The Correlation Between Expression Of Aquaporin-1,3and MRI Classification And Histological Grading In Degenerated Intervertebral Disc

Objecttive： To evaluate the correlation between expression ofaquaporins，MRI degeneration grade classification and histologically levelclassification of the human intervertebral disc(IVD).Method：The experimental group human intervertebral disc sampleswere obtained from52patients undergo spine surgery which cause byintervertebral disc disease,Using lumbar MRI was performed at mid-sagittalview T2-weighted images degeneration of the intervertebral discs was gradedaccording to Pfirrmann classification before surgery, disc tissue biopsies werestained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and examined by light microscopy.Tissues were graded histologically to examine degeneration using the Sivegrading system. Collected52samples from lumbar fracture patients bysurgical removal of the intervertebral disc tissues, according to histologicalexamination ensure no degeneration as control group. Immunohistochemistrywas used to determine the expression of AQP-1and-3in the human IVDs, andthe mean absorbance values of aquaporin1and-3were measured in bothgroups.Result：The expression of AQP-1and-3were significantly lower in theexperimental group than in the control group（P＜0.05）. By the Spearmanrank correlation analysis found that the Pfirrmann classification and the Sivegrading system of degenerated intervertebral disc strong correlated withexpression of AQP-1(P <0.01, RS>0.8), and also strong correlated with expression of AQP-3((P <0.01,RS>0.8)，the higher level of Pfirrmann andSive grading system, the less expression of AQP-1and AQP-3.Conclusion：Aqunporin-1and-3expression reduction may be one of theimportant factor cause of lumbar disc degeneration.