Effects of fluoride on the degeneration and ossification of the ligamentum flavum in rats / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To study the effects of fluoride on the degeneration and ossification of the ligamentum flavum(OLF).[Method]Thirty-six SD rats were divided into two groups,the experimental group was feeded with water of 100 ppm fluoride in distill water,and the control group with distill water.At the end of three and six months,the rats were analyzed with BMD,and the serum and illiac bone samples were collected for detecting the contents of Calcium,Phosphorus,Magnesium,Zinc,Cuprum,Ferrum and Fluoride.At last,the whole lumbar spine were taken for X-ray and pathological observation.[Result]The results showed dental fluorosis appeared in all objectives as compared to almost normal in control group.BMD of the lumbar spine was also greatly high in six month experimental group.The X-ray analysis showed that there were OLF(OLF appeared)in four rats in six month experimental group.Pathological observations showed in six month group,the changes of the ligamentum flavum were more severe than that in 3 months,and there was OLF oringnated from the attachments,mainly intramembranous ossification.[Conclusion]High content of fluoride could lead to the degeneration and ossification of the ligamnetum flavum in rat's lumbar spine,and might play some important role in the ossification of the ligamentum flavum.