Prostaglandin E2 expression in herniated lumbar disc and its relationship with sciatica

Objective To study the expression of prostaglandin(PG) E2 in herniated lumbar disc and its relationship to sciatica.Methods Fifty-two herniated lumbar discs were taken from 42 patients with sciatica.Twelve discs in which were inflation type,15 extrusion type and 15 sequestration type.The herniated disc tissue was obtained from the herniated tissue or separate fragment(Zone A) and the remainder of nucleus pulposus in lumbar intervertebral disc(Zone B).Before surgery,the sciatica was evaluated by the visual analogue scale(VAS).The PGE2 expression was measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The PGE2 expression increased significantly from inflation,extrusion to sequestration type at Zone A(P0.01).The PGE2 expression was higher at Zone A than at Zone B(P0.01).A positive correlation was present between the PGE2 expression and the VAS of sciatica(r=0.848,P0.01).Conclusions PGE2 involve in the pathogenesis of lumbar disc degeneration and herniation,PGE2 levels closely relate to the degree of sciatica.