Expression of TGF-β1 in degenerated lumbar lntervertebral discs and their relationship between angiogenesis

Purpose To observe angiogenesis and the expression of TGF-β1 and discuss its significance in normal and degenerated lumbar intervertebral discs.Methods SP immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of TGF-β1 and CD34 in 38 tissue samples surgically removed from patients with herniated discs and 10 normal tissue samples.Results The positive rates of TGF-β1 and CD34 in degenerated lumbar intervertebral discs were 65.8%(25/38) and 63.2%(24/38),there were no expression in normal tissue samples(P0.05).There was no direct relationship between the patients' age and the positive rate of expression of TGF-β1 and CD34(P0.05).The positive rate of expression of TGF-β1 and CD34 in those whose course longer than 3 years was higher than that with a shorter course of illness of less than 3 years(P0.05).The positive rate of expression of TGF-β1 and CD34 in extrusion type and separation type was higher than protruded type(P0.05).A positive correlation between the positive rate of expression of TGF-β1 and CD34(P0.05) was observed.Conclusions The expression of both TGF-β1 and CD34 increases in degenerated lumbar intervertebral discs and there is significant correlation between them,which thereby suggests that they may contribute to process of intervertebral disc degeneration.