title: Establishing a disc degeneration model using computed tomography-guided percutaneous puncture technique in the rabbit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Various animal models have been developed to investigate the complex mechanisms leading to intervertebral disc disorders and to evaluate the different therapeutic options. The needle puncture technique is commonly used to induce intervertebral degeneration in animal models. The present study aimed to establish a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration using a simple, minimally invasive procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  The animal model was created in the rabbit using computed tomography-guided percutaneous puncture technology. An 18-gauge needle was used to induce a disc injury with a 5-mm puncture depth. Radiographic, histologic, and biochemical analyses and magnetic resonance imaging were performed to assess the consequent disc degeneration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant disc space narrowing was observed as early as 4 wk, and osteophytes were formed at 12 wk after puncture. The magnetic resonance imaging assessment demonstrated a progressive loss of T2-weighted signal intensity at the stabbed discs throughout the 12-wk period. The histologic analysis showed a progressive loss of the normal architecture from 4 wk to the end point. The biochemical assays suggested that the expression of proteoglycan decreased progressively with increasing time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A simple, but minimally invasive, intervertebral disc degeneration model was established successfully using computed tomography-guided percutaneous puncture technology in the rabbit. The puncture procedure can be performed with minimal damage and handling of the other structures, ensuring a uniform reproducible disc degeneration model.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Orthopedic, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Rong-Ping
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Zhong-Min
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Min-Jun
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Xiao-Chen
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Yun-Neng
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Xiao-Kai
authors.initials: XK
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Nv-Zhao
authors.initials: NZ
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Tian-Yu
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiao-Chun
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Da-Di
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009339:Needles; D011677:Punctures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans