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Biomedical subjects

David W Dempster

Publications and source records attributed to David W Dempster.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Recovery from skeletal fluorosis (an enigmatic, American case).

UNLABELLED: A 52-year-old man presented with severe neck immobility and radiographic osteosclerosis. Elevated fluoride levels in serum, urine, and iliac crest bone revealed skeletal fluorosis. Nearly a decade of detailed follow-up documented considerable correction of the disorder after removal of the putative source of fluoride (toothpaste). INTRODUCTION: Skeletal fluorosis, a crippling bone disorder, is rare in the United States, but affects millions worldwide. There are no data regarding its reversibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A white man presented in 1996 with neck immobility and worsening joint pains of 7-year duration. Radiographs revealed axial osteosclerosis. Bone markers were distinctly elevated. DXA of lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), and distal one-third radius showed Z scores of +14.3, +6.6, and -0.6, respectively. Transiliac crest biopsy revealed cancellous volume 4.5 times the reference mean, cortical width 3.2 times the reference mean, osteoid thickness 25 times the reference mean, and wide and diffuse tetracycline uptake documenting osteomalacia. Fluoride (F) was elevated in serum (0.34 and 0.29 mg/liter [reference range: <0.20]), urine (26 mg/liter [reference range: 0.2-1.1 mg/liter]), and iliac crest (1.8% [reference range: <0.1%]). Tap and bottled water were negative for F. Surreptitious ingestion of toothpaste was the most plausible F source. RESULTS: Monitoring for a decade showed that within 3 months of removal of F toothpaste, urine F dropped from 26 to 16 mg/liter (reference range: 0.2-1.1 mg/liter), to 3.9 at 14 months, and was normal (1.2 mg/liter) after 9 years. Serum F normalized within 8 months. Markers corrected by 14 months. Serum creatinine increased gradually from 1.0 (1997) to 1.3 mg/dl (2006; reference range: 0.5-1.4 mg/dl). Radiographs, after 9 years, showed decreased sclerosis of trabeculae and some decrease of sacrospinous ligament ossification. DXA, after 9 years, revealed 23.6% and 15.1% reduction in LS and FN BMD with Z scores of +9.3 and +4.8, respectively. Iliac crest, after 8.5 years, had normal osteoid surface and thickness with distinct double labels. Bone F, after 8.5 years, was 1.15% (reference range, <0.1), which was a 36% reduction (still 10 times the reference value). All arthralgias resolved within 2 years, and he never fractured, but new-onset nephrolithiasis occurred within 9 months and became a chronic problem. CONCLUSIONS: With removal of F exposure, skeletal fluorosis is reversible, but likely impacts for decades. Patients should be monitored for impending nephrolithiasis.

Biopsy↗

Effects of a one-month treatment with PTH(1-34) on bone formation on cancellous, endocortical, and periosteal surfaces of the human ilium.

UNLABELLED: Using bone histomorphometry, we found that a 1-month treatment with PTH(1-34) [hPTH(1-34)] stimulated new bone formation on cancellous, endocortical, and periosteal bone surfaces. Enhanced bone formation was associated with an increase in osteoblast apoptosis. INTRODUCTION: The precise mechanisms by which hPTH(1-34) increases bone mass and improves bone structure are unclear. Using bone histomorphometry, we studied the early effects of treating postmenopausal women with osteoporosis with hPTH(1-34). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tetracycline-labeled iliac crest bone biopsies were obtained from 27 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who were treated for 1 month with hPTH(1-34), 50 microg daily subcutaneously. The results were compared with tetracycline-labeled biopsies from a representative control group of 13 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. RESULTS: The bone formation rate on the cancellous and endocortical surfaces was higher in hPTH(1-34)-treated women than in control women by factors of 4.5 and 5.0, respectively. We also showed a 4-fold increase in bone formation rate on the periosteal surface, suggesting that hPTH(1-34) has the potential to increase bone diameter in humans. On the cancellous and endocortical surfaces, the increased bone formation rate was primarily caused by stimulation of formation in ongoing remodeling units, with a modest amount of increased formation on previously quiescent surfaces. hPTH(1-34)-stimulated bone formation was associated with an increase in osteoblast apoptosis, which may reflect enhanced turnover of the osteoblast population and may contribute to the anabolic action of hPTH(1-34). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide new insight into the cellular basis by which hPTH(1-34) improves cancellous and cortical bone architecture and geometry in patients with osteoporosis.

Aged↗

Mutation of the sequestosome 1 (p62) gene increases osteoclastogenesis but does not induce Paget disease.

Paget disease is the most exaggerated example of abnormal bone remodeling, with the primary cellular abnormality in the osteoclast. Mutations in the p62 (sequestosome 1) gene occur in one-third of patients with familial Paget disease and in a minority of patients with sporadic Paget disease, with the P392L amino acid substitution being the most commonly observed mutation. However, it is unknown how p62(P392L) mutation contributes to the development of this disease. To determine the effects of p62(P392L) expression on osteoclasts in vitro and in vivo, we introduced either the p62(P392L) or WT p62 gene into normal osteoclast precursors and targeted p62(P392L) expression to the osteoclast lineage in transgenic mice. p62(P392L)-transduced osteoclast precursors were hyperresponsive to receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and TNF-alpha and showed increased NF-kappaB signaling but did not demonstrate increased 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) responsivity, TAF(II)-17 expression, or nuclear number per osteoclast. Mice expressing p62(P392L) developed increased osteoclast numbers and progressive bone loss, but osteoblast numbers were not coordinately increased, as is seen in Paget disease. These results indicate that p62(P392L) expression on osteoclasts is not sufficient to induce the full pagetic phenotype but suggest that p62 mutations cause a predisposition to the development of Paget disease by increasing the sensitivity of osteoclast precursors to osteoclastogenic cytokines.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Effects of cyclic vs. daily treatment with human parathyroid hormone (1-34) on murine bone structure and cellular activity.

Previously, we demonstrated that the human parathyroid hormone (1-34) fragment (hPTH(1-34)) increased bone strength in proportion to its effects on BMD and cortical bone structure in the murine femur by comparing cyclic vs. daily administration of hPTH(1-34). Both cyclic and daily regimens increased vertebral BMD similarly at 7 weeks. Here, we have examined the effects of daily and cyclic PTH regimens on bone structure and cellular activity by static and dynamic histomorphometry. Twenty-week-old, intact female C57BL/J6 mice were treated with the following regimens (n=7 for each group): daily injection with vehicle for 7 weeks [control]; daily injection with hPTH(1-34) (40 microg/kg/day) for 7 weeks [daily PTH]; and daily injection with hPTH(1-34) (40 microg/kg/day) and vehicle alternating weekly for 7 weeks [cyclic PTH]. At days 9 and 10, and 2 and 3 prior to euthanasia, calcein (10 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously. At the end of study, the lumbar vertebrae 1-3 and the left femora were excised, cleaned, and processed for histomorphometry. In the lumbar vertebrae, daily and cyclic PTH regimens significantly increased cancellous bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular number, trabecular osteoclast and osteoblast perimeters, trabecular mineral apposition rate (MAR) and bone formation rate (BFR), and periosteal MAR and BFR compared to control, with no significant difference between the two PTH-treated groups. Increased trabecular tunneling was observed in both PTH-treated groups. Both regimens tended to increase vertebral cortical bone formation parameters with the effects at the periosteum site being more marked than those at the endosteum site, resulting in a significant increase in cortical width. In the femur, the effects of cyclic PTH on BV/TV, trabecular width and number, trabecular and endocortical osteoblast and osteoclast perimeters, cortical width, and trabecular and periosteal BFR were less marked than those of daily PTH. A cyclic PTH regimen was as effective as a daily regimen in improving cancellous and cortical bone microarchitecture and cellular activity in the murine vertebra.

Animals↗

Ibandronate: the evolution of a once-a-month oral therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Bisphosphonates have been shown to be highly effective in preventing and treating postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) and the associated risk of fracture. However, poor adherence with bisphosphonate therapies for PMO results in a high incidence of otherwise preventable fractures. The chronicity of this condition requires long-term treatment, but fewer than one in two women remains on daily bisphosphonate therapy for 1 yr. A good way to reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures is through development of equally efficacious formulations with more convenient dosing regimens. Weekly formulations of bisphosphonates have been introduced that demonstrate comparable efficacy to daily formulations with slightly improved adherence. Recently, a new formulation utilizing a third-generation nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate--ibandronate--has been approved with a monthly dosing regimen. The pharmacokinetics and high potency of ibandronate, similar with other bisphosphonates, facilitate lower mg doses and longer-interval dosing frequencies with similar efficacy and enhanced tolerability. Preclinical studies and clinical trials have consistently demonstrated that it is the total cumulative dose of ibandronate that determines efficacy. The convenience of once-monthly dosing may ultimately improve adherence and clinical outcomes among the growing population of postmenopausal women at risk of osteoporosis.

Animals↗

Experimental models of Paget's disease.

UNLABELLED: We targeted the MVNP gene to the OCL lineage in transgenic mice. These mice developed abnormal OCLs and bone lesions similar to those found in Paget's patients. These results show that persistent expression of MVNP in OCLs can induce pagetic-like bone lesions in vivo. INTRODUCTION: Paget's disease (PD) is one of the most exaggerated examples of abnormal bone remodeling, with increased bone resorption and excessive new bone formation. However, its etiology is unclear. A viral etiology for PD has been suggested based on the presence of paramyxoviral-like nuclear inclusions, detection of measles virus nucleocapsid (MVNP) mRNA or protein in osteoclasts (OCLs) from PD lesions, and in vitro studies showing that transfection of normal OCL precursors with the MVNP gene results in formation of OCLs that express a pagetic phenotype (increased numbers of OCLs; increased responsivity to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), RANKL, and TNF-alpha; increased expression of the TAF(II)-17 gene, and increased bone resorption capacity). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We targeted MVNP to cells in the OCL lineage in transgenic mice using the TRACP promoter. RESULTS: Histomorphometric analysis showed that there was a 64% increase in OCL perimeter (p = 6.0002) and 37% increase in osteoblast (OBL) perimeter in MVNP mice. In a mouse that was 14 months of age, there was a 225% increase in OBL perimeter and 149% in OBL perimeter. This was accompanied by increased cancellous bone volume (83%) and trabecular width (47%) and number (25%), with a marked increase in the amount of woven bone. In contrast, cancellous bone volume decreased between 3 and 12 months in wildtype (WT) mice, whereas cancellous bone volume in MVNP mice increased over the same time period. Ex vivo studies showed that the numbers of OCLs formed in marrow cultures from MVNP mice were increased, and the OCLs were hyper-responsive to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and had an increased bone resorbing capacity compared with WT cultures. CONCLUSION: These results show that expression of MVNP in OCL in vivo results in a bone phenotype that is characteristic of PD.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Expression of measles virus nucleocapsid protein in osteoclasts induces Paget's disease-like bone lesions in mice.

UNLABELLED: We targeted the MVNP gene to the OCL lineage in transgenic mice. These mice developed abnormal OCLs and bone lesions similar to those found in Paget's patients. These results show that persistent expression of MVNP in OCLs can induce pagetic-like bone lesions in vivo. INTRODUCTION: Paget's disease (PD) of bone is the second most common bone disease. Both genetic and viral factors have been implicated in its pathogenesis, but their exact roles in vivo are unclear. We previously reported that transfection of normal human osteoclast (OCL) precursors with the measles virus nucleocapsid (MVNP) or measles virus (MV) infection of bone marrow cells from transgenic mice expressing a MV receptor results in formation of pagetic-like OCLs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on these in vitro studies, we determined if the MVNP gene from either an Edmonston-related strain of MV or a MVNP gene sequence derived from a patient with PD (P-MVNP), when targeted to cells in the OCL lineage of transgenic mice with the TRACP promoter (TRACP/MVNP mice), induced changes in bone similar to those found in PD. RESULTS: Bone marrow culture studies and histomorphometric analysis of bones from these mice showed that their OCLs displayed many of the features of pagetic OCLs and that they developed bone lesions that were similar to those in patients with PD. Furthermore, IL-6 seemed to be required for the development of the pagetic phenotype in OCLs from TRACP/MVNP mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that persistent expression of the MVNP gene in cells of the OCL lineage can induce pagetic-like bone lesions in vivo.

Animals↗

A novel tetracycline labeling schedule for longitudinal evaluation of the short-term effects of anabolic therapy with a single iliac crest bone biopsy: early actions of teriparatide.

UNLABELLED: We describe a quadruple tetracycline labeling method that allows longitudinal assessment of short-term changes in bone formation in a single biopsy. We show that 1 month of hPTH(1-34) treatment extends the bone-forming surface, increases mineral apposition rate, and initiates modeling-based formation. INTRODUCTION: Iliac crest biopsy, with histomorphometric evaluation, provides important information about cellular activity in bone. However, to obtain longitudinal information, repeat biopsies must be performed. In this study, we show the capability to obtain short-term longitudinal information on bone formation in a single biopsy using a novel, quadruple labeling technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two tetracycline labels were administered using a standard 3 days on, 12 days off, 3 days on format. Four weeks later, the tetracycline labeling was repeated using the same schedule but with a different tetracycline that can be distinguished from the first by its color under fluorescent light. Iliac crest biopsies were performed 1 week later and prepared undecalcified for histomorphometry. Indices of bone formation 1 month apart were measured and calculated using the two sets of labels. We used this method to investigate the early effects of teriparatide [hPTH(1-34)] treatment on bone formation. The results were compared with those from a group of control subjects who were quadruple-labeled, but did not receive hPTH(1-34). RESULTS: Treatment with hPTH(1-34) dramatically stimulated bone formation on cancellous and endocortical surfaces. This was achieved by both an increase in the linear rate of matrix apposition and extension of the bone-forming surface. New bone was deposited on previously quiescent surfaces (i.e., modeling-based formation), but a proportion of this could occur by encroachment from adjacent resorption cavities. CONCLUSIONS: A single transiliac crest bone biopsy, after sequential administration of two sets of tetracycline labels is a useful approach to study the short-term effects of anabolic agents on human bone. One month of hPTH(1-34) treatment extends the bone-forming surface, increases mineral apposition rate, and initiates modeling-based formation.

Anabolic Agents↗

Effects of cyclic versus daily hPTH(1-34) regimens on bone strength in association with BMD, biochemical markers, and bone structure in mice.

UNLABELLED: We developed a cyclic PTH regimen with repeated cycles of 1-week on and off daily PTH injection and explored its effects on bone strength, BMD, bone markers, and bone structure in mice. Cyclic protocols produced 60-85% of the effects achieved by daily protocols with 57% of the total PTH given, indicating more economic use of PTH. The study supports further exploration of cyclic PTH regimens for the treatment of osteoporosis. INTRODUCTION: To minimize the cost and the catabolic action of hPTH(1-34), a cyclic PTH regimen with repeated 3-month cycles of on-and-off daily injection of hPTH(1-34) was developed in humans and shown to be as effective as a daily regimen in increasing vertebral BMD. However, changes in BMD may not adequately predict changes in bone strength. A murine model was developed to explore the efficacy of a cyclic PTH regimen on bone strength in association with other bone variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-week-old, intact, female C57BL/J6 mice (n = 7/group) were treated with (1) daily injection with vehicle for 7 weeks (control); (2) daily injection with hPTH(1-34) (40 microg/kg/day) for 7 weeks (daily PTH); and (3) daily injection with hPTH(1-34) and vehicle alternating weekly for 7 weeks (cyclic PTH). BMD was measured weekly by DXA, and serum bone markers, bone structure, and strength were measured at 7 weeks. RESULTS: Daily and cyclic PTH regimens increased BMD at all sites by 16-17% and 9-12%, respectively (all p < 0.01). The most dramatic effect of cyclic PTH occurred during the second week of treatment when PTH was off, with femoral and tibial BMD continuing to increase to the same extent as that produced by daily PTH. Both daily and cyclic PTH regimens significantly increased osteocalcin (daily, 330%; cyclic, 260%), mTRACP (daily, 145%; cyclic, 70%), femoral cortical width (daily, 23%; cyclic, 13%), periosteal circumference (daily, 5%; cyclic, 3.5%), and bone strength (max load: daily, 48%; cyclic, 28%; energy absorbed: daily, 103%; cyclic, 61%), respectively. Femoral bone strength was positively correlated with BMD, bone markers, and cortical structure. Neither regimen had an effect on vertebral bone strength. Although actual effects of cyclic PTH were 60-85% of those produced by daily PTH, the effects of cyclic PTH per unit amount administered were slightly greater than those of daily PTH for most measures. CONCLUSIONS: PTH-enhanced femoral bone strength is positively correlated with its effects on femoral BMD, bone markers, and bone structure. Cyclic PTH regimens represent a potential economic use of PTH and warrant further study.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Normal human osteoclasts formed from peripheral blood monocytes express PTH type 1 receptors and are stimulated by PTH in the absence of osteoblasts.

The prevailing view for many years has been that osteoclasts do not express parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptors and that PTH's effects on osteoclasts are mediated indirectly via osteoblasts. However, several recent reports suggest that osteoclasts express PTH receptors. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that human osteoclasts formed in vitro express functional PTH type 1 receptors (PTH1R). Peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) were cultured on bone slices or plastic culture dishes with human recombinant RANK ligand (RANKL) and recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) for 16-21 days. This resulted in a mixed population of mono- and multi-nucleated cells, all of which stained positively for the human calcitonin receptor. The cells actively resorbed bone, as assessed by release of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen and the formation of abundant resorption pits. We obtained evidence for the presence of PTH1R in these cells by four independent techniques. First, using immunocytochemistry, positive staining for PTH1R was observed in both mono- and multi-nucleated cells intimately associated with resorption cavities. Second, PTH1R protein expression was demonstrated by Western blot analysis. Third, the cells expressed PTH1R mRNA at 21 days and treatment with 10(-7) M hPTH (1-34) reduced PTH1R mRNA expression by 35%. Finally, bone resorption was reproducibly increased by two to threefold when PTH (1-34) was added to the cultures. These findings provide strong support for a direct stimulatory action of PTH on human osteoclasts mediated by PTH1R. This suggests a dual regulatory mechanism, whereby PTH acts both directly on osteoclasts and also, indirectly, via osteoblasts.

Cell Differentiation↗

Parathyroid hormone and teriparatide for the treatment of osteoporosis: a review of the evidence and suggested guidelines for its use.

All therapies currently recommended for the management of osteoporosis act mainly to inhibit bone resorption and reduce bone remodeling. PTH and its analog, teriparatide [recombinant human PTH(1-34)], represent a new class of anabolic therapies for the treatment of severe osteoporosis, having the potential to improve skeletal microarchitecture. Significant reductions in both vertebral and appendicular fracture rates have been demonstrated in the phase III trial of teriparatide, involving elderly women with at least one prevalent vertebral fracture before the onset of therapy. However, there is as yet no evidence that the antifracture efficacy of PTH will be superior to the bisphosphonates, whereas cost-utility estimates suggest that teriparatide is significantly more expensive. Teriparatide should be considered as treatment for postmenopausal women and men with severe osteoporosis, as well as for patients with established glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis who require long-term steroid treatment. Teriparatide should also be considered for the management of individuals at particularly high risk for fractures, including subjects who are younger than age 65 and who have particularly low bone mineral density measurements (T scores < or = 3.5). Teriparatide therapy is not recommended for more than 2 yr, based, in part, on the induction of osteosarcoma in a rat model of carcinogenicity. Total daily calcium intake from both supplements and dietary sources should be limited to 1500 mg together with adequate vitamin D intake (< or =1000 U/d). Monitoring of serum calcium may be safely limited to measurement after 1 month of treatment; mild hypercalcemia may be treated by withdrawing dietary calcium supplements, reducing the dosing frequency of PTH, or both. At present, concurrent therapy with antiresorptive therapy, particularly bisphosphonates, should be avoided, although sequential therapy with such agents may consolidate the beneficial effects upon the skeleton after PTH is discontinued.

Aged↗

Therapeutic potential of curcumin in prostate cancer--V: Interference with the osteomimetic properties of hormone refractory C4-2B prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that the stringent selective pressure imposed by androgen ablation therapy on the residual prostate cancer cells may actually accelerate the development of the hormone refractory and bone metastatic phenotype. The propensity of prostate cancer to establish osseous metastases is very likely mediated by the osteomimetic properties of the prostate cancer cells. Prostate cancer cells acquire these "bone-like" properties in order to survive in the bony microenvironment. This process is facilitated by common growth factor trophisms between the bone stromal cells, osteoblasts, and the prostate cancer cells wherein a number of growth factors and their receptors are involved. Thus, a general inhibition of the tyrosine kinase signaling pathways may have a therapeutic advantage in interfering with the metastatic potential of these prostate cancer cells. This study focuses on the potential of curcumin, a plant based non-toxic tyrosine kinase inhibitor in interfering with the development of bone like properties of C4-2B, a highly metastatic derivative of LNCaP prostate cancer cell line. METHODS: C4-2B prostate cancer cells were analyzed for their constitutive expression and ligand inducible activation of growth factor receptors such as EGF-R and CSF1-R. Expression of bone-specific transcription factors such as Cbfa-1 and the production of PTHRP were followed. The ability of the C4-2B cells to mineralize under specific conditions was analyzed. The activation status of the transcription factor NF-kappa B was also followed. RESULTS: Curcumin inhibited the ligand-stimulated autophosphorylation of EGF-R and CSF1-R that were crucially involved in the development of osteomimetic properties of C4-2B cells. When C4-2B cells were grown under promineralization conditions, curcumin prevented the formation of the mineralized nodules. It also inhibited the expression of the core-binding factor a-1 in C4-2B cells which was responsible for the expression of several bone-specific proteins. The IKK activity was severely impaired, showing marked NF-kappa B inhibition. The experiments indicate that curcumin can also interfere with the development of the osteoblast and the osteoclast-like properties by these prostate cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: The highly metastatic C4-2B prostate cancer cell line is already "programmed" to exhibit the bone-like properties that would at least in part explain its affinity to set up osseous metastases. Curcumin is able to interfere with the osteoblastic component as well as the osteoclastic component of this phenotype, by interfering with the growth factor receptor pathways and by inhibiting the NF-kappa B activation process. It is concluded that curcumin may inhibit the growth factor collaboration between the prostate cancer cells and the osteoblast/stromal cells, thus exhibiting a potential to prevent the establishment of bony metastases.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

The pathophysiology of bone loss.

Aging is associated with a decline in cancellous and cortical bone mass and with a deterioration of microarchitecture in both skeletal compartments. These changes are more marked in women than men and are exaggerated in patients with fracture. With the insight gained from histomorphometry, we are beginning to understand the cellular mechanisms that underlie these changes. We recognize that deterioration in microarchitecture contributes to fracture risk, independently of bone mass. Techniques to assess bone microarchitecture noninvasively in a clinical setting are currently under development; it is likely that advances in this area will improve our ability to identify and manage patients with osteoporosis in the not too distant future.

Aging↗

Effects of intermittent parathyroid hormone administration on bone mineralization density in iliac crest biopsies from patients with osteoporosis: a paired study before and after treatment.

Anabolic effects of PTH have been observed at several skeletal sites in humans by dual x-ray absorptiometry without differentiating between an actual increase in bone volume and an increase in mineral content within already established bone. The present study addressed this issue by evaluating the bone mineralization density distribution of iliac crest bone biopsies before and after PTH treatment for 18-36 months in men and women with osteoporosis using quantitative backscattered electron imaging. In cortical bone, pairwise comparison of the two biopsies before and after treatment revealed a reduction in the typical calcium concentration in men (-3.32%; P = 0.02, by paired t test), but no change in women, and the heterogeneity of mineralization increased in both males and females [+18.80% (P = 0.09) and +18.14% (P = 0.005), respectively]. In cancellous bone, there was no change in the typical calcium concentration, but there was a greater heterogeneity of mineralization in both men and women [+19.65% (P = 0.02) and +21.59% (P = 0.056), respectively] due to newly formed bone matrix. Small angle x-ray scattering performed on a subgroup of subjects revealed normal collagen/mineral structure. The findings confirm the observations that PTH stimulates skeletal remodeling, resulting in an increased percentage of newly formed bone matrix of lower mineral density.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Trabecular bone response to mechanical and parathyroid hormone stimulation: the role of mechanical microenvironment.

UNLABELLED: Bone response under combined mechanical and PTH stimuli is important in osteoporosis. A rat tail animal model with computer modeling was used to examine bone response to loading and PTH. PTH enhances and sustains increased bone formation rate, which directly correlates to mechanical microenvironment, suggesting beneficial effects of combined PTH treatment and exercise in preventing osteoporosis. INTRODUCTION: Using an in vivo rat tail vertebra model combined with a specimen-specific, high-resolution microcomputed tomography (microCT)-based finite element analysis (FEA) technique, trabecular bone response to combined dynamic compressive loading and parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulation was characterized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven treatment groups: (1) Control, (2) vehicle + 0N, (3) PTH + 0N, (4) vehicle + 50N, (5) PTH + 50N, (6) vehicle + 100N, and (7) PTH + 100N, with three treatment durations (1, 2, or 4 weeks). Rat PTH(1-34) was administered daily in the PTH-stimulated groups approximately 3 h before daily mechanical stimulation with 0, 50, or 100N dynamic compressive loading. microCT-based FEA was performed for each loaded vertebra after death. Bone histomorphometry was performed on trabecular bone with double fluorochrome labeling to assess bone formation. RESULTS: Daily mechanical loading or PTH administration significantly increased bone formation rate (BFR) compared with control or V + 0N with significant increases in both mineral apposition rate (MAR) and labeled bone surface (LS/BS). PTH, when combined with mechanical loading, enhanced BFR mainly through a significant increase in MAR after the first week and through a significant increase in LS/BS after 2 and 4 weeks. Synergistic effects in BFR were present when PTH was combined with mechanical loading, especially after 2 and 4 weeks, where the increase in BFR was sustained. However, when either PTH or mechanical loading was the only stimulus, the bone formation response diminished to the level of Control animals after 4 weeks. Furthermore, significant correlations were observed between the bone formation indices and trabecular bone tissue mechanical microenvironments at 1 and 2 weeks, with PTH administration enhancing and sustaining these correlations into 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The synergistic effects of combined PTH and mechanical stimulation on trabecular bone formation rate suggest a potential benefit for combined PTH administration and exercise in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Animals↗

Precision, accuracy, and reproducibility of dual X-ray absorptiometry measurements in mice in vivo.

Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has currently become a clinical standard for the assessment of bone mass and bone mineral density (BMD) at multiple sites for the diagnosis and follow-up assessment of osteoporosis in humans. The precision of DXA measurement in human studies has been well documented during the last two decades. However, there have been no systematic reports on the precision and accuracy of BMD measurements in mice using DXA, although mice have proven to be useful models for the study of osteoporosis. Accordingly, BMD of total body as well as regions of interest (ROIs) was measured twice in mice in vivo after a short (10-min) and long (16-hr) interval between scans by DXA, and scanning variations were calculated. Inter- and intra-analyzer variations from the same scans were also determined. The percent coefficients (%CVs) of short-interval scanning variation and inter- and intra-analyzer variations for total body and regional BMDs were less than 2% at sites, demonstrating high precision of in vivo BMD measurements in mice. Moreover, the BMD values comparing in vivo and ex vivo samples from the same animals were of %CV less than 10% at all sites. The correlation of bone mineral content (BMC) to bone ash was further examined, and the correlation between ROI BMC and bone ash was relatively high at all sites both in vivo and ex vivo, with the latter higher. We conclude that in vivo DXA BMD measurements in mice are very reliable with high precision and acceptable accuracy, and therefore useful for longitudinal studies of the mouse skeleton.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Anabolic action of parathyroid hormone is skeletal site specific at the tissue and cellular levels in mice.

The cellular and molecular events triggering the anabolic response of the skeleton to exogenous parathyroid hormone (PTH) are not well understood. Despite the numerous bone mass studies in rats, few data are available for mice. Therefore, we treated 10-week-old female intact C57BL/6J mice with human PTH(1-34) delivered subcutaneously at a dose of 40 microg/kg per day 5 days a week for 3 weeks and 7 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) of total bone, femur, tibia, and lumbar vertebrae was measured weekly by PIXImus. Bone turnover was examined by histomorphometry, and gene expression of bone formation and resorption markers and osteoclastogenesis regulators in the excised femur and tibia was assessed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at 3 weeks and 7 weeks. The PTH-stimulated increase in BMD was more prominent in the tibia and femur than in the lumbar vertebrae, with an anabolic effect detected within 1-2 weeks and BMD continuing to increase. The appearance of a detectable PTH-stimulated increase in BMD was slower in the lumbar vertebrae where the increase was only significant after 7 weeks of treatment. Histomorphometric analysis of the proximal tibia at both 3 weeks and 7 weeks indicated significant time-dependent increases in trabecular area, trabecular number, trabecular and cortical widths, and osteoblast and osteoid perimeters. In the lumbar vertebrae, these stimulatory effects of PTH on trabecular area, trabecular number, and cortical width were smaller and not detected until 7 weeks. PTH-stimulated increases in bone turnover were evident by increased gene expression of osteocalcin (OC), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and receptor of activator nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) ligand (RANKL) in the tibia and femur. No significant difference in gene expression was observed between the two long bone sites. In conclusion, PTH exerts an anabolic action at the tissue and cellular levels in intact mice and the magnitude and temporal pattern of this anabolic action, as assessed by densitometry and histomorphometry, are skeletal site specific.

Acid Phosphatase↗