Correlation between inflammatory cytokines IL-1a,IL-6,TNF-a and MMP3 levels versus cervical intervertebral disc degeneration mechanism

[Objective]To investigate the effects of inflammatory cytokines on cervical intervertebral disc degeneration(IVD) mechanism and the correlation between inflammatory cytokines and nerve function.[Methods]Cervical intervertebral discs of experimental group were obtained from 46 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM).According to preoperative cervical MRI and whether the nucleus pulposus was free at operation,46 patients were divided non-randomly into two groups: uncontained IVD herniation group(n=24) and contained IVD herniation group(n=22).Cervical intervertebral discs of control group were obtained from 15 young cervical trauma patients who had no CSM history.According to the preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association(JOA) scoring system,46 patients with CSM were divided into three groups: mild group(n=17),moderate group(n=15) and severe group(n=14).The expression levels of IL-1a,IL-6,TNF-a and MMP3 were assessed respectively using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method.[Results]There was significant difference among contral group,uncontained IVD herniation group and contained IVD herniation group for IL-1a,IL-6,TNF-a and MMP3 expression levels(P0.05),and cytokine expression levels showed positive correlation trends with cervical intervertebral disc degeneration.There was significant difference between mild group,moderate group and severe group for MMP3 and TNF-a expression levels(P0.05).MMP3 and TNF-a expression levels showed negative correlation trends with JOA scoring system.[Conclusion]IL-1,IL-6,TNF-a and MMP3 have close correlations with cervical intervertebral disc degeneration,and their expression levels show positive correlation trends with intervertebral disc degeneration.TNF-a are closely related to spinal cord function,and may play a dominant role in nerve injury.MMP3 are closely related to cervical intervertebral disc herniation,and may facilitate the nerve injury function of TNF-a.