ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness and radiological changes between KMC interspinous dynamic reconstruction and Coflex for degenerative lumbar spinal disorders and evaluate the clinical outcome of the KMC interspinous dynamic internal fixation for degenerative lumbar spinal disorders. MethodsA randomized controlled double-blind trial was conducted. Thirty-three patients with degenerative lumbar spinal disorders were divided into 2 groups between May 2011 and July 2012, 19 patients received Coflex treatment (group A), and 14 patients received KMC (group B). Single Coflex or KMC fixation was used. There was no significant difference in age, gender, disease duration, affected segment, and disease diagnosis between 2 groups (P>0.05). The Oswestry disability index (ODI) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were used to evaluate the effectiveness. The anterior disc height, middle disc height, posterior disc height, and foramen intervertebral height and width of operated segment were measured and compared between at preoperation and last follow-up on the X-ray films. Range of motion (ROM) of operated segment and adjacent segment was measured. ResultsThere was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative recovery time, and hospitalization time between 2 groups (P>0.05). The patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 16.2 months) in group A and 12-26 months (mean, 17.9 months) in group B. No shift, loosening, or breaking of internal fixation occurred. The ODI score and VAS score were significantly decreased at last follow-up when compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the ODI score and VAS score at preoperation and last follow-up, and in improvement rate at last follow-up between 2 groups (P>0.05). The middle disc height and posterior disc height, and foramen intervertebral height and width were significantly increased when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in anterior disc height (P>0.05). At last follow-up, ROM of the operated segments was significantly improved when compared with preoperative one in 2 groups (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found at the upper adjacent level (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in ROM of the operated segment and upper adjacent segment between 2 groups at preoperation and last follow-up (P>0.05). ConclusionThe early effectiveness is satisfactory to treat degeneration lumbar spinal disorders with KMC interspinous dynamic internal fixation.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Vitamin C (Vit C) on the apoptosis of human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and serum deprivation. MethodsThe NP cells were isolated from patients undergoing spine corrective operation by collagenase trypsin. The experiment was divided into 3 groups:Vit C group (group A), TNF-α group (group B), and serum deprivation group (group C). Group A was reassigned to A1 subgroup (basic medium), A2 subgroup (100 μg/mL Vit C), and A3 subgroup (200 μg/mL Vit C). Group B was reassigned to B0 subgroup (control group), B1 subgroup (100 ng/mL TNF-α), B2 subgroup (100 μg/mL Vit C+100 ng/mL TNF-α), and B3 subgroup (200 μg/mL Vit C+100 ng/mL TNF-α). Group C was reassigned to C0 subgroup (Control group), C1 subgroup (2% FBS), C2 subgroup (2%FBS+100 μg/mL Vit C), and C3 subgroup (2% FBS+200 μg/mL Vit C). After C1 subgroup (2% FBS), C2 subgroup (2%FBS+100 μg/mL Vit C), and C3 subgroup (2% FBS+200 μg/mL Vit C). After application of 100 μg/mL or 200 μg/mL Vit C for 24 hours, NP cells were stimulated by TNF-α and serum deprivation, then the apoptosis rate of NP cells was detected by a flow cytometry, and the gene expressions of the extracellular matrix of NP cells (collagen type Ⅰ, collagen type Ⅱ, aggrecan, and Sox9) and apoptosis related genes (p53, FAS, and Caspase 3) were detected by real-time fluoroscent quantitative PCR. ResultsGroup A:Vit C could significantly reduce the apoptosis rate and gene expressions of p53, FAS, and Caspase 3 of NP cells in A2 and A3 subgroups when compared with A1 subgroup (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between A2 subgroup and A3 subgroup (P>0.05); Vit C could promote the expressions of the extracellular matrix (collagen type Ⅰ, collagen type Ⅱ, aggrecan, and Sox9) of NP cells in a concentration dependent manner (P<0.05). Group B:TNF-α significantly increased the apoptosis rate and the gene expressions of p53, FAS, and Caspase 3 in B1 subgroup when compared with B0 subgroup (P<0.05); however, Vit C significantly increased the apoptosis rate and the gene expressions in B2 subgroup, and significantly decreased them in B3 subgroup when compared with B1 subgroup (P<0.05). Group C:2% FBS significantly increased the apoptosis rate of NP cells and significantly reduced the gene expressions of p53, FAS, and Caspase 3 in C1 subgroup when compared with C0 subgroup (P<0.05); Vit C could significantly reduce the apoptosis rate and gene expressions of p53, FAS, and Caspase 3 in C3 subgroup, but it could significantly increase them in C2 subgroup when compared with C1 subgroup (P<0.05). ConclusionVit C can promote the synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix of NP cells. 200 μg/mL Vit C may delay the apoptosis induced by TNF-α and serum deprivation, indicating the potential therapeutic effect of Vit C on intervertebral disc degeneration.