A SNP in the 5'UTR of GDF5 is associated with susceptibility to symptomatic lumbar disc herniation in the Chinese Han population.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study is to assess whether the single nucleotide polymorphism in the GDF5 (+104T/C; rs143383) is associated with the symptomatic lumbar disc herniation in the Chinese Han population and the identification of the mechanisms of its action. METHODS: This study consisted of 231 patients with symptomatic lumbar disc herniation as the case group and 370 patients who had a lifetime lack of symptoms as the control group. PCR products were genotyped. Thirty-eight disc specimens derived from the cases were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. The stain intensity of immunohistochemistry was quantified using a computerized image analysis system. RESULTS: Significant differences in genotypic and allelic frequencies were found between case group and control group (TT genotype P < 0.001; CC genotype P = 0.002; T allele P < 0.001). The T allele was more frequent in the case group regardless of gender (Female P = 0.018; Male P < 0.001). Significant differences were found in the genotype frequencies when stratified by gender except the comparison between the CC genotype and other genotypes combined among the female samples (P > 0.05). A semi-quantification of collagen protein in the nucleus pulposus showed that the average collagen protein content in TC group was higher than in TT group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the GDF5 polymorphism is associated with a susceptibility to symptomatic lumbar disc herniation in the Chinese Han population and type II collagen in the nucleus pulposus may be a key factor in susceptibility to symptomatic lumbar disc herniation.

Analysis of association between IL-1ß, CASP-9, and GDF5 variants and low-back pain in Chinese male soldier: clinical article.

OBJECT: Recent studies have suggested that genetic risk factors play an important role in the occurrence of low-back pain (LBP) and lumbar disc disease. The authors' study aimed to assess the association between 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and susceptibility to LBP related to military training. METHODS: In this case-control study, data from 892 Chinese male soldiers were retrospectively reviewed. The case group was made up of 305 soldiers with LBP related to military training and a control group of 587 soldiers without constant LBP for more than 2 weeks. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of all subjects and polymerase chain reaction products were genotyped. RESULTS: No association was found between the SNP of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß; +3954C/T) and LBP at both the genotypic (p = 0.104) and the allelic (p = 0.098) level. However, the G allele of caspase-9 (CASP-9) and the T allele of growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) were more common in patients with LBP than in patients without LBP (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings in a Chinese military cohort indicated that CASP-9 (-1263A/G) and GDF5 (+104T/C) polymorphisms are associated with a susceptibility to LBP related to military training.

Effects of pulse current on endurance exercise and its anti-fatigue properties in the hepatic tissue of trained rats.

Fatigue is synonymous with a wide spectrum of familiar physiological conditions, from pathology and general health, to sport and physical exercise. Strenuous, prolonged exercise training causes fatigue. Although several studies have investigated the effects of electrical stimulation frequency on muscle fatigue, the effects of percutaneous pulse current stimulation on fatigue in the hepatic tissue of trained rats is still unclear. In order to find an effective strategy to prevent fatigue or enhance recovery, the effects of pulse current on endurance exercise and its anti-fatigue properties in exercised rats were studied. Rats were subjected to one, three or five weeks of swimming exercise training. After exercise training, rats in the treated group received daily applications of pulse current. All rats were sacrificed after one, three or five weeks of swimming exercise, and the major biochemical indexes were measured in serum and liver. The results demonstrate that pulse current could prolong the exhaustion swimming time, as well as decrease serum ALT, AST and LD levels and liver MDA content. It also elevated serum LDH activity, liver SOD activity and glycogen content. Furthermore, pulse current increased the expression of Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of Bax. Taken together, these results show that pulse current can elevate endurance capacity and facilitate recovery from fatigue.

Effects of vibration in forced posture on biochemical bone metabolism indices, and morphometric and mechanical properties of the lumbar vertebra.

Epidemiological studies have shown a relatively strong association between occupational lower back pain (LBP) and long-term exposure to vibration. However, there is limited knowledge of the impact of vibration and sedentariness on bone metabolism of the lumbar vertebra and the mechanism of bone-derived LBP. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vibration in forced posture (a seated posture) on biochemical bone metabolism indices, and morphometric and mechanical properties of the lumbar vertebra, and provide a scientific theoretical basis for the mechanism of bone-derived LBP, serum levels of Ca(2+), (HPO4)(2-), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and bone gla protein (BGP),the pathological changes and biomechanics of lumbar vertebra of New Zealand white rabbits were studied. The results demonstrate that both forced posture and vibration can cause pathological changes to the lumbar vertebra, which can result in bone-derived LBP, and vibration combined with a seated posture could cause further damage to bone metabolism. Serological changes can be used as early markers for clinical diagnosis of bone-derived LBP.

Diagnosis and treatment of excessive lateral pressure syndrome of the patellofemoral joint caused by military training.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnosis and surgical treatment of excessive lateral pressure syndrome of the patellofemoral joint caused by military training. METHODS: Fifteen patients (patient group) and 18 healthy volunteers (control group) were involved in this retrospective study. Radiographs of the knee joints of all patients and volunteers were taken. The bone architecture was assessed, the trochlear angle, coincidence angle and patellofemoral joint index measured in both groups, and the resulting data compared. All 15 patients (17 knees) were treated by lateral collateral retinaculum release. Pre- and post-operative pain was evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: The differences between the two groups in coincidence angle (patient group: 7.67°± 5.81°; control group: -2.2°±-2.71°) and patellofemoral joint index (patient group: 2.49 ± 1.40; control group: 1.25 ± 0.15) were statistically significant. Subchondral bone sclerosis and osteophytosis in the patellofemoral joint were more pronounced in the patient group than in the control group. The VAS was higher preoperatively (7.06 ± 0.85) than postoperatively (6 months postoperatively: 3.87 ± 0.24; 1 year postoperatively: 3.01 ± 0.17), and the differences between preoperative and postoperative were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Apart from the case history, typical symptoms and physical signs, X-ray examination is the most basic way to diagnose excessive lateral pressure syndrome of the patellofemoral joint, and the patellofemoral joint index is the most reliable for diagnosis. Lateral collateral retinaculum release with a small-incision is an effective treatment for this disease.