Tissue renin-angiotensin system in the intervertebral disc.

Study Design: Immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses of the rat intervertebral disc (IVD) tissue renin-angiotensin system (tRAS).

Objective: To examine the expression and function of tRAS in the rat IVD.

Summary Of Background Data: Angiotensin II (Ang II), the major effector of tRAS, is a hormone that contributes to inflammation and fibrosis in many organs.

Effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma-releasate on intervertebral disc degeneration in the rabbit anular puncture model: a preclinical study.

Introduction: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a fraction of plasma in which several growth factors are concentrated at high levels. The active soluble releasate isolated following platelet activation of PRP (PRP-releasate) has been demonstrated to stimulate the metabolism of IVD cells in vitro. The in vivo effect of PRP-releasate on degenerated IVD remains unknown.