Angiogenesis And The Expression Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor And Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor In The Tissues Of The Lumbar Intervertebral Discs Herniation

ObjectiveTo observe angiogenesis and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factorand basic fibroblast growth factor and discuss its significance in normal and lumbarintervertebral discs herniation.MethodsTwenty-nine tissue samples surgically removed from 29 patients with herniateddiscs(L3～S1) and 6 tissue samples(T12～L2) from 6 persons with lumbar fractureanterior release were studied. In the immunohistochemical study, an anti-CD31 antibodyfor vascular endothelial cells, the expression of VEGF and bFGF were tested byimmunohistochemistry techniques.ResultsThere was no direct relationship between the patient's age and the positive rate ofexpression of CD31, VEGF and bFGF(P＞0.05). Positive rate of expression of CD31and VEGF in those with a shorter course of illness of less than one year was higher thanthat of those whose course longer than one year(P＜0.05). Patient's course of illness didnot relate to bFGF expression. The positive rate of expression of CD31 and VEGF inextrusion type and sequestration type was higher than protruded type(P＜0.05). The typedid not relate to bFGF expression(P＞0.05). A positive correlation between the positiverate of expression of VEGF and bFGF(P＜0.05) was observed. ConclusionThus capillaries in disc herniation tissue evidently re-birthed. These resultsdemonstrate that VEGF and bFGF participate in the neovascularization process andmay cooperate each other. The results also suggest that VEGF may play a key initialrole in neovaseularization process, bFGF may contribute to full process ofintervertebral discs herniation.