title: Augmentation and repair tissue formation of the nucleus pulposus after partial nucleotomy in a rabbit model.
abstract: Disc degeneration alters disc height and mechanics of the spinal column and is associated with lower back pain. In preclinical studies gel-like materials or resorbable polymer-based implants are frequently used to rebuild the nucleus pulposus, aiming at tissue regeneration and restoration of tissue function. To compare the outcome of tissue repair, freeze-dried resorbable polyglycolic acid-hyaluronan (PGA/HA) implants without any bioactive components or bioactivated fibrin (fibrin-serum) was used in a degenerated disc disease model in New Zealand white rabbits. Animals with partial nucleotomy only served as controls. The T2-weighted/fat suppression sequence signal intensity in the nuclear region of operated discs as assessed by magnet resonance imaging was reduced in operated compared to healthy discs, indicating loss of water and did not change from week 1 to month 6 after surgery. Quantification of histological and immunohistochemical staining indicated that the implantation of PGA/HA leads to significantly more repair tissue compared to nucleotomy only. Type II collagen content of the repair tissue formed after PGA/HA or fibrin-serum treatment is significantly increased compared to controls with nucleotomy only. The data indicate that intervertebral disc augmentation after nucleotomy has a positive effect on repair tissue formation and type II collagen deposition as shown in the rabbit model.
authors.affiliation: TransTissue Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany; Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Rheumatology, Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Endres
authors.affiliation: Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurosurgery, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Zenclussen
authors.affiliation: Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurosurgery, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Casalis
authors.affiliation: TransTissue Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Freymann
authors.affiliation: TransTissue Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gil Garcia
authors.affiliation: TransTissue Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany; Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Rheumatology, Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Krueger
authors.affiliation: Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: U-W
authors.initials: UW
authors.lastname: Thomale
authors.affiliation: Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurosurgery, Berlin, Germany; Spine Centre Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Woiciechowsky
authors.affiliation: TransTissue Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: christian.kaps@transtissue.com.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kaps
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D017587:Diskectomy, Percutaneous; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011817:Rabbits; D012038:Regeneration
chemical_list: D024043:Collagen Type II; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
keywords: Cell-free implant; Hyaluronan; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Polyglycolic acid; Rabbit model