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Effects of inflammation and treatment on bone turnover and bone mass in polymyalgia rheumatica.

OBJECTIVE: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) has an abrupt onset of inflammatory symptoms, making it a useful model for studying the effects of inflammation in bone. PMR requires corticosteroid treatment, which may itself have a detrimental effect on bone. This study used serially measured biochemical markers of bone turnover and bone density to address the relative contributions of systemic inflammation and corticosteroid therapy to bone loss. METHODS: Fifty untreated patients with PMR were randomized to receive oral prednisolone or intramuscular methylprednisolone. Biochemical bone markers (pyridinoline [PYR], deoxypyridinoline [DPYR], procollagen type I carboxy-terminal peptide [PICP]) and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS: The median disease duration at presentation was 12 weeks (range 5-32 weeks). Levels of urinary crosslinks were increased in patients with untreated PMR compared with controls (PYR 74.9 +/- 30.0 nmoles/mmole creatinine, DPYR 14.6 +/- 6.4 nmoles/mmole creatinine [mean +/- SD]; P = 0.0001); the PICP level was normal (115.0 +/- 39.0 microg/liter). With treatment, the crosslinks levels fell and PICP levels rose within 6 months (P = 0.01). Bone resorption (PYR) correlated with untreated disease activity (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) (r = 0.5, P = 0.003) and with interleukin-6 levels (r = 0.48, P = 0.05). There was a significant reduction in BMD of both the hip and the spine after 12 months of treatment (P = 0.0002), with no difference between treatment groups. As the steroid dosage was reduced, bone mass improved. Initial ESR influenced the percent change in BMD at 1 year (r = 0.35, P = 0.05), while cumulative steroid dose, mean ESR, and type of steroid used did not. CONCLUSION: Inflammation in PMR increases bone resorption and appears to have a more detrimental effect on bone than does low-dose corticosteroid. If corticosteroids can be tapered and discontinued, bone loss in PMR can be a transient phenomenon.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

A two-year prospective controlled study of bone mass and bone turnover in children with early juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore early changes and predictors of bone mass in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in order to identify patients who will develop bone mass reductions. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 108 children with early JIA (ages 6-18 years; mean disease duration 19.3 months) who were individually matched with 108 healthy children for age, sex, race, and county of residence. Bone mass and changes in total body, spine, femur, and forearm bone mineral density and bone mineral content (BMC), body composition, growth, and biochemical parameters of bone turnover were examined at baseline and at followup a mean of 24 months later. Low bone mass was defined as a Z score >1 SD below the reference population. RESULTS: Of the 200 children evaluated at followup, the 100 healthy children had greater gains in total body BMC (P = 0.035), distal radius BMC (P < 0.001), and total body lean mass (P < 0.001) than did the 100 JIA patients. Low or very low total body BMC was observed in 24% of the patients and 12% of the healthy children. Bone formation, bone resorption, and weight-bearing activities were reduced in the patients compared with the healthy children. Multiple regression analysis showed that in patients with JIA, serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, serum C-telopeptide of type I collagen, and weight-bearing activities were independent predictors of changes in total body BMC. Total body BMC was lower in patients with polyarticular onset than in those with oligoarticular disease onset. CONCLUSION: Patients with JIA have moderate reductions in bone mass gains, bone turnover, and total body lean mass early in the disease course.

Adolescent↗

Procollagen type I carboxy-terminal extension peptide in serum as a marker of collagen biosynthesis in bone. Correlation with Iliac bone formation rates and comparison with total alkaline phosphatase.

We measured iliac bone formation rates on all surfaces after double tetracycline labeling, serum levels of type 1 procollagen carboxy-terminal extension peptide (pColl-I-C), and serum levels of total alkaline phosphatase activity (TAP) in four normal subjects and in 44 patients with various forms of metabolic bone disease. In three patients with enzymatic evidence of liver disease both biochemical serum markers were disproportionately raised. In a patient with idiopathic axial osteosclerosis serum pColl-I-C was selectively increased by more than ten-fold. In the remaining 44 subjects pColl-I-C and TAP levels correlated significantly with each other (r = 0.70) and both showed the same directional changes and broadly similar correlations with iliac bone formation rate expressed in different ways. In general, pColl-I-C levels correlated better with cancellous bone formation rates and TAP levels cortical bone formation rates. There was a modest improvement in prediction of bone formation rate with multiple regression using both markers. In 15 patients with typical uncomplicated postmenopausal osteoporosis, neither biochemical marker, singly or jointly, correlated significantly with any expression of bone formation rate. Disadvantages to the use of pColl-I-C as a marker include a significant contribution to the serum level from type 1 collagen biosynthesis in tissues other than bone, and (probably) variable metabolic clearance. For both biochemical markers the most consistently high correlations (r = 0.77-0.79) were found with total bone formation rate for the entire biopsy core volume, which is the best estimate available from a biopsy of formation rate at the bone organ level of organization in vivo. The core volume as a referent also allows the amount of bone formed on cortical, endocortical, and cancellous surfaces to be compared. Measurement of serum pColl-I-C levels merits further study as a noninvasive index of bone metabolism. Differences between normal and abnormal subjects in the relationships between a variety of biochemical markers and a variety of histologic indices have the potential for providing insight into the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.

Adolescent↗

Cellular expression of bone-related proteins during in vitro osteogenesis in rat bone marrow stromal cell cultures.

Rat bone marrow stromal cells comprise a heterogeneous mixture of cell lineages including osteoblastic cells. When grown in the presence of ascorbic acid, beta-glycerophosphate and 10(-8) M dexamethasone, osteoprogenitor cells within the population divide and differentiate to form bone nodules (Maniatopoulos et al., 1988, Cell Tissue Res., 254:317-330; Aubin et al., 1990, J. Bone Miner. Res., 5:S81) providing a useful model to investigate temporal and spatial changes in expression of osteoblastic markers. Immunocytochemistry was combined with Northern blotting, enzymatic assay, and radioimmunoassay to analyze the expression of bone-related proteins during the growth and differentiation sequence. By mRNA levels, protein production and/or enzymatic activity, expression of osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein, and alkaline phosphatase increased concomitantly with the development of bone nodules, while osteopontin mRNA levels decreased and those of SPARC/osteonectin did not change significantly. In older cultures with mineralizing nodules, mRNA levels for alkaline phosphatase and bone sialoprotein, but not osteocalcin, declined. Immunolabeling revealed that cells in early cultures stained poorly for SPARC/osteonectin and strongly for thrombospondin. Later, SPARC/osteonectin staining increased in most cells, while thrombospondin staining could be seen in both matrix and in cells, but with marked intercellular variability in intensity. At all time points studied, osteoblasts within bone nodules stained homogeneously for thrombospondin and alkaline phosphatase, and with marked heterogeneity of intensity amongst cells for SPARC/osteonectin and osteocalcin. Labelling with RCC455.4, a monoclonal antibody raised against rat calvaria cells which intensely labels osteoblasts and osteocytes (Turksen et al., 1992, J. Histochem. Cytochem., 40:1339-1352), co-localized with osteocalcin. Alkaline phosphatase activity and the amount of osteocalcin determined by both radioimmunoassay and immunolabelling decreased in very late cultures, a time corresponding to appearance of fully mineralized nodules. These studies indicate that the bone marrow stromal cell system is a useful model to study the temporal and spatial expression of bone-related proteins during osteogenesis and formation, mineralization, and maturation of bone nodules. Further, immunolabelling at the individual cell and single bone nodule level allowed discrimination of marked variability of expression of osteoblast markers during the differentiation sequence.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Human cranial bone structure and the healing of cranial bone grafts: a study using backscattered electron imaging and confocal microscopy.

This study explored the microstructure of human cranial bone at different ages, and the survival, remodelling and modelling of cranial bone grafts. A combination of reflection and fluorescence confocal optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy in the backscattered electron imaging mode was employed to examine highly polished block faces of plastic-embedded bone fragments as harvested for grafting, or recovered after a period in situ as a graft. The methods enabled remarkably detailed information on bone content, maturation and turnover to be gleaned from tiny scraps of bone. Microfractures in the harvested bone were repaired at the graft site, with welding of old and new bone indicating revascularization. Human cranial bone grafts successfully stimulated bone cell differentiation, supported new bone formation on resorbed and unresorbed surfaces, and underwent bone turnover. The type and organization of new bone reflected the growth rate and maturation of the graft rather than the age of the patient.

Adult↗

When bone mass fails to predict bone failure.

New technology for noninvasive measurement of bone mass has enabled many studies of bone mass and its relationship to fracture, which challenge the view that bone mass is the only relevant factor in the etiology of fractures. Several studies have reported ROC curves that generally show values of about 80%. No convincing evidence suggests that one technique is superior to another. The reported relative risks or odds ratios for a fracture usually range between 1.2 and 2.5 per SD. There is no doubt that the risk of a fracture increases as the bone density decreases. However, even with a low bone mass, the risk of not fracturing a bone over the next year is over 90%. Most of the data suggest that patients with severe vertebral fractures have lower bone mass than those with mild fractures, but some women with similarly low bone mass have mild or no fractures. The weight of the evidence suggests that age has an effect on fracture incidence which is independent of bone mass. Trauma is such a major factor that it is surprising to find almost no studies that have controlled for it. The relationship between bone mass and bone failure is strong, but other factors must also be contributing to the bone failure which, like heart failure or renal failure, is a complex, multifactorial disease.

Adolescent↗

Is pelvic bone mineral content assessed through dual energy X-ray absorptiometry an appropriate anatomical area for bone mass estimation in women?

Bibliographic references seem very controversial regarding the most appropriate anatomical area for bone mass estimation. Since some overlapping in the different bone mass measurements among normal and osteoporotic females has been observed, we have studied the bone mineral content of the pelvic bone through DEXA, and have correlated it with the total body bone mineral content, a highly discriminating measure, in order to observe whether pelvic bone mineral may be a useful measure in bone mass assessment. Pelvic and total body bone mineral values did not decrease until menopause in 104 normal premenopausal females aged 20 to 49 years. On the other hand, these values decreased in normal postmenopausal women (n = 44) aged 50 to 65 years (p < 0.001), with a 16% pelvic bone mineral content and an 11% total body bone mineral content decrease. Osteoporotic females (n = 30), showed lower values for both levels than normal postmenopausal ones (p < 0.001), with a 54% pelvic and a 24% total decrease. A 15% overlap was observed when pelvic values between normal postmenopausal and osteoporotic females were compared. The greater percentage decrease in pelvic BMC compared to total body bone mineral content and the lower overlap observed suggest that the pelvis may be an ideal anatomical area for bone mass evaluations.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Interrelationships of bone ash and whole bone properties in the lactating and parous rat.

Several investigators have studied the mechanical properties of long bones of rats and have found that bone strength may be associated with bone mineral content. In this study we examined further the interrelationships of whole bone properties and bone ash weight of the rat femur. Using a 3-point bending test, the bones were evaluated during lactation and after one to three pregnancy + lactation periods--experiments in which bone ash was significantly reduced. A relationship was established between the time of lactation and the ash weight, stiffness, strength, and toughness but not the ductility. Using all of the experimental data, a highly significant relationship was observed between ash weight and stiffness. A similar significant correlation was revealed between bone ash and strength or toughness, although drawing individual lines for each experiment rather than a common line for all the experiments appeared more appropriate. Given the inherent inaccuracies in the material property measurements of bone, the results suggest that routine measurements of whole bone properties provide an important and sensitive way to evaluate bone quality and that these properties correlate significantly with the bone ash weight.

Animals↗

Differences in the capacity of several biochemical bone markers to assess high bone turnover in early menopause and response to alendronate therapy.

We measured bone mineral density (BMD), four markers of bone formation [bone alkaline phosphatase (bAP), osteocalcin (Oc), N- and C-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP and PICP respectively)] and five markers of bone resorption [serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx), urinary CTx, N-terminal cross-linked telopeptide (NTx), free and total deoxypyridinoline (fDpd and tDpd respectively)] in 28 healthy premenopausal women (45.7 +/- 3.0 years), 15 early (< 7 years) healthy menopausal women (53.8 +/- 3.1 years) and 20 osteoporotic women (65.3 +/- 8.2 years). Bone markers and BMD were also measured in the osteoporotic women 4.1 +/- 0.2 and 12.6 +/- 1.2 months after the beginning of alendronate therapy (Fosamax, 10 mg/day) respectively (BMD in 16/20). We calculated the intra-individual coefficient of variation (iCV) and the least significant change (LSC) for each bone marker from a subset of 9 healthy premenopausal women (32 +/- 5 years) who had a first and a second morning void urine collection (FMV and SMV respectively) and a blood sample on 4 nonconsecutive days (mean interval 14 +/- 3 days). None of the bone markers was correlated with BMD (except p = 0.043 between serum Oc and hip BMD). All markers, except fDpd, were increased significantly in early menopausal women when compared with the premenopausal group. Serum CTx presented the highest increase at menopause (+67.8%) and identified the highest rate (11/15) of early menopausal women with bone turnover above the premenopausal range. The iCVs for bone formation markers (7.2-14.4%) were lower than those for bone resorption markers (14.6-22.3%). The iCVs obtained on FMV and SMV were not different. The decrease after 4 months of alendronate was significant for each bone marker but variable from one marker to another. Serum CTx showed the largest decrease (70.8%) and identified the highest number of biologically responding patients (change > LSC; n = 17/20). A significant change in serum CTx after 4 months of alendronate was the best predictor of a significant gain in spine BMD (i.e., > or = 27 mg/cm2) after 1 year of therapy, allowing 15 of 16 patients (94%) to be classified correctly (one false-positive). Urinary NTx/Cr was the second best predictor. Despite a moderately high iCV (20.6%), serum CTx appeared the most effective of the markers tested and could be of interest for the detection of high bone turnover and the longitudinal monitoring of alendronate therapy in the individual patient. It must be stressed that serum PINP and urinary NTx and tDpd compared very similarly with serum CTx for monitoring alendronate therapy.

Adult↗

Biochemical markers of bone turnover predict bone loss in perimenopausal women but not in postmenopausal women-the Japanese Population-based Osteoporosis (JPOS) Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: The predictive value of biochemical markers of bone turnover for subsequent change in bone density in a population sample of healthy women with a wide range of ages has not been fully established. METHODS: We followed 1,283 women aged 15-79 years at baseline selected randomly from the inhabitants of three areas in Japan for 6 years, and examined 1,130 subjects with no disease or administration of drugs affecting bone metabolism. The annual change in bone density at the spine, total hip, and distal one third of the radius was determined during the follow-up period by dual x-ray absorptiometry and was compared among the groups using different levels of biochemical markers at baseline, including serum osteocalcin (OC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bone ALP), free and total (tDPD) forms of immunoreactive deoxypyridinoline, and type I collagen crosslinked C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) in urine. RESULTS: Premenopausal women aged 45 years or older with elevated levels of OC, bone ALP, CTX, or tDPD showed significantly greater bone loss at most skeletal sites during the follow-up period than those with lower levels, after adjustment for the effects of age, height, weight, dietary calcium intake, regular exercise, and current smoking. The greatest coefficient of determination of the model was observed in the association between CTX and bone loss at the hip during the first 3 years of follow-up (42.8%). These subjects were pooled with perimenopausal women at baseline, and those who still menstruated at follow-up in this pooled group showed significant but more modest associations, whereas those who entered menopause during the follow-up period showed clear associations. However, early postmenopausal women with less than 5 or 10 years since menopause showed an association that was limited mostly to the distal radius, and other postmenopausal groups had virtually no association. CONCLUSION: Biochemical markers of bone turnover may predict bone loss in women undergoing menopausal transition but may not predict bone loss in postmenopausal women.

Adolescent↗

Effects of indomethacin administration on bone turnover and bone mass in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.

We examined the bone turnover and bone mass in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats and assessed the effects of indomethacin in this model. One hundred ten SD rats, 6 weeks of age, were assigned to 11 groups and injected with adjuvant or solvent in the right foot. Adjuvant-injected rats were orally administered indomethacin at doses of 0 (vehicle), 0.1 (low), 0.5 (medium), and 1.5 (high) mg/kg body weight from the start (day 0). Animals were sacrificed on days 0, 14 (acute phase), and 28 (chronic phase). In the arthritic-control group, serum osteocalcin level and bone mineral content of the fourth lumbar body (L4) and the femur were significantly reduced on day 14. Serum alkaline-phosphatase was increased on day 28. Trabecular bone volume of L4 was decreased on day 14, and the value was further decreased on day 28. Bone formation rate (BFR/BS) was significantly reduced on day 14, and then osteoclast number (Oc.N/BS) increased on day 28. Indomethacin treatment dose-dependently prevented increases in paw volume and osteoclast number. In the high dose group, these indices were maintained at the same level with those in the normal group. However, indomethacin treatments were not able to maintain the parameters of bone formation such as serum osteocalcin and BFR/BS values, and the trabecular bone mass decrease was only partially prevented. These data clearly indicated both reduced bone formation and increased bone resorption as the causes of bone loss in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. Increased bone resorption seemed to be due to the increased activity of prostaglandins, but bone formation defect would be related to other factors in this animal model.

Administration, Oral↗

Accelerated repair of a bone defect with a synthetic biodegradable bone-inducing implant.

BACKGROUND: Nothing has ever had osteoinductive capacity and degradability equivalent to that of autogenous bone, although many types of biomaterials have been developed. To address this issue, we constructed a new bone graft substitute with osteogenic potential and degradability by using porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) granules, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), and a synthetic block copolymer composed of poly-D: ,L: -lactic acid with randomly inserted p-dioxanone and polyethylene glycol (PLA-DX-PEG). In this experimental study, the bone-inducing capacity and degradation properties of the composite implant during the bone healing process were examined in vivo in a cortical and cancellous bone defect model in rabbits. METHODS: The advantages of this type of implant have been examined in a cortical bone defect model created in the distal femur of rabbits. The defects (6.5 x 5 mm) were filled with 30 mg of various implants: BMP-H [rhBMP-2, 0.0025% (w/w)], BMP-L [rhBMP-2, 0.000625% (w/w)], control A (beta-TCP alone), and control B (no implant). The distal femurs were harvested at scheduled intervals after surgery and examined for the evaluation of the bony repair of the defects by three-dimensional computed tomography and histology. RESULTS: The repair of both cortical and cancellous bone occurred predominantly in the BMP-H group, and only minor cortical bone repair and cancellous bone formation were noted in the BMP-L and control A groups. Most of the beta-TCP was resorbed in the BMP-H group at 6 weeks after surgery, whereas a significant amount of beta-TCP remained in the BMP-L and control A groups. CONCLUSIONS: beta-TCP granules coated with a BMP-retaining synthetic polymer appear to be effective in enhancing the repair of both cancellous and cortical bone defects. The early disappearance of the implanted beta-TCP and restoration of the normal anatomy of bone tissue are two notable features of this approach.

Absorbable Implants↗

The influence of alendronate on bone formation after autogenous free bone grafting in rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of alendronate on bone formation after autogenous free bone grafting in rats. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-six male Wistar-Albino rats were divided into 3 groups: baseline, saline-treated, and alendronate-treated groups, and followed up at 2, 4, and 12 weeks. In the femur of the rats, autogenous free bone grafts 3 mm in diameter and 2 mm in length were harvested with a standard trephine bur. The bone defects 3 mm in diameter and 2 mm in length were created 5 mm from the donor sites. Each graft was placed in the bone defect and stabilized by perifemoral wiring. The alendronate-treated rats were administered 0.25 mg/kg alendronate subcutaneously daily. The saline-treated rats were given daily saline solution. Serum calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin, and urine calcium were measured. The changes in the number of osteoblasts bordering active bone formation surface and osteoid and lamellar bone formation were evaluated to measure anabolic bone activity. RESULTS: Alendronate caused significant increase in serum osteocalcin and BAP levels biochemically and the number of osteoblasts histopathologically. CONCLUSION: Alendronate may be considered among therapeutic options to improve bone formation process in different bone remodeling cases. Further detailed studies should be focused on dosage- and time-dependent effects of alendronate on bone formation.

Alendronate↗

Understanding treatments for bone loss and bone metastases in patients with prostate cancer: a practical review and guide for the clinician.

Prostate cancer patients are at risk for developing bone loss and bone metastases. Clinicians prescribing ADT should appreciate the potential effects of ADT on BMD as well as the morbidity and mortality that can result from osteoporotic fractures. Measures to address the evaluation of patients and when to treat patients with significant bone loss have been discussed. Bisphosphonates effectively prevent loss of BMD in prostate cancer patients. Treatment of prostate cancer patients with established bone metastases with zoledronic acid should be considered strongly based on the results of the Saad study and other studies of patients with bone metastases with other malignancies. Zoledronic acid is approved by the US FDA for use in men with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer and in the European Union for any patient with bone metastases, including prostate cancer patients,because of the beneficial impact of zoledronic acid on skeletal-related events. There is no validated method to determine which patients might benefit most from bisphosphonate therapy in this setting. Many questions about the use of bisphosphonate therapy in men with prostate cancer must be addressed, both in terms of the use in bone loss and bone metastases. These questions include: What is the optimal timing of therapy? Which bisphosphonate is best? What is the best dose and dose schedule? Do bisphosphonates effectively decrease skeletal fracture rates in patients with osteoporosis? How long should patients receive therapy? Are bisphosphonate "holidays" warranted? What are the long-term skeletal and renal toxicities? Is there a role for sequencing bisphosphonate therapy either before or after chemotherapy? Is bisphosphonate therapy synergistic with certain chemotherapy or other bone-targeted therapies? Which patients are the most likely to benefit from bisphosphonate therapy? What are clinically significant endpoints of bisphosphonate trials in patients with metastatic disease? Does inhibiting bone turnover also inhibit formation of bone metastases? Preliminary work in these areas has been completed, but more questions than answers are available. Given the rising costs of health care, it is imperative that these questions be addressed to best use the health care dollar while offering high-risk patients the best available therapy. At present, no data suggest that bisphosphonates should be used routinely to prevent BMD loss in men with normal BMD or to prevent the development of bone metastases in men with biochemical relapse. Continuing trials may give us guidance in the future.

Age Distribution↗

Effects of exercise and disuse on bone remodeling, bone mass, and biomechanical competence in spontaneously diabetic female rats.

Diabetes is associated with low bone formation. In this study we investigate the effect of additional or reduced mechanical loading on indices of bone formation and resorption, bone mass, and biomechanical properties in spontaneously diabetic BB rats. Female diabetic (mean age 13 weeks) and age-matched control rats were each allocated to three experimental groups: no-intervention; supervised running exercise program (Ex); and unloading induced by unilateral sciatic neurectomy (USN). The study period was 8 weeks. We measured biochemical parameters of bone formation (plasma osteocalcin) and resorption (urinary deoxypyridinoline [Dpd]); bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at middiaphyseal and metaphyseal regions of the femur; histomorphometry of the proximal tibial metaphysis (PTM); and biomechanical properties of the femur (neck, diaphysis, and metaphysis) and lumbar vertebra (L-5). In nondiabetic rats, Ex did not affect parameters of bone formation/resorption and BMD, and had little effect on biomechanical properties. USN increased Dpd excretion, whereas there was a decreased trabecular bone formation rate (BFR) on morphometry of PTM in both paralyzed and intact limbs. Compared with intact limbs, paralyzed limbs of USN rats showed decreased trabecular bone volume at the PTM, and decreased BMD and biomechanical properties at the distal femoral metaphysis (DFM) and, to a lesser extent, femoral neck. Diabetic rats of the three experimental groups had low plasma osteocalcin levels and Dpd excretion, as well as low BFR on morphometry. The BMD and biomechanical properties of both femur and L-5 were unchanged in diabetic rats. Diabetic Ex rats, however, showed a lower maximum load and stress at DFM than control Ex rats. Diabetic USN rats showed no increase in Dpd excretion; their paralyzed limbs showed decreased maximum load at DFM, but there was no significant decrease in trabecular bone volume at PTM or BMD at DFM. Thus, the running exercise does not affect low bone formation in diabetic rats; however, trabecular bone loss caused by disuse is less pronounced in diabetic rats, probably as a result of low bone resorption.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Bone mineral density and markers of bone turnover in young adult survivors of childhood lymphoblastic leukaemia.

OBJECTIVE: In order to determine if a serious disease like childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and the treatment necessary to cure the patients has long term effects on bone mass, we assessed bone mineral density (BMD) and several parameters involved in bone formation in a group of young adult survivors of ALL. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Fourteen male and ten female survivors, treated for ALL in childhood, were cross-sectionally studied, at a mean age of 25.1 years (range 20.1-34.9). All patients, except for two, had received cranial irradiation as part of their treatment (mean radiation dose 2460 cGy). MEASUREMENTS: Height and weight were measured. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, femoral trochanter and at 1/3 distal and ultradistal in the radius. Early morning serum levels of LH, FSH, oestradiol or testosterone, IGF-1 and IGF-BP3 were determined as well as several specific markers of bone turnover. RESULTS: Mean height, expressed as standard deviation score (SDS) was -1.12, significantly reduced. BMD in the lumbar spine, femoral neck and at 1/3 distal and ultradistal in the radius, was significantly lower compared to the reference population (P < 0.05). No correlation was found between the BMD values and the cumulative dose of administered cytotoxic drugs, the age at diagnosis of ALL or the duration of follow-up. Mean IGF-1 and IGF-BP3 SDS-scores were -1.24 and -0.78 respectively, significantly reduced. GH stimulation tests performed in a subgroup of 9 patients showed an insufficient peak GH response in at least one test in all tested patients. The values of LH, FSH oestradiol or testosterone were within the normal adult range. Serum markers of bone formation and bone resorption were in the normal range, indicating that bone turnover was normal at the time of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Bone development in patients cured of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is disturbed, resulting in a significantly reduced bone mineral density. Impaired growth hormone activity, as a long term effect of cranial irradiation, may be one of the underlying causes as well as the illness itself and the administered cytotoxic drugs. Since a reduced bone mineral density predispose patients to osteoporosis, intervention in order to improve bone mass should be considered.

Adult↗

Effects of liquid nitrogen cryotherapy and bone grafting on artificial bone defects in minipigs: a preliminary study.

Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy has been advocated as an adjunct in the enucleation and curettage of locally aggressive lesions of the jaws. Simultaneous autogenous bone grafting has also been advocated to accelerate bone formation and reduce morbidity. There is, however, relatively little scientific basis for either of these hypotheses. In this study, nine Yucatan minipigs had artificial defects created in the mandible, which were treated with liquid nitrogen spray. Half of the defects were grafted with autogenous bone from the chin and half were closed primarily. Two animals were sacrificed 3 days postoperatively to measure the width of necrosis and the rest were sacrificed at 3 months to assess healing and new bone formation. It was found that drilling the artificial defects alone caused bone necrosis for a mean depth of 0.09 mm. Liquid nitrogen cryospray caused a mean depth of bone necrosis of 0.82 mm (range 0.51-1.52 mm). The defects that were bone grafted healed well clinically. Defects not bone grafted showed a 50% rate of wound breakdown and sequestrum formation with delayed healing. Vital staining showed a non-significantly greater rate of bone formation in the grafted defects. Digitally superimposed radiography showed a non-significantly greater bone density in the non-grafted defects at 3 months postoperatively. It appears that liquid nitrogen cryospray does devitalize an area of bone around defects in the mandible. The width of necrosis is usually less than 1 mm and subsequent healing is enhanced by autogenous bone grafting. This has clinical implications.

Animals↗

Tissue engineering for bone regeneration using differentiated alveolar bone cells in collagen scaffolds.

Regeneration of osseous defects by a tissue-engineering approach provides a novel means of treatment utilizing cell biology, materials science, and molecular biology. In this study the concept of tissue engineering was tested with collagen type I matrices seeded with cells with osteogenic potential and implanted into sites where osseous damage had occurred. Explant cultures of cells from human alveolar bone and gingiva were established. When seeded into a three-dimensional type I collagen-based scaffold, the bone-derived cells maintained their osteoblastic phenotype as monitored by mRNA and protein levels of the bone-related proteins including bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin, osteopontin, bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 4, and alkaline phosphatase. These in vitro-developed matrices were implanted into critical-size bone defects in skulls of immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Wound healing was monitored for up to 4 weeks. When measured by microdensitometry the bone density within defects filled with osteoblast-derived matrix was significantly higher compared with defects filled with either collagen scaffold alone or collagen scaffold impregnated with gingival fibroblasts. New bone formation was found at all the sites treated with the osteoblast-derived matrix at 28 days, whereas no obvious new bone formation was identified at the same time point in the control groups. In situ hybridization for the human-specific Alu gene sequence indicated that the newly formed bone tissue resulted from both transplanted human osteoblasts and endogenous mesenchymal stem cells. The results indicate that cells derived from human alveolar bone can be incorporated into bioengineered scaffolds and synthesize a matrix, which on implantation can induce new bone formation.

Alveolar Process↗