Growth Factors and Anticatabolic Substances for Prevention and Management of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is frequent, appearing from the second decade of life and progressing with age. Conservative management often fails, and patients with IVD degeneration may need surgical intervention. Several treatment strategies have been proposed, although only surgical disce...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Umile Giuseppe Longo, Stefano Petrillo, Edoardo Franceschetti, Nicola Maffulli, Vincenzo Denaro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Stem Cells International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/897183
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Summary:Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is frequent, appearing from the second decade of life and progressing with age. Conservative management often fails, and patients with IVD degeneration may need surgical intervention. Several treatment strategies have been proposed, although only surgical discectomy and arthrodesis have been proved to be predictably effective. Biological strategies aim to prevent and manage IVD degeneration, improving the function and anabolic and reparative capabilities of the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus cells and inhibiting matrix degradation. At present, clinical applications are still in their infancy. Further studies are required to clarify the role of growth factors and anticatabolic substances for prevention and management of intervertebral disc degeneration.
ISSN:1687-966X
1687-9678