Biography
Biography: Joseph Cannillo
Abstract
Persistent low back pain (LBP) is the most common form of chronic illness in patients age 60 and under, affecting 15% of the population. In addition to being a major health problem, it also has serious economic consequences. Current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to chronic back pain are limited by our narrow understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms. As a consequence, treatment is not always effective and individuals may suffer for years without relief. LBP is often associated with signs of degeneration in the intervertebral discs. LBP encompasses a wide spectrum of pain disorders including axial pain in the low back region and radiating pain down one or both legs. The extracellular matrix protein SPARC (Secreted Protein, Acidic, Rich in Cysteine) has been linked to degeneration of the intervertebral discs and chronic low back pain (LBP). In humans, SPARC protein expression is decreased as a function of age and disc degeneration.
In mice, inactivation of the SPARC gene results in the development of accelerated agedependent disc degeneration concurrent with age-dependent behavioral signs of chronic LBP. DNA methylation is the covalent modification of DNA by addition of methyl moieties to cytosines in DNA. DNA methylation plays an important role in programming of gene expression, including in the dynamic regulation of changes in gene expression in response to aging and environmental signals. DNA methylation down-regulates SPARC expression in chronic LBP in pre-clinical models and in patients with chronic LBP.
There is evidence that DNA methylation of a single gene plays a role in chronic pain in humans and animal models. This has important implications for understanding the mechanisms involved in chronic pain and for pain therapy.
The metabolic effects of obesity have made this highly prevalent disease one of the most common risk factors for diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and atherosclerosis, the leading causes of end-stage renal failure. Moreover, adipose tissue is now recognized as an immune organ that secretes numerous immunomodulatory factors and seems to be a significant source of inflammatory signals known to cause insulin resistance. Therefore, inflammation within white adipose tissue may be a crucial step contributing to the emergence of many of the pathologic features that characterize the metabolic syndrome and result in arthritis, low back pain, diabetes and atherosclerosis. This presentation will describe the role of proinflammatory cytokines and hormones released by adipose tissue in generating the chronic inflammatory profile associated with visceral obesity.Epigenetic factors contributing to hyper methylating promoter areas of certain genes that provoke degenerative disc disease. We will also discuss therapeutic interventions to prevent and treat such conditions, utilising Life Style changes, Nutritional interventions, Supplements, and Herbals.