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  • Free Axial Vibrations Positively Affect Extracellular Matrix Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression in Bovine Nucleus Pulposi

Free Axial Vibrations Positively Affect Extracellular Matrix Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression in Bovine Nucleus Pulposi

Research Evidence: Desmoulin, G.T.; Reno, C.R.; Hunter, C.J. Free axial vibrations positively affect extracellular matrix messenger ribonucleic acid expression in bovine nucleus pulposi. Spine (Phila. Pa. 1976). 2010, 35, 1437–1444.

Short Research Summary: In this animal study cow tails were “treated” with a focused vibration at a range of frequencies and lengths of time. Expression of mRNA implicated in spinal health, biglycan, collagen type I, collagen type II, decorin, and versican, were significantly affected while in this study aggrecan was unaffected. This effect occurred in as little as 10 minutes.

Free Axial Vibrations Positively Affect Extracellular Matrix Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression in Bovine Nucleus Pulposi

SONIK Treatment Applied to the Spine Activates Gene Expression and Improves Spinal Health 

Research Study Abstract: 

Study design: Bovine caudal intervertebral discs (IVDs) were exposed to free axial vibration for several minutes. Expression of messenger ribonucleic acid for aggrecan, collagen type I, collagen type II, biglycan, decorin, and versican were assayed, as was apoptosis. 

Objective: To determine the vibration conditions which are most effective in altering intervertebral disc IVD gene expression. 

Summary of background data: Various studies have suggested widely varying effects of vibration in the IVD, ranging from harmful (increased risk of degeneration) to beneficial (increased analgesia) to neutral (no effect). 

Methods: Vibration was applied using a custom designed voice coil system, which generated controlled motion in the axial direction. Gene expression in the nucleus pulposus was assessed using RT-PCR and the SYBR green chemistry; apoptosis was assessed using TUNEL staining. 

Results: Expression of messenger ribonucleic acids for biglycan, collagen type I, collagen type II, decorin, and versican were significantly affected by vibration duration, frequency, and amplitude. Aggrecan was unaffected. Of the 3 factors, amplitude had the largest and widest effect.

Conclusion:  Expression of extracellular matrix genes was significantly upregulated at high amplitudes (>0.4 g) in as little as 10 minutes. This may indicate a potential therapeutic stimulus; periodic application of controlled vibration could positively influence matrix maintenance. Further studies on the protein level and long-term effects are warranted. 

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