Work

Evaluation and Comparison of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Models Induced by Cervical Instability in Rats

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Creating intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) models is paramount for basic research. The investigation was to identify the commonalities and distinctions between two strategies for provoking IDD: the cervical dorsal muscles resection (CMS) and the facet joints resection (FR). Thirty-two 3-month-old male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly split into four groups: FR, CMS and two shams. For the CMS group, the cervical dorsal muscles was excised, whereas, the FR cohort sawed the bilateral facet joints of C5/6. Twelve weeks postprocedure, C5/6 intervertebral discs were collected, and the bone microstructure of C5 vertebrae were analyzed by Micro-CT, as well as the defect rates of C5/6 vertebral endplates and the intervertebral disc height (IDH) of C5/6. Finally, histological staining was employed to evaluate the disc degeneration scores (DDS). Twelve weeks post operatively, both CMS and FR groups demonstrated significant IDD, with the pronounced deterioration of vertebral endplates, a diminished intervertebral height, and a notably elevated disc degeneration score within the model rats. Yet, the two models also exhibited distinct features. Primarily, the FR rats showed a significant boost in vertebral bone volume fraction, a trend not visible in the CMS rats. Additionally, the CMS rats presented more advanced endplate deterioration. Lastly, the CMS rats revealed a reduced IDH and an elevated DDS in comparison to the FR rats. Both CMS and FR prove successful in causing IDD. Nonetheless, a comparison of the two models revealed a more profound degeneration of the intervertebral disc in CMS rats relative to FR counterparts.

Source: The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine

DOI: 10.1620/tjem.2025.j077