BACKGROUND: Leptin is known to affect bone metabolism both centrally and peripherally. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between leptin and bone mineral density(BMD) in healthy premenopausal and postmenopausal Korean women. METHODS: 140 women were recruited for a routine health check-up. Anthro-pometric and biochemical data were checked as usual. BMDs were measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry of the spine and femur in 67 premenopausal women and 73 postmenopausal women, in addition to their serum leptin levels. RESULTS: Serum leptin level showed no correlation with BMD in premenopausal women, but there was a positive correlation betwen serum leptin and spinal BMD in postmenopausal women(r=0.468, p<0.001). After the correcting for age, body mass index, and duration of menopause, the serum leptin level and BMD still showed a positive correlation(r=0.217, p=0.088) although weak. The women in the lowest quartile of serum leptin level showed significantly lower lumbar and femoral neck BMD. CONCLUSION: Leptin level seems to have a weak relationship with BMD showing different features in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density* ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Leptin* ; Menopause ; Metabolism ; Spine

Appearance of proteomics technology can fleetly filt and reveal specificity biomarkers of disease, this will help to reveal the pathogenesis of femur head necrosis and help early diagnosis, find more effective methods and therapeutic targets. At present, they are hot spots that find out the occurred mechanism,related proteins of early diagnosis and early treatment and its functional identification; set up the early related database; optimize the protein extraction methods for research of femur head necrosis. This article reviews the application of study technology of related proteins of femur head necrosis on bone tissue, serum,related animal model,and in order to provide further research ideas.
Early Diagnosis ; Femur Head Necrosis ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Proteomics ; methods

To determine the characteristics of magnetic resonance (MR) signals of normal growing cartilage and identify the difference in transverse relaxation times between physeal and epiphyseal cartilage in vivo. 24 distal femora of 12 two-week-old piglets were imaged on a 1.5 Tesla GE MR scanner. Comparison was made between signal intensity on MR images and the structure shown in corresponding histologic sections. T2 values were measured in eight piglets by means of multiecho spin-echo sequences. Our results showed that MR imaging delineated five regions between the secondary ossification center and the metaphysis, which histologically correspond to the zone of provisional calcification of the secondary ossification center, physis of the secondary ossification center, epiphyseal cartilage, physis and zone of provisional calcification. The T2 value in the physeal cartilage was much larger than that in the epiphyseal cartilage (P<0.05). It is concluded that MRI findings could differentiate the different regions of growing cartilage. T2 is longer in physeal than in epiphyseal cartilage, perhaps reflecting differences in water binding by proteoglycans.
Animals, Newborn ; Femur/anatomy & histology ; Femur/growth & development ; Femur/metabolism ; Growth Plate/*anatomy & histology ; Growth Plate/*growth & development ; Growth Plate/metabolism ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Osteogenesis/physiology ; Swine

PURPOSE:Effects of IDDM on bone mineral metabolism are still in controversy. Some reported that bone mineral density in IDDM had inverse relationship with HbA1c, some reported that spine BMD was normal while femur BMD was decreased. Others reported that increased urinary calcium excretion in IDDM induced early trabecular bone mineral loss. We studied the correlation of BMD with diabetic control and body measurements. METHODS:In sixteen IDDM patients, using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, BMD was measured in lumbar spine as trabecular bone and femur neck as cortical bone. Z-score of BMD was obtained by comparing age and sex matched control data. Correlations between BMD and diabetic control parameters (HbA1c, duration of IDDM) and body measurements were calculated. RESULTS:The body measurements were in normal range in all IDDM patients, the duration of IDDM was 38.4+/-24.0months, HbA1c was in good control state (7.69+/-1.53%), and urinary Ca/creatinine ratio was not increased. The Z-score of BMD was not decreased statistically (lumbar spine: -0.255, femur neck: -0.404), and the Z-score had no correlationship with body measurements and diabetic control parameters. CONCLUSIONS:In well controlled childhood IDDM, BMD was not decreased significantly.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density* ; Calcium ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Reference Values ; Spine

To elucidate the relationship among the levels of nutrients intake, bone mineral density (BMD) and the urinary biochemical markers of bone metabolism, this survey is conducted with 225 postmenopausal women over 50 years of age. The urinary biochemical markers including deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and Ca excretion were measured. Bone mineral densities of lumbar spine (L2-L4), femoral neck, ward's triangle and trochanter were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and the nutrient intake data obtained by 24 hr recall method. Mean age of all subjects was 64.8 years old, and the BMDs of the subjects were 0.86 g/cm2 (lumbar spine), 0.60 g/cm2 (femoral neck), 0.49 g/cm2 (trochanter), and 0.41 g/cm2 (ward's triangle). The results were compared among 3 groups with different nutrient intake levels classified by the percentage of Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for Koreans as follows: low < 75% DRIs, 75% DRI < or = adequate < 125% DRIs, high > or = 125% DRIs. Bone mineral density of adequate protein intake group was significantly higher than those of low and high protein intake groups (p < 0.05). Urinary DPD excretion was lowest in protein and calcium adequate intake groups (p < 0.05, p < 0.05), respectively. In relation to urinary Ca excretion, it is revealed to be considerably lower in the groups taking protein and vitamin C adequate intake (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). The percent DRI of protein and calcium were positively correlated with the BMD of the femoral neck after adjusted age (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). These results showed that there are probably some relationships between nutrient intake levels and urinary biochemical markers. For postmenopausal women with adequate nutrition expecially protein, calcium and vitamin C, has an important role to postpone bone resorption and to prevent the decrease of bone density.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Ascorbic Acid ; Biomarkers ; Bone Density* ; Bone Resorption ; Calcium ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Spine

OBJECTIVESTo analyze retrospectively the formation and histological changes of sclerosis rim in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), and to study the relationship between bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP4) and sclerosis rim, so as to acquire experimental and theoretical basis on individualized treatment for ONFH patients.

METHODSFrom November 2005 to November 2007, 184 hips of steroid-induced ONFH inpatients were collected. The mean age was (47 ± 7) years, the patients were divided into high (more than 54 years old), middle (40 - 54 years old) and low (less than 40 years old) age groups. Their clinical data were analyzed retrospectively according to gender and age. Parts of the femoral heads were selected for the study, including 18 hips in high age group, 11 hips in low age group and 20 hips in middle age group. Each 10 hips were selected with or without sclerosis rim. The femoral heads were cut along middle coronal plane, their weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing areas were used for the study. The specimens were processed by routine HE staining and picric acid-Sirius red staining and electron microscopy preparation and immunohistochemistry stain. The average optical density of BMP4 protein was calculated by image analysis software.

RESULTSThe trabecular of sclerosis rim was thickening and disorder. But its osteocytes were normal and with high secretion. The ratio of sclerosis rim was 71.4% (105/147) in middle age ONFH patients, which was significantly higher than the low age group patients (45.5%, 5/11) and high age group patients (38.5%, 10/26) (P < 0.01). The optical density of BMP4 in middle age ONFH patients was 0.32 ± 0.14, which was significantly higher than the low age group 0.20 ± 0.17 and high age patients 0.19 ± 0.27 (P < 0.05). The optical density was 0.16 ± 0.11 in ONFH patients without sclerosis rim, which was significantly lower than with sclerosis rim (0.28 ± 0.13) (P < 0.01). The time from hip pain to joint replacement in patients with sclerosis rim was (49 ± 11) months, and (15 ± 2) months without sclerosis rim. There was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe formation of sclerosis rim is positively related to the expression of BMP4, and high expression of BMP maybe promote the formation of sclerosis rim.

Adult ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 ; metabolism ; Female ; Femur Head ; metabolism ; pathology ; Femur Head Necrosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Pain from vertebral or femoral neck fractures is a particularly important problem in clinical orthopaedics. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a ligand-gated nonselective cation channel, and there are recent reports on an association between bone pain and TRPV1. However, an increase in TRPV1 activity has not been reported following femoral fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We applied a neurotracer [Fluoro-gold (FG)] onto femur to detect dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) innervating the cortex of the femur in 30 Sprague Dawley rats. Seven days after application, a closed mid-diaphyseal fracture of the femur was performed. FG labeled TRPV1-immunoreactive (ir) DRGs innervating the femur were examined in nonfractured controls, and 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after fracture. We evaluated bone healing of the femur and compared the ratio of TRPV1-ir DRG neurons innervating the femur at the time points. RESULTS: Four weeks after fracture, complete bone union was observed. There was no significant difference in the ratio of FG labeled DRG neurons to total DRG neurons at each time point. The percentages of TRPV1-ir neurons in DRGs innervating the femur at 3 days and 1 week after fracture were significantly higher than those in control, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after fracture (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fracture induced an increase of TRPV1-ir neurons in DRGs innervating the fractured femur within 3 days, and decreased during bone healing over 4 weeks. These findings show that TRPV1 may play a role in sensory sensation of bone fracture pain.
Animals ; Female ; Femur/*innervation/*metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; TRPV Cation Channels/*metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of detecting serum complement C3 and C4 in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and to explore its correlation with myeloma bone disease (MBD). METHODS: The levels of serum complement C3 and C4 in 69 MM patients and 30 healthy people were examined by scatter nephelometry. The bone density of L1-4 vertebral body, bilateral femoral neck and bilateral hip joints were measured by dual energy bone density meter (DXA). RESULTS: The levels of serum complement C3 and C4 in MM patients significantly increased in comparison with that in healthy people (P＜0.01). The patients in advanced clinical stage exhibited a higher levels of C3 and C4 than those in stable stage (P＜0.01). In addition, the patients with grade C of MBD had a higher levels of serum complement C3 and C4 than those in patients with grade A and B of MBD (P＜0.01). The levels of serum complement C3 and C4 in MM patients negatively correlated with bone density in L1-4 vertebral body, bilateral femoral necks and hip joints. The correlation coefficients were r=-0.938, r=-0.659, r=-0.745, r=-0.748, r=-0.596 in complement C3 and r=-0.908, r=-0.623, r=-0.710, r=-0.714, r=-0.595 in complement C4, respectively. CONCLUSION The levels of complement C3 and C4 positively correlate with the severity of bone disease and bone density in MM patients, which suggests that complement C3 and C4 plays important roles in the development of MBD. The levels of serum C3 and C4 may be the sensitive biomarkers of MBD.
Biomarkers ; Complement C3 ; metabolism ; Complement C4 ; metabolism ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma

OBJECTIVETo observe the sequential changes in biomechanical competence of the femoral neck and marrow cavity of the proximal femur in ovariectomized rats.

METHODSBone mineral density (BMD) and biomechanical properties of the femoral neck and the structural dimension of the proximal femur were measured 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 weeks after ovariectomy (OVX) or sham operation (Sham) in 6-month-old female SD rats.

RESULTSThe BMD of femoral neck in OVX rats was significantly lower than that in Sham group 6 weeks after operation, (0.195 +/-0.028) g/mm(2) vs (0.225 +/-0.036) g/mm(2) (P=0.03). Nine weeks after operation,the failure load of femoral neck decreased about 10% in OVX group to that in Sham group, (89.6 +/-7.7)N vs (96.7 +/-7.5)N (P=0.05). The medullary cavity of proximal femur started to show difference 15 weeks after operation (3.834 +/-0.115)mm(2) vs (3.713 +/-0.114) mm(2) (P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONBMD loss after ovariectomy is associated with a medullary expansion in proximal femur and biomechanical strength deterioration in femoral neck, which might be an important factor of prostheses loosening in the postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Animals ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Density ; Female ; Femur ; metabolism ; Femur Neck ; metabolism ; Humans ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Ovariectomy ; Prosthesis Failure ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 275 nm and 310 nm ultraviolet irradiation on ovariectomized rats' bone metabolism. METHODS: Twenty four 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat were randomly divided into control group, sham operated group, 275 nm ultraviolet (UV) irradiation group and 310 nm UV irradiation group. Each group contained 6 rats. The rats in the two irradiation groups were treated with bilateral ovariectomy. The rats in sham operated group received sham operation (They were given the same back incision and a bit of par-ovarian fat were removed). Control group received no disposition. About 24 weeks after operation, all the rats received detailed bone mineral density (BMD) detection again. Detection regions include cervical vertebra, lumbar vertebra, proximal femur, mid femur and distal femur. Next, osteopenia rats in 275 nm irradiation group were UV irradiated 275 nm with fixed illumination intensity (15 μW/cm²) everyday for 16 weeks. The osteopenia rats in 310 nm irradiation group were UV irradiated 310 nm with fixed illumination intensity (15 μW/cm²) everyday for 16 weeks. The backs of the rats were shaved regularly as irradiation area (6 cm×8 cm). After 16-week irradiation, all the rats' BMD of cervical vertebra, lumbar vertebra, proximal femur, mid femur and distal femur were measured. At the end of the trial, all the rats' blood specimens were obtained and serum 25(OH)D, procollagen type Ⅰ N-peptide (PINP) and osteocalcin (OC) were measured. RESULTS: Compared with control group [(238.78±26.74) mg/cm³], the BMD of the whole body were significantly lower in 275 nm [(193.34±13.28) mg/cm³] and 310 nm [(191.19±18.48) mg/cm³] irradiation groups (P=0.002, P=0.001). There were no significant difference between sham operated group [(227.20±14.32) mg/cm³] and control group. After 16-week ultraviolet irradiation, the BMD of the whole body were significantly increased in 275 nm [(193.34±13.28) mg/cm³ vs. (221.68±25.52) mg/cm³, P=0.005] and 310 nm groups [(191.19±18.48) mg/cm³ vs. (267.48±20.54) mg/cm³, P < 0.001] after corresponding irradiation. The BMD of the four body regions (lumbar vertebra, proximal femur, mid femur and distal femur) had significantly increased after irradiation in 275 nm irradiation group. For 310 nm irradiation group, the BMD in cervical vertebra, lumbar vertebra, proximal femur, mid femur and distal femur also had increased significantly after 310 nm ultraviolet irradiation. The concentration of serum 25(OH)D and OC was higher in 275 nm irradiation group than in control group [(46.78±5.59) μg/L vs. (21.32±6.65) μg/L, P=0.002;(2.05±0.53) U/L vs. (1.32±0.07) U/L, P=0.022]. Compared with the control, the concentration of serum 25(OH)D [(58.05±12.74) μg/L], OC [(2.04±0.53) U/L] and PINP [(176.16±24.18) U/L] was significantly higher (P < 0.001, P=0.015, P=0.005) in 310 nm irradiation group. However, there were no significantly difference between sham operated group and the control. CONCLUSION Both 275 nm and 310 nm ultraviolet could improve rats' vitamin D synthesis. Both 275 nm and 310 nm ultraviolet could improve osteopenia rats' bone condition. The irradiation of 310 nm might be more effective on bone condition improvement.
Animals ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic/metabolism* ; Female ; Femur/metabolism* ; Humans ; Osteocalcin/metabolism* ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley