Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The distortion capability of cells can reflect the changes of cell structure and function. To date, the studies on the cell mechanics of nucleus pulposus are rare.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distortion capability of normal and degenerative nucleus pulposus in vitro.
METHODS: The normal and degenerative nucleus pulposus cells were respectively obtained from discarded nucleus pulposus tissue of 3 scoliosis patients and 3 intervertebral disc hernitaion patients. Pancreatin and collagenase type Ⅱwere used to isolate the nucleus pulposus tissue and performed with primary culture. The micropipette aspiration test was used to measure the length of nucleus pulposus cells aspirated into micropipette at 4 seconds under suitable negative pressure, and the statistical analysis was performed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The negative pressure of the normal and degenerative nucleus pulposus cells were (411.31±27.93) Pa and (434.24±46.26) Pa respectively, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Within 4 seconds, the lengths of the normal and degenerative nucleus pulposus cells aspirated into micropipette were (2.20±0.92) μm and (2.48±0.71) μm, their differences were not significant (P > 0.05). With the certain time and the same length of the normal and degenerative nucleus pulposus cells aspirated into micropipette, the degenerative nucleus pulposus cells needed greater negative pressure than normal nucleus pulposus cells. It indicates that the distortion capability of degenerative nucleus pulposus cells is worse than that of normal nucleus pulposus cells.