Phospholipase A2 activity in herniated lumbar discs. Clinical correlations and inhibition by piroxicam.
METHODS
Prospective study of phospholipase A2 activity in the serum and intervertebral discs of patients undergoing surgery for sciatica due to disc herniation.


OBJECTIVE
To determine correlations between herniated disc phospholipase A2 and clinical, radiographic, and anatomic signs of common sciatica; to evaluate serum phospholipase A2 activity as a marker of disc phospholipase A2; and to investigate the in vivo effect of piroxicam on disc phospholipase A2.


BACKGROUND
Several studies suggest disc inflammation as a mechanism of sciatica due to disc herniation, and phospholipase A2 emerges as a key enzyme of cartilage and disc tissues.


METHODS
Phospholipase A2 activity was determined, using the degradation of a specific substrate, in the serum and discs of 31 patients (14 treated with acetaminophen and 17 treated with piroxicam) undergoing surgery for sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation. Visual analog scale for pain, Dallas Pain Questionnaire, Lasègue's sign, radiographic stage of degeneration of the herniated disc, volume of disc herniation shown by computed tomography, and surgical findings were recorded.


RESULTS
Disc phospholipase A2 activity was independent of the patient's age or sex, the radiologic stage of disc degeneration, and the volume of the herniation, and showed no significant correlation with Lasègue's sign or pain measured on a visual analog scale. The correlation between disc phospholipase A2 and the Dallas category of items measuring the impact of pain on daily activities approached the level of significance (P = 0.07). Disc phospholipase A2 activity was significantly higher in cases of sequestrated discs than in other herniations. Disc phospholipase A2 was significantly correlated with serum phospholipase A2, and was significantly lower in patients treated with piroxicam than in those treated with acetaminophen.


CONCLUSIONS
Disc phospholipase A2 is thought to participate in the physiopathology of sciatica and to bemodulated by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy. Serum phospholipase A2 is suggested as a biologic marker of disc inflammation in patients with sciatica.
Piperno
M
M
Department of Rheumatology, Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Pierre-Bénite, France.
Hellio le Graverand
M P
MP
Reboul
P
P
Mathieu
P
P
Tron
A M
AM
Perrin
G
G
Peschard
M J
MJ
Richard
M
M
Vignon
E
E
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D010894:Piroxicam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012585:Sciatica / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D015415:Biomarkers; D010894:Piroxicam; D000082:Acetaminophen; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2