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Spinal stenosis: assessment of motor function, VEGF expression and angiogenesis in an experimental model in the rat

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Abstract

Reduction of blood flow in compressed nerve roots is considered as one important mechanism of induction of neurogenic intermittent claudication in lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent stimulator of angiogenesis, and is increased in expression in hypoxic conditions. The objective of this study was to examine if cauda equina compression affects motor function and induces expression of VEGF and angiogenesis. The cauda equina was compressed by placing a piece of silicone rubber into the L5 epidural space. Walking duration was examined by rota-rod testing. The compressed parts of the cauda equina and L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) were removed at 3, 7, 14, or 28 days after surgery, and processed for immunohistochemistry for VEGF and Factor VIII (marker for vascular endothelial cells). Numbers of VEGF-immunoreactive (IR) cells and vascular density were examined. Walking duration was decreased after induction of cauda equina compression. The number of VEGF-IR cells in the cauda equina and DRG was significantly increased at 3, 14, and 28 days after cauda equina compression, compared with sham-operated rats (P < 0.05). Vascular density in the cauda equina was not increased at any of the time points examined. Cauda equina compression decreased walking duration, and induced VEGF expression in nerve roots and DRG.

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Acknowledgments

No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article. The authors thank Kenji Ono, Kazuo Sasaki and Satosi Sato for their technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, 960-1295, Japan

    Kazuyuki Watanabe, Shin-ichi Konno, Miho Sekiguchi & Shin-ichi Kikuchi

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  1. Kazuyuki Watanabe
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  2. Shin-ichi Konno
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  3. Miho Sekiguchi
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  4. Shin-ichi Kikuchi
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Correspondence to Kazuyuki Watanabe.

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Watanabe, K., Konno, Si., Sekiguchi, M. et al. Spinal stenosis: assessment of motor function, VEGF expression and angiogenesis in an experimental model in the rat. Eur Spine J 16, 1913–1918 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-007-0394-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-007-0394-y

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