Restoration of Disc Height Loss by Recombinant Human Osteogenic Protein-1 Injection Into Intervertebral Discs Undergoing Degeneration Induced by an Intradiscal Injection of Chondroitinase ABC

Abstract

A single injection of recombinant human osteogenic protein-1 into a rabbit disc dramatically reversed the decrease in disc height induced by chondroitinase ABC chemonucleolysis. The recovery was significant and sustained over the next 12 weeks. The therapeutic effects of both chondroitinase ABC chemonucleolysis and recombinant human osteogenic protein-1 injections should be further explored in higher animals before it is applied to humans.