Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Operational and Intervention Effects of Targeted Tuina in Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Rabbits
Published on: July 21, 2023
Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on intervertebral disc degeneration: an in vitro study with human lumbar nucleus
I-Chun Wang1, Steve W N Ueng, Song-Shu Lin
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Hyperbaric Oxygen, Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
Study Design:
An in vitro study with degenerated human lumbar intervertebral disc specimens cultured under hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO).
Objective:
To observe the changes in interleukin (IL)-1β, prostaglandin (PG)-E2, nitric oxide (NO), cell growth, and apoptosis of the human nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) after HBO.
Summary Of Background Data:
Intervertebral disc degeneration has been demonstrated as related to IL-1β, PG-E2, NO, and O2 concentration but the actual mechanism is not clear. HBO also has also been reported in the literature to influence changes in IL-1β, prostaglandin E2, NO, and O2 concentration. However, the direct effect of HBO on the disc cells has not been previously reported.
Methods:
We collected 12 human lumbar degenerated disc specimens and evaluated the effects of HBO on the cultured NPCs. The amounts of IL-1β, PG-E2, and NO in the conditioned medium were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high performance liquid chromatography. Cell growth was measured by increase in cell number. Cell viability and proteoglycan content were evaluated by histologic study using safranin O staining. In situ analysis of apoptosis was performed using Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining.
Results:
Our data indicated that HBO treatment inhibited IL-1β, PG-E2, and NO production but increased cell number and matrix synthesis of cultured NPCs. TUNEL staining showed that HBO treatment suppressed the apoptosis of cultured NPCs.
Conclusion:
HBO provides a potential treatment modality for disc degeneration.
Related Concept Videos
Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction
Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology

