Expression and Significance of Metalloproteinase-7 in Lumbar Intervertebral Disc

Objective To detect the expression of the MMP-7 protein in lumbar intervertebral disc and discuss the role of the MMP-7 protein in the course of the intervertebral disc degeneration.Methods Immunohistochemistry S-P method was used in experiment group which contains thirty two prolapse intervertebral discs and control groups which contains eleven discs . MMP-7 monoclonal antibodies stain the section and Gray Scale Value were collected by using microimage analysis system .Results The expression of MMP-7 in the experiment group is obviously higher than in the control group . There are statistical significance between extrusion or sequestration type and protrusion type , but no statistical significance between extrusion and sequestration type in experiment group . Conclusions There are obvious correlation between the expression of MMP-7 protein and disc degeneration and prolapse in lumbar intervertebral disc.The increase of the expression of MMP-7 protein maybe cause the disc degeneration and prolapse .