Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Serum Calcium Concentration as an Indicator of Intervertebral Disk Degeneration Prognosis

  • Published:
Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between serum macro- and trace element contents and the degree of disk degeneration in patients with intervertebral disk herniation (IDH). This study was carried out on 69 subjects (30 women and 39 men) diagnosed with IDH. Blood samples of the subjects were collected, and serum concentrations of the elements that include macroelements, such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and magnesium, and trace elements, such as zinc, iron, copper, and selenium, were determined using inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the entire lumbar region of the vertebral column was conducted using a 1.5-T MRI scanner. The degree of disk degeneration was classified into three categories. Correlation analysis between the degree of disk degeneration and the serum element was performed using SPSS 16.0. In the correlation analysis between the degree of disk degeneration and the element contents, only calcium was found to be negatively correlated with the degree of disk degeneration (r = −0.332, P < 0.01). Comparison results between male and female groups showed no significant difference in the element content and in the degree of disk degeneration (P > 0.05). Moreover, the serum calcium content showed a significant correlation with the degree of disk degeneration, suggesting that the serum calcium concentration can be used as an indicator of intervertebral disk degeneration prognosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

References

  1. Nerlich AG, Schleicher ED, Boos N (1997) 1997 Volvo Award winner in basic science studies. Immunohistologic markers for age-related changes of human lumbar intervertebral discs. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 22(24):2781–2795

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Turgut M, Yenisey C, Akyuz O, Ozsunar Y, Erkus M, Bicakci T (2006) Correlation of serum trace elements and melatonin levels to radiological, biochemical, and histological assessment of degeneration in patients with intervertebral disc herniation. Biol Trace Elem Res 109(2):123–134

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Pouriesa M, Fouladi RF, Mesbahi S (2013) Disproportion of end plates and the lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Spine J. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2012.11.047

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Paajanen H, Erkintalo M, Parkkola R, Salminen J, Kormano M (1997) Age-dependent correlation of low-back pain and lumbar disc regeneration. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 116(1–2):106–107

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Wang S, Lin S, Zhou Y (2006) Changes of total content of serum magnesium in elderly Chinese women with osteoporosis. Biol Trace Elem Res 110(3):223–231

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Liu SZ, Yan H, Xu P, Li JP, Zhuang GH, Zhu BF, Lu SM (2009) Correlation analysis between bone mineral density and serum element contents of postmenopausal women in Xi’an urban area. Biol Trace Elem Res 131(3):205–214

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Schroder HC, Wiens M, Wang X, Schlossmacher U, Muller WE (2011) Biosilica-based strategies for treatment of osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Prog Mol Subcell Biol 52:283–312

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Pakfetrat M, Shahroodi JR, Zolgadr AA, Larie HA, Nikoo MH, Malekmakan L (2013) Effects of zinc supplement on plasma homocysteine level in end-stage renal disease patients: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Biol Trace Elem Res. doi:10.1007/s12011-013-9639-2

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Karul AB, Karadag F, Yensel N, Altinisik M, Altun C, Cildag O (2003) Should chronic obstructive pulmonary disease outpatients be routinely evaluated for trace elements? Biol Trace Elem Res 94(1):41–48

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Afridi HI, Kazi TG, Kazi N, Talpur FN, Shah F, Naeemullah, Arain SS, Brahman KD (2013) Evaluation of status of arsenic, cadmium, lead and zinc levels in biological samples of normal and arthritis patients of age groups (46–60) and (61–75) years. Clin Lab 59(1–2):143–153

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Salminen JJ, Erkintalo MO, Pentti J, Oksanen A, Kormano MJ (1999) Recurrent low back pain and early disc degeneration in the young. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 24(13):1316–1321

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Buy X, Gangi A (2010) Percutaneous treatment of intervertebral disc herniation. Semin Intervent Radiol 27(2):148–159

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Castro I, Santos DP, Christoph Dde H, Landeiro JA (2005) The history of spinal surgery for disc disease: an illustrated timeline. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 63(3A):701–706

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Cashman KD (2007) Diet, nutrition, and bone health. J Nutr 137(11 Suppl):2507S–2512S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Cashman KD, Seamans K (2007) Bone health, genetics, and personalised nutrition. Genes Nutr 2(1):47–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Plawecki K, Chapman-Novakofski K (2010) Bone health nutrition issues in aging. Nutrients 2(11):1086–1105

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Nielsen FH, Shuler TR (1992) Studies of the interaction between boron and calcium, and its modification by magnesium and potassium, in rats. Effects on growth, blood variables, and bone mineral composition. Biol Trace Elem Res 35(3):225–237

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Takeda T, Kimura M, Itokawa Y (1993) Imbalance of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in bone and other tissues of rats induced by low protein and calcium deficiency. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 39(4):355–363

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Kang SC, Kim HJ, Kim MH (2013) Effects of Astragalus membranaceus with supplemental calcium on bone mineral density and bone metabolism in calcium-deficient ovariectomized rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 151(1):68–74

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Takeda E, Taketani Y, Sawada N, Sato T, Yamamoto H (2004) The regulation and function of phosphate in the human body. Biofactors 21(1–4):345–355

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Barbagallo M, Belvedere M, Dominguez LJ (2009) Magnesium homeostasis and aging. Magnes Res 22(4):235–246

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Costigan M, Belfer I, Griffin RS, Dai F, Barrett LB, Coppola G, Wu T, Kiselycznyk C, Poddar M, Lu Y, Diatchenko L, Smith S, Cobos EJ, Zaykin D, Allchorne A, Gershon E, Livneh J, Shen PH, Nikolajsen L, Karppinen J, Mannikko M, Kelempisioti A, Goldman D, Maixner W, Geschwind DH, Max MB, Seltzer Z, Woolf CJ (2010) Multiple chronic pain states are associated with a common amino acid-changing allele in KCNS1. Brain 133(9):2519–2527

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Logan T (1961) The treatment of intervertebral disc protrusions with salt. J Coll Gen Pract 4:96–100

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Zofkova I, Nemcikova P, Matucha P (2013) Trace elements and bone health. Clin Chem Lab Med 18:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Kohn MJ, Moses RJ (2013) Trace element diffusivities in bone rule out simple diffusive uptake during fossilization but explain in vivo uptake and release. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110(2):419–424

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Lanocha N, Kalisinska E, Kosik-Bogacka DI, Budis H, Sokolowski S, Bohatyrewicz A (2013) Comparison of metal concentrations in bones of long-living mammals. Biol Trace Elem Res. doi:10.1007/s12011-013-9615-x

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Guler AH, Sapan N, Ediz B, Genc Z, Ozkan K (1994) Effect of copper on liver and bone metabolism in malnutrition. Turk J Pediatr 36(3):205–213

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Calhoun NR, Smith JC Jr, Becker KL (1974) The role of zinc in bone metabolism. Clin Orthop Relat Res 103:212–234

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. D’Amelio P, Cristofaro MA, Tamone C, Morra E, Di Bella S, Isaia G, Grimaldi A, Gennero L, Gariboldi A, Ponzetto A, Pescarmona GP, Isaia GC (2008) Role of iron metabolism and oxidative damage in postmenopausal bone loss. Bone 43(6):1010–1015

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Moreno-Reyes R, Egrise D, Neve J, Pasteels JL, Schoutens A (2001) Selenium deficiency-induced growth retardation is associated with an impaired bone metabolism and osteopenia. J Bone Miner Res 16(8):1556–1563

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, The First Hospital of Shijiazhuang, 36 Fanxi Road, Chang’an, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China

    Binxiu Zhao

  2. Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shanxi, China

    Kunzheng Wang

  3. China Institute of Sport Science, General Administration of Sport, Beijing, China

    Jiexiu Zhao & Yufeng Luo

Authors
  1. Binxiu Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kunzheng Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jiexiu Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yufeng Luo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Binxiu Zhao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhao, B., Wang, K., Zhao, J. et al. Serum Calcium Concentration as an Indicator of Intervertebral Disk Degeneration Prognosis. Biol Trace Elem Res 154, 333–337 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-013-9747-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-013-9747-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation