The Role of Type I Collagen in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

The intervertebral discs degeneration (IDD) is one of the leading structural substrates, causing chronic low back pain (LBP). LBP is a common neurological disorder but the LPB genetic predictors have not been sufficiently studied. Fibril collagens are important components of the nucleus pulposus, the anulus fibrosus and the vertebral endplate. Collagen type I is most studied as a structural component of the nucleus pulposus and the anulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) of genes encoding alpha-1 and alpha-2 chains of collagen type I are associated with IDD, but the results of genetical studies are not translated into action. (1) The purpose of the study is the analysis of associative genetic and genome-wide studies of the COL1 gene family role in the development of IDD and LBP. The study of the COL1A1 gene’s SNVs association of with the IDD is important for the perspective of personalized neurology. A personalized approach can help to identify patients at high risk of the IDD developing and its complications, including intervertebral disc herniation and spinal stenoses in young and working age patients. On the other hand, the role of nutritional support for patients, carriers of the SNV risk alleles in the COL1A1 gene, including collagen hydrolysates and oxyproline preparations has not been sufficiently studied.