This study was carried out to describe in quantitative terms histologic parameters from selected regions of the cancellous bone in the normal femoral head. Femoral heads were obtained at autopsy, and blocks from the principal compressive (PC) and principal tensile (PT) regions of a coronal slide were sampled systematically to prepare 10 microns sections for automated histoquantitation using a Quantimet image analyzer. For mineralized bone there was a significant negative regression on age in both principal stress regions, though the quantitative description was not definitive. The principal compressive values of mineralized bone were higher, with no sex difference, compared to the principal tensile values, which showed a sex difference. Changes in trabecular surface, width, and marrow spacing were shown to be more dependent on bone mass than on age. The surface density values were higher, without sex difference for the PC region compared to the PT region, which had a sex difference. There was no regression on age for the PC region but a significant negative regression for the PT region. For mean trabecular thickness, again the values were higher for the PC region, with negative regressions on age for both regions but no sex difference in either region. For spacing, the values were lower for the PC region, with a significant increase with age for both regions but no sex difference in either region. The surface density had positive linear regressions on mineralized bone for both PC and PT regions, though a parabolic regression, based on a model described, was favored.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Role of iron and influence of antiinflammatory drugs on oxygen-derived free radical production and reactivity.

The production of a potent hydroxylating species, presumed to be hydroxyl radical, was studied using hydroxylation of salicylate as a detector system. Oxygen-derived free radicals (ODFR) were generated by (a) autoxidation of ferrous-EDTA chelates and (b) enzymatically (xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine). Hydroxylation by these ODFR-generating systems was inhibited by superoxide dismutase, hydroxyl radical scavengers and singlet oxygen quenchers. Low concentrations (1 mM-10 mM) of penicillamine stimulated hydroxylation by the autoxidation system, although higher concentrations were inhibitory; all concentrations were inhibitory in the enzymatic system. The chelating agents, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid and bathophenanthroline sulphonate, were inhibitory in both systems, as were the long acting anti-rheumatic drugs, gold sodium thiomalate and chloroquine. The mechanisms of hydroxyl radical generation described may have relevance to the mechanisms of ODFR generation occurring in vivo at sites of inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bone formation and impedance of electrical current flow.

The impedance to current flow to an electrically stimulated cathode did not change appreciably over a 12-week measurement period and did not support the hypothesis of a temporal relationship between bone formation and impedance to current flow in the region of the cathode. The use of an electrically stimulated titanium cathode at a current density of 0.33 microA/mm2 in this model of canine delayed union resulted in a significant bone formation when analyzed by quantitative and qualitative methods. Sequential quantitative radionuclide scanning correlated well with histologic appearance of bone formation and was a sensitive indicator of electrically induced osteogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Polymyalgia rheumatica. Clinical histological study of 46 cases].

The nosological relationship between Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and Cranial Arteritis has been studied by comparing 46 cases of PMR with 21 cases of cranial arteritis. Symptoms consistent with cranial arteritis were present in 83% of the PMR patients, but only 32% showed giant cell arteritis in the biopsy of temporal arteries. The difference is explained by the segmental involvement of the arteritis. The patients with cranial arteritis had symptoms of PMR in 48%. It is concluded, that PMR and cranial arteritis are both manifestations of the same disease. Temporary signs of generalized arteritis seem to occur often in PMR and may lead to fatal complications. PMR may last up to ten years. Because of the potential fatality of this disease, a temporal artery biopsy is indicated in every suspicious case in order to provide a sound basis for the required long term therapy with corticosteroids.

Adult↗