[Objective]To study the role of nitric oxide on the degeneration of the cartilage endplate(CEP).[Method]Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were divided into experiment and control groups.In the experiment group,the model of lumbar CEP degeneration was established by resection of all lumbar supraspinous and interspinous ligaments,excision of parts of zygapophysial joints and detachment of the posterior paravertebral muscles from lumbar vertebraes.Mechanical instability of the lumbar spine could induced the process of CEP degeneration.The X-ray examination of lumbar spine was examined by at 12,24 and 36 weeks with or without operation,respectively.Changes of the ultrastructure of CEP were also observed by scanning electron microscope(SEM) during this process,and the content of IL-1?,IL-6,TNF-? in the CEP were also detected during the periods.[Result]X-ray graph showed that the CEP calcified gradually with time increasing,and those of the experiment groups calcified more obviously than those of the control groups.The SEM showed that collagen fibers became thin,irregular and fissured and the content of proteoglycan decreased severely with the elapse of time.The changes in experiment groups were more obvious than those in control groups.The content of IL-1?,IL-6,TNF-? had a significant difference between the experiment groups and the control groups(P0.05).[Conclusion]It implies that inflammatary cytokin may play an important role in the development and progression of the degeneration of cartilage endplate.

Objective To investigate the early clinical efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty using the Sky Bone Expander system in the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures. Methods Twelve cases of osteoporotic vertebral body compression fracture (17 vertebrae) underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty using the Sky Bone Expander system. During the operation the unipedicle technique was applied and the expansion height was 14 mm for bone cement injection. Surgical complications and the restoration of vertebral height and kyphosis angle were observed. The pain of thoracic and lumbar region on the back was evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS). Results The operative time for each vertebra was 52.4?28.7 min (range, 23～90 min), with a volume of 5.4?1.0 ml (range, 3.5～7 ml) of cement injected. A follow-up was made for 3～6 months (mean, 4.5 months). The VAS scores were 7.6?1.8 points preoperatively, 2.8?1.1 points at day 1, 2.6?1.2 points at day 3, and 2.2?1.0 points at last follow-up. Preoperatively, the anterior vertebral height was 13.8?5.3 mm (compression by 49.1%?19.1%) and the midline vertebral height was 9.9?4.6 mm (compression by 39.8%?18.4%), while postoperative anterior and midline vertebral height were 16.6?4.8 mm (compression by 59.1%?17.2%) and 15.2?4.0 mm (compression by 60.6%?16.9%), respectively. The kyphotic angle was decreased from 22.3??8.5? preoperatively to 12.5??6.4? postoperatively. Intervertebral disc leakage of bone cement was observed in 1 case with no symptoms. There were no other surgical complications. Conclusions Kyphoplasty using the Sky Bone Expander system is an effective and safe treatment for osteoprotic vertebral compression fractures. The long-term outcomes are subject to further observations.

Objective To establish osteoblasts osteoclasts co culture system in vitro for the study of the biological characteristics of osteoblasts and osteoclasts and also to analyze the interactions between osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Methods The osteoblasts and osteoclasts were isolated from cancellous bone in illium. Osteoblasts osteoclasts co culture system was built to prevent these two kinds of cells from contact with each other although with the facility of their medium exchange. The osteogenety of osteoblasts was evaluated by MTT and ALP activity; the resorption activity of osteoclasts was investigated by TRAP activity and the area of absorption lacuna. Results Osteoblasts are full fusiform, ALP stain positive cells, while osteoclasts are multinuclear and TRAP stain positive, with the ability of forming bone lacuna; while in the co culture system, the proliferation of osteoblasts in co culture (0.60?0.08)OD is quicker(P=0.000)than that in mono culture (0.36?0.03)OD, and the ALP activity increased significantly (P=0.000)from (18.33?0.34)u/mg to (23.37?2.48) u/mg; while the average area of bone resorption formed by osteoclasts [(6.55?0.34)?10-2] ?m2 was also increased obviously(P=0.000)from [(5.15?0.17)?10-2] ?m2. Conclusion In co culture system, osteoclasts were able to enhance ossification effects of osteoblasts by accelerating their proliferation and differentiation; at the same time, osteoblasts upregulated the ability of bone resorption of osteoclasts. This implied that osteoblasts and osteoclasts can promote each others function. This study provide reliable model for bone metabolism research.

Objective To discuss repairing effects of articular cartilage defects by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (S-methylisothiourea, SMT), and explore the role of nitric oxide in cartilage repair. Methods Full-thickness defects of cartilage were created in the intercondylar trochlear groove of femur of thirty-six adult New Zealand white rabbits, and were divided into three groups. Twenty-four defects were untreated as the control, twenty-four were filled with fibrin glue and impregnated with rhBMP as rhBMP group, the rest twenty-four were filled with fibrin glue and impregnated with rhBMP, and hypodermic injection with SMT as SMT group. The animals were sacrified at sixteen weeks postoperatively, and the gross appearance of the defect was estimated. The repair tissue was examined histologically and was evaluated according to the grading scale of histology. The amount of released NO and the activities of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were examined by chemical colorimetry. The distribution of type-Ⅰ,Ⅱcollagen were examined by Sirius-Red. The proteoglycan synthesis was assessed by incorporation of radio-labelled sodium sulphate Na35SO42-. RT-PCR examined the expression of iNOSmRNA and MMP9mRNA. Results The filled extent of the defect in SMT group and rhBMP group had no significant difference from the control group, and the marginal integration, cellular morphology, architecture within the defect and subchondral plate repair were better than the untreated defects (P

[Objective] To investigate the osteogenetic effect of calcium sulfate(CS)combined with bone matrix gelatin(CS)as bone substitute material in a rabbit ulnar defect model.[Method]Twenty one adult New Zealand White rabbits were used.The segmental ulnar defects of 15 mm were created b/laterally and were divided into tbree groups:Group 1,defects were filled with CS/BMG;Group 2,defects were filled with CS;Group 3,untreated control defects.The samples were harvested at 4,8,12 weeks and were examined by radiographic,histomorphological and tetracycline tracing analysis.[Result]No inflammatory or foreign body reaction was observed around all the defects.Both CS/BMG and CS were almost completely resorbed 8 weeks postoperation.At the group 1,nem bone was found throngbout the defects after 4 weeks.All defects were repaired with a well-organized traheeular pattern and a thin neocortex after 12 weeks.At the group 2,mass of new bone tissue formed at the periphery of the defect 4 weeks postoperatlon,but the development of new bone at the central of the defect was latter than that at the group 1.At 12 weeks,all defects were bridged by new bone tissue with little adjacent medullary bone.At the group 3,slight new bone was observed at the periphery of the defect region,and the defects were filled with fibrous tissue.[Conclusion]Calcium sulfate containing bone matrix gelatin is totally bioresorbable and biocompatible.The compound material can enhance the repair bone defects effectively as a bone graft substitute.

[Objective] To assess the outcomes of lumbar spinal pedicle subtraction osteotomy on single segment for correction of kyphosis in ankylosing spindylitis.[Methods]15 patients were treated with L2 or L3 pedicle subtraction osteotomy and internal fixation by pedicle screw system.All the patients underwent X-ray examinations in standing position before and after the operations.The angles in different part of the sagittal planes were measured and the preoperative and postoperative differences were compared.[Results]All the operations were well complete.The mean time of operations was 3h and the mean bleeding was 840 ml.The lumbar lordosis angle increase from(14.5?15.5)?to(48.4?11.9)?,the total spinal kyphosis angle and the thoracolumbar kyphosis angle improve from(36.1?14.7)?and(30.7?9.3)?to(0.2?14.2)?and(23.7?12.3)? respectively,the sacral slope increase from(12.0?12.7)?to(28.9?8.8)?,whereas thoracic kyphosis angle remained relative stable.[Conclusion]Lumbar spinal pedicle subtraction osteotomy on single segment is a satisfactory and reliable technique for correction of kyphosis in ankylosing spindylitis and the average correction of lumbar lordosis was 33.9?.

[Objective]To establish effective and reliable complete spinal cord transection models in rats,and to investigate the effects of micromanipulation used in surgical procedure of transected spinal cord treated with human umbilical cord blood stem cells(UCBSCs) grafts in rats.[Method]Human UCBSCs were obtained from umbilical cord blood of term deliveries.Sixty Sprague-Dawley(SD) female rats were divided randomly into group A(control group),group B(spinal cord transection and PBS injection),group C(spinal cord transection and UCBSCs transplantation) and group D(spinal cord transection and UCBSCs transplantation by using micromanipulation).All groups were operated,and 1 ?l UCBSCs(6?109/L ~7?109/L) were injected into the both ends of the completely transected spinal cord at the groups C and D by two different surgical procedures respectively.From 1 week to 8 week post-operation,a behavioral testing was performed weekly upon each hindlimb for all animals according to the BBB scoring system.At the 8th week,all animals were sacrificed and the spinal cords were taken out for morphological observation.[Result]No changes were observed at group A pre-and post-operation.After 2 weeks post-operation,the hindlimb motor function of groups C and D began to recover.After 3 weeks post-operation,the group D showed more improvement than group C,and the difference between groups D and C were significant in the BBB scores(P

Objective To study the effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors S methylisothiorurea (SMT) on cartilage metabolism after intraarticular injection of interleukin 1? (IL 1?) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in rabbits.Methods The experiments were performed in three groups:normal group,control group and SMT group.The effects of SMT on IL 1? and LPS induced iNOS mRNA expression ,NO production and NOS activity in synovium,synovial fluid and cartilage were detected after 8 h.Proteoglycan synthesis was measured by ex vivo incorporation of Na 2 35 SO 4 into cartilage after 48 h.Results IL 1? and LPS induced iNOS mRNA expression and increased NO release;SMT could reduce NO release and inhibit iNOS mRNA expression in synovium,synovial fluid and cartilage,and partly restore proteoglycan synthesis of cartilage.Conclusion iNOS inhibitor SMT can protect IL 1? and LPS induced cartilage damage in high concentration.

Objective To further know the Reiter′s syndrome of venerel type.Methods Two patients with Reiter′s syndrome of venereal type were reported and the related literature was reviewed.Results Features of the disease were described in detail,including its etiology,pathogenesis,clinical feature,diagnosis and differential diagnosis.Conclusion Reiter′s syndrome of venereal type is caused by C.trachmatis and U.urealyticum ,etc,infection.It is featured with urethritis,arthritis and conjunctivitis.In addition,the other related clinical features include mucocutaneous,genital system,cardiovascular system and nervous system damages.Its pathogenesis is associated with hereditary susceptibility and HLA B27 antigen.Therefore,the Reiter′s syndrome of venereal type should be considered when urethra,joint,conjunctiva and mucocutaneous damages were expressed after sexually transmitted disease.

Objective To analyze the reasons of early complications in anterior cervical spine surgery and its management. Methods Between Jan 1992 and Dec. 2003, 412 patients underwent anterior cervical surgery. There were 308 males and 104 females with an average age of 45.6 years (18-76). The di-agnosis of these patients included 258 of cervical spondylosis, 138 of cervical injury, 8 of cervical spinal tu-mor and 8 of tuberculosis of cervical spine. The medical history was from 4 hours to 20 years with an aver-age duration of 548 days. Among 412 patients, there were 58 cases (14.1%) with complete paraplegia, 192 cases (46.6%) with incomplete paraplegia and 162 cases without neurological deficits. Anesthesia used in this group of patients were local in 35, cervical plexus block in 52, local associated with cervical plexus block in 6, general in 318 and general associated with cervical plexus block in 1. Three surgical procedures were performed: 1) anterior decompression and interbody fusion with autogenous iliac crest in 33 cases; 2) anterior decompression and interbody fusion with threaded fusion cage in 32 cases; 3) anterior decompres-sion, interbody fusion with autogenous iliac crest and plate fixation in 347 cases. Results Fifty-one early complications occurred in 42 patients and the incidence was 12.37%. 28 patients (6.8%) had complications directly related to the procedure which included superior laryngeal nerve injury in 5, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in 4, migration of bone graft in 2, infection or haematoma in 4, deterioration of neurological function in 5,nerve root injury in 2, loosening of screw or plate fixation in 2 and esophageal fistula in 1. 23 cases (5.08%) had early complications indirectly related to the procedure. Conclusion In order to reduce the incidence of early complications in anterior cervical spine surgery, make familiarization with anatomy, improvement of surgical skill as well as appropriate perioperative management are essential in anterior cer-vical spine surgery.