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P Garnero

Publications and source records attributed to P Garnero.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A meta-analysis of previous fracture and subsequent fracture risk.

Previous fracture is a well-documented risk factor for future fracture. The aim of this study was to quantify this risk on an international basis and to explore the relationship of this risk with age, sex, and bone mineral density (BMD). We studied 15259 men and 44902 women from 11 cohorts comprising EVOS/EPOS, OFELY, CaMos, Rochester, Sheffield, Rotterdam, Kuopio, DOES, Hiroshima, and two cohorts from Gothenburg. Cohorts were followed for a total of 250000 person-years. The effect of a prior history of fracture on the risk of any fracture, any osteoporotic fracture, and hip fracture alone was examined using a Poisson model for each sex from each cohort. Covariates examined were age, sex, and BMD. The results of the different studies were merged by using the weighted beta-coefficients. A previous fracture history was associated with a significantly increased risk of any fracture compared with individuals without a prior fracture (RR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.75-1.98). The risk ratio was similar for the outcome of osteoporotic fracture or for hip fracture. There was no significant difference in risk ratio between men and women. Risk ratio (RR) was marginally downward adjusted when account was taken of BMD. Low BMD explained a minority of the risk for any fracture (8%) and for hip fracture (22%). The risk ratio was stable with age except in the case of hip fracture outcome where the risk ratio decreased significantly with age. We conclude that previous history of fracture confers an increased risk of fracture of substantial importance beyond that explained by measurement of BMD. Its validation on an international basis permits the use of this risk factor in case finding strategies.

Adolescent↗

Serum levels of type IIA procollagen amino terminal propeptide (PIIANP) are decreased in patients with knee osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a specific immunoassay for PIIANP and measure its serum concentration in healthy controls and in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, we investigated circulating forms recognized by antiserum IIA in pools of serum from healthy adults, patients with OA and patients with RA. DESIGN: Using as immunogen and standard the recombinant human Glutathione S-Transferase (GST)-exon 2 fusion protein of type II collagen, we developed a competitive polyclonal antibody-based ELISA. We compare serum PIIANP levels in 43 patients with knee OA (23 women and 20 men; mean age: 62.6+/-9.6 yr), 63 women with RA (mean age: 54+/-16 yr) and 88 healthy controls (67 women, mean age: 53+/-13 yr and 21 men, mean age: 63+/-7 yr). We randomly selected serum in each group for analyze circulating forms. RESULTS: The immunoassay we developed demonstrated adequate intra and inter-assay precision (CV<10%) and dilution recovery (mean: 96%), allowing accurate measurements of serum PIIANP from 1.13 to 40 ng/ml. No significant cross-reactivity of the ELISA was observed with purified intact human procollagen type I N-propeptide, circulating thrombospondin and von Willebrand factor, proteins which exhibit significant sequence homology with PIIANP. Western blot analysis showed that antiserum IIA recognized two circulating immunoreactive forms of approximately 80 and 100 KDa respectively in serum from healthy adults, patients with OA and RA but also in a pool of synovial fluids from patients with OA. Serum PIIANP levels were markedly decreased in patients with knee OA (12.0+/-3.2 vs 25.8+/-7.5 ng/ml for OA and controls respectively, P<0.0001) and RA (14.1+/-2.5 ng/ml vs 21.7+/-7.6 ng/ml for RA and controls respectively, P<0.0001). In patients with RA, serum PIIANP levels were higher in those taking low-dose prednisone compared to non-users (15.0+/-2.4 vs 13.5+/-2.4 ng/ml, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We have developed the first specific immunoassay for serum PIIANP which exhibits adequate technical performances. This assay detects specifically two immunoreactive forms both in healthy adults and patients with arthritis and does not cross react with other proteins with sequence homology with PIIANP. Levels of PIIANP were significantly decreased in patients with knee OA and RA suggesting that type IIA collagen synthesis may be altered in these arthritic diseases. The measurement of type IIA collagen synthesis with this new molecular marker may be useful for the clinical investigation of patients with joint diseases.

Adult↗

Effects of ibuprofen on molecular markers of cartilage and synovium turnover in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ibuprofen on the urinary excretion of C-terminal crosslinking telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) and urinary glucosyl galactosyl pyridinoline (Glc-Gal-PYD), two new molecular markers of cartilage and synovial tissue metabolism, respectively, in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: We studied 201 patients with knee pain and radiographic evidence of knee OA who were on treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prior to study initiation. After an initial screening visit, patients were withdrawn from their pre-study NSAID and, following a flare of their OA symptoms, were randomised to ibuprofen (2400 mg/day) or placebo. Urinary CTX-II and Glc-Gal-PYD levels were measured at time of randomisation (baseline) and after 4-6 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: After 4 to 6 weeks, urinary CTX-II (+17%, p = 0.023) and Glc-Gal-PYD (+10%, p = 0.020) increased significantly from baseline in the placebo group whereas marginal or no increase was observed in the ibuprofen group (CTX-II +2%, NS and Glc-Gal-PYD +4%, p = 0.045). For urinary CTX-II, the difference in the change from baseline between placebo and ibuprofen treated groups was significant (13%, p = 0.017). At baseline, urinary levels of CTX-II and Glc-Gal-PYD were higher in patients with knee swelling (n = 127) than in those without (n = 74) (p<0.02 for both markers). When patients were stratified according to presence or absence of knee swelling at baseline, the increases over 4-6 weeks of urinary CTX-II and Glc-Gal-PYD in the placebo group were restricted to patients with knee swelling (+22% from baseline, p = 0.001 and +12%, p = 0.011, for urinary CTX-II and Glc-Gal-PYD respectively). In patients with knee swelling who were treated with ibuprofen this increase was not observed and the difference from placebo was significant for urinary CTX-II (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: In patients with a flare of knee OA, specifically in patients with evidence of joint inflammation documented by knee swelling, there was a significant increase in markers reflecting cartilage and synovium metabolism that could partly be prevented by high doses of ibuprofen. These data suggest that patients with a flare of knee OA are characterised by increased cartilage and synovial tissue degradation, which may be partly prevented by high doses of NSAIDs.

Acute Disease↗

Contribution of bone mineral density and bone turnover markers to the estimation of risk of osteoporotic fracture in postmenopausal women.

In osteoporosis, the main cause for concern is the increase in the risk of fractures. The level of bone mineral density (BMD) measured by various techniques has been shown to be a strong predictor of fracture risk in postmenopausal women. However, half of patients with incident fractures have BMD value above the diagnostic threshold of osteoporosis defined as a T-score of -2.5 SD or more below the average value of young healthy women. Clearly there is a need for improvement in the identification of patients at risk for fracture. Several prospective studies have shown that an increased bone resorption evaluated by specific biochemical markers was associated with increased risk of the hip, spine and non-vertebral fractures independently of BMD. The use of bone markers in individual patients may be appropriate in some situations, especially in women who are not detected at risk by BMD measurements. For example, in the OFELY study including 668 postmenopausal women followed prospectively over 9 years, we found that among the 115 incident fractures, 54 (47%) actually occurred in non-osteoporotic women. Among these women, the combination of bone markers and history of previous fracture was highly predictive of fracture risk. Thus, bone markers may be used in the assessment of fracture risk in selected cases in which BMD and clinical risk factors are not enough to take a treatment decision. Advances in our knowledge of bone matrix biochemistry, most notably of post-translational modifications in type I collagen, may allow identification of biochemical markers that reflect changes in the material property of bone, which is an important determinant of bone strength. Preliminary in vitro studies indicate that the extent of post-translational modifications of collagen--which can be reflected in vivo by the measurement of the urinary ratio between native and isomerised type I collagen--play a role in determining the mechanical competence of cortical bone, independently of BMD. Further studies in osteoporosis should explore the changes in these biochemical parameters of bone matrix as they may represent a key component of bone quality.

Biomarkers↗

An immunoassay for type I collagen alpha 1 helicoidal peptide 620-633, a new marker of bone resorption in osteoporosis.

Type I collagen fragments are the most sensitive markers of bone resorption in osteoporosis. Currently, all available type I collagen-related bone resorption markers detect in serum and/or urine fragments arising from the telopeptide region of the molecule. Our aim was to evaluate the technical and clinical performances of a new assay detecting in urine a degradation fragment originating from the helical part of type I collagen and consisting of the 620-633 sequence of the alpha1 chain. Urinary helical peptide was measured with a new ELISA (Metra Helical peptide, Quidel Corporation). Results were compared with those of urinary C-terminal cross-linking type I collagen of type I collagen (CTX), an established bone resorption marker. We measured urinary helical peptide levels in 89 healthy women (age 31-89 years) and in 59 postmenopausal women involved in two randomized studies of the efficacy of alendronate (10 mg/day; n = 20) and transdermal 17beta estradiol (50 microg/day; n = 39). The within-run and between-run CVs were < or = 7.3 and 8.7%, respectively. In 59 healthy women, urinary helical peptide levels highly correlated with those of urinary CTX (r = 0.78, P < 0.0001). The long-term intraindividual variability assessed over 6 months in 18 untreated postmenopausal women was 24%. Compared to 24 premenopausal women, urinary helical peptide was 42% (P < 0.0001) higher in 65 postmenopausal women (mean age, 60 years), an increase comparable to that of urinary CTX (+ 47%, P < 0.0001). Urinary helical peptide levels decreased by 72% (P < 0.0001) after 3 months of alendronate treatment and by 59% (P < 0.0001) after 6 months of transdermal estrogen therapy. These changes were of similar magnitude to those of urinary CTX (-69 and -62%, respectively; NS compared with changes in helical peptide). In women treated with transdermal 17beta estradiol, the percentage of change of urinary helical peptide and urinary CTX at 6 months significantly correlated with the change in spinal bone mineral density after 2 years (r = -0.58, P = 0.002, and r = -0.52, P = 0.006, for urinary helical peptide and CTX, respectively). This new assay for type I collagen helical peptide has demonstrated adequate analytical performance and was highly correlated with urinary CTX, an established type I collagen C-telopeptide bone resorption marker. The test was a sensitive indicator of the antiresorptive effects of bisphosphonate and estrogens in postmenopausal women. This new bone resorption marker should be useful for the clinical investigation of patients with osteoporosis.

Adult↗

Changes in body composition during post-menopausal hormone therapy: a 2 year prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Post-menopausal hormone therapy (pHT) induces changes in both body composition and bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: In 109 post-menopausal women beginning either tibolone 2.5 mg (n=29), tibolone 1.25 mg (n=42) or estradiol 2 mg plus norethisterone acetate 1 mg (E2 + NETA) (n=38), we assessed body composition, total and regional BMD by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin and the urinary excretion to type I collagen C-telopeptide (CTX) at baseline and after 2 years. RESULTS: At baseline, BMD at all sites correlated negatively with age and years since menopause, and positively with lean mass and fat mass (r=0.42, P<0.001 and r=0.26, P=0.006 at the total femur). During treatment, BMD increased at all sites (P<0.001), and serum BAP, osteocalcin, and urinary CTX decreased in all groups (P<0.001). Lean mass increased whereas android fat and android obesity index decreased. The increase in BMD at all sites correlated positively with changes of lean mass at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Both fat mass and lean mass are related to BMD in post-menopausal women, the relationship being strongest with lean mass; an increase in lean mass and a change in distribution of body fat are observed during treatment with E2 + NETA and tibolone.

Adipose Tissue↗

Urinary type II collagen C-telopeptide levels are increased in patients with rapidly destructive hip osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare type II collagen degradation using a new urinary specific marker in patients with rapidly destructive and those with slowly progressive hip OA. METHODS: Twelve patients with rapidly destructive and 28 patients with slowly progressive hip OA were included in a prospective, cross sectional case-control study. Urinary levels of C-terminal crosslinking telopeptide of collagen type II (CTX-II) as a marker of cartilage degradation were measured by an ELISA, and urinary free deoxypyridinoline (free DPD), a marker of bone resorption, was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. One x ray evaluation of the hips and urine samples was made in all patients when the diagnosis of OA was established. RESULTS: Patients with hip OA had higher mean (SD) urinary CTX-II levels than 65 healthy age matched controls (492 (232) v 342 (141), p<0.001), but no significant difference was seen for urinary free DPD (p=0.30). Increased urinary CTX-II, but not urinary free DPD, correlated significantly with decreased minimum joint space width assessed by radiograph of the hip. Mean urinary CTX-II levels were significantly higher in patients with rapidly progressive OA than in the slowly progressive group (612 (218) v 441 (221), p=0.015), whereas no significant difference of urinary free DPD was seen between the two groups (p=0.55). CONCLUSION: Patients with hip OA have increased CTX-II degradation as assessed by a new urinary marker. Increased urinary CTX-II levels are associated with rapidly destructive disease, suggesting that this marker might be useful in identifying patients with hip OA at high risk for rapid progression of joint damage.

Adult↗

Two promoter polymorphisms regulating interleukin-6 gene expression are associated with circulating levels of C-reactive protein and markers of bone resorption in postmenopausal women.

IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays a critical role in bone resorption. We describe two allelic variants in the IL-6 promoter, -572 and -174 G-->C, that alone and in combination influence IL-6 activity in vitro and in vivo. The association of IL-6 -572 genotypes and -572/-174 G-->C haplotypes with serum C-reactive protein (CRP), serum and urinary C-terminal cross-linking of type I collagen (a marker of bone resorption), and osteocalcin (a marker of bone formation) was investigated in a cohort of healthy postmenopausal women (n = 495; mean age +/- SD, 72 +/- 5.7 yr). Among IL-6 -572 genotypes, CRP was 37% higher (P = 0.02) and urinary C-terminal cross-linking of type I collagen was 20% higher (P = 0.01) in the presence of the C allele, whereas serum osteocalcin was not different. IL-6 -572/-174 haplotypes (G/C, G/G, and C/G) were significantly associated with all biochemical markers, and additive effects of the two polymorphic loci were found. Thus, there was a significant increase in the level of CRP (up to +79%; P = 0.007) and bone resorption markers (up to +32%; P = 0.017) with a decreasing number (from four to one) of IL-6 protective alleles -572G and -174C. In addition, there was a trend for lower age-adjusted bone mineral density at the lumbar spine in subjects with less IL-6 protective alleles (up to -9.6%; P = 0.037; P = 0.08 after further adjustment for weight). In conclusion, we describe two functional polymorphisms in the IL-6 gene regulatory region associated with IL-6 activity in postmenopausal women, both systemically (CRP) and locally in bone. As such, IL-6 polymorphisms are able to influence the risk of osteoporosis as well as other chronic disorders involving IL-6 activity.

Aged↗

The type I collagen fragments ICTP and CTX reveal distinct enzymatic pathways of bone collagen degradation.

Bone resorption may generate collagen fragments such as ICTP and CTX, which can be quantified in serum and/or urine by using specific immunoassays, and which are used as clinical markers. However, the relative abundance of ICTP and CTX varies according to the type of bone pathology, suggesting that these two fragments are generated through distinct collagenolytic pathways. In this study, we analyzed the release of ICTP and CTX from bone collagen by the proteinases reported to play a role in the solubilization of bone matrix. Cathepsin K released large amounts of CTX, but did not allow a detectable release of ICTP. Conversely, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP-2, -9, -13, or -14 released ICTP, but did not allow a detectable release of CTX. Next we analyzed the release of ICTP and CTX from bone explants cultured in the presence of well-established inhibitors of these proteinases and of matrix solubilization. An inhibitor of cysteine proteinases including cathepsin K, inhibited the release of CTX, but not the release of ICTP. MMP inhibitors inhibited the release of ICTP, but also that of CTX, in agreement with the putative role of MMPs in the initiation of bone resorption in addition to matrix solubilization. Similarly the treatment of mice bearing bone metastasis with an MMP inhibitor led to a significant reduction of serum ICTP and CTX, and osteolytic lesions. We conclude that the generation of ICTP and CTX depends on different collagenolytic pathways. This finding may explain why these two markers may discriminate between different bone pathologies.

Aged↗

Relationship of early changes in bone resorption to the reduction in fracture risk with risedronate.

Changes in the level of biochemical markers of bone resorption with risedronate treatment for osteoporosis were examined as a surrogate for the decrease in fracture risk. Greater decreases in bone resorption markers were associated with greater decreases in vertebral (and nonvertebral) fractures. Antifracture efficacy of antiresorptive therapies is only partially explained by increases in bone mineral density. Early decreases in bone resorption may also play a role. We tested this hypothesis by measuring two bone resorption markers, the C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) and the N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX), in osteoporotic patients in risedronate vertebral fracture trials. We studied 693 women with at least one vertebral deformity (mean age, 69 +/- 7 years) who received calcium (and vitamin D if required) and placebo or risedronate 5 mg daily for 3 years. The reductions in urinary CTX (median, 60%) and NTX (51%) at 3-6 months with risedronate therapy were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the reduction in vertebral fracture risk (75% over 1 year and 50% over 3 years). The changes in both CTX and NTX accounted for approximately one-half (CTX, 55%; NTX, 49%) of risedronate's effect in reducing the risk of vertebral fractures in the first year and approximately two-thirds (CTX, 67%; NTX, 66%) over 3 years compared with placebo. The changes in CTX and NTX accounted for 77% and 54%, respectively, of risedronate's effect in reducing the risk of nonvertebral fractures over 3 years compared with placebo. The relationships between vertebral fracture risk and changes from baseline in CTX and NTX were not linear (p < 0.05). There was little further improvement in fracture benefit below a decrease of 55-60% for CTX and 35-40% for NTX. The decrease in bone resorption in patients taking risedronate accounts for a large proportion of the reduction in fracture risk. There may be a level of bone resorption reduction below which there is no further fracture benefit.

Aged↗

Investigation of bone disease using isomerized and racemized fragments of type I collagen.

In the collagen type I C-telopeptide an aspartyl-glycine site within the sequence AHDGGR is susceptible to molecular rearrangement. In newly synthesized collagen this site is in the native form, denoted alpha L. During aging a spontaneous reaction occurs resulting in three age-modified forms: an isomerized form (beta L) a racemized form (alpha D), and an isomerized/racemized form (beta D). In this study, we measured the urinary excretion of the four forms of C-telopeptides (CTX) in healthy adults and in patients with bone diseases. Levels of all CTX forms were higher in healthy postmenopausal women (P<0.001) compared with premenopausal controls. Levels decreased within 3 days of bisphosphonate treatment indicating that all CTX forms reflect bone resorption. In hyperthyroidism, characterized by a generalized increased bone turnover, native (alpha L) and age-modified (beta L, alpha D and beta D) forms increased to a similar extent compared to controls, resulting in normal ratios between the alpha L and age-modified forms of CTX. Conversely, in Paget's disease and prostate cancer-induced bone metastases, conditions characterized by focal increased bone turnover, alpha L CTX levels were more elevated than those of age-related CTX forms, resulting in increased ratios between native and age-modified CTX. For example, the ratio alpha L/alpha D was increased 7-fold in Paget's disease (P<0.001) and 2-fold in prostate cancer-induced bone metastases (P<0.002). In conclusion, the study suggests that in conditions with a localized alteration in bone turnover the ratio between alpha L CTX and the age-modified forms is significantly elevated. This may provide a new diagnostic and monitoring tool for diseases such as metastatic bone cancer and Paget's disease.

Adult↗

Combined calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation in elderly women: confirmation of reversal of secondary hyperparathyroidism and hip fracture risk: the Decalyos II study.

Vitamin D insufficiency and low calcium intake contribute to increase parathyroid function and bone fragility in elderly people. Calcium and vitamin D supplements can reverse secondary hyperparathyroidism thus preventing hip fractures, as proved by Decalyos I. Decalyos II is a 2-year, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled confirmatory study. The intention-to-treat population consisted of 583 ambulatory institutionalized women (mean age 85.2 years, SD = 7.1) randomized to the calcium-vitamin D3 fixed combination group (n = 199); the calcium plus vitamin D3 separate combination group (n = 190) and the placebo group (n = 194). Fixed and separate combination groups received the same daily amount of calcium (1200 mg) and vitamin D3 (800 IU), which had similar pharmacodynamic effects. Both types of calcium-vitamin D3 regimens increased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and decreased serum intact parathyroid hormone to a similar extent, with levels returning within the normal range after 6 months. In a subgroup of 114 patients, femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) decreased in the placebo group (mean = -2.36% per year, SD = 4.92), while remaining unchanged in women treated with calcium-vitamin D3 (mean = 0.29% per year, SD = 8.63). The difference between the two groups was 2.65% (95% CI = -0.44, 5.75%) with a trend in favor of the active treatment group. No significant difference between groups was found for changes in distal radius BMD and quantitative ultrasonic parameters at the os calcis. The relative risk (RR) of HF in the placebo group compared with the active treatment group was 1.69 (95% CI = 0.96, 3.0), which is similar to that found in Decalyos I (RR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.0, 2.8). Thus, these data are in agreement with those of Decalyos I and indicate that calcium and vitamin D3 in combination reverse senile secondary hyperparathyroidism and reduce both hip bone loss and the risk of hip fracture in elderly institutionalized women.

Aged↗

In vivo assessment of architecture and micro-finite element analysis derived indices of mechanical properties of trabecular bone in the radius.

Measurement of microstructural parameters of trabecular bone noninvasively in vivo is possible with high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. These measurements may prove useful in the determination of bone strength and fracture risk, but must be related to other measures of bone properties. In this study in vivo MR imaging was used to derive trabecular bone structure measures and combined with micro-finite element analysis (microFE) to determine the effects of trabecular bone microarchitecture on bone mechanical properties in the distal radius. The subjects were studied in two groups: (I) postmenopausal women with normal bone mineral density (BMD) (n = 22, mean age 58 +/- 7 years) and (II) postmenopausal women with spine or femur BMD -1 SD to -2.5 SD below young normal (n = 37, mean age 62 +/- 11 years). MR images of the distal radius were obtained at 1.5 T, and measures such as apparent trabecular bone volume fraction (App BV/TV), spacing, number and thickness (App TbSp, TbN, TbTh) were derived in regions of interest extending from the joint line to the radial shaft. The high-resolution images were also used in a micro-finite element model to derive the directional Young's moduli (E1, E2 and E3), shear moduli (G12, G23 and G13) and anisotropy ratios such as E1/E3. BMD at the distal radius, lumbar spine and hip were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone formation was assessed by serum osteocalcin and bone resorption by serum type I collagen C-terminal telopeptide breakdown products (serum CTX) and urinary CTX biochemical markers. The trabecular architecture displayed considerable anisotropy. Measures of BMD such as the ultradistal radial BMD were lower in the osteopenic group (p<0.01). Biochemical markers between the two groups were comparable in value and showed no significant difference between the two groups. App BV/TV, TbTh and TbN were higher, and App TbSp lower, in the normal group than the osteopenic group. All three directional measures of elastic and shear moduli were lower in the osteopenic group compared with the normal group. Anisotropy of trabecular bone microarchitecture, as measured by the ratios of the mean intercept length (MIL) values (MIL1/MIL3, etc.), and the anisotropy in elastic modulus (E1/E3, etc.), were greater in the osteopenic group compared with the normal group. The correlations between the measures of architecture and moduli are higher than those between elastic moduli and BMD. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that while App BV/TV is highly correlated with the mechanical properties, additional structural measures do contribute to the improved prediction of the mechanical measures. This study demonstrates the feasibility and potential of using MR imaging with microFE modeling in vivo in the study of osteoporosis.

Aged↗

Association between a functional interleukin-6 gene polymorphism and peak bone mineral density and postmenopausal bone loss in women: the OFELY study.

Genetic factors play an important role in determining bone mass and several genes are involved in this process. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a candidate gene for regulation of bone mineral density (BMD) and it has been suggested recently that novel IL-6 -174 G/C allelic variants may be associated with peak BMD in young men and with bone resorption in elderly women. In this study, we assessed the relationships between IL-6 gene polymorphism, peak BMD, rate of postmenopausal BMD loss, and bone turnover in women. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 255 healthy premenopausal women, aged 31-57 years. BMD loss at the forearm was measured over 4 years in 298 healthy untreated postmenopausal women, 50-88 years (mean 64 years). We also measured levels of serum osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase, and N-propeptide of type I collagen for bone formation and three markers of bone resorption, including urinary and serum C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen and urinary N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, in both pre- and postmenopausal women at baseline. In premenopausal women we found a significant association between IL-6 genotypes and BMD at the whole body (analysis of variance [ANOVA], p = 0.03), femoral neck (p = 0.03), trochanter (p = 0.014), Ward's triangle (p = 0.03), and total hip (p = 0.006), with subjects having the CC genotype showing 3%-7% higher BMD levels than their GG counterparts. However, after matching women with CC and GG genotypes for body height the differences decreased (2%-4%), and were no longer significant (p = 0.10-0.23). In postmenopausal women the mean rate of loss at the ultradistal radius was significantly associated with IL-6 genotypes (ANOVA, p = 0.049), with women having the CC genotype showing a significantly greater rate of bone loss (p < 0.05) compared with their GC and GG counterparts. After adjustment for weight changes, the difference in the rate of ultradistal radius bone loss between genotypes decreased and was not significant (p = 0.06 for CC vs. GG). A similar trend was observed for distal radius bone loss (p = 0.10, ANOVA), but not for the middle radius. We found no significant association between genotypes, bone turnover markers in premenopausal women, and either bone turnover or BMD in postmenopausal women. We conclude that this new functional IL-6 polymorphism was weakly associated with level of peak BMD and the rate of forearm trabecular postmenopausal bone loss in this cohort of healthy French women. IL-6 genotypes accounted only for a small proportion of the interindividual variation of both peak BMD and rate of bone loss and were not significant after adjustment for height and changes in body weight, respectively, suggesting that part of the effect may have been due to the differences in body size. Larger long-term studies are necessary to assess adequately the relationships between IL-6 genotype, rate of bone loss, and risk of fracture.

Adult↗

Addition of interleukin 1 (IL1) and IL17 soluble receptors to a tumour necrosis factor alpha soluble receptor more effectively reduces the production of IL6 and macrophage inhibitory protein-3alpha and increases that of collagen in an in vitro model of rheumatoid synoviocyte activation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of combination treatment with cytokine inhibitors. METHODS: A simplified model was set up to evaluate the effect of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) soluble receptors (sTNFR) used alone and in combination with soluble interleukin 1 receptor (sIL1R) and sIL17R on the production of markers of inflammation (IL6), of migration of dendritic cells (macrophage inhibitory protein-3alpha (MIP-3alpha)), and of matrix synthesis (C-propeptide of type 1 collagen (P1CP)). Synoviocytes were stimulated with supernatants of activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Soluble receptors (sR) were preincubated at 1 gammag/ml alone or in combination with the supernatants before addition to RA synoviocytes. IL6, MIP-3alpha, and P1CP production was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 48 hour synoviocyte supernatants. RESULTS: IL6 production decreased by 16% with sTNFR alone compared with no sTNFR (p<0.001) and by 41% with the combination of the three sR (p<0.001). MIP-3alpha production decreased by 77% with sTNFR alone compared with no sTNFR (p<0.001) and by 98% with the combination of the three sR (p<0.001). In the presence of sTNFR alone, P1CP production increased by 25% compared with no sR (p<0.01). The combination of the three sR increased P1CP production by 48% (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The effect of sTNFR on IL6, MIP-3alpha, and P1CP production by RA synoviocytes stimulated by activated PBMC supernatants was further enhanced when combined with sIL1R and sIL17R.

Adult↗

Increased bone resorption in moderate smokers with low body weight: the Minos study.

Tobacco was found to be a risk factor for osteoporosis, mainly in postmenopausal women. We studied the effect of smoking on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover in a cohort of 719 men, aged 51-85 yr, composed of 83 current smokers, 405 former smokers, and 231 men who never smoked. Most current and former smokers were moderate smokers (median, 10 cigarettes/d). Current smokers were younger, thinner, and drank more coffee and more alcoholic beverages. After adjustment for age, body weight, alcohol intake, and caffeine intake, current and former smokers had similar BMD, except at the forearm. Former smokers had lower BMD compared with never-smokers at most skeletal sites. Men who had smoked more than 7120 packs (third quartile) had lower BMD of total hip (P < 0.01) and distal forearm (P = 0.03) compared with men in the 2 lower tertiles. In the 3 groups, levels of bone formation markers did not differ. After adjustment for confounding variables, levels of urinary markers of bone resorption (beta-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide, free and total deoxypyridinoline) were higher in the current smokers than in former smokers and never-smokers. Concentrations of T, total 17beta-E2, and androstenedione were higher, whereas that of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was lower, in current smokers. When men were divided according to tertiles of body weight, increased bone resorption, decreased BMD and biochemical indexes of secondary hyperparathyroidism were observed in current smokers in the lowest tertile of body weight (<75 kg) compared with the never-smokers, but not in men in the two highest tertiles of body weight. Current smokers had a higher prevalence of vertebral deformities after adjustment for age and body weight (13% vs. 5%; P < 0.005). In summary, in moderate smokers with low body weight (<75 kg), increased bone resorption, not matched by increased bone formation, results in decreased BMD and an increased prevalence of vertebral deformities. In this group, low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and secondary hyperparathyroidism may explain, at least partly, the effect of tobacco on bone turnover. In former smokers, bone resorption is not increased, but BMD remains lower compared with that in never-smokers.

Aged↗

A routine assay for the direct analysis of HLA-DR-related shared epitope and B27 alleles in chronic inflammatory arthritis.

Knowledge of the genetic background of patients with inflammatory arthritis may be useful for disease management. The main markers are the HLA-DR-associated Shared Epitope (SE) for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and HLA-B27 for ankylosing spondylitis. We have developed a simple molecular biology-based test to provide this essential information. HLA targets are amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then simultaneously analyzed using 16 individual hybridization reactions in two 8-well ELISA strips with colorimetric detection. Concordance was evaluated using a cohort of RA patients with known genotype. Using this new assay, 100% concordance was observed with conventional genotyping in RA patients both for HLA-DR SE and B27 genotypes. Seventy-three percent of the patients with destructive RA had at least one susceptible allele within SE, compared to 38% of those patients with non-destructive disease. This new assay, which requires minute amount of blood, could be used to determine the genetic background of inflammatory arthritis, particularly in non-specialized settings and for large-scale clinical trials.

Adolescent↗