AUTHOR=Zhang Xinsheng , Wang Xiaogang , Gao Liang , Yang Bin , Wang Yahan , Niu Kerun , Lai Jiahui , Wan Shun , Luo Jianping 

TITLE=TNF-ɑ Induces Methylglyoxal Accumulation in Lumbar Herniated Disc of Patients With Radicular Pain

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2021.760547

DOI=10.3389/fnbeh.2021.760547

ISSN=1662-5153

ABSTRACT=Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with radicular pain is a common and complicated musculoskeletal disorder. Our previous study showed that LDH-induced methylglyoxal (MG) accumulation contributed to radicular pain. The underlying mechanisms through which MG accumulates are poorly understood. In the present study, we found that both MG and TNF-ɑ levels in herniated disc of patients with radicular pain were significantly increased and the activity of Glyoxalase 1 (GLO1), the rate-limiting enzyme that metabolizes MG, was decreased. In rats, LDH model was mimicked by implantation of autologous nucleus pulposus (NP) to the left lumbar 5 spinal nerve root. The mechanical allodynia was observed in LDH rats. Besides, MG and TNF-ɑ levels were increased, and GLO1 activity was significantly decreased in the implanted NP. In cultured rat NP cells, stimulation with the inflammatory mediator TNF-ɑ reduced GLO1 activity and expression. These results suggested that TNF-ɑ-induced GLO1 activity decrease contributed to MG accumulation in herniated disc of patients with radicular pain.