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Iron-oxide-enhanced MR imaging of bone marrow in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: differentiation between tumor infiltration and hypercellular bone marrow.

The aim of this study was to differentiate normal, hypercellular, and neoplastic bone marrow based on its MR enhancement after intravenous administration of superparamagnetic iron oxides in patients with cancer of the hematopoietic system. Eighteen patients with cancer of the hematopoietic system underwent MRI of the spine before and after infusion of ferumoxides ( n=9) and ferumoxtran ( n=9) using T1- and T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) and short tau inversion recovery sequences (STIR). In all patients diffuse or multifocal bone marrow infiltration was suspected, based on iliac crest biopsy and imaging such as conventional radiographs, MRI, and positron emission tomography. In addition, all patients had a therapy-induced normocellular ( n=7) or hypercellular ( n=11) reconversion of the normal non-neoplastic bone marrow. The MRI data were analyzed by measuring pre- and post-contrast signal intensities (SI) of hematopoietic and neoplastic marrow and by calculating the enhancement as deltaSI(%) data and the tumor-to-bone-marrow contrast as contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR). Changes in bone marrow signal intensity after iron oxide administration were more pronounced on STIR images as compared with T1- and T2-weighted TSE images. The STIR images showed a strong signal decline of normal and hypercellular marrow 45-60 min after iron oxide infusion, but no or only a minor signal decline of neoplastic bone marrow lesions; thus, deltaSI% data were significantly higher in normal and hypercellular reconverted marrow compared with neoplastic bone marrow lesions ( p<0.05). Additionally, the contrast between focal or multifocal neoplastic bone marrow infiltration and normal bone marrow, quantified by CNR data, increased significantly on post-contrast STIR images compared with precontrast images ( p<0.05). Superparamagnetic iron oxides are taken up by normal and hypercellular reconverted bone marrow, but not by neoplastic bone marrow lesions, thereby providing significantly different enhancement patterns on T2-weighted MR images; thus, superparamagnetic iron oxides are useful to differentiate normal and neoplastic bone marrow and to increase the bone marrow-to-tumor contrast.

Adult↗

[18F-FDG PET and bone scintigraphy to search for bone metastasis of lung cancer].

Initial staging of lung cancer is essential to determine the appropriate therapeutic strategy. 18F-FDG PET is currently considered to be the gold standard. 99mTc bisphonate bone scintigraphy has long been indicated to search for bone metastases but it is not know whether this exploration adds further information after an 18F-FDG PET scan. In order to answer this question, two observers unaware of the clinical situation reread PET scans and bone scintigraphies and results compared with other imaging findings. Between February 2001 and March 2004, 39 patients (13F, 26M, 62 +/- 11 yr) underwent 18FFDG PET and bone scintigraphy (mean interval 17 +/- 17 d). When the two explorations agreed for the diagnosis of bone extension, we considered that bone scintigraphy added nothing. When the two explorations were in disagreement, the other imaging examinations, the clinical features and laboratory results during the five-month minimal follow-up were used to establish the reference diagnosis. 18F-FDG PET and bone scintigraphy were in agreement in 29 patients (74%) with positive results in 12 (31%) and negative results in 17 (43%). The two explorations were in disagreement in 10 patients (26%). Among the five disagreement cases with positive bone scintigraphy and no bone anomaly on the 18F-FDG PET, the anomalies were benign and explained by clinical features (3 patients) or were not confirmed by the clinical course and laboratory results (2 patients). Among the 5 cases with a bone anomaly on the 18F FDG PET, no metastasis could be identified during clinical follow-up. Bone scintigraphy does not enable identification of any bone metastases which were not recognized on the PET scan and therefore should not be performed systematically. Using a computed tomography scan with the 18F-FDG PET could further limit the contribution of bone scintigraphy by providing more precision concerning foci identified on the PET scan.

Aged↗

Assessment of cancellous bone quality in severe osteoarthrosis: bone mineral density, mechanics, and microdamage.

The role of bone microdamage (microscopic cracks or microcracks and ultrastructural collagen matrix and bone mineral damage) in diseases such as osteoarthrosis and osteoporosis is poorly understood. Microdamage accumulation in vivo is influenced by age and cyclic loading, therefore, it would be useful if the burden of microdamage in bone could be assessed by noninvasive measures such as the radiological measurement of bone mineral density (BMD). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between BMD, compressive strength and stiffness, and microdamage in the cancellous bone of the proximal femur in patients with severe osteoarthrosis. Trabecular bone core samples, from the intertrochanteric region of the femur, were obtained from 34 patients, with a mean age of 70.3 +/- 11.1 years, undergoing total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthrosis. Cores selected from contact X-ray images were used for BMD measurement, compressive mechanical testing or left untested (uncrushed), en bloc staining for microdamage, and bone histomorphometry. The study shows a strong dependence of both the elastic modulus and ultimate failure stress of the bone samples on BMD and a significant relationship between the elastic modulus and trabecular anisotropy (Tr. An). In multiple linear regression, BMD and Tr. An together account for about 70% of the variance in the elastic modulus. Then including microcrack crack density (Cr.Dn) and damage volume fraction (DxV/BV) variables, Tr. An alone accounts for a relatively small amount of the variation (8.5%) in ultimate failure stress and elastic modulus. The Cr.Dn accounts for more of the variation in the ultimate failure stress than in the elastic modulus (50% vs. 7%). In this experiment, data for Cr.Dn provide a measure of damage associated with the ultimate failure of cancellous bone. In specimens that were not mechanically tested, in vivo microcrack accumulation increases exponentially with age. In conclusion, data from this study suggest that BMD and Cr.Dn are the major determinants of cancellous bone strength, whereas BMD and Tr. An are major determinants of cancellous bone stiffness. In bone specimens subjected to compressive testing there was no relationship between microdamage and BMD, suggesting that BMD cannot be used to monitor changes in the mechanical properties of bone due to microdamage accumulation.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Prospective 10-year study of the determinants of bone density and bone loss in normal postmenopausal women, including the effect of hormone replacement therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess bone density and the factors determining the rate of bone loss over a 10-year period of postmenopausal life. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. METHODS: One hundred and four normal White postmenopausal women, baseline mean age 59 years (range 47-71 years) completed the study (mean duration of follow-up 10.2 years, range 9.4-10.6 years). None had diseases or were taking medications affecting bone metabolism at entry to the study. Information was collected on medical, fracture and smoking history, alcohol use, dietary calcium intake and physical activity. Body composition and bone density were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and at 10 years. Biochemical, haematological and hormonal analyses were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of the women started hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during the study period; most of these remained on therapy at follow-up. The mean duration of therapy was 6.6 years (range 2.8-10.4 years). The use of HRT was associated with significant gains in bone density (total body + 3.0%, trochanter + 4.2%, Ward's triangle + 4.4%, spine + 10.5%) and a significant reduction in vertebral fracture risk [standardized risk ratio compared with non-HRT users 0.42 (confidence interval 0.18-0.83)]. HRT use was not associated with greater weight gain than that occurring in other members of the cohort. The baseline and follow-up bone densities in the non-HRT users were highly correlated (0.82 < or = r < or = 0.91, P < or = 0.0001) and baseline bone density accounted for the majority of the variance in the 10-year results. Multivariate analyses showed that the independent correlates of rate of change of bone density were weight and fat mass (both baseline values and changes during follow-up), time after menopause, sex hormone concentrations, urinary calcium loss, PTH levels and haemoglobin concentration (which may reflect nutrition and health). CONCLUSIONS: Bone density is highly predictable over an extended period of time in normal postmenopausal women. Maintenance of body weight and good health reduce bone loss. HRT is effective for treating osteoporosis, with improvement in bone density and reduction in vertebral fractures. Good compliance with HRT long-term is achievable. These findings are relevant to deciding the frequency of bone density measurement, and in advising women regarding prevention and treatment of postmenopausal bone loss.

Aged↗

Freeze-dried irradiated bone brittleness improves compactness in an impaction bone grafting model.

BACKGROUND: Defatted bone chips with or without freeze-drying and irradiation have mechanical advantages as compared to fresh-frozen controls in in vitro models of impaction. These improved results have been ascribed to replacement of viscous bone marrow by saline and embrittlement of the freeze-dried bone by irradiation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To determine which of these hypotheses is correct, we compared the development of stiffness and compactness of morselized bone graft that had been: 1) fat-reduced with saline, and 2) fresh-frozen, solvent-detergent defatted, 3) freeze-dried irradiated and 4) not irradiated. We used 12 osteoarthrotic femoral heads to prepare these four batches of morselized bone, and impacted 18 samples from each batch in a cylinder. The frozen bone grafts were tested after thawing at room temperature for 2 hours and the freeze-dried grafts were tested after 30 minutes of rehydration. We monitored the development of compactness and stiffness of the material during impaction. RESULTS: The stiffness of the freeze-dried irradiated bone was greater than that of the other three series after 10, 50 and 150 impactions. The freeze-dried bone chips that were not irradiated and the chips defatted with saline alone were less stiff than the fresh-frozen control after 150 impactions. INTERPRETATION: The brittleness of freeze-dried irradiated bone, caused by loss of the capacity to absorb energy in a plastic way, increases the compactness and stiffness of the morselized grafts. Washing bone with saline alone or treating bone with solvent-detergent but no irradiation had no similar mechanical advantage and the bone did not impact better than fresh-frozen undefatted bone in our model.

Aged↗

IL-1beta induces and TGF-beta reduces vitamin D3-induced bone resorption in mouse calvarial bone cells.

Bone cells produce multiple growth factors and cytokines that have effects on bone metabolism and can be incorporated into the bone matrix. The present study was designed to extend these observations by examining the interactions between transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) or interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and bone cells in a rat long bone culture model. IL-1beta regulates several activities of the osteoblast cells derived from rat long bone explants in vitro. IL-1beta stimulated cellular proliferation and the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 and plasminogen activator activity in the cultured cells in a dose-dependent manner. TGF-B is present in the bone matrix and potentially can be released during bone resorption. TGF-beta reduced basal bone resorption and inhibited vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]-induced bone resorption in rat long bone cells. These studies support the role of IL-1beta in the pathological modulation of bone cell metabolism, with regard to implication in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis by IL-1beta, and that TGF-beta is positively inhibiting the bone resorption.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Enhancement of osteoclastic bone resorption and suppression of osteoblastic bone formation in response to reduced mechanical stress do not occur in the absence of osteopontin.

Reduced mechanical stress to bone in bedridden patients and astronauts leads to bone loss and increase in fracture risk which is one of the major medical and health issues in modern aging society and space medicine. However, no molecule involved in the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon has been identified to date. Osteopontin (OPN) is one of the major noncollagenous proteins in bone matrix, but its function in mediating physical-force effects on bone in vivo has not been known. To investigate the possible requirement for OPN in the transduction of mechanical signaling in bone metabolism in vivo, we examined the effect of unloading on the bones of OPN(-/-) mice using a tail suspension model. In contrast to the tail suspension-induced bone loss in wild-type mice, OPN(-/-) mice did not lose bone. Elevation of urinary deoxypyridinoline levels due to unloading was observed in wild-type but not in OPN(-/-) mice. Analysis of the mechanisms of OPN deficiency-dependent reduction in bone on the cellular basis resulted in two unexpected findings. First, osteoclasts, which were increased by unloading in wild-type mice, were not increased by tail suspension in OPN(-/-) mice. Second, measures of osteoblastic bone formation, which were decreased in wild-type mice by unloading, were not altered in OPN(-/-) mice. These observations indicate that the presence of OPN is a prerequisite for the activation of osteoclastic bone resorption and for the reduction in osteoblastic bone formation in unloaded mice. Thus, OPN is a molecule required for the bone loss induced by mechanical stress that regulates the functions of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

Amino Acids↗

Usual dietary isoflavone intake, bone mineral density, and bone metabolism in postmenopausal women.

Clinical trials of isoflavone supplementation and bone density have been of relatively short duration and yielded inconsistent results. Few studies examined the effects of usual dietary isoflavone intake on bone density, and none examined the effects on markers of bone turnover. This cross-sectional study examines the association of usual, unsupplemented dietary soy intake with bone density at the lumbar spine and hip and markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women. Participants were 208 postmenopausal Southern California women aged 45-74 years. Information on behavioral and lifestyle factors was obtained, and dietary intake of isoflavones over the past year was assessed with a standardized questionnaire. Bone density was measured at the spine and hip with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Urinary type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptides (N-Tx) and pyridinium cross-links (PYR), both markers of bone resorption, and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), a marker of bone formation, were assayed. After adjustment for age and obesity, women with the highest daily intake of dietary genistein had N-Tx concentrations 18% lower than those of women who reported no daily genistein consumption (mean 37.29 vs. 45.44, respectively, p = 0.01). After adjustment for all covariates, there were trends toward significant differences in N-Tx (p = 0.09) and spine bone density (p = 0.07), whereby women with the highest level of isoflavone consumption had greater bone density at the spine. These results suggest that usual, unsupplemented dietary isoflavone consumption may be protective against bone loss in postmenopausal women through a reduction in bone resorption.

Aged↗

Effect of exercise on bone density in distal regions of the equine third metacarpal bone in 2-year-old thoroughbreds.

The present study addressed the question of whether training induces changes in bone density in the younger racehorse in regions relevant to the genesis of the common sagittal condylar fracture pattern and, if so, the nature of such alteration. Third metacarpal bones (McIII) were obtained from 12 experimental Thoroughbred, unbroken fillies, age 18.1-21.0 months at entry to the study. Six (Group E) undertook 19 weeks of progressive high intensity exercise on a high-speed treadmill at 3% incline. Six (Group C) walked 40 min each day. Clinical bone density was studied by Computed Tomography (CT) of the right McIII. 1:1 aspects of bone density were studied by digital radiography of slices and microscopic aspects by backscattered electron (BSE) imaging. There was a distinct pattern of regional variation in bone density throughout the distal condyles of McIII. Bone density was greater in specimens from Group E than those from Group C by CT, by radiographic density and by bone volume fraction as determined from backscattered electron images: the latter also showed that the most important change was in the increased amount of bone deposited within antecedent marrow space in cancellous tissue in Group E compared with Group C, with more extensive regional involvement in the highly loaded (distopalmar) aspects of the medial and lateral condyles. However, this space-filling bone fraction had a lower degree of mineralisation than the prior bone tissue, showing that CT and radiography underestimate the resultant increased bone volume fraction. Stress fractures of the distal condyles of the McIII are common in Thoroughbred racehorses. We propose that excess stiffening within the condyles due to extensive new bone formation may lead to concentration of strain at the condylar grooves and incipient cracking through calcified cartilage and into the subchondral bone.

Animals↗

Relation of common allelic variation at vitamin D receptor locus to bone mineral density and postmenopausal bone loss: cross sectional and longitudinal population study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether common allelic variation at the vitamin D receptor locus is related to bone mineral density and postmenopausal bone loss. DESIGN: Cross sectional and longitudinal population study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic in research centre. SUBJECTS: 599 healthy women aged 27 to 72 and 125 women with low bone mass aged 55-77 had bone mineral density measured once in the cross sectional study. 136 women aged 45-54 were followed up for 18 years in the longitudinal study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bone mineral density measured at the lumbar spine, hip, and forearm and rate of bone loss at different times over 18 years in relation to vitamin D receptor genotype as defined by the endonucleases ApaI, EsmI, and TaqI. RESULTS: Vitamin D receptor genotype was not related to bone mineral density at any site. The maximum difference between homozygotes was 1.3% (P = 0.33, n = 723). Women with low bone mineral density had almost the same genotype frequencies as the women with normal bone mineral densities. Vitamin D receptor genotype was not related to early postmenopausal bone loss from age 51 to 53 (mean (SD) total loss at the lower forearm -3.6% (3.6%)), late postmenopausal bone loss from age 63 to 69 (at the hip-6.2% (8.7%)), or to long term postmenopausal loss from age 51 to 69 (at the lower forearm-24.5% (11.4%)). CONCLUSION: Common allelic variation at the vitamin D receptor locus as defined by the endonucleases ApaI, EsmI, and TaqI is related neither to bone mineral density nor to the rate of bone loss in healthy postmenopausal Danish women.

Adult↗

The effect of calcium-regulating hormones and prostaglandins on bone resorption by osteoclasts disaggregated from neonatal rabbit bones.

It has previously only been possible to assess osteoclastic bone resorption in intact bone, where other cell types may modify or mediate osteoclastic responses to environmental agents. We have recently developed techniques which enable us to measure bone resorption by osteoclasts extracted from bone and have used these techniques to assess the effects of prostaglandins (PGs) and calcium-regulating hormones on bone resorption by these cells. Osteoclasts were mechanically disaggregated from neonatal rabbit long bones and cultured on slices of devitalized cortical bone for 8 or 24 h. After this time, osteoclasts were associated with the appearance in the scanning electron microscope of characteristic resorption pits, the volume of which was calculated by computer-assisted morphometric and stereophotogrammetric techniques after removal of cells. Salmon calcitonin inhibited osteoclastic bone resorption at concentrations of 1 pg/ml and above, while PTH and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were without significant effect. This suggests that the latter hormones do not increase bone resorption in intact bone through a direct effect on osteoclasts. PGI2, PGE1, and PGE2, all of which are known to stimulate resorption when added to intact bone, paradoxically reduced resorption in our cultures. It appears likely that PGs act as direct inhibitors of osteoclastic bone resorption but have an additional effect on other cells in bone, which are induced by PGs to cause osteoclastic stimulation.

Alprostadil↗

In vitro degradation of bone particles by human monocytes is decreased with the depletion of the vitamin K-dependent bone protein from the matrix.

The bone vitamin K-dependent protein osteocalcin has been suggested to play a role in bone resorption. By administering sodium warfarin to rats, it is possible to inhibit the vitamin K-dependent addition of the their gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues to osteocalcin. This results in reduced amounts of osteocalcin bone, probably because devoid of the calcium-binding Gla residues, the protein no longer accumulates in bone. Preparations of bone obtained from rats treated with sodium warfarin for 6 weeks contained only 0.2% of normal levels of osteocalcin and were 90% reduced in the concentration of Gla. This bone could not be degraded by human monocytes in vitro as well as control bone (only 54% of control; P less than 0.003). Defects in the movement of cells to the bone were documented by phase contrast microscopy. Only 60% as many monocytes attached to the osteocalcin-depleted bone as to control bone in an in vitro attachment assay. These effects do not appear to be related to direct cellular toxicity. The degradation of bone in this in vitro system appears to be dependent on the osteocalcin content in matrix. This may result from defective movement of cells to bone and/or attachment to the bone.

Animals↗

Direct and sex-specific enhancement of bone formation and calcification by sex steroids in fetal mice long bone in vitro (biochemical and morphometric study.

The study was carried out to examine the direct effect of the sex hormones 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and testosterone on the modeling of cultured fetal mouse long bones separated according to their sex. The culture system used allowed for the simultaneous assessment of bone growth, mineralization, and resorption on each bone. Bones from 16-day-old male and female mouse fetuses were cultured in BGJ medium, supplemented with either 10% fetal calf serum or 4 mg/ml BSA (serum-free medium) for 48 h. The bones were harvested, and their length; the length of their diaphyses; their hydroxyproline, calcium, and phosphorus contents; and their 45Ca release were measured. Histomorphometric analyses on midlongitudinal sections of bones from parallel experiments were also performed. The results indicate that in medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, E2 had a dose-dependent stimulatory effect on bone formation and mineralization at 10(-7) and 10(-9) M, with no effect on bone resorption. This effect was specific to bones from female mice and to E2, since 17-alpha-estradiol had no effect. Testosterone had similar effects specific to bones from male mice, resulting in the stimulation of bone formation and mineralization at 10(-7)- and 10(-9)-M concentrations. These effects were absent when serum-free medium was used. E2 and testosterone had an anabolic effect on endochondral and periosteal bone formation and mineralization, but no effect on bone resorption. This effect is dependent on the presence of a serum factor(s).

Animals↗

Effects of an excess and a deficiency of endogenous parathyroid hormone on volumetric bone mineral density and bone geometry determined by peripheral quantitative computed tomography in female subjects.

Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) is useful for evaluating volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) as well as bone mineral density (BMD) of cortical and trabecular bones separately. Although PTH affects cortical and trabecular bones differently, the effects of endogenous PTH on vBMD and bone geometry have not previously been examined with pQCT. We, therefore, investigated the effects of an excess and a deficiency of endogenous PTH on bone by employing dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and pQCT in 36 female patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (hyper), nine female patients with idiopathic or postoperative hypoparathyroidism (hypo), and 100 normal controls matched to age, gender, and body size (cont). Lumbar BMD by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was higher in the order: hypo > cont = hyper, and radius-1/3 BMD was significantly higher in the order: hypo > cont > hyper. The area of radius-1/3 was significantly higher in hyper than in cont. As for pQCT, trabecular vBMD was significantly higher in the order: hypo > cont > hyper at the 4% site (hypo, 157.5 +/- 36.7 mg/cm(3); cont, 123.4 +/- 47.5 mg/cm(3); hyper, 98.4 +/- 41.7 mg/cm(3)). Cortical vBMD was higher in the order: hypo > cont > hyper at the 20% site (hypo, 1141.1 +/- 53.1 mg/cm(3); cont, 1090.2 +/- 72.9 mg/cm(3); hyper, 1038.6 +/- 89.1 mg/cm(3)). Total bone area and endosteal and periosteal circumferences were significantly higher in hyper than in cont and hypo. Cortical area and thickness were higher in the order: hypo > cont > hyper. Bone strength indices were not significantly different among the three groups. In conclusion, vBMD evaluation revealed that an excess of endogenous PTH was catabolic for both cortical and trabecular bones, and that bone mass (especially trabecular bone mass) was preserved under a condition of deficient endogenous PTH. An excess of endogenous PTH stimulated periosteal bone formation, which might partly compensate for a decrease in bone strength induced by low BMD.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Different responsiveness of alveolar and tibial bone to bone loss stimuli.

UNLABELLED: Mandibular and systemic bone loss are poorly associated. We compared the effect of isocaloric protein undernutrition and/or ovariectomy on BMD and microstructure of mandibular alveolar and proximal tibia sites in adult rats. Mandibular bone was significantly less affected. INTRODUCTION: Whether mandibular bone and axial or peripheral skeleton respond similarly to systemic bone loss remains a subject of controversy. We have previously shown that mechanical loading during mastication influences bone mass and architecture of the mandibular alveolar bone. Isocaloric protein undernutrition and ovariectomy are known to cause bone loss and deterioration of bone microarchitecture at various axial and peripheral skeletal sites. We studied how the mandible, which is subjected to heavy, abrupt, and intermittent forces during mastication, responds to low-protein intake and/or ovariectomy and compared this response to that of the proximal tibia in adult rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four 6-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent transabdominal ovariectomy (OVX; n=22) or sham operation (n=22) and were pair-fed isocaloric diets containing either 15% or 2.5% casein (sham 15%, n=11; sham 2.5%, n=11; OVX 15%, n=11; and OVX 2.5%, n=11) for 16 weeks. BMD and bone microarchitecture parameters (e.g., bone volume fraction [BV/TV] and trabecular thickness and number) of the mandible and the proximal tibia were measured at the end of the experiment using DXA and microCT. RESULTS: Mandibular alveolar bone was negatively influenced by both protein undernutrition and OVX, but to a significantly lesser extent than the proximal tibia. In sham-operated animals, low-protein intake led to a 17.3% reduction of BV/TV in the mandible and 84.6% in the tibia (p<0.001). In normal protein diet-fed animals, OVX led to a reduction of BV/TV of 4.9% in the mandible but 82% in the tibia (p<0.001). In the mandible, protein undernutrition resulted in thinner trabeculae (p<0.05), whereas OVX led to a reduction of trabecular number (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular alveolar bone was found to be less sensitive to either protein undernutrition or OVX than the proximal tibia spongiosa. We hypothesize that the mechanical loading of the alveolar process during mastication may protect the alveolar bone from the detrimental effects observed in other skeletal sites, such as the proximal tibia. Morphological and embryological differences between the two skeletal sites might also play a role.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗

A new synthetic steroid, osaterone acetate (TZP-4238), increases cortical bone mass and strength by enhancing bone formation in ovariectomized rats.

A new synthetic steroid, 17 alpha-acetoxy-chloro-2-oxa-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (osaterone acetate, TZP-4238), has a potent antiandrogenic and gestagenic action with virtually no estrogenic and androgenic activity in their classical target organs. In the present study, the effects of TZP-4238 on the structure, strength, and turnover of the rat long bones were examined. Female Wistar rats at 12 weeks of age were ovariectomized (OVX) and treated with TZP-4238 or 17 beta-estradiol (E2) every day for 12 weeks. TZP-4238 significantly increased the diameters and maintained bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur of OVX rats. Although the BMD of the total femur was higher in E2-treated rats than that in TZP-treated rats, E2 did not increase the diameters of the femurs. To examine the effects of TZP-4238 and E2 on the BMD of different regions of the femur, the BMD was further analyzed by dividing it into 20 regions of equal longitudinal length. E2 increased the BMD of the distal and proximal metaphysis, regions rich in trabecular bone, but had no effect on the BMD of the femoral diaphysis compared with OVX control rats. In contrast, 2.5 and 12.5 mg/kg TZP-4238 increased the BMD of the femoral diaphysis, regions rich in cortical bone, but did not affect the BMD at the distal metaphysis. In agreement with the changes in the BMD of different regions of the femur, TZP-4238 but not E2 increased the physical strength of the femoral diaphysis assessed by a three-point bending test. Histomorphometric analyses of the cross-sections of the tibia revealed that TZP-4238 increased but E2 reduced the periosteal bone formation rate compared with OVX rats. In addition, TZP-4238 caused an increase in serum bone alkaline phosphatase with only a mild and transient decrease in urinary deoxypyridinoline excretion, while E2 reduced both of these parameters. These results demonstrate that TZP-4238 increases the dimension, BMD, and physical strength of the rat long bones by enhancing cortical bone formation, while estrogen maintains trabecular BMD by inhibiting bone resorption. Because the physical strength of long bones is affected by cortical bone mass and geometry, the effect of TZP-4238 on cortical bone may have a potential for the treatment of osteoporosis with reduced cortical bone formation.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Bone mineral density and bone turnover in asthmatics treated with long-term inhaled or oral glucocorticoids.

Inhaled glucocorticoids are pivotal in maintenance therapy of chronic bronchial asthma; however, conflict exists over their effects on bone and mineral metabolism. We measured bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, and adrenal steroid hormones in 53 patients (34 female, 19 male) with chronic bronchial asthma who had taken either inhaled beclomethasone or budesonide in doses of > or = 1500 microg/day for at least 12 months to determine pathogenetic mechanisms of bone loss. To account for the effect of prior oral glucocorticoid exposure we divided patients into two groups: one with (OG) and the other without (IG) a past history of maintenance (> 1 month) oral glucocorticoid therapy. Lumbar spine (LS) and proximal femur BMDs were approximately 1 SD lower in men and women taking OG or high-dose IG for chronic bronchial asthma, potentially equivalent to a doubling of the risk of fracture at these sites. Prior exposure to OG in women was also associated with lower LS and proximal femur BMDs, while men were more sensitive to the adverse effects of IG on LS and Ward's triangle BMDs. Bone formation markers were decreased; however, bone resorption marker concentrations were normal. All patients had evidence of suppression of both endogenous glucocorticoid and adrenal androgen production. Both total duration of OG and biochemical bone turnover marker concentrations were negatively related to proximal femur and rib BMDs and total body bone mineral content, but not to LS BMD. These were stronger for bone resorption markers. Uncoupling of ongoing normal bone resorption from suppressed bone formation may therefore contribute to glucocorticoid-associated bone loss in asthma. Adrenal androgen suppression may also increase the susceptibility of postmenopausal women in particular to bone loss with OG. Although the effects of high-dose IG on BMD are associated with lower LS BMD in men, this observation should now be investigated further in prospective studies.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Systemic administration of acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) prevents bone loss and increases new bone formation in ovariectomized rats.

There are no universally accepted agents that will substantially increase bone mass in osteoporotic patients. A number of peptides important in normal bone formation, such as members of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, are not satisfactory for this purpose either because their beneficial effects are predominantly local or there is systemic toxicity associated with their administration. We have examined the effects of exogenous fibroblast growth factor-1 and -2 (FGF-1 and FGF-2) on bone in vivo, since FGFs have been shown recently to be essential for normal skeletal development. FGF-1 was injected daily (0.2 mg/kg intravenously) for 28 days into the tail vein of adult female rats immediately following and 6 months after sham operation or ovariectomy (OVX). In rats treated immediately post-OVX, OVX produced more than a 30% decrease in tibial bone density, which was prevented by FGF-1 and estrogen. However, FGF-1 also had an anabolic effect. In sham-operated rats, FGF-1 increased bone density to 2-fold, whereas estrogen had no effect. In rats 6 months post-OVX, severe bone loss and disruption of trabecular microarchitecture occurred similar to that seen in patients with severe osteoporosis. In these rats, administration of FGF-1 induced extensive new woven bone formation with new trabecular-like structures filling much of the marrow spaces, and bone density in the tibial metaphysis increased 3-fold. FGF-1 and FGF-2 were also administered subcutaneously over the calvaria of mice in doses of 2-2000 microg/day for 3 days and shown to produce substantial increases in bone formation when examined morphologically. Thus, we conclude that both local and systemic FGF-1 increases new bone formation and bone density, and systemic FGF-1 also appears to restore bone microarchitecture and prevent bone loss associated with estrogen-withdrawal.

Animals↗