Diffusion of small solutes into the intervertebral disc:​ as in vivo study

Urban, J. P. G.<sup>1</sup>; Holm, S.<sup>2</sup>; Maroudas, A.<sup>1</sup>

Affiliations

¹Biomechanics Unit, Imperial College, London SW7 (present address: Bone & Joint Research Unit, Arthritis and Rheumatism Research Council Building, London Hospital Medical College, London EI 2AD)

²Department of Orthorpaedic Surgery I, Sahlgren Hospital, Gothenberg, Sweden

Abstract

By comparing results obtained in vivo on penetration of (³⁵S) sulphate and (³H) methyl glucose into the intervertebral disc of adult dogs, with those calculated using Fick’s law, and diffusion and partition coefficients obtained in vitro, diffusion was shown to be the main mechanism for transport of small solutes into the intervertebral disc.

About 40 percent of the endplate area was found to be permeable to small solutes. However the amount of solute entering via the endplate was shown to be less for negatively charged solutes such as the sulphate ion, than for neutral solutes such as glucose, because of charge exclusion in the region of the nucleus.

The mean turnover time of 470 days found for sulphated glycosaminoglycans in the disc is similar to that reported for dog articular cartilage.

Links

DOI: 10.3233/bir-1978-153-409

PubMed: 737323

WoS: A1978GG00200007

Cited Works (3)

Year	Entry
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1979	Urban JPG, Maroudas A. The measurement of fixed charged density in the intervertebral disc. Biochim Biophys Acta. August 6, 1979;586(1):166-178.
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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.
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2008	Raj PP. Intervertebral disc: anatomy-physiology-pathophysiology-treatment. Pain Pract. January–February 2008;8(1):18-44.
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.
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