Differential scanning calorimetric examination of the human intervertebral disc: a preliminary study

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a common orthopaedic disorder with significant social and economic impact. The major pathological changes occur in the structure of anulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a well-established method for the demonstration of thermal consequences of local and global conformational changes in biological systems. It has never been applied for the investigation of intervertebral disc. According to the present study, the thermograms may prove and follow the changes in the structure of degenerated intervertebral discs. Differences were clearly demonstrated between the two major parts of the intervertebral discs as well as healthy and degenerated samples with the changes in total enthalpy and heat capacity.