Quantitative analysis of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in ligamentum flavum of lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation.
METHODS
The concentration of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) was examined in the ligamentum flavum of lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of TGF-beta1 on hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum in lumbar spinal stenosis compared with that of lumbar disc herniation.


BACKGROUND
The hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum is known to be related to degenerative changes that are secondary to the aging process or mechanical instability. However, there has been no study to investigate the effect of biochemical factors, such as growth factors, associated with hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum.


METHODS
The concentrations of TGF-beta1 were analyzed in the surgically obtained ligamentum flavum specimens from lumbar spinal stenosis (n = 10; mean age 62.8 years) and disc herniation (n = 10; mean age 35.6 years) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The localization of TGF-beta1 within the ligamentum flavum was determined using immunohistochemical study. The thickness of the ligamentum flavum was measured with axial T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The biochemical and radiologic results were compared for these two conditions.


RESULTS
The mean concentration of TGF-beta1 was 123.78 pg/100 microg protein (range 11-374 pg/100 microg protein) in lumbar spinal stenosis and 38.56 pg/100 microg protein (range 0-155 pg/100 microg protein) in lumbar disc herniation; the difference between lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation was statistically significant (P = 0.029). The mean thickness of the ligamentum flavum was 4.44 mm (range 3.4-5.4 mm) in lumbar spinal stenosis and 2.44 mm (range 1.8-4.0 mm) in lumbar disc herniation; the difference between lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation was statistically significant (P = 0.001). On immunohistochemical study TGF-beta1 was positively stained on the fibroblasts within the ligamentum flavum specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
The current results suggest that higher expression of TGF-beta1 by fibroblasts might be related to the development of hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum in lumbar spinal stenosis.
Park
J B
JB
Department of Clinical Pathology, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea. spinepjb@cmc.cuk.ac.kr
Chang
H
H
Lee
J K
JK
D000368:Aged; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017843:Ligamentum Flavum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1