Objective: To assess the ability of transplanted nucleus pulposus cells (NPC) and marrow stroma cells (MSC) in restraining the degeneration of punctured intervertebral discs in rabbits.
Methods: The passage 3 NPC and MSC were harvested for transplantation. Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups: saline group (3), MSC group (6) and NPC group (6). The L3/4, L4/5, and L5/6 discs of the rabbits were stabbed and punctured using a 18G needle. The rabbits were then treated with saline, MSC, or NPC in their respective groups. The untreated L2/3, L6/7, and L7/S1 discs served as self controls. The lateral projection of lumbar vertebrae X rays and sagittal Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Images of the lumbar verteral T2 weighed signals were collected before and 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the operations. The %DHI and standardized T2WI (ST2WI) were measured using Image-pro plus 6.0 and Merge eFilm Workstation.
Results: All animals survived above 8 weeks after been transplanted. The transplantation effectively restrained the degeneration of the punctured discs. The NPC group had higher %DHI in week 8 (79.29 +/- 2.53)% than in week 6 (74.31 +/- 42.59)% (P<0.05). However, no difference of %DHI appeared between the NPC and MSC group in week 8. The NPC group had stronger T2 weighed signals in week 8 than the MSC group.
Conclusion: Both NPC and MSC restrain the degeneration of punctured discs. NPC have shown stronger potential of extracellular matrix synthesis, and height and water content recovery of discs.