Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Shoichi Ichimura

Publications and source records attributed to Shoichi Ichimura.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Comparative effects of treatment with etidronate and alendronate on bone resorption, back pain, and activities of daily living in elderly women with vertebral fractures.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of treatment with etidronate and alendronate on bone resorption, back pain, and activities of daily living (ADL) in elderly women with vertebral fractures. Fifty elderly women, 63-84 years of age, with back pain due to osteoporotic vertebral fractures were randomly divided into two groups with 25 patients in each group: the cyclical etidronate treatment group (200 mg/day for 2 weeks per 3 months) and the alendronate treatment group (5 mg/day). The level of urinary cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx) measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, back pain evaluated with the face scale score, and the ADL score (disability) determined with a questionnaire were assessed before and 3 and 6 months after the start of treatment. No significant differences in these parameters were found between the two groups before the treatment. The urinary NTx level, the face scale score, and the ADL score decreased significantly in both groups. Although the reduction in the urinary NTx level was significantly greater in the alendronate group than in the etidronate group, the reduction in the face scale score was transiently significantly greater in the etidronate group than in the alendronate group. However, changes in the ADL score did not significantly differ between the two groups. The present study showed that although back pain was reduced and ADL was improved in both treatment groups of elderly women with vertebral fractures, the mechanism for the reduction in back pain differs to some extent between the two treatment groups. A double-blind placebo-controlled study is needed to confirm the therapeutic effects of these agents on back pain and deterioration of ADL.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2002

Increased bone resorption with decreased activity and increased recruitment of osteoblasts in osteogenesis imperfecta type I.

An iliac bone biopsy from an adult male, 58 years of age, with osteogenesis imperfecta type I was studied by bone histomorphometry after double-fluorescence labeling with tetracycline. Low bone mineral density (BMD) of the radius, measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was associated with high levels of urinary deoxypyridinoline and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin. At the tissue level, low cancellous bone volume (BV/TV) was associated with increased eroded surface (ES/BS) and a relatively increased osteoclast number (N.Oc/BS). Osteoid thickness (O.Th) was also decreased as a result of decreased bone matrix synthesis, in terms of decreased osteoblastic activity. However, osteoid surface (OS/BS) and osteoblast surface (ObS/BS), in terms of the number of osteoblasts, were increased. We conclude that the patient showed cancellous osteopenia, which was likely due to increased bone resorption with decreased activity and increased recruitment of osteoblasts.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2002

Transient relief of metastatic cancer bone pain by oral administration of etidronate.

The aims of the present study were to determine whether patients with painful bone metastases from primary cancer sites showed a higher level of a bone resorption marker than those with no evidence of skeletal-related events, and to clarify the efficacy of oral administration of etidronate for pain due to bone metastases and bone resorption. Thirty outpatients with cancer were recruited: 10 with pain due to bone metastasis from the primary cancer site; lung (4), prostate (3), and breast (3) (M group), and 20 with primary cancer of the stomach (11), colon (4), breast (3), lung (1), and bladder (1) with no such evidence of skeletal-related events (non-M group). None of the patients in the M group either needed morphine for pain relief or had hypercalcemia, although all of them had been taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). During the study, they continued taking NSAIDs, as they had before the study. The level of urinary cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx) at baseline was significantly higher in the M group than in the non-M group ( P < 0.01). Oral administration of etidronate (400 mg/day for 2 weeks) to patients in the M group significantly reduced bone pain 2 and 12 weeks after the start of treatment; however, the pain relief effect was diminished 12 weeks after the start of treatment, despite a significant decrease in urinary NTx level ( P < 0.05 by one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA] with repeated measurements). The present study provides evidence suggesting that patients with painful bone metastases from primary cancer sites may have a higher level of urinary NTx than those with no evidence of skeletal-related events, and that oral administration of etidronate at the dose we used may have the potential to transiently relieve their bone pain by decreasing abnormally raised bone resorption. Although the present study had a small sample size, and had no placebo controls, the results may be useful, especially as they raise additional questions that could stimulate further research in Japan.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

Effect of decreased physical activity on bone mass in exercise-trained young rats.

The aim of this study was to determine whether decreased physical activity in exercise-trained young rats would result in a lower rate of bone gain or a reversal of the benefits of exercise. Thirty-five female Wistar rats, 6 weeks of age, were randomized into seven groups: 7 weeks of exercise (7EX), 7 weeks of sedentary control (7CN), 11 weeks of exercise (11EX), 7 weeks of exercise followed by 4 weeks of exercise cessation (7EX4C), 7 weeks of exercise followed by 4 weeks of decreased exercise frequency (7EX4F), 7 weeks of exercise followed by 4 weeks of decreased exercise intensity (7EX4I), and 11 weeks of sedentary control (11CN). The running intensity (speed) and duration were 25 m/min for 60 min/day at a frequency of 5 days/week. During the last 4 weeks, exercise frequency was reduced to 1 day/week in the 11EX4F group, and exercise intensity (speed) was reduced to 12 m/min in the 7EX4I group. After each period of exercise, the bone mineral content (BMC) of the proximal, middle, and distal tibiae, determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), was significantly greater in the 7EX and 11EX groups than in the 7CN and 11CN groups, respectively, but it was significantly lower in the 7EX4C group than in the 11EX group and did not differ significantly from the values of the 11CN group. Although the BMC of the proximal and middle tibiae did not differ significantly among the 7EX4F, 7EX4I, 7EX4C, and 11CN groups, the BMC of the distal tibia was significantly greater in the 7EX4F and 7EX4I groups than in the 11CN group and tended to be greater than in the 7EX4C group. The results of this study suggest that the effect of decreased exercise intensity and frequency on bone mass appears to be site specific in the tibia of the exercise-trained young rats. This study shows that exercise-trained young rats lose the benefits gained from exercise when exercise is completely ceased, resulting in the reduction of bone mass to levels that do not differ significantly from those of sedentary controls. At least, continuous exercise appears to be necessary for the maintenance of high bone mass.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2002

Forearm bone mineral density in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The aims of the present study were to determine whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) show significantly lower forearm bone mineral density (BMD) than sex- and age-matched healthy controls, and to identify significant factors that are associated with their BMD loss. One hundred eighty-four patients with RA and 185 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study: 71 men 37-68 years of age (RA, 31; controls, 40), 129 premenopausal women 30-48 years of age (RA, 67; controls, 62), and 169 postmenopausal women 48-69 years of age (RA, 86; controls, 83). The correlation of forearm BMD, measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry with anatomic grade in the wrist, functional class, duration of disease, steroid use, modified health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) score for the upper and lower extremities, levels of serum C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and years since menopause (YSM) were examined by multiple regression analysis. In men with RA, no clinical factors were significantly correlated with forearm BMD, and the BMD did not differ significantly from that in controls (0.329 +/- 0.060 [mean +/- SD] vs. 0.351 +/- 0.069 g/cm(2)). In premenopausal women with RA, the HAQ score for the upper extremities was positively correlated with forearm BMD ( P < 0.05), but the BMD did not differ significantly from that in controls (0.298 +/- 0.085 vs. 0.324 +/- 0.088 g/cm(2)); in postmenopausal women with RA, YSM and anatomic grade in the wrist were negatively correlated with forearm BMD ( P < 0.01 and P < 0.05), and the BMD was significantly lower than in controls (0.192 +/- 0.063 vs. 0.223 +/- 0.076 g/cm(2), P < 0.01). These findings suggest that forearm BMD loss in patients with RA may be accelerated in women after menopause, and that YSM and disuse of the wrist may be significant determinants of their forearm BMD loss.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2002

Effects of 5-year treatment with elcatonin and alfacalcidol on lumbar bone mineral density and the incidence of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: a retrospective study.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the effects of long-term treatment (5 years) with elcatonin and alfacalcidol on bone mineral density (BMD) and the incidence of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Fifty-six osteoporotic women, more than 5 years after menopause and 58-79 years of age, were enrolled in the study and allocated to an elcatonin treatment group (20 units IM, weekly; n = 30) or an alfacalcidol treatment group (1 micro g/day, daily; n = 26). BMD of the lumbar spine (L2-L4) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and every year for 5 years. There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, years since menopause, BMD, or number of prevalent vertebral fractures at baseline between the two groups. One-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements showed no significant longitudinal changes in BMD in either group, suggesting that both treatments sustained the BMD over 5 years. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements also showed no significant differences in longitudinal changes in BMD between the two groups, suggesting that the effects of the two treatments on BMD were similar. However, the number of incident vertebral fractures per patient was significantly lower in the alfacalcidol treatment group than in the elcatonin treatment group (0.80 +/- 1.19 and 2.08 +/- 2.73, respectively; P < 0.05). These findings indicate that both treatments appeared to sustain lumbar BMD similarly over a 5-year period in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, but alfacalcidol treatment may be superior to elcatonin treatment regarding the incidence of vertebral fractures. Further study with prospective observations are needed to confirm the results of the present study.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Relationships among physical activity, metacarpal bone mass, and bone resorption marker in 70 healthy adult males.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationships among physical activity, metacarpal bone mineral density (BMD), and bone resorption marker in healthy active adult men. Seventy healthy men (mean age, 68.4 years, range, 48-85 years) were recruited. The metacarpal BMD of the nondominant hand was measured by computed X-ray densitometry, and the levels of urinary cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx), as a marker of bone resorption, were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationships among BMD, urinary NTx levels, and activities in leisure time and at work were examined. BMD was 2.77 +/-0.48 (mean+/- SD; range, 1.54-3.60) mmAl, and NTx levels were 44.9 +/-21.0 (range, 11.7 - 91.0) nmol BCE/mmol creatinine. Single regression analysis showed that BMD was significantly correlated with NTx levels and activity at work (r = - 0.331 and P < 0.01; r = 0.468 and P < 0.05, respectively), while NTx levels were significantly correlated with activities in leisure time and at work (r = -0.250 and P < 0.01; r = -0.325 and P < 0.01, respectively). NTx levels were decreased and BMD were increased with higher activity at work. The present study shows that increased physical activity as a result of hard work may have the potential to decrease bone resorption and increase BMD in healthy adult men.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2002

Forearm bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis of the knee.

The aims of the present study were to clarify whether postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee show higher bone mineral density (BMD) than healthy controls, and to investigate the relationship between BMD and the Kellgren and Lawrence radiological grade in postmenopausal women with OA of the knee. A total of 674 postmenopausal women, 46-90 years of age, were enrolled in the study: 305 patients with OA of the knee and 369 healthy controls. Forearm (distal radius) BMD, measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptionetry (DXA), using a DTX-200 (Osteometer), was significantly higher in the OA group than in the control group (P < 0.001), even when adjusted for age, height, body weight, body mass index, years since menopause, and grip strength (P < 0.01). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Fisher's protected least significant difference (PLSD) test showed that BMD in radiological grades 2, 3, and 4 was significantly higher than that in grade 1 (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, and P < 0.05, respectively), and BMD in grade 3 was significantly higher than that in grade 2 (P < 0.01), but BMD in grade 4 was significantly lower than that in grade 3 (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that forearm BMD appears to be significantly higher in postmenopausal women with OA of the knee than in healthy controls. Although BMD may be increased in low to moderate radiological grades of OA, severe grade OA may not always develop from moderate grade OA. Some cases of severe grade OA may be associated with low BMD.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Beneficial effect of etidronate on bone loss after cessation of exercise in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether etidronate could prevent or restore bone loss after cessation of exercise in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. DESIGN: Thirty-five postmenopausal osteoporotic women were studied. Exercise consisted of daily brisk walking and gymnastic training. The changes in the lumbar bone mineral density measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry were assessed. RESULTS: One or two years of exercise increased the bone mineral density from the baseline. One year of cessation of exercise after 1 yr of exercise resulted in the loss of the bone mineral density gained through exercise. Two years of cyclical etidronate treatment from year 2 sustained the bone mineral density during 2 yr of cessation of exercise in the preventative etidronate treatment group and completely restored the loss of bone mineral density after 1 yr of cessation of exercise in the therapeutic etidronate treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclical etidronate treatment, when exercise is discontinued, seems to be beneficial for the prevention or restoration of bone loss after cessation of exercise in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. Although the present study has a small sample size, the results may be interesting, especially because they raise additional questions that could stimulate further research.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2002

Endodermal cyst of the cervical spine treated by an anterior approach for resection and shunting.

In most reported cases, a posterior approach to the cervical spine was used to remove an endodermal cyst or to place a shunt for cyst drainage. The authors performed partial excision, shunt insertion, and anterior spinal fusion in a patient with endodermal cyst of the cervical spine. Symptoms resolved after surgery and magnetic resonance images indicated morphologic restoration of the spinal cord.

Adult↗