The immunoreactivity of TNF-alpha in the DRG directly exposed to nucleus pulposus increases during 2 weeks. A collapse of the positive cells was seen in the DRG directly exposed to the nucleus pulposus.
These findings indicate that infliximab attenuates the elevated BDNF levels induced by NP. The present study therefore further indicates the importance of TNF-alpha in sciatica due to disc herniation and the possible therapeutic use of a TNF-alpha inhibitor for this condition.
Results suggest that somewhat pathogenic factors in the nucleus pulposus may have a crucial role in the induction of hyperalgesia. This may help to elucidate the reason why a severe pain is sometimes induced without a visually identified protrusion.
Infliximab may prevent the histologic damage induced by nucleus pulposus. When rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of infliximab at the beginning of disc herniation, the histologic damage seemed to be reduced in comparison with the nontreated rats.
PurposeLumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common condition in the aging population. However, limited information exists on discrepancies between LSS symptoms and imaging findings and/or prognostic factors of LSS, as well as the relationship between changes in LSS symptoms and quality of life (QoL) during the natural course of LSS. The purpose of the current study was to clarify any changes in clinically diagnosed LSS at a one-year follow-up, and identify its prognostic factors, using a community-dwelling cohort.Participants and methodsIn this study, the presence of LSS, its associated comorbidities, and the status of QoL pertaining to general health and low-back pain were assessed in 1,080 community-dwelling volunteers. The same assessment was carried out a year after the initial survey. Clinically diagnosis as LSS (LSS-positive) was determined by a validated diagnostic support tool in the form of a self-administered, self-reported history questionnaire. QoL was assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire.ResultsAmong subjects who were LSS-positive in the initial assessment, 54% were clinically diagnosed as negative for LSS (LSS-negative) after the one-year period, whereas 10% of those who were initially diagnosed as LSS-negative changed to LSS-positive during the same period. With the improvement or deterioration of LSS-positive/negative status, low-back pain-related QoL and some components of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey similarly improved or deteriorated. Decisive prognostic factors of LSS-positive status were not determined at the one-year follow-up.ConclusionApproximately half of the subjects who had initially been diagnosed as LSS-positive converted to LSS-negative after one year. Prognostic factors of LSS-positive diagnosis after one-year follow-up were not detected.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.