Proinflammatory cytokines as a cause of low back pain in prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc

Abstract EN

Herniated intervertebral disc tissue has been shown to produce a number of proinflammatory mediators and cytokines.

Methodology : we compared the levels of production of interleukin-6 (1L-6), interleukin-8 (1L-8) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in disc tissue from 40 patients undergoing discectomy for sciatica using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results : there was a statistically significant difference between levels of production of IL-6 and IL-8 in the sciatica and low back pain groups (p < 0.006 and p < 0.003, respectively).

Conclusion : the high levels of proinflammatory mediator found in disc tissue from patients undergoing discectomy suggest that production of proinflammatory mediators within the nucleus may be a major factor in the genesis of a painful lumbar disc.