Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
08:03
Treatment of Ligament Constructs with Exercise-conditioned Serum: A Translational Tissue Engineering Model
Published on: June 11, 2017
Changes in basic metabolic elements associated with the degeneration and ossification of ligamenta flava
Zhe Wang1, Xiang-Dong Li, Ming-Quan Li
1Institute of Orthopaedics, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shannxi 710032, People's Republic of China.
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine
|September 18, 2008
Summary
Basic metabolic elements are associated with ligamentum flavum degeneration and ossification. Changes in calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and fluoride levels may play a role in these spinal conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Orthopedics
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- Ligamentum flavum (LF) degeneration and ossification are common in degenerative lumbar stenosis.
- The role of basic metabolic elements in LF pathology is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between basic metabolic element levels and the degeneration and ossification of the ligamentum flavum.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and fluoride (F) in LF specimens from patients with degenerative lumbar stenosis, ossified thoracic ligamenta flava, and controls.
- Utilized atomic absorption spectrometry, phosphomolybdic blue method, and fluoride-selected electrode for element measurement.
Main Results:
- Ca content and Ca/Mg ratio increased significantly from control to degeneration to ossification groups.
- Zn, Mn, and Mo levels were lower, while Cu levels were higher in degeneration and ossification groups compared to controls.
- Fluoride content was significantly elevated in ossification and fluorosis groups, and also in LF specimens from non-fluorosis patients.
Conclusions:
- Distinct trends in basic metabolic elements are observed in degenerated and ossified ligamentum flavum.
- These elements likely play a significant role in the pathogenesis of ligamentum flavum ossification and degeneration.
Related Concept Videos
01:40Bone Remodeling
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:24Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...
01:27Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
Chondrocytes form a temporary cartilaginous model by dividing and secreting a thick gel-like extracellular matrix. Once the chondrocytes undergo programmed cell death, osteoblasts enter the site of the cartilaginous model. The process of replacing the temporary cartilaginous model with bone in an ordered manner is called endochondral ossification. In endochondral ossification, not all of the cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. Some cartilage that performs a protective and supportive function...
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...