Zhang Wenli, Li Tao, Gong Quan, Shi Rui, Zhao Xiaodan, Feng Ganjun, Wang Beiyu, Liu Xi, Liu Hao
Department of Orthopaedics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan, 610041, PR China.
Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2010 Jan;24(1):41-5.
The reliable animal model of intervertebral disc degeneration, can provide important experimental carrier to research pathogenesis and treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. To establish three kinds of injury induced rabbit intervertebral disc degeneration models and to compare the characteristics among them by using biochemical and radiological methods.
Twenty-five healthy New Zealand white rabbits (weighing 2.0-2.5 kg) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=5). The L(3, 4), L(4, 5) and L(5, 6) discs in each rabbit were used for study. Groups A and B were for annulus puncture with an 18-gauge needle and a 22-gauge needle, respectively; group C was for nucleus aspiration; group D was for endplate injury and group E was used as a control. The lumbar spinal plain radiographs and magnetic resonance images (MRI) were evaluated, the raltive height of intervertebral disc was measured and the grades of disc degeneration were recorded 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 weeks after operation. The water and the sulfated-glycosaminoglycan (s-GAG) contents of the nucleus were measured after sacrifice (randomly choose one rabbit from each group at each time point).
In groups A, B, C and D, the height of intervertebral space in plain radiograph gradually decreased after operation. The anterior bony excrescences of vertebral body and varying degrees of calcification of endplate were also observed. The signal intensity of disc in T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging decreased with time too. Compared with group E, the significant changes of height of intervertebral discs and grades of disc degeneration in MRI occurred at different time points within 4 weeks in groups A-D (P < 0.05). The significant change in groups C and D occurred earlier than in groups A and B. The water and s-GAG contents of discs decreased gradually in groups A-D after operation, while the significant change occurred at varying time points within 8 weeks compared with group E (P < 0.05). The apparent downward trend in groups C and D occurred earlier than in groups A and B.
All three methods are successful in inducing intervertebral disc degeneration. The degenerative process induced by endplate injury and nucleus aspiration is faster and more severe than that induced by annulus puncture.
可靠的椎间盘退变动物模型可为椎间盘退变的发病机制及治疗研究提供重要的实验载体。建立三种损伤诱导的兔椎间盘退变模型，并采用生化和影像学方法比较它们之间的特点。
将25只健康的新西兰白兔（体重2.0 - 2.5 kg）随机分为5组（n = 5）。每组兔子的L(3, 4)、L(4, 5)和L(5, 6)椎间盘用于研究。A组和B组分别用18号针和22号针对纤维环进行穿刺；C组进行髓核抽吸；D组进行终板损伤；E组作为对照组。术后2、4、8、16和32周对腰椎正位X线片和磁共振成像（MRI）进行评估，测量椎间盘相对高度并记录椎间盘退变分级。处死动物后（每个时间点每组随机选取1只兔子）测量髓核的水和硫酸化糖胺聚糖（s-GAG）含量。
A、B、C和D组术后X线平片上椎间隙高度逐渐降低。还观察到椎体前缘骨质增生和不同程度的终板钙化。T2加权磁共振成像中椎间盘信号强度也随时间降低。与E组相比，A - D组在术后4周内不同时间点椎间盘高度和MRI椎间盘退变分级有显著变化（P < 0.05）。C组和D组的显著变化比A组和B组更早出现。术后A - D组椎间盘的水和s-GAG含量逐渐降低，与E组相比在8周内不同时间点有显著变化（P < 0.05）。C组和D组明显的下降趋势比A组和B组更早出现。
三种方法均成功诱导了椎间盘退变。终板损伤和髓核抽吸诱导的退变过程比纤维环穿刺诱导的更快、更严重。
