title: Mead acid (20:3n-9) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are not associated with risk of posterior longitudinal ligament ossification: results of a case-control study.
abstract: Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) involves the replacement of ligamentous tissue with ectopic bone. Although genetics and heritability appear to be involved in the development of OPLL, its pathogenesis remains to be elucidated. Given previous findings that 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid [20:3n-9, Mead acid (MA)] has depressive effects on osteoblastic activity and anti-angiogenic effects, and that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have a preventive effect on heterotopic ossification, we hypothesized that both fatty acids would be involved in OPLL development. To examine the biological significance of these and other fatty acids in OPLL, we conducted this case-control study involving 106 patients with cervical OPLL and 109 age matched controls. Fatty acid composition was determined from plasma samples by gas chromatography. Associations between fatty acid levels and incident OPLL were evaluated by logistic regression. Contrary to our expectations, we found no significant differences between patients and controls in the levels of MA or n-3 PUFAs (e.g., eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid). Logistic regression analysis did not reveal any associations with OPLL risk for MA or n-3 PUFAs. In conclusion, no potential role was found for MA or n-3 PUFAs in ectopic bone formation in the spinal canal.
authors: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan. Electronic address: keihama@med.u-toyama.ac.jp.
authors: Kei
authors: K
authors: Hamazaki
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
authors: Yoshiharu
authors: Y
authors: Kawaguchi
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
authors: Masato
authors: M
authors: Nakano
authors: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
authors: Taketoshi
authors: T
authors: Yasuda
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
authors: Shoji
authors: S
authors: Seki
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Hori
authors: Toyama Jounan Daini Hospital, Toyama, Japan.
authors: Tomohito
authors: T
authors: Hamazaki
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
authors: Tomoatsu
authors: T
authors: Kimura
mesh_terms: D015126:8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017846:Longitudinal Ligaments / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D015126:8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid; C010944:mead acid
keywords: Case-control study; Mead acid; N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament