Biomedical subjects

Kenji Kashiwagi

Publications and source records attributed to Kenji Kashiwagi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

Molecular and cellular reactions of retinal ganglion cells and retinal glial cells under centrifugal force loading.

PURPOSE: To investigate changes in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and morphology, retinal glial cell effects on RGC survival, and changes in mRNA expression during centrifugal force loading using a newly developed device. METHODS: Changes in RGC survival and morphology were examined when isolated RGCs from 2-day-old rats were loaded with centrifugal force equivalent to 16, 28, or 33 mm Hg. The effects of cocultured retinal glial cells on RGC survival were studied in the presence of centrifugal force equivalent to 16 and 28 mm Hg for 48 hours. The microarray method and real-time polymerase chain reaction confirmed changes in mRNA expression when RGCs and retinal glial cells were loaded with centrifugal force equivalent to 28 mm Hg for 24 hours. RESULTS: The survival of isolated RGCs and the number of neurites were significantly decreased by centrifugal force loading. Conversely, there was no significant change in the survival of isolated retinal glial cells. The survival of cocultured RGCs was significantly better than that of isolated RGCs. In contrast to the numerous changes in the mRNA expression of retinal glial cells subjected to centrifugal force loading, there was no significant change in the mRNA expression of RGCs. CONCLUSIONS: The developed device may have potential for use as an in vitro model of RGC damage. The response to centrifugal force loading varies according to cell type, and the marked changes in the mRNA expression of retinal glial cells may be involved in the improvement of RGC survival.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Construction and characterization of chimeric proteins composed of type-1 and type-2 periplasmic binding proteins MglB and ArgT.

The respective type-1 and type-2 periplasmic binding proteins (PBPs) MglB and ArgT are believed to have evolved from a common ancestor into siblings showing topological differences in their main chain connectivity. At first glance, they show similar structure. But, more detailed examination reveals that the chain connectivity of ArgT is more convoluted than that of MglB. Reflecting that complexity, the folding of ArgT is complicated and involves intermediate folds. On the other hand, the folding of MglB is a simple two-state transition. In the present study, we constructed and characterized several chimeras made up of various subdomains of MglB and ArgT with the aim of gaining insight into the evolution of protein folding and protein structure. Although these chimeras did not fold as compactly as their parental proteins, some did exhibit cooperative folding, which suggests that novel proteins with new connectivity and new folding pathways could have emerged at a fairly high rate throughout the evolution of proteins.

Circular Dichroism↗

PubMed2003

The association between Japanese primary open-angle glaucoma and normal tension glaucoma patients and the optineurin gene.

Glaucoma represents one of the most common eye diseases and is characterized by progressive loss of visual fields. In the more advanced stages bilateral blindness may result, due to optic nerve atrophy and an excavated optic nerve head. Open-angle glaucoma is one of the main disease subsets, which may be further divided into high tension primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Recently, the optineurin ( OPTN) gene was identified as a causative factor for NTG. Alterations in this gene were found in Caucasian families with NTG. In particular, c.458G>A, c.691-692insAG and c.1944G>A were shown to be risk factors. Since NTG is reported to be the most common form of glaucoma in Japan, and to identify if the OPTN gene plays a role in POAG, the DNAs from 148 unrelated Japanese patients with NTG, 165 patients with POAG and 196 unrelated controls who were not suffering glaucoma were investigated by appropriate genotyping techniques. No glaucoma-specific mutations were found in the OPTN gene in Japanese glaucoma patients. However, some novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the exons and introns are reported in this paper for the first time.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Factors secreted by human amniotic epithelial cells promote the survival of rat retinal ganglion cells.

We evaluated whether factors secreted by human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) have the neuroprotective effect on rat retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) purified by immunopanning. After culture in B27 complete medium containing B27 supplement, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and forskolin, the medium was changed to: (1). medium containing N2 supplement and forskolin (N2 basal medium); (2). medium conditioned by HAECs containing N2 supplement and forskolin (HAEC-CM); and (3). N2 basal medium containing several neurotrophic factors. HAEC-CM promoted the RGC survival compared to N2 basal medium. The effect of HAEC-CM was significantly higher than that of BDNF, neurotrophin-3 and CNTF. These results suggest that HAECs may produce unknown neuroprotective factors, suggesting its potential for the treatment of RGC degenerative diseases.

Amnion↗

PubMed2003

Differences in nitric oxide production: a comparison of retinal ganglion cells and retinal glial cells cultured under hypoxic conditions.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of hypoxia on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and the production of NO between isolated retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and retinal glial cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to examine the presence of neuronal NOS mRNA, inducible NOS mRNA, and endothelial NOS mRNAs in the two cell types. RGCs and retinal glial cells were separately cultured under hypoxic (10% O(2)) or control (20% O(2)) conditions. Changes in NOS-mRNA expression were quantified by real-time PCR, and nitrite in the medium was measured up to 96 h of culture. The effects of non-NOS- and iNOS-selective inhibitors on hypoxia-induced release of nitrite in the culture medium were evaluated. RT-PCR revealed the presence of three types of NOSs in the two types of cultured cells. Hypoxic culture conditions significantly changed the expression of all NOS mRNAs in retinal glial cells but not in RGCs. NO production showed significant changes corresponding to those of NOS mRNAs in retinal glial cells but not in RGCs, and both NOS inhibitors significantly reduced hypoxia-induced nitrite release in retinal glial cells. Retinal glial cells but not RGCs may be the major source of NO under hypoxic conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Characterization of folding pathways of the type-1 and type-2 periplasmic binding proteins MglB and ArgT.

The family of periplasmic binding proteins (PBPs) is believed to have arisen from a common ancestor and to have differentiated into two types. At first approximation, both types of PBPs have the same fold pattern, reflecting their common origin. However, the connection between the main chains of a type 2 PBP is more complicated than a type 1 PBP's. We have been interested in the possibility that such structural changes affect the folding of PBPs. In this study, we have characterized the folding pathways of MglB (a type 1 PBP) and ArgT (a type 2 PBP) by using urea gradient gel electrophoresis, fast protein size-exclusion liquid chromatography and hydrophobic dye ANS binding assay. We found a distinct difference in folding between these two proteins. The folding of MglB followed a simple two-state transition model, whereas the folding of ArgT was more complicated.

Biological Transport, Active↗

PubMed2003

Increase in dephosphorylation of the heavy neurofilament subunit in the monkey chronic glaucoma model.

PURPOSE: To investigate the phosphorylation of the heavy neurofilament subunit (NF-H), which could be deeply involved in axonal transport of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), in an experimental glaucoma model of chronic elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) in monkeys. METHODS: One eye in adult monkeys was randomly selected for laser treatment, and IOP was maintained between 30 and 40 mm Hg throughout the experiment. The eyeballs with the optic nerve and optic chiasm were enucleated as one tissue and were subject to immunocytochemical observation, using two NF-H-specific antibodies, NF-200 and SMI31. NF-200 reacts with both phosphorylated and dephosphorylated NF-H, whereas SMI reacts only with phosphorylated NF-H. Ratios of SMI31-positive to NF-200-positive areas were calculated for quantitative evaluation of phosphorylation status. Specimens from the retina, lamina cribrosa (LC), post-LC, and optic chiasm were evaluated separately. Phosphorylation of NF-H at the retina and optic nerve head was compared between specimens from temporal retina and nasal retina, or between temporal and nasal regions of the optic disc. The status of phosphorylation was confirmed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: An enlargement of the disc cup was observed on the temporal side, and the superior and inferior poles were preferentially involved in the neuronal damage in laser-treated eyes. Most NF-Hs in the control eyes were phosphorylated in all investigated regions, whereas those in the glaucomatous eyes were significantly dephosphorylated, and NF-Hs in the temporal region were significantly dephosphorylated compared with those in the nasal region. At the optic chiasm, NF-Hs in axons traveling from laser-treated eyes were highly dephosphorylated, and the extent of NF-H dephosphorylation corresponded to the degree of glaucoma-induced axonal damage. Western blot analysis showed the change in the phosphorylation of NF-Hs. CONCLUSIONS: NF-Hs in RGC axons are dephosphorylated by elevated IOP, which may be deeply involved in glaucoma-induced damage to axonal transport.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Comparison between isopropyl unoprostone and latanoprost by prostaglandin E(2)induction, affinity to prostaglandin transporter, and intraocular metabolism.

The pharmacological differences between isopropyl unoprostone (referred to as unoprostone) and latanoprost, concerning their induction of endogenous prostaglandin E(2)(PGE(2)) and affinity to a human prostaglandin transporter (PGT), were investigated. Freshly dissected bovine iris tissues were incubated with major intraocular metabolites of unoprostone, M1 and M2, acid of latanoprost, or PGF(2 alpha), and PGE(2)induction was measured. Affinities of M1, M2, latanoprost, acid of latanoprost, and PGF(2 alpha)to PGT molecule were measured using PGT-cDNA transfected HeLa cells by an isotopic influx assay.(3)H-unoprostone was incubated with freshly prepared serum, aqueous humor, or frozen stored fetal bovine serum (FBS), and the radioactivity of supernatants was measured to investigate their metabolism of(3)H-unoprostone.M2, acid of latanoprost, and PGF(2 alpha)significantly increased a release of PGE(2)compared with the control. 10 microM indomethacin completely inhibited PGE(2)induction by acid of latanoprost and PGF(2 alpha), while 100 microM indomethacin was required to inhibit PGE(2)induction completely by M1 and M2. Unoprostone, M1, M2, and latanoprost showed little affinity to PGT, while acid of latanoprost had an affinity to PGT. Freshly prepared serum and aqueous humor metabolized unoprostone, but frozen stored FBS did not. The release of endogenous PGE(2)may play an important role of action by means of PG analogs, and differences in indomethacin-related inhibition of PGE(2)release and in affinities to PGT may in part cause their different actions.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Effects of isopropyl unoprostone and latanoprost on melanogenesis in mouse epidermal melanocytes.

PURPOSE: The authors sought to investigate the cellular mechanism of melanogenesis by prostaglandin antiglaucomatous compounds, isopropyl unoprostone (referred to as unoprostone) and latanoprost, and to quantitatively compare their effect on melanogenesis using cultured mouse epidermal melanocytes. METHODS: M1, M2, and the acid of latanoprost, all of which are possible intraocular metabolites of unoprostone or latanoprost, were used. Tested prostaglandin-related compounds (final concentration range, 1 micromol/L-10 nmol/L) were administrated to the culture medium of purely cultured mouse melanoblasts, melan-A, once daily for 2 weeks. One micromole per liter prostaglandin F(2 alpha) solution was administered in parallel. Radioisotope assays were used to measure the total melanin synthesis and the activity of tyrosinase in converting tyrosine to L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, which is a rate-limiting reaction in melanogenesis. The effects of prostaglandin F(2 alpha), M1, or M2 on proliferation of melan-A were examined. RESULTS: M1, M2, and acid of latanoprost but not prostaglandin F(2 alpha), significantly enhanced tyrosinase activity. M2 and acid of latanoprost more greatly enhanced tyrosinase activity than did M1. None of the tested compounds significantly altered the proliferation and total melanin synthesis of melan-A. CONCLUSIONS: Both unoprostone and latanoprost enhanced tyrosinase activity. These prostaglandin-related compounds may influence the nature of melanin and result in pigmentation.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Neuroprotective effects of nipradilol on purified cultured retinal ganglion cells.

PURPOSE: To investigate effects of nipradilol, a nonselective beta- andbgr;-and selective alpha1-receptor antagonist and a potential nitric oxide releaser, on retinal ganglion cells purified and cultured in a serum-free medium. METHODS: Retinal ganglion cells were isolated from 2-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats by means of two-step panning. A series of nipradilol (10(-5), 10(-6), 10(-7), 10(-8), 10(-9), and 10(-10)-mol/L) or vehicle solutions were administered to the culture medium for 48 hours, and the survival rate of retinal ganglion cells was evaluated using a newly developed system that evaluates the survival rate in small and large retinal ganglion cells separately. The effects of timolol maleate or bunazosin (10(-5), 10(-6), 10(-7), and 10(-8) -mol/L) solutions on retinal ganglion cells survival were also evaluated. The survival rate was evaluated after 10(-5)-mol/L c-PTIO (2-[4-carboxyphenyl]-4,4,5,5 tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide potassium salt), a nitric oxide scavenger, was administered to retinal ganglion cells with 10(-5)-mol/L nipradilol. RESULTS: Nipradilol significantly increased the survival rate of both small and large retinal ganglion cells in a concentration-dependent manner compared with the controls. The maximum survival rate improvement of small and large retinal ganglion cells was 29.1% and 14.5%, respectively. Although timolol maleate and bunazosin did not affect the survival rate, 10(-5)-mol/L c-PTIO significantly inhibited the nipradilol-induced survival rate improvement by 69.9% in small retinal ganglion cells and by 91.6% in large retinal ganglion cells. CONCLUSION: Nipradilol improves the survival rate of cultured postnatal rat retinal ganglion cells, and the nitric oxide generated from nipradilol may contribute to this effect.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Examination and treatment of patients with angle-closure glaucoma in Japan: results of a nationwide survey.

PURPOSE: To assess the present state of examination procedures and treatments for angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) in Japan. METHODS: A nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted, targeting 1237 registered facilities to Japanese Ophthalmological Society. RESULTS: Valid replies were obtained from 754 of 1232 facilities (61.2%). Primary ACG comprised a small percentage of the glaucoma types diagnosed in outpatient examinations. More than 50% of the laser iridotomy (LI) procedures were prophylactic at 52.9% of the facilities. Gonioscopy was most frequently used for determining indications for prophylactic LI. Specular microscopy was always performed prior to LI in 7.8% of the facilities. Prophylactic LI resulted in complications at 20.5% of the surveyed facilities, although the incidence was low. The following residual complications were reported at 82.9% of the facilities when treating ACG attacks: cataract, persistent elevation of intraocular pressure, and bullous keratopathy. One-third of the facilities experienced inadequate treatment of an ACG attack by physicians other than ophthalmologists. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of LI-induced complications was higher in ACG eyes than in narrow-angle eyes. However, prophylactic LI sometimes results in persistent ocular complications.

Glaucoma, Angle-Closure↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A prospective study of iridial pigmentation and eyelash changes due to ophthalmic treatment with latanoprost.

PURPOSE: To conduct a 12-month prospective study on the occurrence of latanoprost-induced iridial pigmentation and eyelash change in Japanese patients with glaucoma METHODS: Seventy-five patients (75 eyes) were enrolled in the study. Photographs of the iris and eyelashes were taken under identical conditions before and after treatment. Three glaucoma specialists assessed the iridial pigmentation/eyelash change independently with no knowledge of patient data. The effects of age, sex, concomitant medication, and type of glaucoma on iridial pigmentation/eyelash change were investigated, and intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and iridocorneal angle pigmentation before and after latanoprost treatment were compared between patients with iridial pigmentation/eyelash change and patients without these changes. RESULTS: The incidence of iridial pigmentation was 6.3% at 1 month, 15.7% at 3 months, 37.8% at 6 months, and 56.5% at 12 months. The incidence of eyelash change was 0% at 1 month, 33.8% at 3 months, 44.4% at 6 months, and 46.2% at 12 months. Latanoprost did not affect IOP reduction or iridocorneal angle pigmentation. No significant relationship between iridial pigmentation and eyelash change was observed. None of the investigated parameters except age affected the iridial pigmentation/eyelash change. CONCLUSION: Iridial pigmentation and eyelash change occurred at a high frequency in long-term treatment with latanoprost in Japanese glaucoma patients.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Association between nocturnal blood pressure reduction and progression of visual field defect in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or normal-tension glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To assess prospectively the relationship between nocturnal blood pressure reduction (dip) and progression of the visual field defect in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) or primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The subjects studied were 38 patients with glaucoma (23 patients with NTG, 15 patients with POAG), in whom 48-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was conducted, who were followed for at least 4 years, and in whom reliable visual field tests were performed at least 5 times. The progression was determined by the mean deviation (MD) slope analysis system installed in the Humphrey field analyzer Statpac program. Glaucoma patients with a dip of <10% were assigned to the nondipper group, those with a dip of 10%-20% to the tipper group, and those with a dip of >20% to the extreme dipper group. The dipper group was defined as physiologic dippers, while the nondipper and the extreme dipper groups were defined as nonphysiologic dippers, to study the relationship between the disturbance of the dip and progression of the visual field defect. RESULTS: Thirteen patients showed significant progression, while 25 patients did not. There were no significant differences in the mean intraocular pressure and follow-up period between the patients with progression and those without progression. Half (7/14) of the nondippers, 20% (4/20) of the dippers, and 50% (2/4) of the extreme dippers showed progression, indicating a tendency of progression in the nondipper and the extreme dipper groups. The nonphysiologic dippers had a higher incidence of progression compared with the physiologic dippers (P = 0.05). Among the glaucoma patients in the nondipper and dipper categories only, those with progression had significantly smaller dips (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that disturbance in the physiologic dip may be involved in the progression of glaucoma.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Personality assessment based on the five-factor model of personality structure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: Several characteristic personality types have been reported for glaucoma patients in previous studies. However, none of the previous studies used a common structural theory of personality. In this study, we conducted a multicenter cross-sectional case-control study using the recently established five-factor model of personality structure. METHODS: Personality was evaluated using the Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), which is a questionnaire specifically designed to test the five-factor model of personality: neuroticism (N), extraversion (E), openness (O), agreeableness (A), and conscientiousness (C). Eligible questionnaires were obtained from 196 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) (99 men, 97 women) and 223 reference subjects with no ocular disease except cataract (87 men, 136 women). The mean score of each NEO-FFI factor for POAG patients was compared to the scores for the reference subjects. RESULTS: Compared with the reference subjects, the mean N score was significantly higher (P = 0.013), the mean scores for A and C were significantly lower (P = 0.007 and P = 0.001, respectively), and the mean E score tended to be lower (P = 0.055) in male POAG patients. The mean E score was significantly lower (P = 0.023) in female POAG patients. CONCLUSIONS: Characteristic personality traits were noted in POAG patients, and a more significant relationship was found between personality and glaucoma in men than in women.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

De novo age-related retinal disease and intraocular-pressure changes during a 10-year period in a Japanese adult population.

PURPOSE: To determine the proportion of age-related ophthalmologic diseases discovered in a healthy Japanese adult population, as well as to evaluate the age-related changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) in this population during a 10-year period. METHODS: Ophthalmologic surveys were conducted in 1988 and 1998 at Tamaho-cho in Yamanashi Prefecture. The target population of the first survey was 1389 subjects over 40 years of age, and of these, 1250 subjects (473 men and 777 women) participated in the survey. Their mean age was 57.8 +/- 11.9 years. Of these 1250 subjects, 245 subjects participated in the second ophthalmologic survey in 1998. The cases of glaucoma or age-related ophthalmologic diseases developing over the intervening 10-year period were determined among the subjects who had been diagnosed with no ophthalmologic abnormalities in the 1988 survey. We also compared the IOP values of the 219 subjects who were diagnosed with no ophthalmologic abnormalities in either the 1988 or the 1998 survey. RESULTS: The number of cases in the 1998 survey with newly discovered ocular diseases were as follows: two cases (0.82%) of normal-tension glaucoma, two cases (0.82%) of epiretinal membrane, one case (0.41%) of age-related macular degeneration, one case (0.41%) of angle-closure glaucoma, and one case (0.41%) of branch retinal vein occlusion. The mean IOP of the 219 subjects diagnosed with no ophthalmic abnormalities in either survey was 13.88 +/- 3.04 mmHg in 1988, which declined significantly to 13.16 +/- 2.75 mmHg in 1998 (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The 10-year follow-up of the 245 subjects participating in both surveys showed one or two de novo cases of age-related macular degeneration, epiretinal membrane, branch retinal vein occlusion, normal-tension glaucoma, or angle-closure glaucoma. IOP was found to decline significantly with age.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Agreement between peripheral anterior chamber depth evaluation using the van Herick technique and angle width evaluation using the Shaffer system in Japanese.

PURPOSE: To examine the correlation between the van Herick system and the Shaffer system in a large-scale epidemiological survey conducted on healthy Japanese subjects. METHODS: The van Herick technique was performed on 14,779 subjects aged 40 years and over who participated in an ophthalmic epidemiological survey conducted in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture. Eyes classified as grade 1 or 2 according to the van Herick technique were diagnosed as narrow angle eyes, and those eyes were subjected to secondary examination using a gonioscope. In the secondary examination, glaucoma specialists evaluated angle width based on the Shaffer system. RESULTS: Nine hundred and twenty-three eyes of 505 subjects (108 men and 397 women) were determined to be narrow-angle eyes among the 14 779 subjects surveyed. There were 78 grade 1 eyes and 845 grade 2 eyes. Three hundred and eighty-three subjects (75.8%) underwent gonioscopic examination, and 426 eyes (65.9%) had an angle as narrow as or narrower than Shaffer grade 2. Among the 51 eyes evaluated as van Herick grade 1, 44 (86.3%) had an angle an narrow as or narrower than Shaffer grade 2, while among the 595 eyes evaluated as van Herick grade 2,382 (64.2%) had an angle as narrow as or narrower than Shaffer grade 2. CONCLUSIONS: The van Herick technique closely coincided with the Shaffer system and was found to have a potential for use as a simple method for evaluating narrow-angle eyes in Japanese.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ocular manifestations and prognosis of secondary glaucoma in patients with carotid-cavernous fistula.

PURPOSE: To study the frequency of ocular manifestations and the prognosis of secondary glaucoma in cases of carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF). METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted to investigate causes, types, ocular symptoms, complications, treatment, and prognosis in subjects with CCF. RESULTS: Among the 43 patients diagnosed with CCF between 1984 and 2000, a total of 13 patients (14 eyes) showed ocular manifestations. CCF was idiopathic in 13 eyes of 12 subjects and resulted from head trauma in 1 eye of 1 subject. Among the ocular symptoms and complications, conjunctival hyperemia was most common, occurring at a rate of 92.9% of the eyes, followed by exophthalmos at 50%, retinal hemorrhaging at 50%, retinal venous dilation at 42.9%, vascular bruits at 28.6%, injection of Schlemm's canal at 21.4%, and external ophthalmoplegia at 21.4%. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) occurred at a rate of 64.3%, with maximum IOP ranging from 22-55 mm Hg. At the time of the final observation, IOP control was favorable in 6 of the 9 eyes showing elevated IOP; 5 of these 9 eyes showed a closed CCF, but none required antiglaucoma treatment, with the exception of 1 eye for which trabeculectomy was performed. IOP control was unfavorable in the remaining 3 eyes, and in 1 of these eyes CCF was not closed. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary glaucoma is a frequently observed ocular manifestation of CCF, and closure of the fistula is the primary condition required for favorable IOP control.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Changes of the mineralization pattern in the subchondral bone plate of the glenoid cavity in the shoulder joints of the throwing athletes.

The distribution of mineralization in the subchondral bone plate (DMSB) is used as a parameter for individual stress distribution of shoulder joints. We have analyzed 28 shoulder joints of throwing athletes by DMSB of the glenoid with computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry and described their mineralization patterns. The throwing motion imposes a heavy rotational load on the shoulder joint, and this, in turn, may lead to excessive translation of the humeral head on the glenoid. This could explain why the two most frequent density maxima were localized to the anterior and posterior portions of the glenoid. Our finding of a frequent bicentric density distribution of the shoulder joints of throwing athletes should be useful in any future analysis of the relationship between the DMSB and the bone morphology of the glenoid.

Adolescent↗