Influences of the vertebral endplate microvasculature on the development of degenerative disc diseases: A preliminary study

An average of 70% of all Americans will suffer from one episode of low back pain (LBP) in their lifetime [1]. Senescence of the avascular nucleus pulposus with decreased transport of nutrients is thought to lead to degenerative disc diseases (DDD) and low back pain [2-5]. We investigated the relationship between aging, cartilage endplate microvasculature, and the level of disc degeneration. Lumbar discs with adjacent endplates were harvested from three fresh young bovine and three embalmed human cadaveric spines. After tissue processing, histology, and staining, microscopic features of endplate vascular channels were visualized under light microscopy and measured using ImageJ. Our preliminary data showed a 15% decrease in the vascular channel count at the interface between subchondral bone and cartilage endplate from the bovine to the elderly human specimens. Moreover, we observed a 67% increase in endplate thickness and a 70% decrease in cross sectional vascular area in the human subjects.