Expression Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 In The Degenerate Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Tissue

Objective: To study the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in degenerate lumbar intervertebral disc; and to research the possible correlation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity to degenerate lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods: The 56 specimens of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration and 10 specimens of normal lumbar intervertebral disc were compared. The expression of MMP-2 with immunohistochemistry methods in all discs were analyzed. Results: Histologic examination fou- nds degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc show that the Annulus fibrosus destruction of lamellar structure, disordered or cross-cutting integration, the annulus becomes rough worse, visible cracks formed, annulus and nucleus ill-defined. The immunohistochemical staining sho- wed that, the expression of MMP-2 in degenerated lumbar intervertebral disc was higher than in the normal intervertebral disc tissue [(58.4507±20.37060)% vs (3.5410±0.95922)%, t =-20.047, P<0.001]. There were s- ignificant differences among the MMP-2 expressions in sequested disc, r- uptured disc and protruded disc tissues[(75.6728±5.99674)%, ( 69.3206±5.91050)%, and ( 33.1680±8.48466)%, F=208.558, P<0.001]. The expre- ssion of MMP-2 decreased by turn from sequested disc, ruptured disc to protruded disc(P<0.05). Conclusion: Lumbar intervertebral disc degene- ration histologically distinct from normal disc; MMP-2 in degenerative lumbar disc in the different expression may be related to the degree of disc degeneration was closely related.