Alterations in T2 relaxation magnetic resonance imaging of the ovine intervertebral disc due to nonenzymatic glycation.

Study Design: An in vitro study using ovine intervertebral discs to correlate the effects of increasing advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) with disc hydration evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Objective: To determine the relationship between the level of AGEs and tissue water content in intervertebral discs using T2 relaxation MRI.

Summary Of Background Data: AGEs result from nonenzymatic glycation, and AGEs have been shown to accumulate in the intervertebral disc tissue with aging and degeneration.