Investigation of solute concentrations in a 3D model of intervertebral disc

As the disc is the largest avascular structure in the body, disc cells depend for their normal function on an adequate supply of nutrients (oxygen and glucose) and the removal of metabolic by-products (lactic acid) via blood vessels at the cartilaginous endplates and annulus periphery. Concentration...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European spine journal 2009-02, Vol.18 (2), p.254-262
Main Authors: Mokhbi Soukane, D., Shirazi-Adl, A., Urban, J. P. G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chondrocytes - metabolism
Diffusion
Extracellular Matrix - chemistry
Extracellular Matrix - metabolism
Finite Element Analysis
Glucose - analysis
Glucose - metabolism
Humans
Intervertebral Disc - cytology
Intervertebral Disc - metabolism
Lactic Acid - analysis
Lactic Acid - metabolism
Lumbosacral Region
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Models, Biological
Neurosurgery
Original
Original Article
Oxygen - analysis
Oxygen - metabolism
Posture
Solutions - metabolism
Surgical Orthopedics
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Summary:As the disc is the largest avascular structure in the body, disc cells depend for their normal function on an adequate supply of nutrients (oxygen and glucose) and the removal of metabolic by-products (lactic acid) via blood vessels at the cartilaginous endplates and annulus periphery. Concentration gradients develop depending on the balance between the rates of transport and rates of cellular activity. Since consumption and production rates are coupled via extracellular pH, the gradients are interdependent. This is a novel model study which takes into account the realistic 3D geometry of a L5-S1 lumbar disc in solving the nonlinear coupled diffusion equations. Effects of perturbations (calcification, sclerosis) in endplates, increases in cell metabolic rates following growth factor injection and changes in lumbar posture (kyphotic or lordotic) on extreme values of nutrient and metabolite concentrations and their spatial locations are investigated. Solute concentrations, particularly those of glucose, substantially diminish as a consequence of disturbances in supply at the endplates, increases in cell metabolic rate and more lordotic postures. Results, when compared to those from simplified axisymmetric models, demonstrate the importance of consideration of realistic 3D disc geometry.
ISSN:0940-6719
1432-0932
DOI:10.1007/s00586-008-0822-7