INTERVERTEBRAL DISC FUNCTION IS RESTORED IN AN IN VIVO MODEL OF CHRONIC NUCLEUS PULPOSUS GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN REDUCTION

摘要

Reduced nucleus pulposus glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content is one of the earliest clinically detectable changes during the course of intervertebral disc degeneration [1,2]. Depletion of nucleus GAG by small percentages consistent with this early loss has been experimentally linked to altered motion segment mechanical function, and thus, potentially increases the risk of damage accumulation directly due to elevated stresses and strains and through altered cellular function [3].