Table 2.

Comparison Between Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and Nucleus Pulposus (NP) Cells

Chemical Factor	Variable	MSCs (Rat)	NP Cells (Human*/Bovine#)
Glucose	Gene expression of matrix proteins	↑ (5.56 mmol/L)	N.A.
	Proliferation	⇆ (5.56 mmol/L)	N.A.
	Viability	N.A.	⇆ (5 mmol/L#) [4]
Osmolarity	Gene expression	↓ (485 mOsm)	↑ 500 mOsm*/# [50]
	Proliferation	↓ (485 mOsm)	N.A.
	Viability	N.A.	N.A.
pH	Gene expression	↓ (pH 6.8)	N.A.
	Proliferation	↓ (pH 6.8)	N.A.
	Viability	N.A.	↓ (pH 6.2; first signs at pH 6.7) [4]