Analysis of hypertrophic Ligamentum Flavum from Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K20003
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Orthopaedic surgery
• Research Institution: Kochi National Hospital
• Principal Investigator: Goda Yuichiro 独立行政法人国立病院機構高知病院(臨床研究部), 統括診療部, リハビリテーション科医師 (70581148)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 腰部脊柱管狭窄症 / 黄色靭帯

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The ligamentum flavum with hypertrophy had lower elastin contents and higher collagen contents than that without hypertrophy. The expression of gene markers for extracellular matrix fibrosis significantly increased, such as transforming growth factor-beta-1, α-smooth muscle actin, connective tissue growth factor, Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (Angptl2) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2). Angptl2 and TIMP-2 concentration was significantly higher in the dorsal side of the ligamentum flavum than in the ventral side the ligamentum flavum. The increased expression of TGF-β1 related gene from hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum might induce fibrotic thickening in the ligamentum flavum for lumbar spinal canal stenosis. The increased expression of Angptl2 and TIMP-2 in the dorsal side of ligamentum flavum may play an important role of fibrosis and hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum.

Free Research Field

脊椎外科