title: Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on intervertebral disc degeneration: an in vitro study with human lumbar nucleus pulposus.
abstract: METHODS
  An in vitro study with degenerated human lumbar intervertebral disc specimens cultured under hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To observe the changes in interleukin (IL)-1β, prostaglandin (PG)-E2, nitric oxide (NO), cell growth, and apoptosis of the human nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) after HBO.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Intervertebral disc degeneration has been demonstrated as related to IL-1β, PG-E2, NO, and O2 concentration but the actual mechanism is not clear. HBO also has also been reported in the literature to influence changes in IL-1β, prostaglandin E2, NO, and O2 concentration. However, the direct effect of HBO on the disc cells has not been previously reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected 12 human lumbar degenerated disc specimens and evaluated the effects of HBO on the cultured NPCs. The amounts of IL-1β, PG-E2, and NO in the conditioned medium were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high performance liquid chromatography. Cell growth was measured by increase in cell number. Cell viability and proteoglycan content were evaluated by histologic study using safranin O staining. In situ analysis of apoptosis was performed using Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our data indicated that HBO treatment inhibited IL-1β, PG-E2, and NO production but increased cell number and matrix synthesis of cultured NPCs. TUNEL staining showed that HBO treatment suppressed the apoptosis of cultured NPCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HBO provides a potential treatment modality for disc degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Hyperbaric Oxygen, Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: I-Chun
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Steve W N
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Ueng
authors.forename: Song-Shu
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chi-Chien
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Li-Jen
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Chun-I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Chih-Hwa
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen-Jer
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000379:methods*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D011509:Proteoglycans; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D015232:Dinoprostone; D010100:Oxygen