BACKGROUND:The pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degenerative disease has not been determined. To establish the ideal animal model of intervertebral disc degeneration is an important approach to study the pathogenesis or treatment of the disease.
OBJECTIVE:To review model selection, modeling method and the advantages and disadvantages of the studies concerning various animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration.
METHODS:We retrieved Wanfang database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, PubMed database and FMJS database for articles on animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration in vivo and in vitro published in recent five years al over the world.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The present literature shows that smal and medium-sized animals are now commonly used animal model. Building methods can be divided into two major categories of in vivo and in vitro models. The in vitro model revealed mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration by the cel or tissue culture from the cel ular and molecular levels. In vivo model, different kinds of physical or chemical methods are used to intervene intervertebral disc, causing the intervertebral disc degeneration, proving the mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration by the process of intervention. However, pathogenesis of human intervertebral disc degenerative disease is complex and has not been determined, so the current animal models are not comprehensive simulation of human intervertebral disc degenerative disease.