Spinal Cord Sensitization and Spinal Inﬂammation from an In Vivo Rat Endplate Injury Associated with Painful Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Int. J. Mol. Sci., 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043425 · Published: February 8, 2023

Immunology Pain Management Spinal Disorders

Simple Explanation

This study explores the relationship between endplate (EP) injuries and spinal cord sensitization, a key factor in chronic back pain. The research investigates whether EP injuries in rats lead to increased levels of substances like Substance P (SubP), microglia (Iba1), and astrocytes (GFAP) in the spinal cord, which are indicators of sensitization and neuroinflammation. The findings suggest that EP injuries can indeed cause spinal cord sensitization and broad spinal inflammation, potentially contributing to chronic discogenic pain.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

15 male Sprague Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
EP injuries significantly increased SubP, Iba1, and GFAP in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, indicating spinal cord sensitization and neuroinflammation.
2
Pain-related behaviors, such as decreased hindpaw withdrawal threshold and peak grip force, were observed in rats with EP injuries.
3
The levels of SubP, Iba1, and GFAP in the spinal cord were positively correlated with pain-related behaviors, IVD degeneration, and the presence of macrophages (CD68) in the endplate and vertebrae.

Research Summary

The study investigated the effects of endplate (EP) injuries on spinal cord sensitization and neuroinflammation in rats with intervertebral disc degeneration. Results showed that EP injuries led to increased levels of SubP, Iba1, and GFAP in the spinal cord, indicating sensitization and neuroinflammation, and were correlated with pain-related behaviors. The findings suggest that EP injuries can cause broad spinal inflammation with crosstalk between the spinal cord, vertebrae, and intervertebral disc, potentially informing future therapeutic strategies.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Targets

Future therapies for chronic discogenic pain may need to target neural pathologies, IVD degeneration, and spinal inflammation.

Diagnostic Markers

Spinal cord SubP, Iba1, and GFAP could potentially serve as diagnostic markers for assessing the severity of pain and inflammation associated with EP injuries.

Broad Anti-inflammatory Treatments

Anti-inflammatory treatments may need to address the spinal cord, IVD, and vertebrae to effectively prevent or reduce EP-driven discogenic pain.

Study Limitations

1
The sample size, while sufficient, could be increased for more definitive findings.
2
The study used an acute injury model, unlike the chronic nature of human IVD degeneration.
3
Only male rats were used, and sex differences in pain mechanisms were not explored.

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