Purpose: In this study, we evaluated AGEs(advanced glycation end products) based on the following points. In routine clinical practice, some patients with intervertebral disc hernia show or previously showed a high blood glucose level, similar to the state in cataract patients. This study is significant for hernia therapy in the near future in context of an approach from sugar(cause),not aging(result).

Materials and Methods: Herniated intervertebral discs were obtained during surgery. We obtained human fetal (aborted) tissue and immunohistologically stained.

Results: AGEs were already exposed during histogenesis, suggesting a relation to apoptosis.

Discussion: In this study, a relationship between programmed cell death and AGEs was suggested. During the early step of glycosylation, the reaction progresses in a manner dependent on saccharide concentration and reaction time. In patients in whom the blood glucose level had been high in the past, the incidence remained high even though the blood glucose level is currently controlled, suggesting that AGEs affect a gene and the effect is memorized.