A New Porcine In Vivo Animal Model of Disc Degeneration

• DOI: 10.1097/brs.0b013e3181b723c9
• Publication Date: 2009-11-22T08:18:55Z
• Authors: Georg W. Omlor; Andreas G. Nerlich; Hans-Joachim Wilke; Michael Pfeiffer; Helga Lorenz; Markus Schaaf-Keim; Helge Bertram; Wiltrud Richter; Claus Carstens; Thorsten Guehring
• Keywords: Aggrecan; Intervertebral Disc; MMP3; Histology; Matrix (chemical analysis)

In Brief Study Design. vivo animal study. Objectives. To describe a new porcine disc degeneration model, and to analyze remodeling after nucleotomy with special view the different nucleus pulposus (NP) cell types. Summary of Background Data. Thus far, predominantly smaller animals were used for models; however, such small discs inappropriate investigate implementation therapies. Though notochordal cells (NCs) are important formation maintenance, differences in amount NCs between human have often been neglected. Methods. Twenty-four Goettingen minipigs underwent partial 16G biopsy cannula, remove ∼10% total NP volume. Animals followed up 3, or 24 weeks analyzed by radiographs, MRIs, (immuno)histology, gene expression analysis, biomechanical testing. Results. Three height was reduced 26%, magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity 40%. At decreased 32%. Increased degenerative changes found histodegeneration score 3 nucleotomy, as well considerable scarification weeks. controls, cytokeratin-8 immunohistochemistry identified proximity chondrocyte-like at approximately equal ratio. After considerably <10% cells. Matrix genes upregulated, except aggrecan that 35% initial values nucleotomy. degrading factors (matrix metalloproteinases 13 3) continuously whereas transcripts their inhibitors (tissue matrix metalloproteinase 2 downregulated. No significant segmental spinal flexibility bone density Conclusion. We introduced model relatively large could be therapeutic approaches. The study gives further information about indicates relevance an altered cellular composition development degeneration. Partial performed on establish offers scaled discs, thus histologic, radiologic, biomechanical, biomolecular basis.