Samples of ligamenta flava were obtained after surgical operations from 50 patients with a lumbar disc herniation, another 50 patients with a lumbar canal stenosis, and 25 patients with spinal fractures who were used as control group. Ligamenta flava from control patients aged below 46 years consisted of large elastic fibers, thin bundles of collagen fibers, and few spindle-shaped fibroblast cells. In close proximity to the laminal insertion, the ligamentum flavum had fibrocartilagineous features. in the control patients who were aged 46 or older, the areas that had fewer and thinner elastic fibers and a more abundant collagen component were visible occasionally. The spindleshaped fibroblast cells were fewer compared with control patients aged below 46 years. Also remnants of necrotic cells and few, short, thin, interwoven, fragmented, non-branching elastic fibers, as well as small calcified areas, were occasionally visible. In close proximity to the laminal insertion, the ligamentum flavum had larger fibrocartilaginous features with more collagen fibers compared with younger patients. In patients with disc herniation, the ligamenta flava had nearly similar morphologic features to those of the control patients of similar ages. The ligamenta flava from patients with lumbar spinal stenosis aged below 46 years showed areas of fibrosis in which the cells were often represented by fibroblast cells and in stenotic patients older than 46 years, central portion of ligamentum flavum showed areas of fibrosis, in which the elastic fibers appear normal in some areas, showed little changes in others and in most of these areas showed great changes. Fibrous septa, degenerating elastic fibers as well as small calcified areas were observed often. In conclusion, Lumbar ligamentum flavum as any tissue in human body undergo degenerative changes during aging. In lumbar canal stenosis, the degenerative changes were more obvious compared with normal spine or lumbar disc herniation. In stenotic patients, ligamenta flava show a significant decrease in the elastic component as a result of fibrosis and chondroid metaplasia of the tissue, as well as degeneration of the elastic fibers. These changes, and the presence of calcified areas within the tissue, decrease the elasticity of the ligaments. An elastic tissue can be deformed under traction and gradually return to its normal size, proportional to the decrease of the elastic tension. Ligamenta flava do not normally bulge into the spinal canal when spine is in the neutral position.
The research of the etiology of low back pain and right leg pain has been focused on the study of histological degenerative changes of human intervertebral disc prolapse. In patients with low back pain & right leg pain and disc prolapsed according to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histological and histochemical studies have demonstrated several histological degenerative changes in the structure of the prolapsed intervertebral disc. Surgically excised intervertebral disc from 105 patients with lumber disc prolapsed were studied by histomorphology aided with histochemistry this include patients with prolapsed disc due to several causes. 5 control intervertebral discs were studied for comparison. Our result indicated that their was a degenerative structural changes of the intervertebral disc prolapse. Chondrocytes cloning, invasion of blood vessels into the disc matrix, disorganisation and disorientation of collagen fibers, matrix depletion and many other changes were observed.
Microscopic study was done on surgically collected samples of prolapsed intervertebral disc. These samples were collected from patients suffered from low back pain associated with right or left leg pain. The study was focused on patients below 40 years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to confirm the diagnosis. The study demonstrates the degenerative changes that occur early in these patients which may be resulted from any traumatic causes which lead to series of degenerative changes that occur faster and differ from that changes which occur with age progress. Forty samples of prolapsed intervertebral discs were collected surgically and 5 control intervertebral disc were studied for comparison. Nerve ingrowths have demonstrated (histological and histochemical) in region of the excised tissue of prolapsed disc. This feature is accompanied with several degenerative changes like cloning of chondrocytes, irregularity of collagen fibers, and invasion of newly formed blood vessels into the disc matrix.
Investigations have been carried out on the effect of maternal protein free diet on the placenta of laboratory mice of Balb/C strain. The thickness of placental barrier was measured. Placental weight, fetal weight, fetal numbers were also calculated and histological study was also done. Animal husbandry and the day of conception were arranged. Pregnant mice were dissected at days (12 th , 14 th , and 18th) of gestation. Thirty placentas from mice on protein free diet and fifteen placentas from mice on control diet, were taken, stained by haematoxylin and eosin and examined under light microscope with screen. The following results are subsequently obtained: 1. Reduction in fetal number and weight of mice after protein malnutrition, in comparison to their control at the same stage of gestation. 2. Reduction in placental weight of mice after protein malnutrition, in comparison to their control at the same stage of gestation. 3. Reduction in the thickness of trophoblastic layers of placental barrier in mice after protein malnutrition, which are measured by using light microscope with screen and scientific ruler. 4. Morphological changes showed thin placental barrier, with basophilic cytoplasm and degenerated nuclei. Areas of degeneration infiltrated with phagocytic cells with increase in the number and size of blood vessels were seen. These changes may affect the placental function, which may be the main cause of decrease in fetal weight (intra uterine growth retardation), placental weight and fetal number.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.