Aggrecanases and aggrecanase-generated fragments in the human intervertebral disc at early and advanced stages of disc degeneration.

Study Design: A comparative study of aggrecanases and aggrecan fragmentation profile in the human intervertebral disc at early and advanced stages of disc degeneration.

Objective: To determine differences in the content of the aggrecanases and the profile of aggrecan fragmentation in early and advanced stages of disc degeneration using cadaveric human intervertebral discs.

Summary Of Background Data: Aggrecanases and aggrecanase-generated aggrecan fragments have been found in human degenerated discs.

Effects of growth differentiation factor-5 on the intervertebral disc--in vitro bovine study and in vivo rabbit disc degeneration model study.

Study Design: In vitro studies on the effects of recombinant human growth and differentiation factor-5 (rhGDF-5) on matrix metabolism of bovine intervertebral disc cells and an in vivo study on the effect of rhGDF-5 in the rabbit anular puncture model.

Objective: To determine the reparative capacity of rhGDF-5 on the intervertebral disc.

Summary Of Background Data: The in vitro and in vivo effects of rhGDF-5, a crucial protein in the developing musculoskeletal system, on repair of the degenerated intervertebral disc remain unidentified.