The Effect of Exogenous Crosslinking in Restoring the Integrity of Porcine Lumbar Intervertebral Disc In Vivo after Stabbing Injure

Collagen crosslink plays a major role in regulating the mechanical performance of load-supporting tissues. The human intervertebral discs have higher concentration of mature crosslinks than any other tissues which signals demanding mechanical requirements. In vitro, genipin, an exogenous crosslink, can increase spinal motion segment stability, improve mechanical properties of annulus fibrosus, and will recover integrity of disc after stabbing injury. However, the effect has not been investigated in vivo. The study was to test the effect of exogenous crosslinking in the integrity of in vivo porcine lumbar intervertebral disc by quantitative discomanometry and stabbing injury model. The results showed the disc integrity was better in the group with genipin treatment. The in vivo animal study provides information for the further clinical application of exogenous crosslinking in the treatment of degenerative disc disease.