Molecular profile of major growth factors in lumbar intervertebral disc herniation: Correlation with patient clinical and epidemiological characteristics

Tsarouhas,Alexandros; Soufla,Giannoula; Tsarouhas,Konstantinos; Katonis,Pavlos; Pasku,Dritan; Vakis,Antonis; Tsatsakis,Aristides  M.; Spandidos,Demetrios  A.

doi:10.3892/mmr.2017.6221

Molecular profile of major growth factors in lumbar intervertebral disc herniation: Correlation with patient clinical and epidemiological characteristics

Authors:
- Alexandros Tsarouhas
- Giannoula Soufla
- Konstantinos Tsarouhas
- Pavlos Katonis
- Dritan Pasku
- Antonis Vakis
- Aristides M. Tsatsakis
- Demetrios A. Spandidos
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Affiliations: Laboratory of Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece, Cardiological Department, University General Hospital of Larissa, Larissa 41110, Greece, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion 71110, Greece, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion 71110, Greece, Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece
Published online on: February 20, 2017 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.6221
Pages: 2195-2203
Copyright: © Tsarouhas et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The involvement of growth factors (GFs) in the pathogenesis of lumbar intervertebral disc (ID) herniation and the spontaneous resorption of herniated ID fragments remains only partially elucidated. A simultaneous assessment of the transcript levels of numerous GFs and their association with clinical and epidemiological profiles of human ID herniation would provide valuable insight into the biology and clinical course of the disease. In the present study, we examined simultaneously the transcript levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‑β1), basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (bFGF2), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms and receptors, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin growth factor‑1 (IGF‑1) in herniated and control ID specimens and investigated their correlation with the clinicopathological profiles of patients suffering from symptomatic lumbar ID herniation. GF mRNA expression levels were determined by RT-qPCR in 63 surgical specimens from lumbar herniated discs and 10 control ID specimens. Multiple positive correlations were observed between the transcript levels of the GFs examined in the ID herniation group. VEGF mRNA expression was significantly increased in the protruding compared with the extruded discs. Intense and acute pain significantly upregulated the PDGF transcript levels. Significant negative correlations were observed between the patient body mass index and the transcript levels of VEGF and PDGF receptors. Our findings support the hypothesis of the involvement of GFs in the natural history of ID herniation. GFs synergistically act in herniated IDs. Increased VEGF expression possibly induces the neovascularization process in the earliest stages of ID herniation. PDGF‑C and ‑D play a role in the acute phase of radiculopathy in a metabolic response for tissue healing. A molecular effect, in addition to the biomechanical effect of obesity in the pathogenesis of ID herniation is also implied.

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