Diversification of biochemical compositions on the lumbar ligamentum flavum due to central lumbar spinal stenosis

English Keywords:Ligamentum flavum  Lumbar spinal stenosis  Collagen  Proteoglycan  Pathology

English Abstract:

  【Abstract】 Objective：To investigate the contents of collagen protein and proteoglycan in ligamentum flavum of lumbar spine as well as the relationship between content diversification in ligamentum flavum and the rate of central lumbar spinal stenosis.Method：65 pieces of ligamentum flavum specimen harvested from patients with central lumbar spinal stenosis were used as degenerative group.Meanwhile 27 specimens from healthy lumbar spine were used as control group.The contents of collagen and proteoglycan in ligamentum flavum were determined by absorbance of hydroxyproline assay，and the uronic acid was determined by micro-hydroxyproline assay and sulfuric acid-carbazole.The thickness of ligamentum flavum was measured by sliding caliper．Pathological changes were observed following HE and Masson staining.Result：The thickness of ligamentum flavum and the contents of collagen protein and proteoglycan in ligamentum flavum of degenerative group were higher than those of control group，which showed significant difference（P<0.05）.Pathology results showed the elastic fibers in ligamentum flavum disorganizing and scant while collagen fibers proliferating in degenerative group.Conclusion：The raising of collagen and proteoglycan as well as changing of its contents in ligamentum flavum may lead to the increase of ligamentum flavum′s thickness，which contribute to central lumbar spinal stenosis.