Histological development of intervertebral disc herniation

Sagittal and horizontal sections of 257 intervertebral discs obtained at autopsy and material obtained from 441 operations for herniation of a disc were examined histologically. In the material that was taken at autopsy, myxomatous degeneration of the annulus fibrosus increased in proportion to the age of the subject. The bundles in the internal layer of the annulus fibrosus reversed their usual direction and showed myxomatous degeneration, sometimes resulting in posterior and anterior convex bulging in the internal layer of the anterior and posterior parts of the annulus fibrosus, respectively. When material from a disc was surgically removed as a single free fragment (as in a complete extrusion or a sequestration type of herniation), annulus fibrosus with myxomatous degeneration was found in most material, while the nucleus pulposus rarely was. These results suggest that, from the standpoint of pathomechanism, a protrusion type of herniation of the annulus fibrosus exists in which only the annulus fibrosus is protruded due to reversal of the bundles of the annulus fibrosus, without involvement of the nucleus pulposus. This type of herniation would be a separate entity from the protrusion type of herniation of the nucleus pulposus that occurs when the nucleus pulposus is protruded through a fissure in the annulus fibrosus.     

Analysis of magnetic resonance images from normal and degenerate lumbar intervertebral discs

Degenerate discs can be identified quantitatively by measurement of magnetic resonance (MR) relaxation times. MR images have been recorded from 16-year-old and 82-year-old cadaveric L3-4 discs at the highest resolution attainable with a Picker International MR Imaging System operating at 0.26 Tesla. By recording images with a series of spin-echo and/or saturation-recovery sequences of differing time intervals, the values for sample magnetization, M infinity, and the T1 and T2 relaxation times, have been calculated from each pixel in the MR image. The distribution of M infinity values shows the relative degrees of hydration in different regions of the disc while the corresponding T1 and T2 values are sensitive to the chemical environment of the water molecules. Images from cadaveric discs allowed the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus to be distinguished clearly, and the laminated structure of the annulus could be seen. Loss of water from the nucleus during aging was demonstrated by a reduction and change in the distribution of the M infinity values for an 82-year-old disc, as compared with a 16-year-old disc. Values of T1 and T2 indicated a difference in the chemical environment of water molecules in the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus; the extent of this difference was much greater for younger than for older discs. High-resolution MR images from discs of living subjects showed almost as much detail as those from experimental specimens, but in the latter, the laminated structure of the annulus was resolved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

兔髓核组织中BNIP3表达与椎间盘退变的关系

目的:探讨兔椎间盘髓核组织中BNIP3表达量与椎间盘退变的相关性。方法:健康1月龄新西兰白兔24只,随机分为4组,每组6只。在每只动物的L4/5、L5/6和L6/7椎间盘进行纤维环穿刺术,建立椎间盘退变模型,作为实验椎间盘;穿刺椎间盘近端3个椎间盘(L1/2、L2/3、L3/4)作为正常对照椎间盘。分别于术后即刻、2、4、8周对椎间盘进行MRI及组织学评分,应用Real-time PCR定量检测髓核组织BNIP3 mRNA表达,免疫组织化学染色半定量髓核组织BNIP3表达,同时分析同一椎间盘BNIP3表达与MRI评分、组织学评分之间的相关性,并与正常椎间盘进行对照。结果:正常及手术后即刻实验椎间盘在MRI T2加权像上呈高密度,评分为1.0±0.0;手术后2周实验椎间盘信号呈不均一的高密度,评分为2.9±0.4;手术后4周实验椎间盘信号呈不均一中低密度,评分4.2±0.3;手术后8周实验椎间盘信号呈低密度,评分4.9±0.1,各时间点MRI评分比较有显著性差异(P<0.05)。组织学染色显示正常及手术后即刻椎间盘结构整齐,髓核与纤维环交界清晰,组织学评分4.0±0.0;手术后2周实验椎间盘纤维环出现小裂隙,髓核与纤维环交界轻度不清,组织学评分7.5±0.2;手术后4周实验椎间盘纤维环出现较大裂隙,髓核与纤维环交界中度不清,组织学评分10.0±1.0;手术后8周实验椎间盘正常结构丧失,髓核组织纤维化,组织学评分11.8±0.2,各时间点间组织学评分比较有显著性差异(P<0.05)。手术后即刻、2周、4周及8周实验椎间盘BNIP3 mRNA表达是正常组的1.0±0.3倍、2.0±0.1倍、2.8±0.3倍和4.2±0.2倍,与椎间盘MRI退变评分呈显著性正相关(r=0.92,P<0.01)。正常及手术后即刻实验椎间盘髓核组织BNIP3灰度值分别为55.3±6.2和60.7±4.4;而手术后2周、4周及8周实验椎间盘分别为150.4±13.4、176.0±35.1和173.6±7.9,其灰度值与椎间盘组织学评分呈显著性正相关(r=0.92,P<0.01)。结论:兔椎间盘髓核组织中BNIP3 mRNA表达量与椎间盘退变相关,BNIP3表达上调可能在椎间盘退变过程中发挥了重要作用。     

椎间盘源性下腰痛的发病机制

目的探讨椎间盘源性下腰痛的发病机制。方法收集腰椎后路切除的17例椎间盘源性下腰痛患者的19个经腰椎间盘造影术证实的疼痛腰椎间盘;同时收集12个在MRI T2加权像上信号强度明显减弱、无腰痛症状的生理老化椎间盘和10个正常对照椎间盘,行组织学检查和P物质、神经丝蛋白和血管活性肠肽的免疫组织化学染色检查。结果椎间盘源性下腰痛患者的疼痛椎间盘在组织学上的显著特征表现为,一条从髓核至纤维环外层的血管化肉芽组织条带区,其间伴有1个或多个裂隙;肉芽组织条带区与椎间盘造影术后CT上显示的纤维环裂隙一致,肉芽组织之外的纤维环结构基本正常。生理老化椎间盘和正常对照椎间盘表现为与年龄相关的改变。免疫组织化学染色显示,疼痛椎间盘中P物质、神经丝蛋白和血管活性肠肽3种神经肽阳性神经纤维分布数量和比例,较正常对照椎间盘和生理老化椎间盘明显增多;神经纤维主要沿伴有裂隙的肉芽组织条带区分布;疼痛椎间盘髓核中可见P物质和神经丝蛋白的阳性神经纤维分布。结论椎间盘后方神经分布广泛的肉芽组织条带区是椎间盘造影术疼痛和椎间盘源性下腰痛的起源部位。肉芽组织条带可能起源于椎间盘的创伤修复过程。生理老化椎间盘和疼痛椎间盘的差异是后者形成组织学上的肉芽组织条带区。     

Histological study on chemonucleolysis with special reference to the relationship between the dose of chymopapain and disc regeneration

The present study on chemonucleolysis was conducted to determine the influence of chymopapain dose level and patient age on the degree and mode of the response and regeneration of the intervertebral disc. Chymopapain at various doses was injected into the intervertebral discs of young (8-week-old) and mature (20-week-old) rabbits respectively for a histological study. In rabbits undergoing high dose injection, not only the nucleus pulposus but also the inner layer of the annulus fibrosus was digested. Regeneration hardly occurred, and only a slight amount of scar tissue appeared in many animals. At lower dose, the annulus fibrosus remained intact and the posterior inner layer of the annulus fibrosus mainly proliferated toward the anterior portion of the disc, filled the space of digested nucleus pulposus, and restored disc height. This regeneration process was not thought to be specific to the damages caused by chymopapain but rather a common response of injured intervertebral discs.     

Clinical evaluation of lumbar CT assisted discography in comparison with human cadaver

In order to estimate the clinical value of lumbar CT assisted discography (CTD), results obtained by this method were compared with histological findings of the cross section of the spine in fresh human cadavera. Based on these findings, preoperative CTD of lumbar disc herniation was investigated. In the discs of human cadavera, the contrast medium mainly invaded the fissures of nucleus pulposus and the ruptures of annulus fibrosus and then diffused to the surrounding tissues. These ruptures were classified into two categories: radial and circumferential. This identification was possible only in CTD and was obscure in the usual discogram. Not all the ruptures could be dyed in a severe degenerative disc, and a rupture which was not communicated with nucleus pulposus was not dyed in a mild degenerative disc. In the preoperative CTD of lumbar disc herniation, the posterior radial ruptures representing the route of herniated nuclei were characteristic and the circumferential ruptures were found complicated.     

An observation of ruptured annulus fibrosus in lumbar discs.

To observe anatomical or pathological changes in lumbar intervertebral discs, discography and computed tomography-discography (CTD) were performed on fresh human cadavers. The results of discograms and CTD were compared with histological findings of cross sections of discs. Preoperative CTD of lumbar disc herniation was investigated based on these results. Ruptures of the annulus fibrosus were divided into two categories: circumferential rupture and radial rupture. In CTD images of fresh human cadavers, most images of rupture of the annulus fibrosus showed anterior to lateral circumferential rupture. As disc degeneration progressed, circumferential rupture tended to coexist with radial rupture in many cases. In CTD cases of lumbar disc herniation, most images of ruptures of the annulus fibrosus showed a posterior radial rupture, which was the route for herniated nucleus. The greater the degree of degeneration, the more the images tended to show radial ruptures coexisting with circumferential ruptures.     

Histological changes in intervertebral discs after smoking and cessation: experimental study using a rat passive smoking model

Background Passive smoking has been reported to induce intervertebral disc degeneration in rats, and the objective of the present study was to histologically investigate changes in smoking-induced intervertebral disc degeneration after cessation of smoking. Methods Four-week-old rats were subjected to passive smoking for 8 weeks in a smoking box [20 cigarettes a day: one cigarette an hour (inhaled over 3 minutes and followed by ventilation with room air for 5 minutes)] to induce intervertebral disc degeneration. Smoke-free periods of different lengths were then established, and intervertebral discs were histologically analyzed. Results Immediately after 8 weeks of passive smoking, intervertebral discs exhibited cracks, tears, and misalignment of the annulus fibrosus, and increased fibrous tissue was seen in the nucleus pulposus. In addition, the level of interleukin-1β in intervertebral discs was higher in the smoking group than in the non-smoking group. After cessation, progression of degeneration ceased, and the matrix of the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus exhibited increased fibrous connective tissue and proteoglycan. However, there were no changes in annulus fibrosus misalignment. Interleukin-1β levels also remained significantly elevated after 8 weeks of cessation. Conclusions While the annulus fibrosus degeneration caused by smoking was partially irreversible after cessation of smoking, the amount of mucin (proteoglycan) in the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus tended to increase after cessation, thus suggesting the possibility that smoking-induced intervertebral disc degeneration can be repaired to some degree by cessation of smoking.     

Enhanced prolylhydroxylase activity in the posterior annulus fibrosus of canine intervertebral discs following long-term running exercise

Summary The effect of long-term exercise on the intervertebral disc collagen concentration (hydroxyproline), collagen-synthesizing enzymes (prolyl-4-hydroxylase, PH, and galactosyl-hydroxylysyl glucosyltransferase, GGT) and hydroxypyridinium crosslinks was studied in ten female beagle dogs. The dogs were run on a treadmill for 1 year starting at the age of 15 weeks. The daily running distance was gradually increased to 40 km, which distance the dogs ran for the final 15 weeks. Ten untrained dogs from the same breeding colony served as controls. The nucleus pulposus and anterior and posterior halves of the annulus fibrosus of C2–3, T10–12, L4–5 disc segments were analysed. Crosslinks were measured from the anterior annulus fibrosus of the T10–11 disc. Hydroxyproline and hydroxypyridinium concentrations remained similar in both groups. PH and GGT were significantly elevated by running in the posterior annulus fibrosus of the thoracic and lumbar discs and in the lumbar nucleus pulposus. In the thoracic nucleus pulposus GGT was reduced significantly. The results suggest activated collagen metabolism in the posterior annulus fibrosus of the thoracic and lumbar discs as a result of locally increased strains on the spine.The research was carried out at the Department of Anatomy, University of Kuopio     

两种骨水泥渗漏对椎间盘影响的实验研究

目的 探讨椎体成形术时骨水泥渗漏是否会引起椎间盘退变，以及椎间盘退变程度与骨水泥类型是否相关。方法 选用8只成年家犬，以每只犬L2-3、L3-4、L4-5椎间盘为实验对象，随机分为对照组、聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯（polymethylmethacrylate，PMMA）与磷酸钙骨水泥（calcium phosphate cement，CPC）3组。对照组仅行椎间盘穿刺，不注入任何物质，PMMA组及CPC组均各向椎间盘注入0．1ml骨水泥。术前及术后24周摄正、侧位X线片，计算椎间盘高度指数百分数（disc height index percentage，DHIP）。术后24周行MR检查，计算MRI指数。组织学检查参照Masuda标准对椎间盘退变程度评分并分析。结果 术后24周X线片显示对照组椎间隙无狭窄，病理学检查未见椎间盘退变。PMMA、CPC组椎间盘MRI显示：椎间隙有狭窄，R加权像髓核信号不同程度降低且不均一，其相对高信号区面积减小，髓核形态不规则，纤维环与髓核界限不清。组织学检查显示髓核细胞数量不同程度减少，空泡变小。髓核的细胞外基质不同程度压缩，纤维环断裂或扭转。3组DHIP、MRI指数、组织学评分的差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。结论 PMMA、CPC注入椎间盘会导致椎间盘退变，PMMA所致椎间盘退变较CPC更为严重.     

腰椎间盘蛋白多糖核心蛋白的基因表达

目的　探讨在椎间盘中核心蛋白ｍＲＮＡ 表达的增龄性变化。方法　通过ＲＴ－ ＰＣＲ制备核心蛋白特异性的ｃＤＮＡ 探针,应用原位杂交的方法,分别对胎儿和成人椎间盘标本进行核心蛋白ｍ ＲＮＡ表达的定位观察。结果　在胎儿椎间盘标本中,髓核内呈现高表达,纤维环和髓核交界处表达减弱,纤维环处未见阳性表达信号。在成人标本中,髓核和纤维环均未见明显的阳性表达。结论　在胎儿椎间盘核心蛋白主要在髓核高表达,从髓核到纤维环其表达依次降低。     

The pathogenesis of discogenic low back pain

Discogenic low back pain is a common cause of disability, but its pathogenesis is poorly understood. We collected 19 specimens of lumbar intervertebral discs from 17 patients with discogenic low back pain during posterior lumbar interbody fusion, 12 from physiologically ageing discs and ten from normal control discs. We investigated the histological features and assessed the immunoreactive activity of neurofilament (NF200) and neuropeptides such as substance P (SP) and vasoactive-intestinal peptide (VIP) in the nerve fibres. The distinct histological characteristic of the painful disc was the formation of a zone of vascularised granulation tissue from the nucleus pulposus to the outer part of the annulus fibrosus along the edges of the fissures. SP-, NF- and VIP-immunoreactive nerve fibres in the painful discs were more extensive than in the control discs. Growth of nerves deep into the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus was observed mainly along the zone of granulation tissue in the painful discs. This suggests that the zone of granulation tissue with extensive innervation along the tears in the posterior part of the painful disc may be responsible for causing the pain of discography and of discogenic low back pain.     

退变颈椎间盘中IL-17表达与分布的研究

目的 观察退变颈椎间盘中自细胞介素-17(IL-17)的表达与分布,并探讨其与颈椎间盘退变发生发展的关系.方法 实时荧光相对定量PCR(RQ-PCR)检测30例退变颈椎间盘及10例正常对照椎间盘中IL-1β、IL-17、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和孤核受体(retinoid-related orphan re-ce...     

Reinsertion of stimulated nucleus pulposus cells retards intervertebral disc degeneration: an in vitro and in vivo experimental study.

Reinsertion of autogenous nucleus pulposus, an innovative method to delay further disc degeneration, has been proved with an experimental animal model. This study examined whether coculture of nucleus pulposus cells with annulus fibrosus cells (a) activates annulus fibrosus cells and (b) retards disc degeneration when reinserted into the disc in a rabbit model of disc degeneration. Coculture of the two cell types stimulated proliferation of each, as indicated by increased DNA synthesis measured by increases in DNA polymerase alpha expression and uptake of 5-bromo-2'deoxy-uridine assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In a model of disc degeneration in rabbits, reinsertion of activated nucleus pulposus cells delayed the formation of clusters of chondrocyte-like cells, the destruction of disc architecture, and the elaboration of type-II collagen as measured immunohistochemically compared with no treatment. The direct reinsertion of activated nucleus pulposus cells into the disc offers a promising line of investigation for delaying intervertebral disc degeneration, although these results obtained with notochordal cells may not necessarily apply when mature central nucleus pulposus cells are used.     

腰椎间盘MRI高信号区的组织病理学特点和临床意义

目的研究椎间盘源性下腰痛患者腰椎间盘纤维环后方MRI高信号区的组织病理学特征及其临床意义。方法对52例经保守治疗无效、CT片显示无腰椎间盘突出的下腰痛患者行腰椎MR检查及腰椎间盘造影术。男39例,女13例;平均年龄38.8岁。选择纤维环后方出现高信号区的部分病例行腰椎后路椎间盘切除、椎体间融合、椎弓根螺钉内固定术,术中收集包括高信号区部位的椎间盘。对标本行矢状面连续组织学切片,光镜下观察高信号区椎间盘组织的组织病理学结构,并分析其临床意义。结果在行腰椎间盘造影的52例142个椎间盘中,17例17个椎间盘显示高信号区,且在椎间盘造影过程中全部呈现2或3级的纤维环破裂和疼痛复制反应。敏感性和特异性均为100%。高信号区与纤维环破裂程度分级呈正相关,说明纤维环破裂程度分级越高,越易出现高信号区(R=0.462,P<0.01)。共收集11例患者11个椎间盘,组织学研究发现对应高信号区的椎间盘组织表现为沿纤维环裂隙形成的不同程度的血管化肉芽组织,有成熟的瘢痕化胶原组织。结论症状性下腰痛患者的腰椎MRI上有椎间盘高信号区,可以作为椎间盘源性下腰痛诊断的重要征象。     

兔髓核与纤维环细胞生物学特性差异的研究

目的:同时建立兔髓核细胞与纤维环细胞体外培养模型,比较两者生物学特性差异。方法:新西兰大白兔5只(2～3kg,雌雄不限),无菌条件下分离髓核及纤维环,酶消化法联合组织块法含15%FBS的DMEM/F12(1∶1)培养液培养,当细胞90%融合后进行传代培养。通过倒置相差显微镜观测细胞形态,台盼蓝染色测定细胞活力,甲苯胺蓝和HE染色进行组织学观察,MTT法测定细胞增殖,分析比较髓核细胞与纤维环细胞形态、活力、增殖的差异。结果:原代及第1代髓核细胞和纤维环细胞形态上无明显差异,第2代髓核细胞开始有空泡出现。髓核细胞较纤维环细胞贴壁时间晚、细胞活力低;原代髓核细胞从第9天开始增殖速度较纤维环细胞慢(P<0.05)。结论:纤维环细胞的细胞活性明显高于髓核细胞。椎间盘退变性疾病可能是由髓核发生衰退引起,从而局部生物力学改变,导致纤维环破裂等组织结构的改变及功能的丢失。     

T2* mapping of ovine intervertebral discs: Normative data for cervical and lumbar spine

To obtain T2* values in histologically evaluated healthy ovine intervertebral discs of the cervical and lumbar spine. Intervertebral discs of nine sheep and nine lambs underwent histological assessment with the modified Boos score for grading of disc degeneration. Discs with a score <10 points (maximum = 40 points) underwent T2* mapping (n = 64). Mid‐sagittal T2* values were obtained in five regions: Anterior annulus fibrosus, anterior nucleus pulposus, central nucleus pulposus, posterior nucleus pulposus, and posterior annulus fibrosus. We noted a zonal T2* distribution with high values in the central nucleus and low T2* values in the anterior and posterior annulus fibrosus. The T2* values were higher in lamb than in sheep IVDs for both cervical and lumbar spine (p < 0.001). The T2* values were also higher in the cervical than in the lumbar spine (p = 0.029 for sheep and p < 0.001 for lamb IVDs). The T2* values obtained in these ovine intervertebral discs can serve as baseline values for future T2* measurements both in health and disease. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:717–724, 2016.     

In vivo macrophage recruitment by murine intervertebral disc cells

SUMMARY: An in vivo murine experiment was conducted to measure the capacities of viable intervertebral disc cells to recruit inflammatory cells. The objective was to determine whether compounds secreted from viable cells induce inflammation or whether inflammation in disc herniation simply requires exposure to structural cell or matrix components. Three tissue preparations were inserted into the right lower peritoneal cavity of male mice: tissue with viable annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus cells, tissue with viable annulus fibrosus cells, or devitalized annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus tissue. Controls included sham-operated and nonoperated groups. Mice were killed 1, 2, or 7 days after surgery. Macrophage recruitment occurred after exposure to viable disc tissue but not after exposure to devitalized disc components; recruitment increased over time. Viable disc cells play a role in the etiology of inflammation in disc herniation.     

Experimental model of disc herniations in rats for study of nucleolytic drugs

An experimental model of disc herniation in tail discs of rats is described. Constant result on nucleus hernia and intervertebral narrowing were obtained by an easy manipulation on numerous rats. Intradiscal injection of aprotinin produced a widening of the disc height. Trypsin, collagenase, chymopapain, and hyaluronidase induced a narrowing of disc height; trypsin induced macroscopic necrosis of the soft surrounding tissues; and collagenase had a destructive effect on nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and even on end-plates. Chymopapain and hyaluronidase acted mainly on nucleus pulposus. Hyaluronidase could be of interest as a nucleolytic drug and needs further studies on optimal dosage and lack of side effects in the surrounding tissues before injecting it into human discs.