Neurotrophic factors for the treatment of low back pain

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23592175
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Orthopaedic surgery
• Research Institution: Chiba University (2014); Toho University (2011-2013)
• Principal Investigator: AOKI Yasuchika 千葉大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 特任教授 (70584001)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): OHTORI Seiji 千葉大学, 大学院医学研究院, 准教授 (40361430) ; NAKAGAWA Koichi 東邦大学, 医学部, 教授 (30400823) ; NAKAJIMA Arata 東邦大学, 医学部, 准教授 (60583995)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 椎間板 / 神経栄養因子 / 腰痛

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The protein levels of NGF and BDNF in discs from patients with disc herniation and hose from discs of patients with other lumbar degenerative disc diseases were examined. Nucleus pulposus tissue (or herniated disc tissue) was surgically removed and homogenized; protein levels were quantified using ELISAs for NGF and BDNF. Levels of NGF and BDNF in the discs were compared between 1) patients with disc herniation and those with other lumbar degenerative disc diseases, 2) patients with back pain and those with slight or no back pain, and 3) moderately degenerated discs and severely degenerated discs. Mean levels of NGF and BDNF in discs of patients were: NGF (herniation: 83.4; others: 64.8, pg/mg total protein); BDNF (herniation: 36.5: others 16.2, pg/mg total protein). Herniated discs showed significantly higher levels of NGF and BDNF (p<0.05). No significant differences were found between patients with and without back pain, or between moderately and severely degenerated discs.

Free Research Field

整形外科