Evaluation of ceruloplasmin levels in patients with lumbar disc herniation

Hamza Karabag1, Alparslan Yetisgin2, Emin Savik3

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Harran University Faculty of Medicine, Sanliurfa, Turkey.

Insights

Ceruloplasmin (CP) levels are elevated in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH), indicating its potential role in inflammation associated with this condition. Higher CP in tissues than serum was observed.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Inflammation research
  • Orthopedics

Background:

  • Chronic inflammation is implicated in the pathogenesis of lumbar disc herniation (LDH).
  • Ceruloplasmin (CP), an acute-phase protein, possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Investigating CP levels may elucidate its role in LDH development and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify and compare serum and tissue ceruloplasmin (CP) levels in patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).
  • To assess the correlation between CP levels and pain intensity in LDH patients.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving 35 patients with LDH and 35 healthy controls.
  • Measurement of CP levels in both serum and surgical tissue samples from LDH patients.
  • Evaluation of pain severity using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Main Results:

  • LDH patients exhibited significantly higher serum CP levels compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001).
  • Tissue CP levels in LDH patients were significantly elevated compared to their serum CP levels (p < 0.001).
  • A significant positive correlation was found between serum CP levels and VAS pain scores in LDH patients (r = 0.491, p = 0.003).

Conclusions:

  • Ceruloplasmin (CP) levels are elevated in both serum and tissues of individuals with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).
  • Increased CP may be a response to inflammation associated with LDH.
  • CP levels correlate with pain intensity in LDH patients, suggesting a potential role in the condition's inflammatory processes.
Abstract

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