Objective To introduce the latest advances of research on repair of the degenerative intervertebral disc with gene transduction.Methods The recentlypublished articles about the treatment of degenerative disc with gene transduction were reviewed, especially the articles published during the recent 5 years about the application of this therapy to regulating the synthesisand degradation of the extracellular matrix of the degenerative intervertebral disc.Results The shape and function of the normal intervertebral disc were reported to be closely related to the synthesis and degradation of the extracellular matrix of the intervertebral disc. The extracellular matrix of the intervertebral disc was a target for the gene transduction to repair the degenerative intervertebral disc. There was a great development of the treatment with gene transduction, especially in vector choice, target gene transduction, and transgene regulation and safety. Conclusion The advances of the research have indicated that repair of the degenerative intervertebral disc with gene transduction is a keyto curing the disease of the degenerative intervertebral disc.
Objective To introduce the research of mesenchymal stemcells(MSCs) transplantation for treating intervertebral disc degeneration. Methods The recent original articles about the MSCs transplantation for treating intervertebral disc degeneration were extensively reviewed. Results Transplanted MSCs in intervertebral disc can express chrondcyte-like phenotype in certain conditions, increase matrix synthesis and release intervertebral disc degeneration. Conclusion MSCs transplantation for treating intervertebral disc degeneration may be a future approach.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of dipyridamole (DP), one of the human equilibrative nucleoside transporters (hENTs) blockers, on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induced cell apoptosis and cell cycle changes of the pancreatic cancer Panc-1 cell line. MethodsPancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1 was divided into hENTs blocked group and hENTs unblocked group. The hENTs blocked group was further divided into two subgroups according to the DP concentration, 5 μmol/L DP group and 10 μmol/L DP group. Each group was incubated in culture medium with or without 1.5×106 ng/L 5-FU for 24 h. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Results①The apoptosis results of each group： Incubated in culture medium with 1.5×106 ng/L 5-FU for 24 h, the apoptosis rates of 5 μmol/L DP group and 10 μmol/L DP group were higer than those of hENTs unblocked group （Plt;0.05）, and which of 10 μmol/L DP group was higer than that of 5 μmol/L DP group (Plt;0.05). Incubated in culture medium without 5-FU for 24 h, there were no significant differences of the apoptosis rates among three groups (Pgt;0.05). ②The cell cycle results of each group: Incubated in culture medium with 1.5×106 ng/L 5-FU for 24 h, the percentages of S phase cells in the 5 μmol/L DP group and 10 μmol/L DP group were less than those of hENTs unblocked group (Plt;0.05). The percentage of S phase cell of 5 μmol/L DP group reduced to 87.09% and that of 10 μmol/L DP group reduced to 74.06% as compared with hENTs unblocked group. 5-FU had little influence on G2 phase (Pgt;0.05) except for the percentage of G2 phase cells in the 5 μmol/L DP group increased significantly (Plt;0.05) as compared with the hENTs unblocked group. Incubated in culture medium without 5-FU for 24 h, there were no significant differences of the cell cycles among three groups (Pgt;0.05). ConclusionsIn pancreatic cancer Panc-1 cell, DP could enhance the cytotoxicity of 5-FU by blocking hENTs. The enhanced cytotoxicity is related to elevation of 5-FU concentration in cells, and unrelated to DP itself.
Objective To evaluate pulmonary function changes in patients with severe scol iosis undergoing anterior release, posterior segmental fixation and fusion, and convex thoracoplasty by resecting a short length of rib. Methods FromJanuary 2006 to July 2007, 16 patients with severe scol iosis were treated with anterior release, posterior segmental fixation and fusion, and convex thoracoplasty by resecting a short length of rib. There were 6 males and 10 females with an average age of 16.9 years (range, 10-24 years). There were 1 case of Lenke 1 curve, 9 cases of Lenke 2 curve, and 6 cases of Lenke 4 curve. The preoperative Cobb angle was (104.8 ± 10.9)° and the preoperative thoracic kyphotic angle was (30.0 ± 4.2)°. The preoperative height of “razor back” deformity was (5.9 ± 1.2) cm. Before operation, the actual value of forced vital capacity (FVC) was (2.04 ± 0.63) L and that of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1.0) was (1.72 ± 0.62) L. The percentage of actual values to expected ones in FVC was 70% ± 16%, and that in FEV1.0 was 67% ± 15%. All patients had pulmonary function tests before operation and 3, 6, 12, 24 months after operation. Results All wounds healed by first intention. The Cobb angle at 24-month follow-up was (53.4 ± 18.6)° and the correction rate was 49.0% ± 15.3%. The thoracic kyphotic angle at 24-month follow-up was (34.0 ± 2.4)° and the correction rate was 13.3% ± 2.2%. The height of “razor back” deformity at 24-month follow-up was (2.2 ± 0.8) cm. Compared with preoperative level, all these data showed significant differences (P lt; 0.05). At 3 and 6 months, the actual values of FVC and FEV1.0 decl ined, but no significant difference was found (P gt; 0.05). At 12 and 24 months, the actual values of FVC andFEV1.0 were close to the preoperative level (P gt; 0.05). The percentages of actual values to expected ones in FVC and FEV1.0 indicate continued improvement in pulmonary function from the postoperative 3 to 24 months follow-up. Compared with preoperative level, the percentages of actual values in FVC decl ined 19% 3 months postoperatively (P lt; 0.05) and 12% 6 months postoperatively (P lt; 0.05). The percentages of actual values to expected ones in FEV1.0 decl ined 16% 3 months postoperatively (P lt; 0.05), and 10% 6 months postoperatively (P lt; 0.05). The percentages of actual values to expected ones in FVC and FEV1.0 were close to the preoperative level 12 and 24 months after operation (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion In severe scol iosis patients who are treated with anterior release, posterior segmental fixation and fusion, and convex thoracoplasty by resecting a short length of rib, pulmonary function decreases obviously 3-6 months after operation. And it returns to the operative baseline 12-24 months after operation.
Objective The rel iable animal model of intervertebral disc degeneration, can provide important experimental carrier to research pathogenesis and treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. To establ ish three kinds of injury induced rabbit intervertebral disc degeneration models and to compare the characteristics among them by using biochemical and radiological methods. Methods Twenty-five healthy New Zealand white rabbits (weighing 2.0-2.5 kg) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=5). The L3, 4, L4, 5 and L5, 6 discs in each rabbit were used for study. Groups A and B were forannulus 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). Results 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 lt; 0.05). The significant change in groups C and D occured earl ier 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 lt; 0.05). The apparent downward trend in groups C and D occured earl ier than in groups A and B. Conclusion 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.