Nutrition of the intervertebral disc:​ solute transport and metabolism

Holm, S.; Maroudas, A.; Urban, J. P. G.; Selstam, G.; Nachemson, A.

Affiliations

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery I, Sahlgren Hospital, University of Göteborg, Göteborg, Sweden

²Bone and Joint Research Unit, London Hospital Medical College, London Hospital, London, England

³Department of Physiology, University of Göteborg, Göteborg, Sweden

Abstract

The metabolism of the canine nucleus pulposus was investigated at different oxygen tensions. It was found that even at high oxygen tensions the metabolism is mainly anaerobic, only approximately 1.5% of the glucose being converted to carbon dioxide. The concentration dependence of oxygen consumption is limited to very low oxygen tensions. Values of oxygen consumption and lactic acid production were used to calculate the concentration profiles of these substances within the nucleus pulposus, using a diffusion theory. The predicted concentration profiles were compared with the experimental measurements of concentration at various positions in the disc. The good agreement in these values found in the nucleus confirms that the main mechanism of metabolite transport is diffusion, and the main route of nutrient supply into the nucleus is via the endplate.

Links

DOI: 10.3109/03008208109152130

PubMed: 6453689

WoS: A1981LH53000005

History

Received: 1980-04-04

Revised: 1980-08-15

Cited Works (2)

Year	Entry
1975	Maroudas A, Stockwell RA, Nachemson A, Urban J. Factors involved in the nutrition of the human lumbar intervertebral disc: cellularity and diffusion of glucose in vitro. J Anat. September 1975;120(1):113-130.
1977	Urban JPG, Holm S, Maroudas A, Nachemson A. Nutrition of the intervertebral disk: an in vivo study of solute transport. Clin Orthop Relat Res. November 1977;129:101-114.

Cited By (54)

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2003	Gu WY, Yao H. Effects of hydration and fixed charge density on fluid transport in charged hydrated soft tissues. Ann Biomed Eng. November 2003;31(10):1162-1170.
2003	Urban JPG, Roberts S. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Arthritis Res Ther. 2003;5(3):120-130.
1994	Urban JPG. The chondrocyte: a cell under pressure. Br J Rheumatol. October 1994;33(10):901-908.
2020	Xiao Z-f, Su G-y, Hou Y, Chen S-d, Zhao B-d, He J-b, Zhang J-h, Chen Y-j, Lin D-k. Mechanics and biology interact in intervertebral disc degeneration: a novel composite mouse model. Calcif Tiss Int. April 2020;106(4):401-414.
1981	Urban JPG, Maroudas A. Swelling of the intervertebral disc in vitro. Connect Tissue Res. 1981;9(1):1-10.
2004	Bibby SRS, Urban JPG. Effect of nutrient deprivation on the viability of intervertebral disc cells. Eur Spine J. December 2004;13(8):695-701.
1992	Chimich D, Shrive N, Frank C, Marchuk L, Bray R. Water content alters viscoelastic behaviour of the normal adolescent rabbit medial collateral ligament. J Biomech. August 1992;25(8):831-837.
2004	Ferguson SJ, Ito K, Nolte L-P. Fluid flow and convective transport of solutes within the intervertebral disc. J Biomech. February 2004;37(2):213-221.
1996	Antoniou J, Steffen T, Nelson F, Winterbottom N, Hollander AP, Poole RA, Aebi M, Alini M. The human lumbar intervertebral disc: evidence for changes in the biosynthesis and denaturation of the extracellular matrix with growth, maturation, ageing, and degeneration. J Clin Invest. August 15, 1996;98(4):996-1003.
1995	Ohshima H, Urban JPG, Bergel DH. Effect of static load on matrix synthesis rates in the intervertebral disc measured in vitro by a new perfusion technique. J Orthop Res. January 1995;13(1):22-29.
1999	Ishihara H, Urban JPG. Effects of low oxygen concentrations and metabolic inhibitors on proteoglycan and protein synthesis rates in the intervertebral disc. J Orthop Res. November 1999;17(6):829-835.
2008	Raj PP. Intervertebral disc: anatomy-physiology-pathophysiology-treatment. Pain Pract. January–February 2008;8(1):18-44.
1983	Adams MA, Hutton WC. The effect of posture on the fluid content of lumbar intervertebral discs. Spine. September 1983;8(8):665-671.
1991	Stairmand JW, Holm S, Urban JPG. Factors influencing oxygen concentration gradients in the intervertebral disc: a theoretical analysis. Spine. April 1991;16(4):444-449.
1992	Ohshima H, Urban JPG. The effect of lactate and pH on proteoglycan and protein synthesis rates in the intervertebral disc. Spine. September 1992;17(9):1079-1082.
1999	Gu WY, Mao XG, Foster RJ, Weidenbaum M, Mow VC, Rawlins BA. The anisotropic hydraulic permeability of human lumbar anulus fibrosus: influence of age, degeneration, direction, and water content. Spine. December 1, 1999;24(23):2449-2455.
1999	Sato K, Kikuchi S, Yonezawa T. In vivo intradiscal pressure measurement in healthy individuals and in patients with ongoing back problems. Spine. December 1, 1999;24(23):2468-2474.
2001	Horner HA, Urban JPG. Effect of nutrient supply on the viability of cells from the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. Spine. December 1, 2001;26(23):2543-2549.
2002	Boos N, Weissbach S, Rohrbach H, Weiler C, Spratt KF, Nerlich AG. Classification of age-related changes in lumbar intervertebral discs. Spine. December 1, 2002;27(23):2631-2644.
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2005	Bibby SRS, Jones DA, Ripley RM, Urban JPG. Metabolism of the intervertebral disc: effects of low levels of oxygen, glucose, and pH on rates of energy metabolism of bovine nucleus pulposus cells. Spine. March 1, 2005;30(5):487-496.
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