Establishing a rat model of intervertebral disc degeneration by castration of both upper limbs combined with intervertebral disc puncture

doi:10.12307/2023.845

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Seeking a relatively suitable animal model of intervertebral disc degeneration is of great significance for an in-depth study of the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration.
OBJECTIVE: To seek a relatively suitable animal model of intervertebral disc degeneration, providing a new modeling option for basic research into degenerative disc disease.
METHODS: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group and model group. The intervertebral disc degeneration model was prepared by castration of both upper limbs combined with intervertebral disc puncturing. MRI examination was performed on the day of modeling and at 4 and 8 weeks after modeling to observe the morphological changes of the intervertebral discs and evaluate the Pfirrmann grade before and after modeling. The L4-L5 and L5-L6 intervertebral discs were removed from the rats at 4 and 8 weeks after modeling. The pathological changes of the intervertebral discs were observed by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining and the expression of type II collagen was observed by immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The model group showed only slight degeneration on the day of modeling. Compared with the sham operation group, the T2-weighted signal on MRI was decreased in the model group, and there was a significant difference in the Pfirrmann grading at 4 weeks after modeling (P < 0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, the T2-weighted signal on MRI was significantly decreased and the boundary with the annulus fibrosa was blurred in the model group at 8 weeks after modeling. The nucleus pulposus in the model group was expanded in the posterior longitudinal ligament and there was a significant difference in the Pfirrmann grading between the two groups (P < 0.01). The results of pathological staining showed that compared with the sham operation group, the model group had a reduction in the number of nucleus pulposus cells, disordered annulus fibrosus, and decreased expression of type II collagen at the 4th week after modeling. While at the 8th week after modeling, the nucleus pulposus cells were shrunk, the matrix was condensed, the annulus fibrosus was ruptured, the structure was damaged and the boundary between the nucleus pulposus and the nucleus pulposus was blurred, and the expression of type II collagen in the nucleus pulposus was decreased more obviously in the model group compared with the sham operation group. To conclude, this method can successfully establish the rat model of intervertebral disc degeneration, and the animal model develops obvious degeneration, which provides a new idea for the study of intervertebral disc degeneration model.

Key words: intervertebral disc degeneration, animal model, rat, castration of both upper limbs, annulus fibrosus puncture

CLC Number:

Sun Xiaoxian, Bai Xue, Liu Mengmin, Guo Yang, Lin Shun, Wu Wenxuan, Ma Yong, Liu Jintao. Establishing a rat model of intervertebral disc degeneration by castration of both upper limbs combined with intervertebral disc puncture[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2023, 27(35): 5616-5621.

Figures/Tables 7

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