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      Quantifying Baseline Fixed Charge Density in Healthy Human Cartilage Endplate: A Two-point Electrical Conductivity Method

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          Abstract

          Study Design

          Regional measurements of fixed charge densities (FCDs) of healthy human cartilage endplate (CEP) using a two-point electrical conductivity approach.

          Objective

          To determine the FCDs at four different regions (central, lateral, anterior, and posterior) of human CEP, and correlate the FCDs with tissue biochemical composition.

          Summary of Background Data

          The CEP, a thin layer of hyaline cartilage on the cranial and caudal surfaces of the intervertebral disc, plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining the unique physiological mechano-electrochemical environment inside the disc. FCD, arising from the carboxyl and sulfate groups of the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in the extracellular matrix of the disc, is a key regulator of the disc ionic and osmotic environment through physicochemical and electrokinetic effects. While FCD in the annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) have been reported, quantitative baseline FCD in healthy human CEP has not been reported.

          Methods

          CEP specimens were regionally isolated from human lumbar spines. FCD and ion diffusivity were concurrently investigated using a two-point electrical conductivity method. Biochemical assays were used to quantify regional glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and water content.

          Results

          FCD in healthy human CEP was region-dependent, with FCD lowest in the lateral region (p=0.044). Cross-region FCD was 30–60% smaller than FCD in NP, but similar to the AF and articular cartilage (AC). CEP FCD (average: 0.12±0.03 mEq/g wet tissue) was correlated with GAG content (average: 31.24±5.06 μg/mg wet tissue) (p=0.005). Additionally, the cross-region ion diffusivity in healthy CEP (2.97±1.00×10 −6 cm 2/s) was much smaller compared to the AF and NP.

          Conclusions

          Healthy human CEP acts as a biomechanical interface, distributing loads between the bony vertebral body and soft disc tissues and as a gateway impeding rapid solute diffusion through the disc.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          7610646
          7575
          Spine (Phila Pa 1976)
          Spine
          Spine
          0362-2436
          1528-1159
          29 December 2016
          01 September 2017
          01 September 2018
          : 42
          : 17
          : E1002-E1009
          Affiliations
          [1 ]Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
          [2 ]Department of Orthopaedics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
          [3 ]Department of Statistics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
          Author notes
          Address for Correspondence: Hai Yao, PhD, Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, CU-MUSC Joint Bioengineering Program, 68 President Street, MSC 501, Charleston, SC 29425, Phone: (843)876-2380, Fax: (843)792-6626, haiyao@ 123456clemson.edu
          Article
          PMC5509527 PMC5509527 5509527 nihpa838822
          10.1097/BRS.0000000000002061
          5509527
          28699925
          3d833506-2311-434b-98a9-4e2e41189e43
          History
          Categories
          Article

          fixed charge density,intervertebral disc,cartilage endplate,electrical conductivity,ion diffusivity

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