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Normal age-related patterns of cellular and fatty bone marrow distribution in the axial skeleton: MR imaging study.

Knowledge of age-related distribution patterns of cellular and fatty marrow is critical to the interpretation of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies. To determine such patterns, the authors retrospectively evaluated 70 examinations each of the skull, cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, pelvis, and proximal femur (420 examinations) in patients without known bone marrow abnormality who ranged in age from 6 months to older than 70 years. Two to four distinct patterns were identified in each anatomic area on spin-echo images obtained with a short repetition time and a short echo time. The relative frequency of the patterns for different age groups is consistent with the known physiologic conversion from cellular to fatty marrow with advancing age. Knowledge of these patterns should help in the interpretation of MR images of the axial skeleton.

Adult↗

Effect of spaceflight on the non-weight-bearing bones of rat skeleton.

Male Wistar rats prelabeled with tetracycline to mark surfaces of bone and tooth formation-mineralization were placed into orbit for 18.5 days aboard the Soviet COSMOS-1129 Biosatellite. They were injected with tetracycline for a second and third time on the 6th and 27th days, respectively, after recovery of the Biosatellite. Spaceflight did not alter the rate of periosteal bone formation in the non-weight-bearing ribs and regions of the mandibles, which were covered by masticatory muscles. Bone formation-calcification rates were impaired at those sites in the jaw that had no contiguous muscle (molar region). The remodeling activity on the alveolar bone around the buccal roots of the molar teeth was significantly reduced but without creating a negative balance between formative and resorptive activities. Total Ca, P, and hydroxyproline concentrations in the jaws, incisors, and ribs were normal after spaceflight, but gravity density fractionation studies indicated that in the jaws alone, O-G conditions caused a delay in the maturation of bone mineral and matrix. A 29-day postflight recovery period at earth's gravity was sufficient to fully correct these anomalies. Relative to tooth formation, relatively normal circadian and infradian biorhythmic periodicities of Ca and P in dentin and enamel were maintained during spaceflight. We conclude that most of the non-weight-bearing bones of the rat skeleton are at risk to the effects of hypogravity.

Animals↗

Differential metabolic fate of the carbon skeleton and amino-N of [13C]alanine and [15N]alanine ingested during prolonged exercise.

The decarboxylation/oxidation and the deamination of 13C- and [15N]alanine ingested (1 g/kg or 73.7 +/- 2 g) during prolonged exercise at low workload (180 min at 53 +/- 2% maximal O2 uptake) was measured in six healthy male subjects from V13CO2 at the mouth and [15N]urea excretion in urine and sweat. Over the exercise period, 50.6 +/- 3.5 g of exogenous alanine were oxidized (68.7 +/- 4.5% of the load), providing 10.0 +/- 0.6% of the energy yield vs. 4.8 +/- 0.4, 47.6 +/- 4.3, and 37.4 +/- 4.7% for endogenous proteins, glucose, and lipids, respectively. Alanine could have been oxidized after conversion into glucose in the liver and/or directly in peripheral tissues. In contrast, only 13.0 +/- 3.2 mmol of [(15)N]urea were excreted in urine and sweat (10.6 +/- 0.4 and 2.4 +/- 0.5 mmol, respectively), corresponding to the deamination of 2.3 +/- 0.3 g of exogenous alanine (3.1 +/- 0.4% of the load). These results confirm that the metabolic fate of the carbon skeleton and the amino-N moiety of exogenous alanine ingested during prolonged exercise at low workload are markedly different. The large positive nitrogen balance (8.5 +/- 0.3 g) suggests that in this situation protein synthesis could be increased when a large amount of a single amino acid is ingested.

Adult↗

Impact of growth hormone status on body composition and the skeleton.

Severe growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) induces a well-defined clinical entity encompassing, amongst the most reported features, abnormalities of body composition, in particular increased fat mass, especially truncal, and reduced lean body mass. The results from virtually all treatment studies are in agreement that GH replacement improves the body composition profile of GHD patients by increasing lean body mass and reducing fat mass. More recently, the observations have been extended to adults with partial GHD, defined by a peak GH response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia of 3-7 microg/l. These patients exhibit abnormalities of body composition similar in nature to those described in adults with severe GHD; these include an increase in total fat mass of around 3.5 kg and a reduction of lean body mass of around 5.5 kg. The increase in fat mass is predominantly distributed within the trunk. The degree of abnormality of body composition is intermediate between that of healthy subjects and that of adults with GHD. The impact of GH replacement on body composition in adults with GH insufficiency, although predictable, has not been formally documented. The skeleton is another biological endpoint affected by GH status: in adults with severe GHD, low bone mass has been reported using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and other quantitative methodologies. The importance of low bone mass, in any clinical setting, is as a surrogate marker for the future risk of fracture. Several retrospective studies have documented an increased prevalence of fractures in untreated GHD adults. Hypopituitary adults with severe GHD have reduced markers of bone turnover which normalize with GH replacement, indicating that GH, directly or via induction of insulin-like growth factor-I, is intimately involved in skeletal modelling. Whilst the evidence that GH plays an important role in the acquisition of bone mass during adolescence and early adult life is impressive, the impact of GHD acquired later in adulthood is less clear. Recently we examined the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and age in 125 untreated adults with severe GHD using DEXA. A significant positive correlation was observed between BMD (z-scores) and age at all skeletal sites studied. Overall, few patients, except those aged less than 30 years, had significantly reduced bone mass (i.e. a BMD z-score of less than -2); correction of BMD to provide a pseudo-volumetric measure of BMD suggested that reduced stature of the younger patients may explain, at least in part, this higher frequency of subnormal BMD z-scores. Despite normal BMD, however, an increase in fracture prevalence may still be observed in elderly GHD adults as a consequence of increased falls related to muscle weakness and visual field defects.

Body Composition↗

Hierarchies of extracellular matrix and mineral organization in bone of the craniofacial complex and skeleton.

Structural hierarchies are common in biologic systems and are particularly evident in biomineralized structures. In the craniofacial complex and skeleton of vertebrates, extracellular matrix and mineral of bone are structurally ordered at many dimensional scales from the macro level to the nano level. Indeed, the nanocomposite texture of bone, with nanocrystals of apatitic mineral embedded within a crosslinked matrix of fibrillar and nonfibrillar proteins, imparts to bone the very mechanical properties and toughness it needs to function in vital organ protection, musculoskeletal movement and mastication. This article focuses on how hierarchies of extracellular matrix protein organization influence bone cell behavior, tissue architecture and mineralization. Additional attention is given to recent work on the molecular determinants of mineral induction in bone, and how the mineralization process is subsequently regulated by inhibitory proteins.

Animals↗

Postcranial skeleton of a macaque trained for bipedal standing and walking and implications for functional adaptation.

The postcranial skeleton of a Japanese macaque that had been trained for bipedalism over an 11-year period was studied. Considerable modifications in the hindlimb bones caused by bipedal postural and locomotor behaviour were observed. Changes occurred in joint morphology, articular dimensions and shape-dependent strength of long bones, reflecting the causal relationship between function and morphology. However, the conditions under which the modifications are developed are somewhat different from those in humans, as the monkey's bipedalism is distinct from that of humans. The modifications seem to result from a compromise between functional requirements and the genetically determined anatomy of the essentially quadrupedal monkey.

Animals↗

The skeleton, an important site of lipogenesis in the chick.

Studies in vitro and in vivo with chicks using 14C-1-acetate have shown that the bone could be an important site of lipogenesis. The in vitro relative activities of various bones in incorporating 14C into fatty acids varied from one tenth to one third of hepatic activity. The bone marrow activity attained about two thirds that of the liver. In vitro and in vivo activities of bones were highly correlated (r = 0.902). The activity of compact parietal bones was the lowest. Estimates of lipogenesis in vivo in various tissues (% of total incorporation) were as follows: liver, 45; skeleton, 23; skin and small intestine, 6. Incorporation by muscles, adipose tissue and kidneys were negligible.

Acetates↗

Complete arterial revascularization in multivessel coronary artery disease with 2 conduits (skeletonized grafts and T grafts).

BACKGROUND: Complete arterial CABG is a surgical option to improve long-term results in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Harvesting of multiple arterial grafts is commonly associated with prolonged operating times and increased trauma. By use of new operative techniques (skeletonized grafts and the T-graft approach), CABG in multivessel CAD is now possible with only 2 grafts. We present our experience in the use of these techniques on a routine basis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between March 1996 and September 1999, 490 patients (aged 61+/-9 years, 20% female) underwent complete arterial CABG. Left ventricular ejection fraction ranged from 15% to 85% (mean 59+/-15%). Triple-vessel disease was present in 88% of the patients. The incidence of diabetes mellitus was 32% (14% insulin dependent). Either both internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) (23%) or the left ITA and radial artery (77%) were used as conduits. In 85% of the patients, a T graft was created. Mean operating time was 198+/-46 minutes; bypass time, 82+/-25 minutes; and ischemic time, 58+/-22 minutes. Two to 7 (mean 4.1+/-0.9) anastomoses were performed per patient. Perioperative intra-aortic balloon pump was necessary in 12 patients (2.4%). The rate of perioperative myocardial infarction was 1.2%. Sternal complications occurred in 1. 0%, and in-hospital mortality was 2.2%. Postoperative coronary angiography in 172 patients (35%) documented excellent patency rates (left ITA 98.3%, right ITA 96.5%, and radial artery 96.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Complete arterial revascularization in multivessel CAD is possible with the use of only 2 grafts with good perioperative results. This approach allows for complete arterial CABG on a routine basis.

Adult↗

Molecular defect in the membrane skeleton of blood bank-stored red cells. Abnormal spectrin-protein 4.1-actin complex formation.

During liquid preservation under blood bank conditions, red cell membranes inexorably undergo damage that decreases erythrocyte survival after transfusion. Accordingly, we have surveyed membrane skeletal protein interactions during storage. We uncovered a decrease in the in vitro formation of spectrin-actin complex in the absence (50%) or presence (60%) of protein 4.1. Actual formation of the spectrin-actin-protein 4.1 complex fell in a linear fashion during the storage period. This fall in spectrin-actin interaction tightly correlated with the decline in total red cell phospholipid (R = 0.9932) measured simultaneously. This decrement of spectrin-actin association could be restored to greater than 70% of normal values by preincubation of stored spectrin with 50 mM dithiothreitol. This storage injury to spectrin-actin interaction might weaken the membrane skeleton and lead to decreased red cell survival. In vitro reversibility of the damage by reducing agents suggests a possible new direction for prolonging the shelf life of stored blood.

Actins↗

Protein 4.1 deficiency associated with an altered binding to the spectrin-actin complex of the red cell membrane skeleton.

Protein 4.1 has been defined as a major component of the subcortical skeleton of erythrocytes. It binds the spectrin--actin scaffold through a 10-kD internal domain. This binding requires an essential 21-amino acid sequence motif, Motif I, which is retained by alternative splicing at the late stage of erythroid differentiation. We here analyze the molecular basis of heterozygous 4.1(-) hereditary elliptocytosis, associated with protein 4.1 partial deficiency, in nine related French families. cDNA sequencing revealed a single codon deletion (AAA) resulting in a lysine residue deletion within the 10-kD binding domain, 3' of Motif I. The mutated allele was designated allele 4.1 Aravis. In order to assess the functional effect of the codon deletion, recombinant 10-kD constructs were made and various binding assays were performed using spectrin, purified spectrin-actin complex, or red cell membranes. These experiments demonstrated that the deletion of the Lys residue clearly prevents the binding capacity. Similar results were obtained with a construct containing the Lys residue but lacking Motif I. These data strongly suggest that the binding site to the spectrin-actin complex must contain the Lys 447 (or 448), and therefore resides not only on Motif I but extends 3' of this essential motif.

Actins↗

Detection of bromisovalum from the bone marrow of skeletonized human remains: a case report with a comparison between gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS).

We report a case of totally skeletonized human remains in which a considerable amount of a hypnotic, bromisovalum (bromovalerylurea), was detected from the bone marrow. The unknown skeletal remains were found in a bush, together with empty vials of bromisovalum and a water bottle. The body was identified as a 46-year-old male, who had died about seven months previously. There was no evidence of trauma. The dried bone marrow of both femurs was separately collected and toxicologically analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and a high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Bromisovalum was identified from the femurs. The concentration along with the circumstantial evidence suggested possible contribution of bromisovalum to the fatality. However, a considerable quantitative difference was observed between the left and right femur, showing significant post-mortem interference to toxicological evidence. The result showed that multiple sampling at least would be required for quantitative evaluation of post-mortem toxicological evidence. Moreover, the diagnostic value should also be considered with caution in relation to the load to bone marrow ratio of each drug concentration.

Bone Marrow↗

Bone scintigraphy of facial skeleton with 99Tcm-diphosphonate.

Bone scintigraphy of the facial skeleton with 99Tcm-diphosphonate using gamma-camera was performed in 10 cases without, and in 4 cases with pathologic processes. A. p. and lateral projections were used and a converging collimator. The normal distribution of the isotope in the bones of the face seemed to be uniform with minor variations. Increased uptake varying in intensity was evident in the region of the lesion.

Adult↗

Unexpected c-fos gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of mice entrained to a skeleton photoperiod.

Several authors have suggested that the transcriptional regulatory protein c-Fos might be part of the mechanism for photic entrainment of the circadian pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) to environmental light:dark cycles. This hypothesis has been based on evidence gathered using single light pulses administered acutely to animals free-running in constant darkness. In order to begin to analyze SCN c-fos gene expression in animals during steady-state entrainment to photic cycles, we exposed male BALB/c mice to a skeleton photoperiod consisting of two 1-h light pulses separating a long (14 h) and a short (8 h) dark interval. The cycle was designed so that stable entrainment could be achieved in either one of two patterns (with rhythmic locomotor activity occurring during either the long or the short dark interval); SCN c-fos mRNA levels could then be measured during entrainment to light pulses at different phases of the circadian cycle, while controlling for the duration of preceding darkness. We found that c-fos was induced equally well by a light pulse that represented ZT 12 or ZT 3. The ZT 12 pulse functioned as an entraining pulse, because animals free-ran after it was removed from the lighting regimen, whereas removing the ZT 3 pulse caused little or no phase shift of activity onset. The data confirm that the expression of SCN c-Fos is not itself sufficient to reset rhythm phase, and they indicate that the role of this gene in the mechanism of photic entrainment is not yet fully understood.

Animals↗

Skeleton-binding protein 1 functions at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane to traffic PfEMP1 to the Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocyte surface.

A key feature of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite causing the most severe form of malaria in humans, is its ability to export parasite molecules onto the surface of the erythrocyte. The major virulence factor and variant surface protein PfEMP1 (P falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1) acts as a ligand to adhere to endothelial receptors avoiding splenic clearance. Because the erythrocyte is devoid of protein transport machinery, the parasite provides infrastructure for trafficking across membranes it traverses. In this study, we show that the P falciparum skeleton-binding protein 1 (PfSBP1) is required for transport of PfEMP1 to the P falciparum-infected erythrocyte surface. We present evidence that PfSBP1 functions at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane to load PfEMP1 into Maurer clefts during formation of these structures. Furthermore, the major reactivity of antibodies from malaria-exposed multigravid women is directed toward PfEMP1 because this is abolished in the absence of PfSBP1.

Animals↗

Magnesium deficiency: effect on bone mineral density in the mouse appendicular skeleton.

BACKGROUND: Dietary magnesium (Mg) deficiency in the mouse perturbs bone and mineral homeostasis. The objective of the present study was to evaluate bone mineral density of the femur in control and Mg-deficient mice. METHODS: BALB/c mice aged 28 days at study initiation were maintained on a normal or Mg deficient (0.0002% Mg) diet, and at time points 0, 2, 4 or 6 weeks bones were harvested for bone mineral density analysis. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) was used to assess the trabecular metaphyseal compartment and the cortical midshaft. RESULTS: Although mean total bone density of the femoral midshaft in Mg deficient mice did not differ significantly from controls throughout the study, the trabecular bone compartment showed significantly decreased mineral content after 4 (p < 0.001) and 6 weeks (p < 0.001) of Mg depletion. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the profound effect of Mg depletion on the trabecular compartment of bone, which, with its greater surface area and turnover, was more responsive to Mg depletion than cortical bone in the appendicular skeleton of the mouse.

Animals↗

The life cycle of chondrocytes in the developing skeleton.

Cartilage serves multiple functions in the developing embryo and in postnatal life. Genetic mutations affecting cartilage development are relatively common and lead to skeletal malformations, dysfunction or increased susceptibility to disease or injury. Characterization of these mutations and investigation of the molecular pathways in which these genes function have contributed to an understanding of the mechanisms regulating skeletal patterning, chondrogenesis, endochondral ossification and joint formation. Extracellular growth and differentiation factors including bone morphogenetic proteins, fibroblast growth factors, parathyroid hormone-related peptide, extracellular matrix components, and members of the hedgehog and Wnt families provide important signals for the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Transduction of these signals within the developing mesenchymal cells and chondrocytes results in changes in gene expression mediated by transcription factors including Smads, Msx2, Sox9, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), and core-binding factor alpha 1. Further investigation of the interactions of these signaling pathways will contribute to an understanding of cartilage growth and development, and will allow for the development of strategies for the early detection, prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the skeleton.

Bone Development↗

Sex steroids and the construction and conservation of the adult skeleton.

Here we review and extend a new unitary model for the pathophysiology of involutional osteoporosis that identifies estrogen (E) as the key hormone for maintaining bone mass and E deficiency as the major cause of age-related bone loss in both sexes. Also, both E and testosterone (T) are key regulators of skeletal growth and maturation, and E, together with GH and IGF-I, initiate a 3- to 4-yr pubertal growth spurt that doubles skeletal mass. Although E is required for the attainment of maximal peak bone mass in both sexes, the additional action of T on stimulating periosteal apposition accounts for the larger size and thicker cortices of the adult male skeleton. Aging women undergo two phases of bone loss, whereas aging men undergo only one. In women, the menopause initiates an accelerated phase of predominantly cancellous bone loss that declines rapidly over 4-8 yr to become asymptotic with a subsequent slow phase that continues indefinitely. The accelerated phase results from the loss of the direct restraining effects of E on bone turnover, an action mediated by E receptors in both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. In the ensuing slow phase, the rate of cancellous bone loss is reduced, but the rate of cortical bone loss is unchanged or increased. This phase is mediated largely by secondary hyperparathyroidism that results from the loss of E actions on extraskeletal calcium metabolism. The resultant external calcium losses increase the level of dietary calcium intake that is required to maintain bone balance. Impaired osteoblast function due to E deficiency, aging, or both also contributes to the slow phase of bone loss. Although both serum bioavailable (Bio) E and Bio T decline in aging men, Bio E is the major predictor of their bone loss. Thus, both sex steroids are important for developing peak bone mass, but E deficiency is the major determinant of age-related bone loss in both sexes.

Animals↗

Type 2 iodothyronine selenodeiodinase is expressed throughout the mouse skeleton and in the MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblastic cell line during differentiation.

Thyroid hormone affects multiple aspects of bone metabolism, but little is known about thyroid hormone deiodination in bone cells except that cultures of skeletal cells and bone organ express types 1 and 2 iodothyronine deiodinases (D1 and D2) mRNAs. In the present study, outer ring deiodination (ORD) activity was detected in bone extracts of multiple sites of the mouse skeleton, bone marrow, and the MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell line. In all tissues, ORD was detected using 125I-rT3 or 125I-T4 as substrates and was found to be 6-n-propylthiouracil insensitive, display a Michaelis constant (T4) of approximately 1 nM, increase about 3-fold in hypo- and virtually disappear in thyrotoxicosis. Extracts of calvaria had the lowest ORD activity, whereas tibial and femoral extracts had roughly three times as much. The absence of ORD activity in bone extracts from mice with targeted disruption of the Dio2 gene confirms the principal role of D2 in this tissue. In the MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts, D2 activity increased in a time-dependent manner after plating, and with the content of selenium in the media, reaching a maximum 5-7 d later as cells attained more than 90% confluence. In these cells D2 half-life is about 30-40 min, which is further accelerated by exposure to substrate and stabilized by the proteasome inhibitor, MG132. Treatment with vitamin D [1,25(OH)2VD]-induced D2 activity by 2- to 3-fold as early as 24 h, regardless of the level of cell confluence, but estradiol, PTH, forskolin, leptin, TNFalpha, TGFbeta, and dexamethasone did not affect D2. Given the role of D2 in other cell types and processes, it is likely that bone ORD not only plays a role in bone development and adult bone T3 homeostasis but also contributes to extrathyroidal T3 production and maintenance of serum T3.

Animals↗