退变大鼠椎间盘器官培养模型的建立及其意义

Development and significance of an in vitro organ culture model of degenerative intervertebral disc in rats

Background:Intervertebral disc degeneration(IDD) is the main reason of low back pain and the damage of spine.The establishment of an in vitro organ culture model of degenerative intervertebral disc can provide a preferable experimental platform for studying the mechanism of IDD.Objective:The purpose of the present study is to develop an organ culture model of IDD in rats and to observe the tissue structure and cellular activity so as to access the culture results.Methods:Totally 30 SD rats were divided into old group(n=15) with 6 weeks old and young group(n=15) with 15 months old.RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of aggrecan and typeⅡcollagen of chondrocytes in all rat intervertebral discs.Intervertebral discs were taken out completely by asepsis and cultured in medium for different periods.The change of histomorphology in intervertebral disc tissue was assessed by HE staining and the cell viability was investigated by counterstain with NBT,DAPI.Results:IDD was more obvious in old rats than in young ones.Rat intervertebral disc organs cultured for up to 4 weeks showed minimal changes in histomorphology and cell viability.Conclusions:A degenerative organ culture model of intervertebral disc has been established successfully in vitro in rats.It may offer a better experimental model for exploring the mechanism of IDD.