A variety of biochemical mediators of inflammation and tissue degeneration, including matrix metalloproteinases, prostaglandin E2, nitric oxide, and a variety of cytokines such as interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 were found to be involved in the matrix breakdown of articular cartilage.32 Our findings suggest that leptin may play an important role in disc degeneration. This evidence concerns the gene LEP and intervertebral disk degenerative disorder.