Tuyển tập các báo cáo nghiên cứu về y học được đăng trên tạp chí y học General Psychiatry cung cấp cho các bạn kiến thức về ngành y đề tài:The efficacy of Link N as a mediator of repair in a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration. | Mwale et al. Arthritis Research Therapy 2011 13 R120 http content 13 4 R120 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access The efficacy of Link N as a mediator of repair in a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration 3 3 2 3 3 Fackson Mwale 1 Koichi Masuda Rajeswari Pichika Laura M Epure Tomoaki Yoshikawa Aseem Hemmad Peter J Roughley4 and John Antoniou1 2 Abstract Introduction Intervertebral disc IVD degeneration is associated with proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix and its repair requires both the production of extracellular matrix and the downregulation of proteinase activity. These properties are associated with several growth factors. However the use of growth factors in clinical practice is limited by their high cost. This cost can be circumvented using synthetic peptides such as Link N which can stimulate the synthesis of proteoglycan and collagen by IVD cells in vitro. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Link N in vivo in a rabbit model of IVD degeneration. Methods New Zealand white rabbits received annular puncture in two lumbar discs. Two weeks after puncture both punctured discs of each rabbit were injected with either Link N or saline. After 2 weeks nine rabbits were euthanized and the annulus fibrosus AF and nucleus pulposus NP of Link N-injected and saline-injected IVDs were removed and used to prepare total RNA. Following reverse transcription quantitative PCR was performed for aggrecan COL2A1 COL1A1 ADAMTS-4 ADAMTS-5 and MMP-3. After 12 weeks 19 rabbits were euthanized and the injected IVDs were removed for biochemical and histological analysis. Proteinase K digests were analyzed for DNA and sulfated glycosaminoglycan content. Disc height was monitored radiographically biweekly. Results Following needle puncture disc height decreased by about 25 over 2 weeks and was partially restored by Link N injection. Puncture of the IVD resulted in a trend towards decreased proteoglycan content in both
