Complement membrane attack complexes in pathologic disc tissues.

Study Design: Complement membrane attack complexes were located in lumbar spine disc tissues by immunohistochemistry. Their occurrence was compared in control discs obtained from organ donors (CD), discs showing a normal macroscopic anatomy, samples of intervertebral disc herniations (DH), and intervertebral discs found to be degenerated by discography, but not herniated (DD).

Objective: To look for a possible role of complement activation, specifically complement membrane attack complexes, an end product of the classic immune complex-mediated complement activation pathway, in disc pathophysiology.

Blood clots in vessels surrounding symptomatic nerve roots in disc herniation patients: a pilot study.

Mechanical compression and biochemical influences, e.g. by various inflammatory cells and mediators, have been suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology of sciatica.