Investigation of the effect of selective COX-2 inhibitor for discogenic pain.

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Degeneration of the disc by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and following innervation of the peripheral nerve fiber by nerve growth factor (NGF) are considered as the molecular mechanism of developing discogenic pain. The effect of a selective COX-2 inhibitor, which is often used for managing low back pain in clinic, on the regulation of NGF and MMPs was investigated in isolated human intervertebral disc cells.Inflammatory cytokine-induced NGF and MMPs expressions were augmented when the cells were treated with a selective COX-2 inhibitor, suggesting that inhibition of COX-2 activity may accelerate both disc degeneration and innervation.These findings may need to be carefully taken into account when treating patients with discogenic pain.