ArticleJOR spine2021
Patient-specific apparent diffusion maps used to model nutrient availability in degenerated intervertebral discs.
Article in JOR spine, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 26 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
26 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Molecular and Genetic Mechanisms of Spinal Stenosis Formation: Systematic Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2022Pooled it
- The ISSLS VERTEBRA initiative: establishing reporting standards for regenerative medicine trials in disc degeneration and low back pain.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026Article
- Article
- Defining the Human Nucleus Pulposus Microenvironment and Its Impact on Cell Matrix Synthesis and Metabolic Activity.JOR spine · 2026Article
- TIE2-positive cells in the nucleus pulposus with a purpose: the who, what and why.Journal of biomedical science · 2026Review
- Influence of the Intervertebral Disc Microenvironment on Matrix Synthesis and Metabolism in Goat Nucleus Pulposus Cells.JOR spine · 2026Article
- Lactate Metabolism in the Intervertebral Disc: Mechanistic Insights and Pathological Implications.Biomolecules · 2026Review
- The Use of MSCs, iPSCs, and EVs in the Repair of Human MSK Tissues: Is Ultimate Success Dependent on Developing Excellent Implant Materials as Well as Creating an Optimal Environment for Implantation? What Is the Rationale for These Choices?International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Review
- Vitamin D deficiency promotes intervertebral disc degeneration via p38/NCoR2-mediated extracellular matrix degradation.European journal of nutrition · 2025Article
- pH: A major player in degenerative intervertebral disks.JOR spine · 2024Review
- Article
- In silico modeling the potential clinical effect of growth factor treatment on the metabolism of human nucleus pulposus cells.JOR spine · 2024Article
- Assessment of Tie2-Rejuvenated Nucleus Pulposus Cell Transplants from Young and Old Patient Sources Demonstrates That Age Still Matters.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024Article
- Review
- Article
- Intradiscal administration of autologous platelet-rich plasma in patients with Modic type 1 associated low back pain: A prospective pilot study.JOR spine · 2024Article
- Investigation of the Mitigation of DMSO-Induced Cytotoxicity by Hyaluronic Acid following Cryopreservation of Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells.International journal of molecular sciences · 2023Article
- Homing of vertebral-delivered mesenchymal stromal cells for degenerative intervertebral discs repair - an in vivo proof-of-concept study.JOR spine · 2023Article
- Dynamic loading leads to increased metabolic activity and spatial redistribution of viable cell density in nucleus pulposus tissue.JOR spine · 2023Article
- Comprehensive narrative review on the analysis of outcomes from cell transplantation clinical trials for discogenic low back pain.North American Spine Society journal · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionIn this study, magnetic resonance imaging data was used to (1) model IVD-specific gradients of glucose, oxygen, lactate, and pH; and (2) investigate possible effects of covariate factors (i.e., disc geometry, and mean apparent diffusion coefficient values) on the IVD's microenvironment. Mathematical modeling of the patient's specific IVD microenvironment could be important when selecting patients for stem cell therapy due to the increased nutrient demand created by that treatment. MATERIALS AND
methodsDisc geometry and water diffusion coefficients were extracted from MRIs of 37 patients using sagittal T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images, and ADC Maps. A 2-D steady state finite element mathematical model was developed in COMSOL Multiphysics® 5.4 to compute concentration maps of glucose, oxygen, lactate and pH.
resultsConcentration of nutrients (i.e., glucose, and oxygen) dropped with increasing distance from the cartilaginous endplates (CEP), whereas acidity levels increased. Most discs experienced poor nutrient levels along with high acidity values in the inner annulus fibrosus (AF). The disc's physiological microenvironment became more deficient as degeneration progressed. For example, minimum glucose concentration in grade 4 dropped by 31.1% compared to grade 3 (p < 0.0001). The model further suggested a strong effect of the following parameters: disc size, AF and CEP diffusivities, metabolic reactions, and cell density on solute concentrations in the disc (p < 0.05).
conclusionThe significance of this work implies that the individual morphology and physiological conditions of each disc, even among discs of the same Pfirrmann grade, should be evaluated when modeling IVD solute concentrations.
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