Особенности межпозвонкового диска в постнатальном периоде онтогенеза

Abstract

Aim. To reveal intervertebral disc’s morphological patterns of postnatal period. Material and methods. The morphometric study was performed on histological material obtained during 100 cases of surgical interventions on the lumbar spine for radicular syndrome. The age of the patients ranged from 19 to 77 years, median age was 45,0 (36,0; 55,0). Also, it was examined 36 samples of the intervertebral discs’ C5C6, D5D6, L5S1 anterior parts (including nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus) obtained in 12 cases of autopsies. The age of individuals ranged from 34 to 94 years, median age was 61,0 (50,5; 71,8) years. Staining with hematoxylin-eosin, Van Gieson method and silver impregnation was performed according to standard procedure using ready-made reagent kits. Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn test were used for cross-group comparisons. Results. According to the morphological state of collagen fibers, all samples were divided into 4 groups. To assess the regenerative state of fibrous cartilage, a calculated coefficient reflecting the ratio of isogenic groups of chondrocytes to single chondrocytes was used. When comparing the coefficient value between the groups, statistically significant differences were obtained (p = 0,0038). The value of calculated coefficient for types I and IV-V were similar. The maximum range of values fell on type III, and type II was found in intermediate position. Statistically significant differences in the calculated coefficient between types I and III were obtained. The absence of differences in the value of the calculated coefficient between types II and III could be explained by fact that type II reflected transient state between types I and III. Type IV was found in intermediate position, as type II did. Conclusion. The intervertebral disc of postnatal period was synchondrosis. Its morphological changes didn’t depend on age and are probably related to the genetically determined strength properties of fibrous cartilage, as well as lifestyle. The proposed calculated coefficient can serve as a preliminary indicator of intervertebral disc’s biological aging stage, as well as an additional evaluation criterion in combination with color gradation based on the results of staining by Van Gieson method.