases, even in this MRI era. Considering that little is known about this area, and to share our experience,...

STUDY DESIGN Matrix protein gene expression was determined for cells of the anulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) regions of the intervertebral disc when cultured in AF or NP cell-conditioned medium. OBJECTIVES To investigate changes in mRNA levels for type I collagen, type II collagen and aggrecan in cells of the AF and NP in response to cell-conditioned medium. SUMMARY OF BACKGRO...

The intervertebral disc is an important mechanical structure that allows range of motion of the spinal column. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc--incited by aging, traumatic insult, genetic predisposition, or other factors--is often defined by functional and structural changes in the tissue, including excessive breakdown of the extracellular matrix, increased disc cell senescence and deat...

New regenerative treatment strategies are being developed for intervertebral disc degeneration of which the implantation of various cell types is promising. All cell types used so far require in vitro expansion prior to clinical use, as these cells are only limited available. Adipose-tissue is an abundant, expendable and easily accessible source of mesenchymal stem cells. The use of these cells...

Cartilagenous intervertebral discs separate adjacent vertebrae in the spine, allowing modest spinal movements, and distributing compressive load evenly on the vertebral bodies. A central fluid-like nucleus pulposus region is surrounded by a tough laminated annulus fibrosus. Because adult discs lack a blood or nerve supply, cell density is very low and tissue turnover is very slow. Consequently,...

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There is a growing body of evidence concerning the significant role of silicon in development and composition of both connective and bone tissue. Bio-essential silicon shows strong chemical and biological affinity to aluminum, which is toxic and biologically inessential element. The presence of silicon was confirmed in a variety of tissues; however, it has never been examined in intervertebral ...

OBJECTIVES Severe intervertebral disc herniation causes complete paraplegia and loss of pain sensation in canines. The prognosis is poor, even when decompression surgery is performed immediately after onset. Studies suggest that bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells will regenerate the injured spinal cord and restore neurologic function. This study was conducted to assess the clinical efficacy ...

Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) and SOX9 are important transcription factors in chondrogenesis. In this study, we examined the biological function of the adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated BMP-7 and SOX9 double gene in vitro co-transfection of nucleus pulposus cells of human degenerative intervertebral disc. Human intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells were cultured in vitro and sub...

BACKGROUND Vertebral endplate (Modic) abnormalities are important structural lesions in the spine, but their association with body composition and fat distribution have not been examined. Moreover, no study has examined whether Modic change are related to other structural features of low back pain, such as reduced intervertebral disc height. METHODS Seventy-two community-based individuals not...