[Changes of nitric oxide content and nitric oxide synthase activity during rabbit cartilage endplate degeneration].
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the degeneration of rabbit cartilage endplate (CEP).


METHODS
Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were divided into experiment (n=12) and control (n=12) groups, and in the former group rabbit models of lumbar CEP degeneration was established by resection of all the lumbar supraspinous and interspinous ligaments and excision of part of the zygapophyseal joints followed by detachment of the posterior paravertebral muscles from the lumbar vertebrae. Lumbar X-ray was performed in both groups 12, 24 and 36 weeks after operation, respectively. The content of NO and NOS activity in the CEP were also measured.


RESULTS
X-ray of the CEP reveal gradual calcification of the cartilage endplate with the elapse of time, which was more obvious in the experiment group. The content of NO and NOS activity was significantly increased in the experiment group after the operation (P<0.05), but their difference between the measurements at 24 and 36 weeks postoperatively was not obvious (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
NO may play an important role in the development and progression of rabbit cartilage endplate degeneration.
Liu
Bin
B
Department of Orthopedics and Spinal Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. johnliu2001@sina.com
Qu
Dong-bin
DB
Jin
Da-di
DD
Lu
Di
D
Tan
Jun
J
D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology*; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase