Factors influencing oxygen concentration gradients in the intervertebral disc:​ a theoretical analysis

Stairmand, J. W.; Holm, S.; Urban, J. P. G.

Affiliations

¹Springfields Laboratory, UKAEA, Preston, England

²Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgren Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

³Physiology Laboratory, Oxford University, Oxford, England

Abstract and keywords

Oxygen concentration gradients in the intervertebral disc were calculated to examine the effects of exchange area and disc thickness on oxygen concentrations and oxygen flux into the disc. The concentration gradients were determined using the two-dimensional Poisson equation with experimental values for oxygen consumption rate and oxygen diffusion. The calculated gradients were steep, and the oxygen concentrations in the center of thick discs were low, in agreement with experimental gradients. The results support the hypothesis that maximum cell density in the disc is determined by nutrient supply and that exchange area and disc thickness are critical parameters.

Keywords: intervertebral disc; nutrition; cell density; oxygen; vertebral end-plate

Links

DOI: 10.1097/00007632-199104000-00010

PubMed: 2047917

WoS: A1991FG08900010

History

Received: 1989-12-29

Revised: 1990-08-28

Accepted: 1990-11-09

Cited Works (6)

Year	Entry
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1978	Urban JPG, Holm S, Maroudas A. Diffusion of small solutes into the intervertebral disc: as in vivo study. Biorheology. 1978;15(3-4):203-223.
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.
1981	Holm S, Maroudas A, Urban JPG, Selstam G, Nachemson A. Nutrition of the intervertebral disc: solute transport and metabolism. Connect Tissue Res. 1981;8(2):101-119.
1970	Nachemson A, Lewin T, Maroudas A, Freeman MAR. In vitro diffusion of dye through the end-plates and the annulus fibrosus of human lumbar inter-vertebral discs. Acta Orthop Scand. 1970;41(3):589-607.
1990	O'Hara BP, Urban JP, Maroudas A. Influence of cyclic loading on the nutrition of articular cartilage. Ann Rheum Dis. July 1990;49(7):536-539.

Cited By (22)

Year	Entry
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.
1996	Buschmann MD, Hunziker EB, Kim YJ, Grodzinsky AJ. Altered aggrecan synthesis correlates with cell and nucleus structure in statically compressed cartilage. J Cell Sci. February 1996;109(2):499-508.
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.
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.
1998	Lotz JC, Colliou OK, Chin JR, Duncan NA, Liebenberg E. Compression-induced degeneration of the intervertebral disc: an in vivo mouse model and finite-element study. Spine. December 1, 1998;23(23):2493-2506.
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.
2004	Urban JPG, Smith S, Fairbank JCT. Nutrition of the intervertebral disc. Spine. December 1, 2004;29(23):2700-2709.
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.
2012	Kuo J. Bioengineering Approach to Understanding TMJ Pathobiology [PhD thesis]. Clemson, SC: Clemson University; May 2012.
2015	Wright GJ. Biomechanical Characterization and Modeling of the Human TMJ Disc [PhD thesis]. Clemson, SC: Clemson University; May 2015.
2016	Cisewski SE. Nutrient Related Mechanisms of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration [PhD thesis]. Clemson, SC: Clemson University; August 2016.
2007	Boyd LM. Effects of a Genetic Mutation in Type IX Collagen on Morphology and Metabolism in a Murine Model of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration [PhD thesis]. Duke University; 2007.
2004	Yao H. Physical Signals and Solute Transport in Cartilaginous Tissues [PhD thesis]. University of Miami; August 2004.
2009	Travascio F. Modeling Molecular Transport and Binding Interactions in Intervertebral Disc [PhD thesis]. University of Miami; December 2009.
2010	Jackson AR. Transport and Metabolism of Glucose in Intervertebral Disc [PhD thesis]. University of Miami; December 2010.
2008	Mokhbi-Soukane D. Études numériques de la diffusion couplée d'oxygène, glucose et d'acide lactique dans le disque intervertébral [PhD thesis]. École polytechnique de Montréal; June 2008.
2006	Patel KP. Effect of PH on the Metabolism of Proteoglycans in the Intervertebral Disc: Investigation in an in Vitro Model With IL-1 Alpha Stimulation and Confirmation in the Cadaveric Human Intervertebral Disc [PhD thesis]. Rush University; 2006.
1998	Colliou OK. Role of Mechanical Loading in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration [PhD thesis]. San Francisco, University of California; 1998.
2009	Allon AA. Bilaminar Coculture of Stem Cells and Instructive Cells for Tissue Regeneration [PhD thesis]. San Francisco, University of California; 2009.
2010	Rodriguez AG. Human Endplate Permeability and Microstructure and Their Relationship to Disc Degeneration [PhD thesis]. San Francisco, University of California; 2010.
2017	Ouyang A. Effects of Design Factors and Microenvironment on Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Nucleus Pulposus Cells for Intervertebral Disc Tissue Engineering [PhD thesis]. San Francisco, University of California; 2017.