title: Analysis of chondroitin sulfate in lumbar intervertebral discs at two different stages of degeneration as assessed by discogram.
abstract: Previous studies have presented evidence that an underlying cause of intervertebral disc degeneration is related to changes in the sulfation of the proteoglycans. The sulfation of the chondroitin in cadaveric lumbar intervertebral discs, at two different stages of degeneration as assessed by discogram, were analyzed. Fourteen of 28 lumbar discs were graded 2 and the other 14 were graded 4 (i.e., more degenerated). From each disc, six regional segments were carefully isolated. Proteoglycans were solubilized from the disc tissue with 4 M GuHCl. Chondroitin sulfate chains were analyzed by diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Sephacel and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) anion exchange chromatography. The major differences in sulfation of the chondroitin between grade 2 and grade 4 discs only occurred in the posterior central annulus and nucleus segments. The chondroitin in the posterior central nucleus segments of the grade 2 and grade 4 intervertebral discs were undersulfated as compared with the other segments, and the differences between these segments and the others were more accentuated in the grade 4 discs than in grade 2 discs.
authors.affiliation: Emory Spine Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Hutton
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Elmer
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Boden
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Horton
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carr
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates