Age-related changes in activity of proteoglycanase in cervical discs

Abstract

Objective Experimental study on age-related changes in activities of proteoglycanases obtained from various cervical intervertebral discs. Methods 40 spcimens were analysed, among these lumbar intervertebral discs, 10 were fetal cevical intervertebral discs, 10 were 17-25 years-old cervical in-tervertebral discs, 10 were 40-55 years-old cervical intervertebral discs, 10 were 60-75 years-old cervical intervertebral discs. Proteoglycansaes were extracted with 0.05 mmol/L Tris/HCl buffer which contains 10.0 mmol/L CaCl_2. The proteoglycan of bovine scapula cartilage extracted with 4.0moL/L Guanidine HCI was used as substrate. The proteoglyean breakdown of the reaction indicated the activity of the proteogly-canases from various luumbar intervertebral discs. Results Activities of proteoglycanases from fetal discs,17-25 years-old discs,40-55 years-old discs and 60-75 years-old discs were 1.911±0.21,0.881±0.155,1. 720±0.19,1. 777±0.142. Conclusion Levels of Proteoglycansae were age-related and may play a important role in the pathological process of degeneration of cervical intervertebral discs. Key words: Proteoglycanase; Matrix metalloroteinase; Activity; Cervical interverteral disc