Evaluation of the association between biochemical and immunohistochemical score of caspase-9 and TNFα, and the grading of lumbar disc herniation.

Biochemical and immunohistochemical score of caspase-9 and TNFα indicate the grading of lumbar disc herniation. As the grading of disc herniation increases, inflammation of cells and collagen fibre disruption increase and accelerate the apoptotic process. Apoptosis in disc nucleus pulposus cells may reduce disc herniation.