title: Experimental disc degeneration due to endplate injury.
abstract: The aim of this study was to create an experimental model of disc degeneration that closely mimicked human disc degeneration. In six domestic pigs, an L4 cranial endplate perforation into the nucleus pulposus was made. Three months postoperatively, compressive testing was performed on the L2-L4 motion segments, and intradiscal pressure was measured in the intervening discs. Histochemical and morphologic examinations were made on the excised degenerated and adjacent discs. A significant reduction in water content was observed in the outer anterior annulus of the degenerated disc. In the nucleus, the proteoglycan content was significantly reduced, as well as the cellularity, although not significantly. The nucleus lost its gel-like structure and was discolored, and there was delamination of annular layers. Intradiscal pressure in the nucleus was significantly lower in the degenerated disc. In conclusion, experimental degeneration of the intervertebral disc induced by endplate penetration resembled human disc degeneration, as exemplified by biochemical and structural changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of orthopaedics, Göteborg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Sten
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holm
authors.forename: Allison Kaigle
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Holm
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ekström
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karladani
authors.forename: Tommy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hansson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001834:Body Water / Q000502:physiology; D002356:Cartilage / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005782:Gels / Q000378:metabolism; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011312:Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D034421:Sus scrofa; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D011509:Proteoglycans