Objective To observe ultrastructural changes of the intervertebraldisk in the corresponding area after internal fixation of spinal column. Methods Twenty-four Japanese big ear rabbits were divided into internal fixation of spinal column group (n=12) and control group (n=12). The internal fixation model was made as follows: The spinous processes and erector spinal muscle were exposed and the T10L3 spinous processes and the relevant two-side articular processes under the periosteumwere isolated. With the help of L-shaped Kirschner wires, the steel wire was threaded through the articular of T11,T12,L1 and L2, and were connected with L-shaped Kirschner wries. After 6 months of operation, the following intervertebral disk tissues were observed with transmission electeon microscope: nucleus pulposus, internal annlus fibrosus and external anulus fibrosus of L1 intervertebraldisk. The T12and L2 intervertebal disk surface structure was observedhorizontally and longitudinally with scanning electron microscope, respectively. Results After internal fixation of spinal column, the structural changes of cells in nucleus pulposus and internal annulus fibrosus occurred earlier than that in the external annulus fibrosus. Proteoglycan and special structure were found in nucleus pulposus and matix of annulus fibrosus. However, the forms of special structure in nucleus pulposus and internal layer of annulus fibrosus were different. In the degeneration matrix of intervertebral disc, the proteoglycan particles and special structure were obviously decreased. Conclusion Abnormal stress environment can result in the degeneration of intervertebral disk. There is a regular distribution of the special structure in nucleus pulposus and matrix of annulus fibrosus, which is related to biology behaviour of proteoglycan particles in the degeneration of intervertebral disk.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and distribution of xenoantigen in intervertebral disk of Chinese banna minipig inbred line, and to study the availability of xenograft transplantation of intervertebral disk. METHODS: Samples of intervertebral disk were collected from six Banna pigs of 8 to 11-month-old. The fixation, embedment and slice were performed. α-Gal specific binding lection (BSI-B4) were used as affinity reagents and affinity-immunohistochemistry assays (SABC methods and DAB stain) were conducted to detect the expression and distribution of xenoantigen (α-Gal). RESULTS: alpha-Gal was found in chondrocyte cell and chondrocyte-like cell in intervertebral disk which have the positive yellow-stained particulate aggradation. There was no stain in the matrix, elastic fiber and collagen fiber. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of xenoantigen is locally in the tissue of intervertebral disk and its expression is weak. This suggests that the intervertebral disk of Banna pig may be alternative donor for xenotransplantation.
Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of collagenase for intervertebral disk hernia, to facilitate the rational selection of the most appropriate therapy. Methods We searched the following electronic databases: Medline (1966 to May 2006), EMbase (1966 to May 2006), The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2006), CRD (Center for Reviews and Dissemination, York University), CBM (1978 to May 2006), CNKI (1994 to 2006), and VIP (1989 to 2006). RCTs or quasi-RCTs were included. RevMan 4.2 was used for statistical analysis. Results Six RCTs and one quasi-RCT involving 829 participants were included. One study showed that the short-term effective rate was similar between chemonucleolysis (CNL) and percutaneous laser dise decompression (PLDD), but the long-term effective rate of PLDD was superior to that of CNL (RR 0.35, 95%CI 0.13 to 0.96). One study revealed that the short- and long-term effective rate of CNL were higher than those of placebo (Plt;0.05). Two studies comparing collagenase vs chymopaain were heterogeneous: one indicated that chymopapain was superior to collagenase according to ITT analysis (Plt;0.05); but the other revealed no significant difference among the high- and low-dose collagenase groups and chymopapain group (Pgt;0.05). One trial showed that the effective rate between collagenase and automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy (APLD) was not significantly different (Pgt;0.05). The overall results of CNL vs Triamcinolone Acetonide showed no significant difference, but significant difference was found among patients with different types of intervertebral disk hernia. One study showed that CNL was superior to Prednisolone. Three studies reported adverse effects, mainly involving pain, neurologic deficit, cauda equina syndrome and allergic reaction amongst others. Conclusions No adequate evidence shows which therapy is more effective for intervertebral disk hernia. More high-quality trials are required.