[Increased IL-1 and IL-6 expressions are negatively correlated with modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) scores of discogenic low back pain].

Objective: To detect the expressions of IL-1 and IL-6 in the degenerative intervertebral discs of patients with discogenic low back pain (DLBP), record the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) scores and analyze the correlation between the expressions and the scores.

Methods: The study chose 30 cases of DLBP aged between 45-65 years old from the same race and district and 10 control cases of vertebral fractures scheduled for surgical treatment but with no history of low back pain within one year and no disc degeneration based on imaging data. The degree of DLBP was evaluated by mJOA scores. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to observe the expressions of IL-1 and IL-6 in the discs. The relationship between the IL-1, IL-6 expressions and the mJOA scores was revealed by Pearson linear correlation analysis.

Results: Compared with the control group, the expressions of IL-1 and IL-6 in the discs of DLBP patients increased significantly as immunohistochemistry and Western blotting indicated. The highest mJOA score of DLBP group was 16 points and the lowest was 7 points before operation. The expressions of IL-1 and IL-6 were negatively correlated with the mJOA scores of low back pain.

Conclusion: The expressions of IL-1 and IL-6 in the discs of DLBP patients were significantly elevated and negatively correlated with the mJOA scores of low back pain.