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Biomedical subjects

C C Danielsen

Publications and source records attributed to C C Danielsen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The anabolic effect of PTH on bone is attenuated by simultaneous glucocorticoid treatment.

Glucocorticoids (GC) are used for the treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases because of their potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, and they are serious and common causes of secondary osteoporosis. Administration of intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) may induce formation of new bone and may counteract the bone loss induced by GC treatment. Effects of simultaneous PTH and GC treatment were investigated on bone biomechanics, static and dynamic histomorphometry, and bone metabolism. Twenty-seven-month-old female rats were divided randomly into the following groups: baseline, vehicle, PTH, GC, and PTH + GC. PTH (1-34) 25 mug/kg and GC (methylprednisolone) 2.5 mg/kg were injected subcutaneously each day for a treatment period of 8 weeks. The rats were labeled with fluorochromes 3 times during the experiment. Bone sections were studied by fluorescence microscopy. The PTH injections resulted in a 5-fold increase in cancellous bone volume. At the proximal tibia, PTH induced a pronounced formation of new cancellous bone which originated from the endocortical bone surfaces and from thin trabeculae. Formation and modeling of connections between trabeculae were observed. Similar but less pronounced structural changes were seen in the PTH + GC group. The compressive strength of the cancellous bone was increased by 6-fold in the PTH group compared with the vehicle group. GC partially inhibited the increase in compressive strength induced by PTH. Concerning cortical bone, PTH induced a pronounced increase in the endocortical bone formation rate (BFR) and a smaller increase in periosteal BFR. The combination of PTH + GC resulted in a partial inhibition of the PTH-induced increase in bone formation. Serum-osteocalcin was increased by 65% in the PTH group and reduced by 39% in the GC group. The pronounced anabolic effect of PTH injections on the endocortical and trabecular bone surfaces and less pronounced anabolic effect on periosteal surfaces were partially inhibited, but not prevented, by simultaneous GC treatment in old rats. Both cortical and cancellous bone possessed full mechanical competence after treatment with PTH + GC.

Animals↗

Age-related three-dimensional microarchitectural adaptations of subchondral bone tissues in guinea pig primary osteoarthrosis.

We explored potential mechanisms of the microarchitectural adaptations of subchondral bone tissues in a guinea pig primary osteoarthrosis (OA) model. We harvested proximal tibiae of male Dunkin-Hartley (Charles River strain) guinea pigs at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months of age (10 in each group). These proximal tibiae were scanned by micro-computed tomography to quantify the three-dimensional microarchitecture of the subchondral plate, cancellous bone, and cortical bone. Subsequently, the bones were compression-tested to determine their mechanical properties. Furthermore, bone collagen, bone mineral, and bone density were determined. Mankin's score corresponded to OA grading from absent or minimal cartilage degeneration in 3-month-old to severe degeneration in 24-month-old guinea pigs. In young guinea pigs, the volume fraction and thickness of the subchondral plate markedly increased from 3 to 6 months, whereas the volume fraction of the subchondral cancellous bone displayed an initial decline followed by an increase. With age, the trabeculae increased in thickness, changed from rod-like to plate-like, and became more axially oriented. An increasing ratio of bone collagen to mineral in subchondral bone indicated undermineralized bone tissues. In subchondral cancellous bone, Young's modulus was maximal at 6 months of age, whereas ultimate stress and failure energy showed a gradual increase with age. The findings show pronounced alterations of the microarchitecture and bone matrix composition of the subchondral bone. These alterations did not appear to follow the same pattern as in normal aging and may have different influences on the resulting mechanical properties.

Aging↗

Effects of short-term alendronate treatment on the three-dimensional microstructural, physical, and mechanical properties of dog trabecular bone.

The bisphosphonate, alendronate, is well known for its potent inhibition of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. It has been used clinically for the treatment of osteoporosis and has also recently been used to reduce osteolysis around prostheses in a canine revision model of implant loosening (femoral condyle). In this study, the effects of alendronate on trabecular bone properties were assessed in dogs at an oral dose of 0.5 mg/kg per day over a 12 week period, and compared with control dogs. Cubic cancellous bone specimens were produced from lumbar vertebrae (L-1 and L-2) and bilateral proximal humeri. These specimens were scanned using a high-resolution microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) system. From accurate data sets, three-dimensional microstructural properties were calculated and physical and mechanical properties were determined. Treatment with alendronate increased bone volume fraction by 9.5%, 7.7%, 7.4%, and 18.4%, respectively, in L-1, L-2, humeral greater tuberosity, and humeral head trabecular bone. In the lumbar vertebrae, the alendronate-treated trabeculae were thicker and lower in bone surface-to-volume ratio. In the greater tuberosity, the alendronate-treated trabeculae were thicker, lower in bone surface-to-volume ratio, and less anisotropic. In the humeral head, the alendronate-treated trabeculae were thicker, less anisotropic, lower in surface density, and showed decreased trabecular separation. Alendronate significantly increased apparent density and collagen density in the lumbar vertebrae and humeral heads, and significantly decreased collagen concentration in the vertebrae. In the lumbar vertebrae, Young's modulus in the cephalocaudal direction, ultimate stress, and failure energy were significantly increased in the alendronate-treated group. The changes in mechanical properties in the humeral head trabecular bone were similar to those seen in the lumbar vertebrae. Our results demonstrate that alendronate increases the mechanical properties of healthy canine trabecular bone after short-term treatment. The physical and microstructural changes of trabecular bone are consistent with the significantly increased mechanical properties.

Alendronate↗

Bone density does not reflect mechanical properties in early-stage arthrosis.

Subchondral cancellous bone specimens were removed from 10 human postmortem early-stage arthrotic proximal tibiae (mean age 73 (63-81) years) and 10 age- and gender-matched normal proximal tibiae. The early-stage arthrosis was confirmed histologically and the specimens were divided into 4 groups: medial arthrosis, lateral control, normal medial and normal lateral controls. The specimens were tested in compression to determine mechanical properties and then physical/compositional properties. Compared to the normal medial control, we found reductions in ultimate stress, Young's modulus, and failure energy, and an increase in ultimate strain of arthrotic cancellous bone. Bone volume fraction, apparent density, apparent ash density, and collagen density were higher in cancellous bone with arthrosis, but no differences were found in tissue density, mineral and collagen concentrations between arthrotic cancellous bone and the 3 controls. None of the mechanical properties of arthrotic cancellous bone could be predicted by the physical/compositional properties measured. The increase in bone tissue in early-stage arthrotic cancellous bone did not make up for the loss of mechanical properties, which suggests a deterioration in the quality of arthrotic cancellous bone.

Aged↗

Dietary supplementation with methionine and homocysteine promotes early atherosclerosis but not plaque rupture in ApoE-deficient mice.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for atherothrombosis. However, causality is unproven, and it remains unknown whether hyperhomocysteinemia promotes atherosclerosis, plaque rupture, and/or thrombosis. We evaluated the short- and long-term effects of hyperhomocysteinemia on plaque size and structure in 99 atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Hyperhomocysteinemia was induced by methionine (Met) or homocysteine (HcyH) supplementation: low Met (+11 g Met/kg food), high Met (+33 g Met/kg food), low HcyH (0.9 g HcyH/L drinking water), and high HcyH (1.8 g HcyH/L drinking water). Met and HcyH supplementation significantly raised plasma total homocysteine levels by 4- to 16-fold above those observed in mice fed a control diet (up to 146.1 micromol/L). Compared with controls, aortic root plaque size was significantly larger in supplemented groups after 3 months (56% and 173% larger in high-Met and high-HcyH, respectively) but not after 12 months. Hyperhomocysteinemia was associated with an increase in the amount of collagen in plaques after both 3 and 12 months. Mechanical testing of the tail tendons revealed no weakening of collagen after 12 months of hyperhomocysteinemia. Many plaques in both control and supplemented mice appeared rupture prone morphologically, but all aortic root plaques and all but 1 coronary plaque had an intact surface without rupture or thrombosis. Thus, diet-induced hyperhomocysteinemia promotes early atherosclerosis and plaque fibrosis but does not, even in the long term, weaken collagen or induce plaque rupture.

Animals↗

Properties of growing trabecular ovine bone. Part I: mechanical and physical properties.

Our aim was to determine the relationship between age and the mechanical and physical properties of trabecular bone, to describe the patterns in which the variations in these properties take place, and to investigate the influence of the physical properties on the mechanical characteristics of trabecular bone during growth. We used 30 lambs in three age groups and 20 sheep in two age groups. Cubes of subchondral bone were cut from the proximal tibia according to a standardised protocol. We performed non-destructive compression tests of the specimens in three orthogonal directions and compression tests to failure in the axial direction. The physical properties of the specimens were also determined. The data were correlated with age and compared in skeletally immature and mature animals. Multiple regression analyses were performed between the mechanical and the physical properties. Age correlated positively with elastic modulus, bone strength, energy absorption to failure, elastic energy, mechanical anisotropy ratio, tissue density, apparent density, apparent ash density, and bone mineral content, and inversely with ultimate strain, viscoelastic energy absorption, relative energy loss, the collagen content of bone and the percentage porosity. The values of all variables were significantly different in the skeletally mature and immature groups. The apparent density of trabecular bone tissue was found to be the major predictor of its compressive mechanical properties. Together with the content of bone muscle and bone collagen, the apparent density could explain 84% of the variation in the elastic modulus, whereas only a small portion of the variation in ultimate strain could be explained by the variation in apparent density.

Age Factors↗

Increased amounts of collagenase and gelatinase in porcine myocardium following ischemia and reperfusion.

We studied the presence of collagen degrading enzymes (matrix metalloproteinases, MMPs) in porcine myocardium following ischemia and late reperfusion. In nine pigs, left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 6 h followed by reperfusion for 3 h. Six pigs without coronary occlusion served as controls. After the reperfusion period, transmural biopsies from the anterior (ischemic zone) and posterior wall (non-ischemic myocardium) in the left ventricle were obtained and extracted. Heparin-Sepharose isolated components in extracts were analysed for collagenase (triple-helical collagen degradation) and gelatinase activity (zymography). Immunohistochemistry using anti-human (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and fibronectin) antibodies was performed on additional biopsies. Collagenase (MMP-1) and gelatinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) could be demonstrated in the extracts of non-ischemic myocardium from ischemic/reperfused as well as control pigs and MMP-1 and MMP-9 activity was found to be increased in ischemic/reperfused myocardium compared with non-ischemic myocardium. In ischemic/reperfused myocardium from live pigs investigated, myocyte necrosis could be confirmed by fibronectin immunoreaction in myocytes and MMP-1 and MMP-9 immunoreactions were increased. MMP-9 was present in cells likely to be infiltrating leukocytes in a patchy distribution throughout the ischemic myocardium. Quite coincident with MMP-9 positive cells, MMP-1 immunoreaction appeared in necrotic myocytes, in addition to reactions observed in vessel walls, endo- and epicardium, and extracellular matrix in non-ischemic myocardium. Thus, the results showed increased amounts of collagenase (MMP-1) and gelatinase (MMP-9) in ischemic/ reperfused myocardium, indicating the appearance of increased amounts of collagen degrading enzymes very early following ischemia and late reperfusion.

Animals↗

Thermal and mechanical stability of the lens capsule.

PURPOSE: Several procedures in cataract surgery carry the risk of high temperature increases in the capsular bag. The present study was undertaken to determine the shrinkage temperature of the human lens capsule and to investigate the effect of temperature on the mechanical behavior of the lens capsule. METHOD: Thermal-shrinkage characteristics of the lens capsule were determined during gradual heating of circular specimens (2 mm in diameter) prepared from anterior lens capsules from 25 human donors, ranging in age from 20 to 98 years. Uniaxial mechanical testing was carried out at 22 degrees C, 36 degrees C and 61 degrees C on ring-shaped test specimens prepared from anterior lens capsules from 5- to 6-month-old pigs. RESULTS: The mean shrinkage temperature (Ts) for the human lens capsule was 51.5 degrees C (range 49.3-54.3) and the mean shrinkage area in percent of the original area (AST) was 49% (36-66). Ts was significantly associated with the age of the donors and decreased 0.1 degree C per year until age 65 after which Ts was found to increase. AST showed no association with age. The mechanical effect of temperatures below the shrinkage temperature was modest. The capsule became slightly more extensible with increasing temperature. The effect of temperatures above the shrinkage temperature was an increased ultimate strain, a reduced ultimate stiffness and a slightly reduced ultimate stress. CONCLUSION: Thermal stability of the human lens capsule (type IV collagen) seems to be considerably lower than that of fibrous connective tissue (type I collagen). A potential risk of capsular shrinking has to be taken into account when the capsule is exposed to thermal stress during cataract surgery.

Adult↗

Thermal stability of bone collagen as an indicator of bone turnover in gonadectomized and multiparous rats.

Previous findings indicate that the thermal stability of bone collagen is related to age. In this study, collagen from rat bone with reported different turnover rates was investigated. Cortical and trabecular bone from femur were obtained from intact, ovariectomized, orchidectomized and multiparous breeder rats. Thermal stabilities of fibrillar collagen in decalcified bone matrix and molecular collagen obtained by pepsin treatment were measured as shrinkage (Ts) and 'melting' temperature (Tm), respectively. Both Ts and Tm of cortical collagen from intact female rats decreased in parallel with age as previously found in male rats indicating that Ts and Tm measurements are interchangeable techniques in characterizing the thermal stability of bone collagen. Tm of trabecular collagen from intact rats decreased with age, however, with a decay only one-third of that for cortical collagen. The different rates possibly reflect different ages of collagen due to remodeling activity present in trabecular and minimal in cortical bone. Compared with control rats the Tm of trabecular collagen from gonadectomized and multiparous rats with a reported increased trabecular turnover rate was elevated, whereas only minor variations in Tm of cortical collagen were found. In conclusion, the thermal stability of bone collagen decreases with the age of the collagen. Increased bone turnover implies elevated thermal stability of bone collagen. Thus, thermal stability of bone collagen appears to be an indicator of bone turnover.

Aging↗

Ischemia and reperfusion of the porcine myocardium: effect on collagen.

We studied the effect of acute myocardial infarction and late reperfusion on myocardial collagen in a closed chest porcine model, to investigate if any collagen degradation could be detected in blood samples and myocardium. Sixteen 60-80 kg pigs were used with six animals serving as controls and 10 submitted to ischemia-reperfusion. In the ischemia-reperfusion group the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 6 h by inflation of a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty balloon followed by reperfusion for 3 h. Blood samples were taken from the aorta and the coronary sinus and analyzed for creatine kinase and collagen degradation products, i.e. the N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIINP) and C-terminal pyridinoline cross-linked telopeptide of collagen type I (ICTP). Myocardial tissue samples were analyzed for content of hydroxyproline, collagen volume fraction and amount of extractable PIIINP/dry weight. Transmission electron microscopy of biopsies was performed to evaluate myocytes and collagen structure outside and within the infarct zone. Creatine kinase showed a statistically significant increase during ischemia and reperfusion but we found no evidence of release of collagen degradation products either during ischemia or reperfusion compared with control. Myocardial content of hydroxyproline, collagen volume fraction and extractable PIIINP/dry weight did not differ between groups. Transmission electron microscopy of biopsies from the infarct zone showed myocyte damage but no visible evidence of collagen degradation when photos were evaluated blindly. In this porcine model of acute myocardial infarction and late reperfusion no release of collagen degradation products from the myocardium or any decrease in or damage to myocardial collagen was detected.

Analysis of Variance↗

Mast cells in cervical ripening--an immunohistochemical and biomechanical study in rats.

Cervical ripening purportedly involves different cell types and mediators normally associated with inflammatory reactions. The purpose of the present study was to determine the presence of mast cells in rat cervices during spontaneous and antigestagen induced ripening and to test whether a mast cell stabilizer was able to inhibit the antigestagen induced cervical ripening. Immunohistochemical examinations demonstrated an increased number of mast cells in pregnant and intrapartum rats. Furthermore, mast cell degranulation was found to be prominent after antigestagen treatment. The degranulation was completely abolished by co-treatment with the mast cell stabilizer. Biomechanical analysis showed that the mast cell stabilizer also inhibited the antigestagen induced cervical ripening to some extent. Thus, it is concluded that mast cell stabilizers might constitute a new approach in the treatment of preterm cervical ripening.

Animals↗

Age variations in the properties of human tibial trabecular bone.

We tested in compression specimens of human proximal tibial trabecular bone from 31 normal donors aged from 16 to 83 years and determined the mechanical properties, density and mineral and collagen content. Young's modulus and ultimate stress were highest between 40 and 50 years, whereas ultimate strain and failure energy showed maxima at younger ages. These age-related variations (except for failure energy) were non-linear. Tissue density and mineral concentration were constant throughout life, whereas apparent density (the amount of bone) varied with ultimate stress. Collagen density (the amount of collagen) varied with failure energy. Collagen concentration was maximal at younger ages but varied little with age. Our results suggest that the decrease in mechanical properties of trabecular bone such as Young's modulus and ultimate stress is mainly a consequence of the loss of trabecular bone substance, rather than a decrease in the quality of the substance itself. Linear regression analysis showed that collagen density was consistently the single best predictor of failure energy, and collagen concentration was the only predictor of ultimate strain.

Adolescent↗

Aluminium-induced bone disease in uremic rats: effect of deferoxamine.

We have previously established a rat model of chronic uremia, which is suitable to investigate the effect of various treatment modalities on renal osteodystrophy [1]. After four months subsequent to 5/6 nephrectomy, some animals were treated by gavage for 9 weeks with tap water (controls), or with aluminium (Al-citrate) 3 x 25 mg/week/kg b.wt +/- subsequent deferoxamine (DFO) 3 x 50 mg/week/kg b.wt. for 4 weeks. At termination of the study, serum clinical chemistry, femoral chemical composition and mechanical properties, calvarial parathyroid hormone (PTH)-elicited adenylate cyclase (AC) and phospholipase C (PLC) activities, cross-sectional femoral area, as well as bone histomorphometry, were analyzed. Animals given Al displayed moderately enhanced serum Al and bone Al accumulation, however, DFO-treatment did not fully alleviate bone Al retainment. A small increase in serum PTH was seen in all animals rendered uremic. Furthermore, a marked fall in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) below normal controls was observed in Al +/- DFO-treated animals compared with uremic controls. The uremic condition led to reduced femoral ratios of hydroxyproline (HYP) over Ca(2+) and phosphate (P(i)), while Al-intoxication alone enhanced femoral Hyp contents above values seen for normal controls. The protracted ureamia caused a deterioration of long bone resilience and brittleness, however, Al +/- DFO-treatment seemed to normalize the latter. Contrastingly, Al +/- DFO-gavage enhanced time to fracture. Uremic rats intoxicated with Al showed a complete loss of calvarial PTH-sensitive AC and PLC activities. DFO-treatment normalized PTH-elicited PLC, while PTH-susceptible AC remained super-normal. Al apparently exerts a long term down-regulation of both PTH-sensitive signaling systems as evidenced by studies of rat UMR 106 osteosarcoma cells in culture. The uremic condition enhanced endosteal bone resorption as shown by femoral shaft dimension analysis, while Al +/- DFO-treatment insignificantly reversed the condition. Finally, histomorphometrical analyses showed that DFO-administration tended to normalize aberrant trabecular bone volume, while rectifying both bone resorption and degree of mineralization. In conclusion, we assert that Al-intoxication hampers both processes (i.e. formation and resorption) of bone turnover, and that DFO-treatment to a certain extent prevents the uremia- and Al-induced bone disease in rats.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Insulin-like growth factor I as a predictor of cortical bone mass in a long-term study of ovariectomized and estrogen-treated rats.

The relationship between serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and cortical bone mass, formation and resorption and length of bone in a long-term experiment on intact, ovariectomized and estrogen-treated/substituted rats was studied by using multiple linear regression analysis. The study comprised intact rats killed at 2, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 24 months of age, rats ovariectomized 6 months old and killed at 9, 12, 15, and 24 months of age, and intact and ovariectomized rats treated with a low dose of estrogen for 8 months before they were killed at 24 months of age. Serum IGF-I, bone length and total, subperiosteal and subendocortical bone mass in mid-diaphyseal cross sections of the femur were determined. Changes in the latter two variables, respectively, represent the net result of subperiosteal bone formation and subendocortical bone resorption. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that IGF-I was a positive determinant of cortical bone mass and subperiosteal bone formation. In aged rats, IGF-I was also a positive determinant of bone length, whereas IGF-I was not found to be a determinant of subendocortical bone resorption. The analyses showed that long-term treatment of aged rats with a low dose of estrogen had a dual effect on cortical bone by inhibiting subperiosteal formation and subendocortical resorption. The results revealed a relationship between endogenous circulating IGF-I and local anabolic actions of the growth factor in bones. Thus, IGF-I may be a valuable serum marker of cortical bone formation and length of long bones when considering estrogen-depleted and estrogen-treated rats.

Animals↗

Vitamin D3 analogs and salmon calcitonin partially reverse the development of renal osteodystrophy in rats.

We have previously established an uremic rat model which is suitable for investigating the effect of various treatment modalities on the progression of renal osteodystrophy [1]. Four months subsequent to 5/6 nephrectomy, animals were treated three times a week for 3 months with either vehicle, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], 1,25(OH)2D3 + 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24,25(OH)2D3], 1,25(OH)2D3 + calcitonin (CT), or 1,25(OH)2D3 + 24,25(OH)2D3 + CT. At termination of the study, clinical chemistry, chemical composition, and mechanical properties of femurs, calvarial parathyroid hormone (PTH)-elicited adenylate cyclase (AC), and phospholipase C (PL-C) activities, femoral cross-sectional area, and bone histomorphometry were analyzed. The main findings were that 1,25(OH)2D3 +/- 24,25(OH)2D3 treatment enhanced elasticity as well as time to fracture at the femoral metaphysis. CT potentiated the increase in elasticity obtained by 1,25(OH)2D3 +/- 24,25(OH)2D3 treatment. Only 24,25(OH)2D3 administration rectified the supernormal PTH-stimulated uremic bone AC, and only 1,25(OH)2D3 medication normalized the diminished CT-elicited AC. The obliterated uremic bone PTH-sensitive PL-C was fully normalized by all drug regimens. Femoral shaft inner zone diameter was enhanced by uremia, however, all drug treatments normalized it. Ditto effect was registered with either drug treatment on the subnormal outer and inner zone widths. Histomorphometrical analyses showed that 1,25(OH)2D3 administration reduced both eroded and osteoid surfaces. Most prominently, adjuvant 24,25(OH)2D3 or CT administration potentiated the beneficial effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on fibrosis and osteomalacia. We assert that vitamin D3 treatment markedly reverses the development of renal osteodystrophy, and CT potentiates the effect of vitamin D3.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗

The anabolic effects of parathyroid hormone on cortical bone mass, dimensions and strength--assessed in a sexually mature, ovariectomized rat model.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH), the antiresorptive agents estrogen and bisphosphonate (risedronate), and also the combination of PTH with these antiresorptive drugs on femoral cortical bone mass, dimensions and strength in a sexually mature, ovariectomized rat model. A total of 138, 3-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into seven groups: 1--sham operated (control); 2--ovariectomized (OVX); 3--OVX plus estrogen; 4--OVX plus bisphosphonate (risedronate [NE]; 5--OVX plus hPTH (1-34); 6--OVX plus hPTH (1-34) and estrogen; 7--OVX plus hPTH (1-34) and risedronate. Treatment regimens were initiated 4 weeks after OVX and were continued for 5 and 15 weeks for each treatment group. Changes in bone mass (ash content), cross-sectional area, cortical thickness and dimensions and bone strength were assessed in middiaphyseal, femoral specimens. The results revealed that ovariectomy had no effect on cortical bone mass and biomechanical competence. OVX rats treated with estrogen and also OVX rats treated with risedronate showed no significant difference from either OVX or control groups. After only 5 weeks of treatment, hPTH monotherapy increased ash content, cross-sectional area, cortical thickness and compressive bone strength (load) significantly. After 15 weeks of treatment, OVX rats treated with PTH monotherapy or PTH in combination with risedronate showed identical load-values. These values were significantly higher than those seen in both control and OVX rats. However, PTH in combination with estrogen failed to augment cortical bone strength over control or OVX levels after therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗

Additional weight-bearing during exercise is more important than duration of exercise for anabolic stimulus of bone: a study of running exercise in female rats.

Mechanical loading is necessary for maintenance of skeletal integrity, but the most effective type, intensity, and duration of exercise are not known. In vivo experiments have indicated that the strain generated by the stimulus is more important than the duration of the stimulus. To elucidate this question, we studied 5-month-old female Wistar rats exercised on a motor-driven exercise belt for 17 weeks, 5 days per week (average velocity 20 m/min). Group 1 served as controls, group 2 was trained for 30 min, group 3 was trained for 30 min with a 50-g backpack, and group 4 was trained for 15 min with a 50-g backpack. Total body bone mineral content (BMC), bone mass of the lower extremities (LEBMC), total body lean soft-tissue mass (LSTM), and total body fat-tissue mass (FTM) were measured by dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA) at 0, 6, and 17 weeks. The BMC increased more in group 4 than in controls (15% vs. 8%, p < 0.03). In the other two intervention groups, no significant increases of total body BMC occurred compared with controls, although a trend was observed (12%). The LEBMC increased significantly in all exercising groups after 17 weeks, being 16% in group 2, 15% in group 3, and 20% in group 4, compared with 6% in controls (p < 0.05). The increase in LSTM after 6 weeks was most pronounced in group 3, at 20%, compared with 10% in the control group (p < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Long-term exercise of young and adult female rats: effect on femoral neck biomechanical competence and bone structure.

The present study was designed to examine the effect of exercise on femoral neck bone structure and strength in female rats after 4 and 10 months of exercise. Female Fischer rats aged 2 months were exercised for 4 h a day, 5 days a week on a motor-driven treadmill the speed of which was gradually increased until a daily distance of 2 km was reached. The training level was maintained for 4 months (n = 15) and 10 months (n = 15). Sedentary age-matched rats served as controls (n = 30). At death the proximal third of both femora was obtained from each rat. The left femoral neck was tested in a materials-testing machine, and the right was used for either trabecular bone mass measurement (BV/TV) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Biomechanical testing revealed a significant training-induced increase in femoral neck bone strength after 4 months of exercise, which although not accelerated was preserved after 10 months of exercise. Histologic investigation revealed a significant training-induced increase in BV/TV, accounted for by a significantly smaller proportion of marrow space. No difference in cortical area was found. Both histology and SEM revealed a tendency to an earlier closure of the growth line in the exercised animals. However, the exercised animals aged 6 months had a significantly increased total femoral length compared with the sedentary rats. No difference was found in total femoral length between sedentary and exercised rats aged 12 months. On the basis of this study, it is concluded that exercise has a positive effect on femoral neck bone strength.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗