The H2 blocker famotidine suppresses progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in a mouse model.
BACKGROUND
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the spine is a common human myelopathy that leads to spinal cord compression. No disease-modifying drug for OPLL has been identified, whereas surgery and conservative management have been established.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic potential of the H2 blocker famotidine for ectopic ossification in the cervical spine in an OPLL mouse model.


METHODS
The H2 blocker famotidine was orally administered to Enpp1 (ttw/ttw) mice, a model of OPLL, at either 4 or 15 weeks of age. Radiological and survival rate analyses were performed to assess the effects of famotidine on OPLL-like lesions and mortality in Enpp1 (ttw/ttw) mice.


RESULTS
Oral administration of famotidine suppressed the progression of OPLL-like ectopic ossification and reduced mortality in Enpp1 (ttw/ttw) mice when administration began at 4 weeks of age, early in the development of ossification.


CONCLUSIONS
This study points to the use of famotidine as a disease-modifying drug for ectopic ossification of spinal soft tissue, including OPLL.
Department of Sensory and Motor System Medicine, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo , Japan ; Division of Clinical Biotechnology , The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan.
Yujiro
Y
Maeda
Department of Sensory and Motor System Medicine, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo , Japan ; Division of Clinical Biotechnology , The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan.
Kenichi
K
Yamamoto
Division of Clinical Biotechnology , The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan.
Akira
A
Yamakawa
Department of Bioengineering , The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Engineering , Tokyo , Japan.
Hailati
H
Aini
Department of Sensory and Motor System Medicine, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo , Japan.
Tsuyoshi
T
Takato
Division of Clinical Biotechnology , The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan ; Department of Bioengineering , The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Engineering , Tokyo , Japan.
Ung-Il
UI
Chung
Division of Clinical Biotechnology , The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan ; Department of Bioengineering , The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Engineering , Tokyo , Japan.
Shinsuke
S
Ohba
Orthopedic Surgery; Tendinitis; Treatment