The effect of fibrin sealant and endothelial cell growth factor on the healing of defects of the avascular portion of canine menisci was investigated in 30 menisci of 15 adult mongrel dogs. The defects were treated in one of three ways: Group 1, the defect was left empty; Group 2, the defect was filled with fibrin sealant; and Group 3, the defect was filled with fibrin sealant and endothelial cell growth factor. The healing process was evaluated macroscopically and histologically at intervals of 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. The average percentage of each defect that was filled with connective tissue was 5% in Group 1, 76.6% in Group 2, and 89.4% in Group 3. In the early phase of this repair, the extrinsic pannus-like tissue that contained many capillary vessels extended from the meniscosynovial junction into the defect. Subsequently, organized fibrous connective tissue was formed, which had changed to cartilaginous tissue at 12 to 24 weeks. The combination of fibrin sealant and endothelial cell growth factor enhanced the neovascularization and formation of granulation tissue, which accounted for the increased healing level in the avascular portion of the meniscus.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Multiple pseudoxanthomatour rheumatoid nodules].

2 cases of Rheumatoid arthritis associated with multiple subcutaneous nodules were presented, which resembled "pseudoxanthomatour rheumatoid nodules" as before reported. In the first case, the asymmetrical joint involvement has been preceded by the formation of subcutaneous nodules since 5 years; In the second case, arthritis appeared long before the nodules were formed. In both cases, circumscript vasculitis and high titer of rheumatoid factor were noticed and cystic activities were found in several nodules.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of N-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-chloroantranilic acid disodium salt (CCA) on concanavalin A-induced superoxide anion release in human mononuclear phagocytes.

Superoxide anion (O2-), generated and released by mononuclear phagocytes (M phi), plays significant roles in tissue damage accompanying inflammatory and immunological reactions. N-(2-carboxyphenyl)-4-chloroantranilic acid disodium salt (CCA), is a newly synthesized immunomodulator for which therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been reported. In this investigation, we have examined the effect of CCA on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced O2- release in human M phi. Exposure of M phi to Con A induced a large increase of O2- release. Preincubation of M phi with CCA suppressed O2- release induced by Con A almost to a control level. On the contrary, CCA itself did not have a significant effect on basal O2- release from M phi. These results indicate that the inhibition of O2- release from activated M phi may be an important factor in the anti-inflammatory effects of this drug.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Fat necrosis of osteocytes as a causative factor in idiopathic osteonecrosis in heritable hyperlipemic rabbits.

Since idiopathic osteonecrosis (IO) has been observed to occur in association with abnormalities of fat metabolism, eight inbred rabbits with heritable hyperlipidemia were examined for IO. Studies of circulating fatty elements and peripheral tissues were also done. Necrotic changes in 60% of the femoral heads were observed by light and electron microscopic examinations. The most characteristic changes included thickening of the subchondral bone trabeculae due to reactive new bone on dead bone, diminished marrow cavities filled with fatty tissue, haversian canals with fat, and loss or pyknosis of osteocyte nuclei with cytoplasmic "fatty" vacuolation. Sudan-IV-positive substances were frequently observed in the osteocytes of necrotic trabeculae. The appositional new bone lining dead trabeculae was also subject to necrotic change. Diseased vessels or emboli in the location of bone necrosis were not observed. Electrophoresis of serum lipoproteins showed a marked decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL) associated with the accumulation of lipids in the peripheral tissues. These changes may represent a failure in lipid transport. Based on these aberrations, we propose that the decrease in HDL may play a role in the pathogenesis of IO in rabbits with heritable hyperlipemia.

Animals↗