BACKGROUND:Understanding the actions and underlying mechanisms of proteins in cel s and organisms and studies on the lumbar disc herniation (LDH)-associated proteins contribute to further clarify the LDH pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the serum proteome changes in LDH patients using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis-tandem mass spectrometry, and to screen the biomarkers for LDH diagnosis and treatment. METHODS:Twenty-five LDH patients were enrol ed and their serums were col ected before and after treatment. After removal of high abundant protein, the serum protein spectrum was compared after two-dimensional gel electrophoresis serum protein spectrum diagram, to look for differential protein spots. Subsequently, the differential protein spots were identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF technique combined with biology software and database retrieval. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Six differential protein spots were screened preliminarily, and three kinds of proteins were confirmed after mass spectrum detection, among which, acid glycoprotein was related to the LDH immune regulation and occurrence, development and targeting sites of chemical radiculitis. The expression level of acid glycoprotein was significantly decreased in LDH patients after treatment (P<0.05). These results suggest that acid glycoprotein is associated with LDH through gel electrophoresis-base proteome analysis.