Expression and significance of VEGF and p53 in rat degenerated intervertebral disc tissues

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the expression and significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and p53 expression in rat degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD) tissues. METHODS: A total of 78 even-aged Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (observation group) were chosen to establish a rat IVD degeneration model with anterior limbs and tail-removing method. Three months after modeling, rats were executed and degenerated IVD tissues were obtained for pathological biopsy so as to observe VEGF and p53 expression thereof. Meanwhile, IVD tissues from 8 healthy rats were gained for comparison. RESULTS: Capillary infiltration was found in 62.8% of cases in observation group. Positive expression of VEGF and p53 was seen in 74.4% and 59.0% of cases respectively with a co-expression rate of 53.8%. VEGF and p53 expression in degenerated IVD tissues with capillary infiltration was higher than that in non-infiltration group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A coordinate expression of VEGF and p53 in rat degenerated IVD tissues is demonstrated, indicating that they are both involved in neovascularization and infiltration, which accelerates IVD degeneration.