• Jia-Wen Zhan, Shang-Quan Wang, Min-Shan Feng, Jing-Hua Gao, Xu Wei, Jie Yu, Xun-Lu Yin, He Yin, Kai Sun, Ming Chen, Rui Xie, Ping Zhang, and Li-Guo Zhu.
• General Orthopedics Department, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
• Spine. 2021 Apr 1; 46 (7): 421432421-432.

Study DesignAn ex vivo study of the rabbit's vertebral endplate.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the effect of axial compression and distraction on vascular buds and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) expression of the vertebral endplate (VEP).Summary Of Background DataThe abnormal load can lead to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), whereas axial distraction can delay this process. The effects of different mechanical loads on the intervertebral disc (IVD) have been hypothesized to be related to changes in the vascular buds of the VEP; moreover, the process that might involve the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) within the VEP.MethodsRabbit spinal segments (n = 40) were harvested and randomly classified into four groups: Control group, no stress was applied; Group A, a constant compressive load applied; Group B, compression load removed for a fixed time daily on a continuous basis, and substituted with a distraction load for 30 minutes; and Group C, compression removed for 30 minutes for a fixed period daily on a continuous basis. Tissue specimens were collected before the culture (day 0) and on day 14 post-culture of each group for analysis of IVDs' morphology, and protein and mRNA expression of Aggrecan, COL2al, VEGFA, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 of the VEPs.ResultsApplication of axial distraction and dynamic load compression significantly delayed time- and constant compression-mediated VEP changes and IDD. Moreover, the degree of degeneration was associated with loss of vascular buds, as well as the downregulation of VEGFA and its receptor.ConclusionThe regulation of vascular buds and VEGF expression in the VEP represents one of the mechanisms of axial distraction and dynamic loading.Level of Evidence: N/A.Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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