2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (35): 5652-5657

Establishing a rat model of intervertebral disc degeneration using X-ray guidance

Huang Fan1, Di Anqi2, Qiu Mingwang1, Huang Chuyu1, Li Xiaohui1, Zhao Siyi1, Fan Zhiyong1, Wu Shan1   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Currently, there are many modeling methods for intervertebral disc degeneration; however, inaccurate positioning is still a problem.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the degree of degeneration of rat disc models by X-ray guided puncture and non-X-ray guided puncture.  
METHODS: Nine Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=3 per group): experimental group, control group and blank group. The blank group did not receive any operations. In the control group, the caudal vertebrae Co6/7 were manually positioned and punctured vertically with a syringe needle. Anhydrous ethanol was uniformly and slowly injected via the syringe needle to establish the intervertebral disc degeneration model. In the experimental group, the X-rays were used to locate the caudal vertebrae Co6 /7 that were then punctured vertically with a syringe needle, and anhydrous ethanol was uniformly and slowly injected to establish the intervertebral disc degeneration model. MRI and hematoxylin-eosin staining were conducted at 1 week after operation.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: MRI detection: In the blank group, the Co6/7 intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus showed high signal intensity, while the annulus fibrosus and endplate showed low signal intensity, with a distinct boundary between them. In the control group, the Co6/7 intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus showed decreased signal intensity, and about half of the intervertebral discs with the high signal in the nucleus pulposus were seen. In the experimental group, the signal of the nucleus pulposus of the Co6/7 intervertebral disc of the rats disappeared completely. Hematoxylin-eosin staining: The nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc in the blank group was intact, there were a large number of notochord cells, and the annulus fibrosus was arranged in an orderly manner and had a clear boundary with the nucleus pulposus. In the control group, the nucleus pulposus was intact, many notochord cells were seen, and part of the annulus fibrosus was ruptured. In the experimental group, the nucleus pulposus was ruptured, few notochord cells were observed, and there were obvious stratified fissures in the annulus fibrosus. To conclude, X-ray guided puncture of the rat intervertebral disc could successfully establish a rat model of intervertebral disc degeneration. The model had obvious degeneration, and the operation was accurate and convenient, which can be used as a reference for the study of intervertebral disc degeneration model.
Key words: X-ray, rat, intervertebral disc degeneration, animal model, puncture