Elevated interleukin-6 expression levels are associated with intervertebral disc degeneration

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate whether serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression levels were associated with the onset and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). A comprehensive meta-analysis of the scientific literature from numerous electronic databases was performed, in order to obtain published studies associated with the topic of interest. Relevant case-control studies that had previously assessed a correlation between IL-6 expression levels and IDD were identified using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The STATA version 12.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the extracted data. A total of 112 studies were initially retrieved, with eight studies meeting the inclusion criteria. These contained a total of 392 subjects, of which 263 were patients with IDD and 129 were healthy controls. A meta-analysis of the eight studies demonstrated that serum IL-6 protein expression levels may be associated with IDD, and this was irrespective of IDD subtype (bulging, protrusion, or sequestration). Notably, serum expression levels of the IL-6 protein were upregulated in intervertebral disc (IVD) protrusion tissue, as compared with normal IVD tissue; thus suggesting that IL-6 may have an important role in the pathophysiological process of IDD.

Inflammatory biomarkers of low back pain and disc degeneration: a review

“…Eight case–control studies met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 392 subjects, of which 263 were patients with IDD and 129 were healthy controls. A meta‑analysis demonstrated that serum IL‑6 protein expression levels may be associated with IDD; however, this was irrespective of IDD subtype . It should be noted, however, that the IDD classification used (bulging, protrusion, or sequestration) is more commonly accepted to be subtypes of disc herniation specifically, not IDD .…”

“…50 Nevertheless, serum expression levels of the IL-6 protein were upregulated in protrusion subjects, as compared with normal disc subjects; thus, suggesting that IL-6 may have an important role in a manner that depends on the subtype of degeneration or herniation. 78 Weber et al provided direct experimental evidence to support this notion that serum inflammatory cytokine levels vary by diagnosis subtype. In that study, serum cytokine levels were compared in patients with varying IDD pathologies.…”

“…A meta-analysis demonstrated that serum IL-6 protein expression levels may be associated with IDD; however, this was irrespective of IDD subtype. 78 It should be noted, however, that the IDD classification used (bulging, protrusion, or sequestration) is more commonly accepted to be subtypes of disc herniation specifically, not IDD. 50 Nevertheless, serum expression levels of the IL-6 protein were upregulated in protrusion subjects, as compared with normal disc subjects; thus, suggesting that IL-6 may have an important role in a manner that depends on the subtype of degeneration or herniation.…”

High mobility group box‐1 induces pro‐inflammatory signaling in human nucleus pulposus cells via toll‐like receptor 4‐dependent pathway

“…18,19 Stimulation of these receptors has been shown to activate NF-kB pathway, which triggers the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and MMP-1. 4,13,16,20 In IVD, an elevated IL-6 level decreases expression of ECM constituents, aggrecan and Collagen Type II, 2,21 and is associated with the progression of DD 22 and with LBP associated with DD. 23 MMP-1 levels have also been shown to be elevated in lumbar DD patients.…”

Dynamics of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in blood plasma in the treatment of back pain with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

“…Деякі дослідження показують кореляцію рівня цитокінів з наявністю структурних уражень, таких як радикулопатії та грижі дисків [6,7]. Також є спостереження, що профіль сироваткових цитокінів у пацієнтів із різними дорсалгіями потенційно може використовуватися для прогнозування хронізації процесу та вибору найкращої тактики лікування [2,8] що рівні IL-6 корелюють із гіршою відповіддю на лікування у пацієнів з радикулопатіями, виходячи із оцінювання за шкалами ВАШ та ODI. А ІL-4 та IL-10 можуть корелювати з більш сприятливим прогнозом та кращою відповіддю на лікування [2,3].…”