Evidence update-association between CILP and degeneration of the intervertebral disc: a meta-analysis

Lumbar intervertebral disc replacement in Australia: An epidemiological study

Introduction

Favorable short- and long-term outcomes have been reported for lumbar intervertebral total disc replacement (L-TDR). However, there is little evidence regarding the uptake of L-TDR in practice. The objective of this study was to analyze Australian-based population trends in L-TDR over the past 5 years.

Methods

The 5-year incidence of L-TDR from 2019 to 2023 in adult patients was analyzed using the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) database. Data were stratified by sex and year, with an offset term introduced using population data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics to account for population changes over the study period.

Results

A total of 1558 L-TDRs were completed in Australia under the MBS in the 5 years of interest. The 5-year annual mean case volume was 311.6 cases per annum. A downtrend and plateau in the rate of L-TDR has been seen from 2021 onward. The distribution of L-TDR across ages showed a significantly higher concentration in the 35-44 and 45-54 age groups (P < 0.05). More operations were performed in males (n = 876, 56.2%) than females (n = 682, 43.8%).

Conclusions

The uptake of L-TDR has declined throughout the 5-year study period in Australia. Despite modest use currently, the future of L-TDR will rely on more robust long-term outcome data.

MiR-330-5p inhibits intervertebral disk degeneration via targeting CILP

BACKGROUND

Intervertebral disk degeneration (IDD) is caused by nucleus pulposus (NP) degeneration and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and cartilage intermediate layer protein (CILP) expression has been confirmed to be increased in IDD. This study is mainly conducted to clarify the mechanism of CILP in the NP cell degeneration and ECM remodeling in IDD.

METHODS

CILP expression in the degenerated NP tissues and cells is quantified by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot. CILP function is assessed by cell cycle assay, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and flow cytometry, β-galactosidase staining, and the detection of ECM-related molecules aggrecan, collagen type I, collagen type II, MMP-3, and MMP-9 expression is accomplished by qRT-PCR. The potential mechanism is authenticated by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.

RESULTS

CILP was increased in the degenerated NP tissues and cells, and the knockdown of CILP promoted the NP cell cycle, increased cell activity, and repressed cell apoptosis and repressed cell senescence and ECM production. Moreover, miR-330-5p targeted the CILP 3'-untranslated region, and miR-330-5p negatively regulated CILP expression. Moreover, the overexpression of miR-330-5p repressed NP cell degeneration and ECM remodeling to relieve IDD by downregulating CILP.

CONCLUSION

MiR-330-5p represses NP cell degeneration and ECM remodeling to ameliorate IDD by downregulating CILP.

Genetic Predictors of Early-Onset Spinal Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Part Two of Two

Understanding genetic indicators is a fundamental aspect to characterizing the pathophysiology of chronic diseases such as intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). In our previous spinal genetics review, we characterized some more common genetic influencers in the context of IVDD. In this second part of our two-part comprehensive spinal genetics review, we characterize the more infrequently studied genes that have pathophysiological relevance. In doing so, we aim to expand upon the current gene-library for IVDD. The genes of interest include: asporin, cartilage intermediate layer protein, insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, matrix metallopeptidase 9, and thrombospondin 2. Findings show that these genetic indicators have trends and polymorphisms that may have causal associations with the manifestation of IVDD. However, there is a narrow selection of studies that use genetic indicators to describe correlations to the severity and longevity of the pathology. Nevertheless, with the continued identification of risk genes involved with IVDD, the possibilities for refined models of gene therapies can be established for future treatment trials.

Intervertebral Disc Biology: Genetic Basis of Disc Degeneration

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to highlight recent advances in understanding the genetic basis of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).

RECENT FINDINGS

It has been known for some time that IDD is highly heritable. Recent studies, and in particular the availability of agnostic techniques such as genome-wide association studies, have identified new variants in a variety of genes which contribute to the risk of IDD and to back pain.

SUMMARY

A variety of genetic variants are involved in IDD. Some are shared with variants predisposing to back pain, but few have been identified reliably in either phenotype. Further research is required to explain fully the high heritability and how the genetic variants influence cell biology to lead to IDD.

Carthamin yellow inhibits matrix degradation and inflammation induced by LPS in the intervertebral disc via suppression of MAPK pathway activation

Carthamin yellow (CY), which is a flavonoid compound isolated from safflower, has various pharmacological effects including promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis and alleviating pain. CY is a herb used in Chinese traditional medicines. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common spinal disorder and degeneration of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and inflammation are significant parts of the pathological cascade. The curative effect of CY on NP cells in association with degeneration and inflammation remains to be elucidated. In the present study, rat NP cells were isolated, cultured and used to detect the suppressive effects of CY on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced genetic expression variation and the expression of matrix degradation enzymes, including matrix metallopeptidase-3, ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif (ADAMTS)-4 and ADAMTS-5. A protective effect of CY on NP cells was observed against LPS-induced matrix degradation and inflammation. Western blotting results demonstrated that pretreatment with CY significantly suppressed the LPS-induced activation of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. The results of the present study suggested that CY exerted anti-degenerative and anti-inflammatory effects on NP cells via inhibition of MAPK pathway activation. Therefore, CY may be a potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of IDD in the future.