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Ovine Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Utilizing a Lateral Retroperitoneal Drill Bit Injury
Published on: May 25, 2017
Molecular changes in the degenerated goat intervertebral disc
Roel Hoogendoorn1, Behrouz Z Doulabi, Chun L Huang
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Spine
|July 17, 2008
Summary
This study reveals that a goat model of disc degeneration, induced by chondroitinase ABC, mimics human molecular changes. Key biochemical and gene expression alterations in the intervertebral disc (IVD) provide insights into degeneration mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- A goat model for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration was previously established using chondroitinase ABC injection.
- This model exhibits mild, progressive disc degeneration, offering a platform for molecular investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular alterations occurring during chemically induced IVD degeneration in goats.
- To evaluate the mechanisms underlying degeneration development in this animal model.
- To compare molecular changes in goats to those observed in human IVD degeneration.
Main Methods:
- Collected 109 caprine lumbar IVDs, categorizing them into normal, mild, or severe degeneration.
- Analyzed biochemical composition: collagen content, collagen cross-links (hydroxylysyl pyridinoline), and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)/hydroxyprolines (Hyp) ratio in nucleus pulposus (NP) and anulus fibrosus (AF).
- Assessed gene expression of collagen type I, type II, aggrecan, ADAMTS-2, ADAMTS-14, and matrix metalloproteinases-13.
Main Results:
- Severely degenerated NPs showed increased collagen content, while AFs showed decreased content. Collagen cross-links decreased in severely degenerated NPs.
- The GAG/Hyp ratio in degenerated discs decreased, mirroring human patterns. ADAMTS gene expression and matrix metalloproteinases-13 increased significantly in degenerated discs.
- Collagen type I expression rose, while aggrecan expression decreased in degenerated discs.
Conclusions:
- The GAG/Hyp ratio changes in the chemically induced goat IVD degeneration model closely resemble those in human degeneration.
- Observed gene expression profiles align with known degeneration patterns.
- The chondroitinase ABC injection method effectively mimics the early stages of human disc degeneration.
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