Conclusion
Elevated levels of ADAMTS-5 in the blood may be associated with intervertebral disc degeneration.
Objective
To compare the levels of ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 between patients with degenerative intervertebral discs and a healthy control group, aiming to identify biomarkers associated with intervertebral disc degeneration. Literature: Although numerous studies have investigated the relationship between ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 enzymes and degeneration in experimental rat models and human tissues, no study has correlated their serum levels with intervertebral disc degeneration. Method and materials: Venous blood samples were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively from 41 patients (age: 42 ± 9.7 years, range 20-63) diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease. The affected disc levels were L4-L5 in 22 patients and L5-S1 in 19 patients. These patients were selected based on surgical indications due to radicular pain that persisted after an adequate course of conservative management, without any non-neurological deficit. Disc tissue samples were also obtained during surgery. Additionally, venous blood samples were collected from a control group with no diagnosed diseases, and lumbar MRIs of the control group showed no significant signs of degeneration. ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 levels were measured using the ELISA method on samples obtained after centrifugation of the collected blood and tissue specimens.
Results
The level of ADAMTS-4 in patient serum was found to be lower compared to the control group, while the level of ADAMTS-5 was higher in the patient serum and lower in the control group.