Complex Mechanical Loading and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a major contributor to low back pain, yet its initiating factors remain unclear. While the individual effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mechanical loading on IVDs have been studied, their combined impact is poorly understood. This study investigated how dynamic compression and torsion interact with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and its inhibitor, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), using bovine IVDs in an ex vivo organ culture system.

Methods

Whole bovine caudal IVDs were cultured for one week in a custom bioreactor applying diurnal dynamic compression (0.1-0.5 MPa) and torsion (±6°) under three media conditions: physiological, catabolic (10 ng/mL IL-1β), and inhibitory (10 ng/mL IL-1Ra). Static compression (0

SUBMITTER: Crump KB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12835194 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature