Leptin And Leptin Receptor Expression And Significance Of The Disc

Objective To study the expressions of leptin and leptin receptor in intervertebral discs and their relationship.Methods The expression of leptin and leptin receptor protein was detected in 30 cases of degenerative intervertebral disc and 10 cases of normal intervertebral disc by immunohistochemistry. The results were analyzed by T test.Cultured Human annulus cells and nuclei pulposus cells were examined by immunocytochemical methods to identify the presence of leptin and leptin receptors.Results the leptin and leptin receptor expression existed in annulus tissue. Compared with normal intervertebral disc, leptin and leptin receptor level was higher in degenerative intervertebral disc. There were a significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05). Immunocytochemistry showed the positive presence of leptin and the presence of leptin receptors incultured annulus cells of human disc.Conclusions leptin and leptin receptor exist in annulus cells,the degree and pattern of leptin expression is obviously different between normal intervertebral disc and degenerative intervertebral disc. Leptin may play an important role in the process of the disc degeneration.