• Sarah E Cisewski, Yongren Wu, Brooke J Damon, Barton L Sachs, Michael J Kern, and Hai Yao.
• Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
• Spine. 2018 Jan 15; 43 (2): E60-E67.

Study DesignIn vitro measurements of the oxygen consumption rates (OCR) of human intervertebral disc (IVD) cells.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the differences in the OCR of nondegenerate and degenerate human annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP), and cartilage endplate (CEP) cells at different glucose concentrations.Summary Of Background DataThe avascular nature of the IVD creates a delicate balance between rate of nutrient transport through the matrix and rate of disc cell consumption necessary to maintain tissue health. Previous studies have shown a dependence of OCR for animal (e.g., bovine and porcine) IVD cells on oxygen level and glucose concentration. However, the OCR of nondegenerate human IVD cells compared to degenerate human IVD cells at different glucose concentrations has not been investigated.MethodsIVD cells were isolated from the AF, NP, and CEP regions of human cadaver spines and surgical samples. The changes in oxygen concentration were recorded when cells were sealed in a metabolic chamber. The OCR of cells was determined by curve fitting using the Michaelis-Menton equation.ResultsUnder identical cell culture conditions, the OCR of degenerate human IVD cells was three to five times greater than that of nondegenerate human IVD cells. The degenerate IVD cells cultured in low-glucose medium (1 mmol/L) exhibited the highest OCR compared to degenerate cells cultured at higher glucose levels (i.e., 5 mmol/L, 25 mmol/L), whereas no significant differences in OCR were found among the nondegenerate IVD cells for all glucose levels.ConclusionConsidering the significantly higher OCR and unique response to glucose of degenerate human IVD cells, the degeneration of the IVD is associated with a cell phenotypic change related to OCR. The OCR of IVD cells reported in this study will be valuable for understanding human IVD cellular behavior and tissue nutrition in response to disc degeneration.Level Of EvidenceN/A.

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