Investigation of the Effects of Methylphenidate, an Amphetamine Derivative, on Intervertebral Disc Tissue Cell Cultures and Matrix Structures

Özet

AIM: To investigate the effects of methylphenidate (MPH), on intervertebral disc tissue (IVD) cell cultures and extracellular matrixstructures. Changes in the expression of some important marker genes involved in anabolic and catabolic mechanisms of IVDextracellular matrix formation were also evaluated.MATERIAL and METHODS: Primary cultures of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and annulus fibrosus cells (AFCs) were isolated fromtissues obtained from the operated patients. Cell viability and proliferation were tested, and the cell surface morphologies wereevaluated by microscopy. The expressions of the chondroadherin (CHAD), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -7 and MMP-19 genes were evaluated using the quantitative real-time polymerasechain reaction (qRT-PCR). A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS: The viability and proliferation of intervertebral disc tissue cells decreased in response to MPH treatment and theexpression of the investigated genes also changed.CONCLUSION: The data obtained from in-vitro studies may not directly adaptable to clinical applications. However, the fact thatthe central nervous system stimulant MPH can suppress proliferation of cells derived from IVD tissue should be considered carefullyby clinicians.