title: Evaluation of the Association Between Matrix Metalloproteinase 11 and Intervertebral Disc Disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The intervertebral disc starts to degenerate when a human being begins to stand and learn to walk. It is known that many extrinsic, intrinsic and genetic factors play a role in disc degeneration. In this study, we examined whether the matrix metalloproteinase 11 might be associated with intervertebral disc degeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-six patients with lumbar disc herniations who were operated at Göztepe Education and Research Hospital, Neurosurgery Clinic between September 2008 and December 2009 were prospectively reviewed. History and complaints were obtained from the case reports. Neuroradiological evaluation was performed with magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical findings of cases were reported in the operation notes. Microscopic posterior hemipartial laminectomy and discectomy were performed in all cases. Degenerated herniated disc material of all cases extracted during surgery was evaluated with immunohistochemical staining in Marmara University, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Pathology Laboratory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparing the immunohistochemical staining of cases who were 50 years or younger and cases who were over 50 years old, statistical significance was determined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Matrix metalloproteinase 11 has a role in degenerating intervertebral disc disease, but it is not the only factor. Matrix metalloproteinase 11 might be a genetic factor in young-middle aged patients.
authors.affiliation: Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Canakkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Adem Bozkurt
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Aras
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guven
authors.forename: Naci
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Balak
authors.forename: Erdoğan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ayan
authors.forename: Suheyla Bozkurt
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Uyar
authors.forename: Ilhan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Elmaci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000601:surgery; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000601:surgery; D007796:Laminectomy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D053507:Matrix Metalloproteinase 11 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C511771:MMP11 protein, human; D053507:Matrix Metalloproteinase 11