Determination of hyaluronic acid in the nucleus pulposis in acute and chronic degenerative intervertebral disk changes

Abstract

The hyaluronic acid concentration of the nucleus pulposus is in direct connection with osmotic printing. This examination shoes the free and bound hyaluronic acid content of the nucleus pulposus during acut and chronically degenerative disc modifications. 20 humane disc parts of the rungs L4/5 and L5/S1 were examined. The intervertebral disc material were deep-frozen to -80 degrees C directly after discectomy. The determination of the hyaluronic acid was carried out with the HA-test of the company Pharmacia. The examined disc material was treated with isotonic common salt solution (0.9%) and triton X-100 (2%). The investigation material was examined with the RIA-test. The patients were subdivided in 3 groups reference to there different anamnese. The first group included 5 patients with an acut disc herniation and an anamnese time under 1 week. The second group consisted of 8 patients with an disc herniation and an anamnese time of more than 4 weeks with extensive conservative therapy. In the third group, the control group including 7 patients, a spondylodese was performed due to other degenerative disc modifications. The results of the investigation showed significantly more (p < 0.05) free and bound hyaluronic acid in the group with an acut disc herniation. On the other hand, no significant difference appeared between the control group and the patients with an disc herniation of older anamnese (p > 0.05). We could show that the nucleus pulposus contains more hyaluronic acid in the case of an acut disc herniation than in case of older degenerative disc modifications. The results shoes important new views for the discussion of the genesis of acut and chronic nucleus pulposus prolapses.