Biophysical and Physiological Investigations on Cartilage and Other Mesenchymal Tissues

Sylvén, Bengt; Paulson, Sten; Hirsch, Carl; Snellman, Olle

doi:10.2106/00004623-195133020-00005

Cited by 80 publications

(16 citation statements)

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“…[16][17][18] The rate of synthesis of proteoglycans decreases, 19 as does the concentration of proteoglycans in the nucleus. [20][21][22][23] The proteoglycans produced are smaller [24][25][26] and less aggregated 19 because of a decline in link proteins 21 and type IX collagen. 27,28 The concentration of chondroitin sulphate falls, resulting in a rise in the ratio of keratan sulphate to chondroitin sulphate.…”

Section: The Normal Discmentioning

confidence: 99%

The pathophysiology of disc degeneration

Hadjipavlou

Tzermiadianos

Bogduk

et al. 2008

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British volume

337

226

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The pathophysiology of intervertebral disc degeneration has been extensively studied. Various factors have been suggested as influencing its aetiology, including mechanical factors, such as compressive loading, shear stress and vibration, as well as ageing, genetic, systemic and toxic factors, which can lead to degeneration of the disc through biochemical reactions. How are these factors linked? What is their individual importance? There is no clear evidence indicating whether ageing in the presence of repetitive injury or repetitive injury in the absence of ageing plays a greater role in the degenerative process. Mechanical factors can trigger biochemical reactions which, in turn, may promote the normal biological changes of ageing, which can also be accelerated by genetic factors. Degradation of the molecular structure of the disc during ageing renders it more susceptible to superimposed mechanical injuries. This review supports the theory that degeneration of the disc has a complex multifactorial aetiology. Which factors initiate the events in the degenerative cascade is a question that remains unanswered, but most evidence points to an age-related process influenced primarily by mechanical and genetic factors.

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Section: The Normal Discmentioning

confidence: 99%

The pathophysiology of disc degeneration

Hadjipavlou

Tzermiadianos

Bogduk

et al. 2008

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British volume

337

226

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“…Patchy loss and disappearance of the gel structure are observed as the disc ages, with large collagen bundles being laid down, together with sheathing of the collagen fibrils by electron-dense granules (Buckwalter et al, 1978). This lowers the water content until in advanced degeneration the collagen may be completely devoid of proteoglycan material (Sylven et al, 1951;Naylor et al, 1954). This is likely to be the major change underlying the dehydration observed in the nucleus in later life.…”

Section: Nucleus Pulposusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human intervertebral disc: Structure and function

1988

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This review begins with a brief introduction in which the development, blood supply and innervation of the intervertebral disc is considered, particularly as these may influence the following sections on structure and function. The three regions within the disc--that is, the nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and cartilage end plates--are considered in some detail. There appears to be no distinct border between the central nucleus pulposus and the outer annulus fibrosus, the main difference being in their fibrous structure. The fluid space is important in the nutrition of the disc, showing plastic deformation and recovery characteristics. The structural elements, both macroscopically and microscopically, together with the biochemical elements, are intimately related to function. The intervertebral disc should not be though of as a homogeneous and static structure; it has a heterogeneous composition and responds dynamically to applied loads. Neither should it be considered as an isolated structure because it interacts with the vertebral bodies, together constituting the vertebral unit. Furthermore, changes within the disc can, and do, have dramatic effects on vertebral column kinematics. The intervertebral disc is not inactive; it is capable of self-maintenance; in injury it can repair itself and has considerable regenerative properties.

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“…It is probable that one of these agents is the muco‐polysaccharide which is present in high concentration and has a high water‐binding capacity. Significantly, the polysaccharide content of the disc falls with advancing age (9), as does the power of fluid absorption. Confirmatory evidence has been obtained by our studies of the age changes in the disc, using x‐ray crystallographic methods.…”

Section: Relation To Disc Prolapse and Degenerationmentioning

confidence: 99%