Intradiscal anti-inflammatory therapy involving autologous adiponectin
Administering an effective amount of APN into an intervertebral disc is disclosed.
1 . A method of treating degenerative disc disease in an intervertebral disc of a patient having a nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosus, comprising the steps of:
a) intradiscally administering an effective amount of a formulation comprising adiponectin (APN) into the intervertebral disc.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the adiponectin is autologous.
3 . The method claim 1 wherein the adiponectin is obtained from the patient's blood.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the adiponectin is exogenous.
5 . A method of treating sciatica, comprising the steps of:
a) epidurally administering an effective amount of a formulation comprising adiponectin (APN) into the vicinity of a nerve root.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the adiponectin is autologous.
7 . The method claim 1 wherein the adiponectin is obtained from the patient's blood.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the adiponectin is exogenous.
9 . A method of treating degenerative disc disease in an intervertebral disc having a nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosus, comprising intradiscally administering an effective amount of a formulation comprising a APN and fibrin glue having a fibrinogen concentration of at least 10 mg/ml.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the fibrin glue has a fibrinogen concentration of at least 20 mg/ml.
11 . A method of treating degenerative disc disease in an intervertebral disc having a nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosus, comprising the steps of:
a) obtaining from the patient cells viable capable of producing TIMP-1;
b) mixing an TIMP-1-inducing composition with the viable cells for a period sufficient to produce TIMP-1, and
c) intradiscally administering an effective amount of a formulation comprising TIMP-1 into the intervertebral disc.
12 . A method of administering TIMP-1 to a patient, comprising:
a) obtaining from the patient cells viable capable of producing TIMP-1;
b) mixing an TIMP-1-inducing composition with the viable cells for a period sufficient to produce induced cells, and
c) administering the induced cells to a location in the patient, whereby the induced cells in vivo produce TIMP-1 at the location.
13 . A method of treating degenerative disc disease in an intervertebral disc having a nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosus, comprising the steps of:
a) intradiscally administering an effective amount of a formulation comprising IL-10 into the intervertebral disc.
14 . A method of administering IL-10 to a patient, comprising:
a) obtaining from the patient cells viable capable of producing L-10;
b) mixing an IL-10-inducing composition with the viable cells for a period sufficient to produce induced cells, and
c) administering the induced cells to a location in the patient, whereby the induced cells in vivo produce IL-10 at the location.
15 . A kit for collecting and administering adiponectin, comprising:
a) a syringe having a barrel having an inner wall, a proximal open end and a distal open end, and
b) a cartridge having a barrel having an inner wall defining a housing, an outer wall, a proximal open end and a distal open end, wherein the outer wall of the cartridge is adapted to fit within the inner wall of the syringe, and
i. an adiponectin-binding agent disposed within the housing.
16 . A syringe having a barrel having an inner wall, a proximal open end and a distal open end, wherein the barrel contains an effective amount of adiponectin.
17 . An apparatus comprising:
a) a syringe comprising a barrel defining a proximal open end, a distal open end, and an inner wall,
b) a porous annulus having an inner radius and an outer radius, the annulus adapted to be received within the inner wall of the syringe and collect APN.
18 . The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising:
a. a solid plug having a proximal end and a distal end, and adapted to be received within the inner radius of the porous annulus and having a plurality of legs extending from the distal end thereof.
19 . A method comprising the steps of:
a) intradiscally administering an effective amount of a formulation comprising adiponectin (APN) into an intervertebral disc.
20 . A method comprising the steps of:
a) epidurally administering an effective amount of a formulation comprising adiponectin (APN) into the vicinity of a nerve root.