title: STUDIES OF MOLECULAR CHANGES IN INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION IN ANIMAL MODEL.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the structural and molecular changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) during the process of intervertebral disc degeneration, using animal model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar rats underwent intervertebral disc degeneration through 20-gauge needle puncture, and 360° rotation applied for 30 sec, representing the degenerated group, while control group was not submitted to this procedure. Histological parameters and expression of extracellular matrix molecules were evaluated in the 15(th) and 28(th) days after degenerative induction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen days after the induction of intervertebral disc degeneration, significant changes were observed, such as reduction in the expression metalloprotease-9 (MMP9) and interleukins (IL-6 and IL-10). There was a significant increase in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and caspase-3. However, different alterations in the ECM were observed at 28 days, the level of collagen I, metalloprotease-2 (MMP2) and caspase-3 were enhanced. Furthermore, expression of heparanase isoforms (HPSE1 and HPSE2) mRNA were increased in the degenerative intervertebral disc.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The different profiles of ECM molecules observed during the intervertebral disc degeneration suggest that molecular processes such as ECM remodeling, neovascularization, apoptosis and inflammation occur. Experimental Study.
authors.affiliation: . Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Orthopedics Discipline, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Ferraz
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: de Campos
authors.affiliation: . Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Orthopedics Discipline, Santo André, SP, Brazil.; . Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Biochemistry Department, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cintia Pereira
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: . Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Orthopedics Discipline, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Charles Benjamin
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Neff
authors.affiliation: . Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Cell Biology Department, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Olga Maria de Toledo
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Correa
authors.affiliation: . Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Biochemistry Department, Santo André, SP, Brazil.; . Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Biochemistry Department, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Aparecida Silva
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pinhal
authors.affiliation: . Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Biochemistry Department, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciano Miller Reis
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
keywords: Apoptosis; Collagen; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Metalloproteases; Neovascularization, pathologic