Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Changes in human intervertebral disc biochemical composition and bony end plates between middle and old age

Martins, DE; de Medeiros, VP; Wajchenberg, M; Paredes-Gamero, EJ; Andrade De Lima, M; Reginato, RD; Nader, HB; Puertas, EB; Faloppa, F

Changes in human intervertebral disc biochemical composition and bony end plates between middle and old age Thumbnail


Authors

DE Martins

VP de Medeiros

M Wajchenberg

EJ Paredes-Gamero

RD Reginato

HB Nader

EB Puertas

F Faloppa



Abstract

Objective
This study evaluates molecular, nutritional and biochemical alterations in human intervertebral discs between middle and old age.

Methods
Twenty-eight human lumbar intervertebral discs from donors were evaluated and separated into two groups: Middle-aged (35–50 years old, relatively non-degenerate discs of Pfirrmann grades 1–3, n = 15) and Old-aged (=80 years old, all degenerate Pfirrmann grade 4 or 5, n = 13). Parameters which might be expected to to be related to nutrient supply and so the health of disc cells (eg the porosity of the vertebral endplate, cell viability and cell density) and to disc extracellular composition (ie quantification of glycosaminoglycan disaccharides and hyaluronic acid molecular weight) and collagen organization, were analyzed. Three regions of the intervertebral disc (anterior annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, and posterior annulus fibrosus) were examined.

Results
The old-aged group showed a decrease in content of sulphated and non-sulphated glycosaminoglycans relative to middle-aged and there were also alterations in the proportion of GAG disaccharides and a decrease of collagen fiber size. Hyaluronic acid molecular weight was around 200 kDa in all regions and ages studied. The anterior annulus differed from the posterior annulus particularly in relation to cell density and GAG content. Additionally, there were changes in the bony endplate, with fewer openings observed in the caudal than cranial endplates of all discs in both groups.

Conclusions
Results show the cranial vertebral endplate is the main vascular source for the intervertebral discs. Hylauronic acid molecular weight is the same through the intervertebral disc after age of 50 years.

Citation

Martins, D., de Medeiros, V., Wajchenberg, M., Paredes-Gamero, E., Andrade De Lima, M., Reginato, R., …Faloppa, F. (2018). Changes in human intervertebral disc biochemical composition and bony end plates between middle and old age. PloS one, 13, e0203932--e0203932. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203932

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 30, 2018
Publication Date Sep 18, 2018
Journal PloS one
Print ISSN 1932-6203
Publisher Public Library of Science
Volume 13
Pages e0203932--e0203932
DOI https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203932
Keywords collagens; disaccharides; proteoglycans; sulfates; articular cartilage; spine; chrondroitin; magnetic resonance image
Publisher URL https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0203932

Files






You might also like



Downloadable Citations