The Study Of Moleculobiological And Biomechanical Mechanisms Of The Spinal Ossification Of Ligamentum Flavum

Objective The spinal ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF) belongs to endochondral ossification in nature; however, there is much divergence about its etiopathogenisis. For this, there yet is no effective drug to prevent its progression at present and operation is the only therapeutic method, even if great operative risks and uncertain long-term efficacy. How to forecast whether ossification progresses or not, how to prevent its aggravation and recurrence after operation are clinically urgent problem to be solved. Before attaining it, the ossification pathogenesis must be clearly understood. So, performing investigations on its pathogenesis from multi-viewpoints is imperative. It has already been proved that regional anatomical and mechanical mechanisms and growth factors such as BMPs and TGFβ are the possible factors for ossification. There are abundant angiogenesis at the early stage of ossification, which is necessary for ossification. There are many factors for mediating angiogenesis such as VEGF, FGF, BMPs, TGFβ, IGF, PDGF, C0X2 and so on. We speculate BMPs and TGFβ may play their roles on ossification by promoting local angiogenesis. VEGF is the assuredly most intense mediating factor for angiogenesis to date and COX2 is the key enzyme for producing inflammatory factor like PGE2 that regulates angiogenesis. Basing on these achievements, we study the functions and clinical significance of angiogenesis and thoracic laminar slope angle, explore the essence of ossification from macrobiomechanics to...