Physiological testosterone levels enhance chondrogenic extracellular matrix synthesis by male intervertebral disc cells in vitro, but not by mesenchymal stem cells.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Testosterone (T) is a hormone and regulator involved in the processes of development of the organism (ie, promoting development of bone and muscle mass). Although T effects on the mesenchyme-derived muscle, bone, and adipose tissues are well studied, T effects on intervertebral disc (IVD) have not been reported. The aim was to test the following hypothesis: if a physiological concentration of T (∼30 nM) can improve in vitro chondrogenesis of human IVD cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Human IVD cells and MSCs were differentiated to chondrogenic lineage on gelatin scaffolds for 4 weeks, in the presence or absence of T. Chondrogenesis was assessed by cell viability, by measuring gene expression with quantitative polymerase chain reaction and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation with immunoblotting, immunohistochemical, and biochemical methods. Supplementation of T to chondrogenic culture did not affect viability. In male IVD cells, T had a beneficial impact on chondrogenesis, particularly in nucleus pulposus cells, demonstrated by an increased expression of aggrecan, collagen type I, and especially collagen type II. Conversely, T had no effects on chondrogenesis of female IVD cells or MSCs from both genders. A gene expression array of transforming growth factor β/bone morphogenetic protein signaling cascade showed that in male IVD cells, T promoted a stable general but

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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