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IgG and IgM concentration in the prolapsed human intervertebral disc and sciatica etiology
I Spiliopoulou1, P Korovessis, D Konstantinou
1Department of Microbiology, University of Patras Medical School, Greece.
Spine
|June 15, 1994
Summary
This study investigated immune responses in sciatica patients, finding elevated immunoglobulin levels in nucleus pulposus samples. These findings suggest inflammation may contribute to the inflammatory origin of sciatica.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Experimental data suggest inflammatory reactions occur in the nucleus pulposus of animal models.
- Sciatica, often caused by disc herniation, involves significant back pain and neurological symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the local production of immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) in the nucleus pulposus of patients with sciatica.
- To expand knowledge on the pathogenesis of back pain and sciatica in disc herniation.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study comparing 10 sciatica patients undergoing surgery with 8 control subjects.
- Nucleus pulposus, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid were analyzed for local IgG and IgM production using rate nephelometry.
Main Results:
- All patient samples showed an increased ratio of IgG in nucleus pulposus to serum (IgGNP/IgGs x 10^3).
- A significantly higher ratio of IgM in nucleus pulposus to serum (IgMNP/IgMs x 10^3) was observed in patients compared to controls (P < 0.005).
Conclusions:
- Elevated immunoglobulin levels in the nucleus pulposus suggest an inflammatory process.
- These findings support the hypothesis that inflammation near the nerve root and prolapsed disc contributes to the inflammatory origin of sciatica.