[Cell viability between anterior and posterior spinal growth plate in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the cell viability of chondrocytes between the anterior and the posterior spinal growth plates in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by proliferation and apoptosis labelling.


METHODS
Seventeen AIS patients (4 male and 13 female, mean age 13.6 years old, ranged from 10 to 17 years old) were recruited in this study. Growth plates were harvested during anterior and posterior surgery. PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated nick end labeling) were used for proliferation and apoptosis labeling on chondrocytes respectively.


RESULTS
In AIS, the distribution of the proliferating nests were denser and more parallel in anterior column than those in posterior under microscope observation. In the proliferative and hypertrophic zone the PCNA index and PCNA/TUNEL ratio were higher in the anterior column than those in the posterior column (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). While in resting zone the differences were not so significant.


CONCLUSIONS
In adolescent idiopathic scoliosis the growth viability of chondrocytes is more vigorous in anterior spinal column than in the posterior column.
Zhu
Feng
F
Spinal Service, Gulou Hospital, Nanjing University Medical school, Nanjing 210008, China.
Qiu
Yong
Y
Meng
Kui
K
Cheng
Jack-Chun-yiu
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D017209:Apoptosis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002648:Child; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013131:Spine / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology*