Actins ; metabolism ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tibia ; Vimentin ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: In this study, we examined the influence of exercise loading characteristics on bone metabolic responses and bone morphology in the growth phase and adulthood. METHODS: Running exercise (RUN) and jumping exercise (JUM) were used for the exercise loading in 28-day-old male Wistar rats. Bone metabolism was measured by blood osteocalcin (OC) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) levels. For bone morphology, the maximum bone length, bone weight, and bone strength of the femur and tibia were measured. RESULTS: A pre- and post-exercise loading comparison in the growth phase showed significantly increased OC levels in the RUN and JUM groups and significantly decreased TRACP levels in the JUM group. On the other hand, a pre- and post-exercise loading comparison in adulthood showed significantly decreased TRACP levels in the RUN and JUM groups. Femur lengths were significantly shorter in the RUN and JUM groups than in the control (CON) group, while bone weight was significantly greater in the JUM group than in the CON group. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise loading activates OC levels in the growth phase and suppresses TRACP levels in adulthood. On the other hand, these results suggest that excessive exercise loading may suppress bone length.
Acid Phosphatase ; Femur ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolism* ; Osteoblasts ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoclasts ; Osteogenesis* ; Rats, Wistar ; Running ; Tibia

The L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase gene (Gulo) encodes an essential enzyme in the synthesis of ascorbic acid from glucose. On the basis of previous findings of bone abnormalities in Gulo-/- mice under conditions of ascorbic acid insufficiency, we investigated the effect of ascorbic acid insufficiency on factors related to bone metabolism in Gulo-/- mice. Four groups of mice were raised for 4 weeks under differing conditions of ascorbic acid insufficiency, namely, wild type; ascorbic acid-sufficient Gulo-/- mice, 3-week ascorbic acid-insufficient Gulo-/- mice, and 4-week ascorbic acid-insufficient Gulo-/- mice. Four weeks of ascorbic acid insufficiency resulted in significant weight loss in Gulo-/- mice. Interestingly, average plasma osteocalcin levels were significantly decreased in Gulo-/- mice after 3 weeks of ascorbic acid insufficiency. In addition, the tibia weight in ascorbic acid-sufficient Gulo-/- mice was significantly higher than that in the other three groups. Moreover, significant decreases in trabecular bone volume near to the growth plate, as well as in trabecular bone attachment to the growth plate, were evident in 3- or 4-week ascorbic acid-insufficient Gulo-/-. In summary, ascorbic acid insufficiency in Gulo-/- mice results in severe defects in normal bone formation, which are closely related to a decrease in plasma osteocalcin levels.
Animals ; Ascorbic Acid* ; Down-Regulation* ; Glucose ; Growth Plate ; L-Gulonolactone Oxidase ; Metabolism ; Mice ; Osteocalcin* ; Osteogenesis* ; Plasma ; Tibia ; Weight Loss

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Modified Sijunzi Decoction (MSD) on the bone metabolism of prednisone intervened adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats.

METHODSThe adriamycin-induced nephropathy rat model was prepared. Totally 50 SD rats were randomly divide into five groups, i.e., the model group, the hormone group, the Chinese medicine (CM) group, the CM + hormone group, and the normal control group. The 24-h urine samples were collected on the 7th, 21st, and 35th day after modeling. The 24-h urine protein was measured by biuret colorimetry. Serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), osteocalcin (BGP), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) were determined by ELISA. Expressions of OPG and RANKL in the tibia tissue were detected using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the normal control group, the 24-h urine protein increased in each group on the 7th, 21st, and 35th day (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the 24-h urinary protein decreased in the hormone group and the CM + hormone group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The decrement was more obvious along with the treatment time went by (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in the reduction of urine protein on the 35th day between the CM group and the model group (P < 0.05). (2) Compared with the 21st-day of the same group, the serum levels of TRACP and RANKL increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum levels of the TRACP and RANKL increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), OPG and BGP decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the hormone group. Compared with the CM group at the same period, serum OPG level decreased and the RANKL level increased in the hormone group and the CM + hormone group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Besides, the serum level of TRACP increased and BGP decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the hormone group at the same period, OPG and BGP increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), RANKL decreased (P < 0.01) in the CM + hormone group. On the 35th day TRACP decreased (P < 0.01). (3) Compared with the normal group, mRNA expressions of OPG and RANKL on the 21st day increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), mRNA expressions of OPG and RANKL on the 35th day decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the CM group at the same period, OPG mRNA expression decreased (P < 0.01) and RANKL mRNA expression increased in the hormone group (P < 0.05). OPG mRNA expression decreased in the CM +hormone group (P < 0.05). (4) Compared with the hormone group on the 21st day, the OPG level decreased and the RANKL protein increased (both P < 0.05). RANKL decreased in the CM + hormone group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group at the same period, OPG decreased and RANKL increased in the hormone group (P < 0.01). Compared with the CM group at the same period, OPG decreased (P < 0.01), RANKL increased (P < 0.01) in the hormone group and the CM + hormone group. Compared with the hormone group at the same period, OPG increased and RANKL decreased in the CM + hormone group (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPrednisone could induce osteoporosis through the OPG/RANKL/RANK pathway. MSZ could slow down the formation of prednisone-induced osteoporosis through promoting osteoblast differentiation, and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis.

Acid Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Doxorubicin ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Male ; Nephrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; metabolism ; Osteoprotegerin ; metabolism ; Prednisone ; pharmacology ; RANK Ligand ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase ; Tibia ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDRoughly focused extracorporeal shock waves therapy (ESWT) is characterized by a wide focal area, a large therapy zone, easy positioning, and less pain during treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of roughly focused ESWT on the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in osteoporotic fractures in rats.

METHODSSeventy-two female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, 3 months old, were divided into sham-operated group (n = 6) and an ovariectomized (OVX) group (n = 66). Sixty OVX SD rats were used as a model of double proximal tibial osteotomy and inner fixation. The osteotomy site in the left tibia was treated with roughly focused ESWT once at an energy density of 0.26 mJ/mm2, 60 doses/min, and 2000 pact quantities. The contralateral right tibia was left untreated and served as a control. Expression of OPG and BMP-2 in the callus of the osteoporotic fracture area was assessed using immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blotting analysis.

RESULTSBone mineral density (BMD) at the proximal tibia, femur, and L5 spine was significantly reduced after ovariectomy. BMD of proximal tibia was 12.9% less in the OVX group than that in the sham-operated group. Meanwhile, bilateral oophorectomy resulted in a lower trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in the proximal tibia of the sham-OVX animals. Three months after bilateral oophorectomy, BV/TV was 14.29% of baseline BV/TV in OVX legs versus 45.91% in the sham-OVX legs (P < 0.001). These data showed that the SD rats became a suitable model of osteoporosis, 3 months after they were OVX. Immunohistochemical analysis showed higher levels of BMP-2 and OPG expression in the treatment group than those in the control group. Compared with the contralateral controls, decreased expression of OPG and BMP-2 at 3 days after roughly focused ESWT, followed by a later increase at 7 days, was indicated by real-time PCR and Western blotting analysis. The OPG messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels peaked at 6 weeks after the shock wave treatment, paired with a much earlier (at 4 weeks) increase of BMP-2, and declined close to normal at 8 weeks.

CONCLUSIONSRoughly focused ESWT may promote the expression of OPG and BMP-2 in the osteoporotic fracture area in rats. BMP-2 and OPG may act synergistically and may lead to a significant enhancement of bone formation and remodeling.

Animals ; Bone Density ; radiation effects ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; metabolism ; Female ; Femur ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Fracture Healing ; radiation effects ; High-Energy Shock Waves ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; metabolism ; therapy ; Osteoprotegerin ; metabolism ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tibia ; metabolism ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the dose-effect relationship of electroacupuncture of different current intensities combined with Morphine of different dosage on alleviating the rats' tibial cancer pain, and explore the possible mechanism, which could provide the experiment basis for alleviating the tibial cancer pain by electroacupuncture combined with Morphine.

METHODSOne hundred female Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and eight treatment groups, 10 cases in each group. The rats in the treatment groups were treated by combined therapies of electroacupuncture of different intensities with 2 Hz /100 Hz dense-disperse wave on "Jiaji"(EX-B 2)and different dosage Morphine in 2 factor 3 level conditions, once a day for 6 days. The pain thresholds were observed before the treatment and 0 min, 1 h, 2 h and 5 h after the first treatment as well as after 3 and 6 times of treatments. The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression was determined by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSThe rats' pain thresholds were significantly increased with electroacupuncture of 2 mA and 1 mA (all P < 0.01) on the 0 min, 1 h and 2 h of the first treatment, between which there were no significant differences (all P > 0.05). The pain threshold was still increased by electroacupuncture of 2 mA on the 5 h of the treatment (P < 0.01), while that of 1 mA failed to take effect (P > 0.05). After 3 and 6 times of treatments, both electroacupuncture of 2 mA and 1 mA had the effect of increasing the pain threshold (all P < 0.01), and the effect of 2 mA was superior to that of 1 mA (P < 0.05), had the synergistic effect with 5 mg/(kg x d) Morphine (P < 0.05). After 6 times of treatments, both electroacupuncture of 2 mA and 1 mA could inhibit the expression of GFAP (both P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference between them (P > 0.05). Both of 5 mg/(kg x d) and 2.5 mg/(kg x d) of Morphine, however, didn't bring about inhibition effect (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is a does-effect relationship on electroacupuncture of different current intensity for alleviating the tibial cancer pain in rats. The electroacupuncture with 2 mA, which is better than that with 1 mA, has the synergistic effect with 5 mg/(kg x d) of Morphine. The electroacupuncture can inhibit the expression of GFAP to cooperate with Morphine for the purpose of alleviating the rats' tibial cancer pain.

Animals ; Bone Neoplasms ; complications ; genetics ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pain ; etiology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pain Management ; instrumentation ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spine ; metabolism ; Tibia ; metabolism

Adolescent ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomus Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Melanoma ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Tibia ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

PURPOSE: Efforts for the early detection of bone loss and subsequent fracture risk by quantitative ultrasound (QUS), which is a non-invasive, radiation free, and cheaper method, seem rational to reduce the management costs. We aimed in this study to assess the probable correlation of speed of sound (SOS) values obtained by QUS with bone mineral density (BMD) as measured by the gold standard method, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and to investigate the diagnostic value of QUS to define low BMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-two postmenopausal women having prior standard DEXA measurements were included in the study. Spine and proximal femur (neck, trochanter and Ward's triangle) BMD were assessed in a standard protocol by DEXA. The middle point of the right tibia was chosen for SOS measurement by tibial QUS. RESULTS: The SOS values were observed to be significantly higher in the normal BMD (t score >-1) group at all measurement sites except for the lumbar region, when compared with the low BMD group (t score <-1). SOS was negatively correlated with age (r=-0.66) and month since menopause (r=-0.57). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for QUS t score to diagnose low BMD did not seem to be satisfactory at either of the measurement sites. CONCLUSION: Tibial SOS was correlated weakly with BMD values of femur and lumbar spine as measured by DEXA and its diagnostic value did not seem to be high for discriminating between normal and low BMD, at these sites.
Absorptiometry, Photon/*methods ; Aged ; *Bone Density ; Female ; Femur/metabolism/radiography/ultrasonography ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/diagnosis/metabolism ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spine/metabolism/radiography/ultrasonography ; Tibia/metabolism/*radiography/*ultrasonography

Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Amputation ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Radiography ; Tibia ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery

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