GH concentration in plasma decline with age. GH and GH response to GHRH are influenced by sex hormones, thereby changing around the menopause. In several aspects, features of aging resemble those of a state of GH deficiency. It has been argued the declining GH function, along with other factors, might be a causal factor in osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate that postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized rat could be prevented by rhGH. Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats(weight 140-200g) were devided 3 groups. Group 1(n=18) was sham operation; Group 2(n=18) was ovariectomized and received subcutaneous injection with 0.05 cc normal saline; Group 3(n=18) was ovariectomized and received subcutaneous injection with 0.2 IU rhGH. Group 2 and 3 were injected daily, 6 day per week. Each group was devided three subgroups(n=6) and were sacrificed at 6 week, 10 week, 14 week, respectively. Group 2 showed a significant increase in body weight, femur length, serum IGF-1 level, serum PICP and ICTP level at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks and a significant decrease in ash weight of tibia, width of bony spicules, at 14 weeks than Group 1. Group 3 demonstrated a significant increase in body weight, femur length, serum IGF-1, serum PICP and ITCP levels and a insignificant decrease in ash weight of tibia and width of bony spicules, at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks than Group 1. At 14 weeks, Group 3 showed a significant increase in serum IGF-1, Serum PTH, Serum PICP. From these data, we conclude that although rhGH administration leads to an activation of bone turnover and more stimulation of bone formation, it does not prevent a bone loss in ovariectomized rat.
Aging ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Female ; Femur ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Humans* ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Menopause ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis* ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Ovariectomy ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tibia

Many agents for the treatment of osteoporosis are broadly classified as inhibitors of bone resorption and stimulators of bone formation. Many pharmacological derivatives of bisphosphonates are used in the treatment of osteoporosis by inhibiting osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Although the pamidronate, derivative of bisphosphonates, has a potent antiresorptive activity, there are only a low reports about prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis using it. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes of bone metabolism and bone mass after pamidronate administration during the early period of estrogen deficiency. Ninty-five Sprague-Dawley rats (weight 233-243 g) were divided into 3 groups. Group 1(n=28) was performed sham operation. Group 2 (n=25) was both ovariectomized and intravenously injected with 0.5 cc normal saline. Group 3 (n=42) was both ovariectomized and intravenously injected with 0.1 mg/kg pamidronate. During the first 8 weeks normal saline or pamidronate was intravenously injected twice a week(q 3 day or q 4 days). After 4 weeks of observation without injection the experiental animals were sacrificed at postoperative 12 weeks. There were statistically significant decrease in the body weight and the weight of uterus in group 1 compared with group 2, 3. There was statistically significant decrease in the bone mass of the spine, proximal femur, proximal tibia in the group 2 compared with group 1, 3. The difference of bone mass between group 1 and 3 was statistically insignificant. Serum osteocalcin and PICP concentration were significantly increased in group 2 and 3 compared with group 1. But there was no statistical significance between group 2 and 3 in serum osteocalcin and PICP concentration. Serum ICTP concentration was significantly decreased in group 1 and 3 compared with group 2, but the difference between group 1 and 3 was insignificant. These results suggests that the administration of the pamidronate during the early period of estrogen deficiency can inhibit bone resorption and prevent trabecular bone loss of the spine, proximal femur and proximal tibia metabolically.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Bone Resorption ; Diphosphonates ; Estrogens ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis* ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Ovariectomy ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spine ; Tibia ; Uterus

OBJECTIVE: It has been well known that alcohol can modulate several ligand-gated ion channel and voltage-gated ion channels. But the roles of alcohol in the autonomic neurons still remain unclear. In this study, thus we characterized the neuronal acetylcholine receptor (nnAChRs) and investigated the modulation of nnAChRs by ethanol (EtOH). METHODS: We used whole-cells which were acutely dissociated male rat major pelvic ganglion (MPG) neurons, and used gramicidin perforated patch clamp techniques. RESULTS: MPG neurons can be classified on the basis of the response of the soma membrane to depolarizing current pulses ; either tonic or phasic neurons. Sympathetic neurons expressing T-type Ca(2+) channels showed tonic firing pattern, while parasympathetic neurons lacking T-type Ca(2+) channels phasic firing to depolarizing current pulses. When hyperpolarizing currents were injected, sympathetic neurons produced post-anodal rebound spikes, while parasympathetic neurons were silent. Under current clamp mode, Acetylcholine (ACh) evoked significant membrane depolarization and produced subsequently marked membrane hyperporization. Under whole-cell mode, application of ACh-induced inward currents held at holding potentials below 0 mV and reversal potential was close to 0 mV, an equilibrium potential of nonselective cation channel. The ACh-activated current was blocked by methyllycaconitine (MLA ; 10 micrometer), hexamethonium (100 micrometer) and alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BuTx ; 100 nM), nAChRs antagonists. EtOH (40 mM) potentiated ACh-induced depolarization and hyperpolarization. EtOH also increased both alpha-BuTx-sensitive and -insensitive ACh-activated currents. Futhermore, EtOH potentiated 5-HT-activated current but had a little effect on GABA-activated current. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that EtOH modulates nnAChRs and 5-HT receptors in MPG neurons.
Acetylcholine ; Animals ; Bungarotoxins ; Carisoprodol ; Ethanol ; Fires ; Ganglia, Autonomic ; Ganglion Cysts ; Gramicidin ; Hexamethonium ; Humans ; Ion Channels ; Male ; Membranes ; Neurons ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Receptors, Nicotinic* ; Receptors, Serotonin

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of haloperidol on [Ca2+]i in hamster insulinoma cells (HIT T-15). METHODS: [Ca2+]i levels were measured by calcium imaging techniques, and membrane potential ionic currents were recorded using conventional patch-clamp methods. RESULTS: Haloperidol induced a transient [Ca2+]i increase, which was abolished by the removal of extracellular Ca2+ or pretreatment with Ca2+ channel blockers (nimodipine and mibefradil). Haloperidol depolarized the membrane potential and inhibited the ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels. Sigma receptor agonists, (+)-SKF10047 and ifenprodil, induced a transient [Ca2+]i increase similar to haloperidol. BD1047, a sigma receptor antagonist, completely blocked the [Ca2+]i increase induced by haloperidol. Haloperidol inhibited the KCl-induced [Ca2+]i increase and voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents. Sigma receptor agonists [(+)-SKF10047, ifenprodil] also inhibited the KCl-induced [Ca2+]i increase. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that haloperidol induces depolarization, which increases [Ca2+]i by voltage-gated Ca2+ currents via the closing of KATP channels. Haloperidol also inhibits KCl-induced [Ca2+]i increases in the same manner. These effects of haloperidol seemed to be mediated by sigma receptors, which might be linked to the pathogenesis of haloperidol-induced diabetes mellitus.
Animals ; Calcium ; Cricetinae ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Haloperidol* ; Insulinoma* ; KATP Channels ; Membrane Potentials ; Receptors, sigma

Atypical fractures associated with prolonged bisphosphonate (BP) therapy rarely occur outside the femur, and the diagnostic criteria, appropriate treatment principles, and fixation methods for atypical ulnar fractures have not been established. The authors experienced the use of internal fixation with a metal plate and a new internal fixation method with an intramedullary nail in the treatment of an atypical ulnar fracture in a patient who had been on BP therapy for 10 to 20 years. This paper reports findings along with a review of the relevant literature.
Femur ; Fractures, Stress ; Humans ; Methods ; Osteoporosis ; Ulna

We report a case of multiple hematogenous pulmonary metastases from a spinal malignant schwannoma. A 54-year-old woman with a known primary spinal malignant schwannoma presented with a 2-month history of painful neck mass, ptosis, anhidrosis, facial edema and mild chest discomfort. She had had the spinal surgeries two times followed by postoperative radiation therapy. The chest radiograph revealed typical multiple metastatic nodules on the both lung fields. Metastatic malignant schwannoma to the lung was confirmed by fine needle aspiration biopsy using a 22-gauge needle under fluoroscopic gauidance. The result of cytology of the lung mass was malignant spindle cell tumors consistent with malignant schwannoma located in cervical spine. The course of metastases might be hematogenous due to direct vascular invasion of tumor.
Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Edema ; Female ; Humans ; Hypohidrosis ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Needles ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Neurilemmoma* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Spine ; Thorax

The authors report a case of far lateral disc herniation at L4-5 found one year after percutaneous laser lumbar discectomy. The patient was found to be suffering from new-onset right lumbar radiculopathy 6 months after his first operation, and post operative lumbar MRI confirmed a far lateral extraforaminal disc herniation at L4-5, with compression of the nerve. This corresponded to the nucleotomy site of the probe. The patient underwent surgery employng the combined paraspinal intertransverse and interlaminar approach, and his symptoms were relieved. This case emphasizes the importance of removing nuclear material, and shows that remaining material can herniate through a percutaneous discectomy window.
Diskectomy* ; Diskectomy, Percutaneous ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Radiculopathy

Although bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation does not frequently occur, this calcified, osteal, chondromatous tumor has relatively high recurrence rates and presents clinical, radiological, histological features that can be classified with other lesions. And it is a benign disease that until now, there were no death or metastasis reports because of this tumor. This proliferation is hard to distinguish between other benign tumors and non-neoplastic lesions if it is occurred in small bone of hand or foot. We experienced bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation of middle phalanx of the little finger, and report this case and the review of relevant literature.
Fingers ; Foot ; Hand ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVE: Many studies have suggested that leptin is a possible cause of atherosclerosis and is proposed as a cardiovascular risk factor in obese patients. Several studies have shown that serum leptin is associated with pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). But the relevance of serum leptin levels for predicting incident cardiovascular disease is less clear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum leptin levels and aortic PWV, carotid IMT in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. METHODS: Patients with end-stage renal disease or advanced atherosclerosis, systemic infection were excluded. A total of 116 patients (60 male/56 female; age, 59+/-14 years) were included. Serum leptin levels, aortic PWV and carotid IMT were measured. RESULTS: Aortic PWV was significantly associated with age (r=0.28, P<0.005). Carotid IMT was significantly related to age (r=0.46, P<0.001), low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (r=0.22, P<0.05), lipoprotein (a) (r=0.23, P<0.05) and estimated glomerular filteration rate (r=-0.348, P<0.01). There was no correlation between leptin and aortic PWV or carotid IMT. In multivariate analyses, aortic PWV was associated with age (P=0.007). Carotid IMT was significantly related to age (P<0.001), LDL cholesterol (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Serum leptin was not associated with aortic PWV or carotid IMT in T2DM patients.
Atherosclerosis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Leptin ; Lipoprotein(a) ; Lipoproteins ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: Acute cauda equina syndrome secondary to lumbar disc herniation is a rare clinical entity, but its sequelae such as bladder and sexual dysfunction are too severe to overlook. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between surgical timing and outcome. METHODS: Between 1994 and 1999, 43 patients(34 male and 9 female), ranging in age from 19 to 67 years(mean: 44.5), were operated due to acute cauda equina syndrome secondary to lumbar disc herniation. All presented with bladder and bowel dysfunction:36(83.7%) had motor weakness and 32(74.4%) had sensory deficit. The levels of herniations were L4/5 in 16 patients, L5/S1 in 10 and L3/4 in 5. RESULTS: The time to surgery from the onset of the symptom ranged from less than 24 hours to more than 14 days:10 patients underwent surgery within 48 hours of onset. The mean follow-up period was 54 months. In motor function recovery, there was no significant difference, but in bladder and sexual functions, there was significant difference according to the duration of symptoms before surgery. CONCLUSION: In acute cauda equina syndrome, emergency decompression surgery should be done. The outcome is good in patients operated within 48 hours compared to those treated more than 48 hours after the onset of the syndrome.
Cauda Equina* ; Decompression ; Emergencies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Polyradiculopathy* ; Recovery of Function ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic