Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Pathological mechanism of idiopathic scoliosis: experimental scoliosis in pinealectomized rats

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Spine Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The pathological mechanism of curve progression in idiopathic scoliosis is still obscure. In this study we investigated the pathological mechanism of idiopathic scoliosis in experimentally induced scoliosis in rats. A total 30 rats were divided into three groups: ten bipedal rats with a sham operation, which served as the control; ten quadrupedal rats with pinealectomy; and ten bipedal rats with pinealectomy. Scoliosis developed only in pinealectomized bipedal rats and not in pinealectomized quadrupedal rats. Cervicothoracic lordosis developed in bipedal rats with or without pinealectomy. These deformities of lordoscoliosis in pinealectomized bipedal rats were similar to human idiopathic scoliosis. Lordosis or lordotic tendency was sufficient to cause the spine to rotate to the side. Rotational instability of the spine with rotation of lordotic segment appears to produce a characteristic scoliotic deformity as a secondary phenomenon. Our findings suggest that lordosis may develop in bipedal rats, but pinealectomy is required for the development of lordoscoliosis. Balanced muscle tone controlled by the postural reflex is important to maintain normal posture with a straight spine in the bipedal condition. The disturbance of equilibrium and other postural mechanisms secondary to a deficiency of melatonin after pinealectomy may promote development of lordoscoliosis with vertebral rotation especially in the bipedal posture.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Adams W (1865) Lectures on the pathology and treatment of lateral and other forms of curvature of the spine. Churchill & Sons, London

    Google Scholar 

  2. Alexander MA, Bunch WH, Ebbesson SOE (1972) Can experimental dorsal rhizotomy produce scoliosis? J Bone Joint Surg Am 54:1509–1513

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Bailey AS, Alder FA, Lai SM, Asher MA (2001) A comparison between bipedal and quadrupedal rats; do bipedal rats actually assume an upright posture? Spine 26:E308–E313

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Barrios C, Tunon MT, DeSalis JA, Beguiristain JL, Canadell J (1987) Scoliosis induced by medullary damage: an experimental study in rabbits. Spine 12:433–439

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Barrios C, Arrotegui JI (1992) Experimental kyphoscoliosis induced in rats by selective brain stem damage. Int Orthop 16:146–151

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Cowell HR, Hall JN, MacEwen GD (1972) Genetic aspects of idiopathic scoliosis. Clin Orthop 86:121–131

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. DeSalis J, Beguiristain JL, Canadell J (1980) The production of experimental scoliosis by selective arterial ablation. Int Orthop 3:311–315

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Dickson RA, Lawton JO, Archer IA, Butt WP (1984) The pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis: biplanar spinal asymmetry. J Bone Joint Surg Br 66:8–15

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Fidler MW, Jowett RL (1976) Muscle imbalance in the aetiology of scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Br 58:200–201

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Fischer RL, DeGeorge FV (1976) Idiopathic scoliosis: an investigation of genetic and environmental factors. J Bone Joint Surg Am 49:1005–1006

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fraschini F, Cesarani A, Alpini D, Esposti D, Stanker BM (1999) Melatonin influences human balance. Biol Signals Recept 8:111–119

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Goff CW, Landmesser W (1975) Bipedal rats and mice. J Bone Joint Surg Am 39:616–622

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kazmin AI, Merkorieva RV (1971) Role of disturbance of glucosaminoglycaine metabolism in the pathogenesis of scoliosis. Ortop Travmatol Protez 32:87–91

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Kindsfater K, Lowe T, Lawellin D, Weinsein D, Akmakjian J (1994) Levels of platelet calmodulin for the prediction of progression and severity of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 76:1186–1192

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Lagenskiold A, Michelsson JE (1961) Experimental progressive scoliosis in the rabbit. J Bone Joint Surg Br 43:116–120

    Google Scholar 

  16. Lawton JO, Dickson RA (1986) The experimental basis of idiopathic scoliosis. Clin Orthop 210:9–17

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Liszka O (1961) Spinal cord mechanisms leading to scoliosis in animal experiments. Acta Med Pol 2:45–63

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Machida M, Dubousset J, Imamura Y, Iwaya T, Yamada T, Kimura J (1993) An experimental study in chickens for the pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis. Spine 18:1609–1615

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Machida M, Dubousset J, Imamura Y, Iwaya T, Yamada T, Kimura J (1995) Role of melatonin deficiency in the development of scoliosis in pinealectomised chickens. J Bone Joint Surg Br 77:134–138

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Machida M, Dubousset J, Imamura Y, Iwaya T, Yamada T, Kimura J, Toriyama S (1994) Pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis: SEPs in chickens with experimentally induced scoliosis and in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. J Pediatr Orthop 14:329–335

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Machida M, Dubousset J, Satoh T, Murai I, Wood KB, Ryu J (2001) Pathological mechanism of experimental scoliosis in pinealectomized chickens. Spine 26:E385–E391

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Machida M, Miyashita Y, Murai I, Dubousset J, Yamada T, Kimura J (1997) Role of serotonin for scoliotic deformity in pinealectomized chicken. Spine 22:297–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Machida M, Miyashita Y, Yamada H, Imamura Y, Murai I (1998) Pathogenesis in idiopathic scoliosis: serum melatonin and scoliotic deformity in chickens in continuous darkness. Spine Spinal Cord 11:135–138

    Google Scholar 

  24. Machida M, Murai I, Miyashita Y, Dubousset J, Yamada T, Kimura J (1999) Pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis: experimental study in rats. Spine 24:1985–1989

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Machida M (1999) Cause of idiopathic scoliosis. Spine 24:2576–2583

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Ohlen G, Aaro S, Byland P (1988) The sagittal configuration and mobility of the spine in idiopathic scoliosis. Spine 13:413–416

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. O’Kelly C, Wang X, Raso J, Moreau M, Mahood J, Zhao J, Bagnall K (1999) The production of scoliosis following pinealectomy in young chickens, rats and hamsters. Spine 24:35–43

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Pincott JR, Davies JS, Taffs LF (1984) Scoliosis caused by section of dorsal spinal nerve roots. J Bone Joint Surg Br 66:27–29

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Roaf R (1966) The basic anatomy of scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Br 48:786–792

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Rodriguez RM, Bailey RW, Rodriguez RP (1965) Skeletal lesions of lathyrism effects of bipedalism on spine development. Clin Orthop 41:189–197

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Sahlstrand T, Ortengren R, Nachemson A (1978) Postural equilibrium in patients in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Acta Orthop Scand 49:354–365

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Sarwark JF, Dabney KW, Salzman SK, Wakabayashi T, Kitadai HK, Beachamp JT, Beckman AL, Bunnel WP (1988) Experimental scoliosis in rat. 1. Methodology, anatomic features and neurologic characterization. Spine 13:466–471

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Smith RE, Saville PD (1965) Bone breaking stress as a function of weight bearing in bipedal rats. Am J Phys Anthropol 25:159–164

    Google Scholar 

  34. Smith RM, Dickson RA (1987) Experimental structural scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Br 69:576–581

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Somerville EW (1952) Rotational lordosis: the development of single curve. J Bone Joint Surg Br 34:421–427

    Google Scholar 

  36. Waldhauser F, Weiszenbacher G, Tatzer E, Gisinger B, Waldhauser M, Schemper M, Frisch H (1988) Alterations in nocturnal serum melatonin levels in humans with growth and aging. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 66:648–652

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Wan Q, Pang SF (1994) Segmental, coronal, and subcellular distribution of 2-[125I] iodomelatonin binding sites in the chicken spinal cord. Neurosci Lett 180:253–256

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Wyatt MP, Barrack RL, Mubarak SJ, Whitecloud TS, Burke SE (1986) Vibratory response in idiopathic scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Br 68:714–718

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Wyanne-Davies R (1968) Familial (idiopathic) scoliosis. A family survey. J Bone Joint Surg Br 50:24–30

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Yamada K (1962) The dynamics of experimental posture: experimental study of intervertebral disc herniation in bipedal animals. Clin Orthop 25:20–31

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Yamada K, Ikata I, Yamamoto H, Nakagawa Y, Tanaka H, Tezuka A (1969) Equilibrium function in scoliosis and active corrective plaster jacket for the treatment. Tokushima J Exp Med 16:1–7

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Yamada K, Yamamoto H, Nakagawa Y, Tezuka A, Tamura Y, Kawata S (1984) Etiology of idiopathic scoliosis. Clin Orthop 184:50–57

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Yamamoto H (1966) Experimental scoliosis in rachitic bipedal rats. Tokushima J Exp Med 13:1–34

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. None of the authors received financial support for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Hospital Organization, Murayama Medical Center, 37-1, 2-chome, Gakuen, Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan

    Masafumi Machida, Masashi Saito & Keiichi Shibasaki

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital St. Vincent de Paul, Paris, France

    Jean Dubousset

  3. Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, USA

    Thoru Yamada & Jun Kimura

Authors
  1. Masafumi Machida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Masashi Saito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jean Dubousset
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Thoru Yamada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jun Kimura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Keiichi Shibasaki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Masafumi Machida.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Machida, M., Saito, M., Dubousset, J. et al. Pathological mechanism of idiopathic scoliosis: experimental scoliosis in pinealectomized rats. Eur Spine J 14, 843–848 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-004-0806-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-004-0806-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation