Development of a Unique Mouse Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Using a Simple Novel Tool
- Author:
Manish BALDIA
1
;
Sunithi MANI
;
Noel WALTER
;
Sanjay KUMAR
;
Alok SRIVASTAVA
;
Krishna PRABHU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Basic Study
- From:Asian Spine Journal 2021;15(4):415-423
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Methods:A total of 18 mice were divided into injured (n=12) and non-injured (n=6) groups. The disc height index (DHI%) at coccygeal 4–5 level was measured by computed tomography (CT) scan for all mice. Coccygeal 4–5 discs of the injury group were injured using a 32G needle fixed to a novel tool and confirmed by CT. The non-injury group underwent no procedure. DHI% was measured by CT at 2-, 4-, and 6-week post-injury, and all mice tails were sectioned for histopathology grading of disc degeneration at the respective time intervals.
Results:The injured group showed significant variation in DHI% at 2, 4, and 6 weeks, whereas there was no change in the noninjured group. Histopathologic evaluation with Safranin O stain showed a worsening of the disc degeneration score at 2, 4, and 6 weeks in the injured group, but in the non-injured group there was no change. Percutaneous needle injury technique with our novel tool provided 100% accuracy and uniform degeneration.
Conclusions:A simple, easily reproducible mouse model for disc degeneration was created using a simple, cost-effective, novel tool and technique, its advantage being high precision and user friendly.
