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U H Lerner

Publications and source records attributed to U H Lerner.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Cytokine-induced inhibition of bone matrix proteins is not mediated by prostaglandins.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), two pleiotropic cytokines produced in inflammatory processes, inhibit bone matrix biosynthesis and stimulate prostanoid formation in osteoblasts. In the present study, the importance of prostaglandin formation in IL-1 and TNF-induced inhibition of osteocalcin and type I collagen formation has been examined. In the human osteoblastic cell line MG-63, IL-1 alpha (10-1000 pg/ml), IL-1 beta (3-300 pg/ml) and TNF-alpha (1-30 ng/ml) stimulated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation and inhibited 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3-induced osteocalcin biosynthesis as well as basal production of type I collagen. Addition of PGE2 or increasing the endogenous formation of PGE2 by treating the cells with arachidonic acid, bradykinin, Lys-bradykinin or des-Arg9-bradykinin, did not affect osteocalcin and type I collagen formation in unstimulated or 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3-stimulated osteoblasts. Four non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, indomethacin, flurbiprofen, naproxen and meclofenamic acid, inhibited basal, IL-1 beta- and TNF-alpha-stimulated PGE2 formation in the MG-63 cells without affecting IL-1 beta- or TNF-alpha-induced inhibition of osteocalcin and type I collagen formation. In isolated, non-transformed, human osteoblast-like cells, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha stimulated PGE2 formation and concomitantly inhibited 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3-stimulated osteocalcin biosynthesis, without affecting type I collagen formation. In these cells, indomethacin and flurbiprofen abolished the effects of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha on prostaglandin formation without affecting the inhibitory effects of the cytokines on osteocalcin biosynthesis. These data show that IL-1 and TNF inhibit osteocalcin and type I collagen formation in osteoblasts independently of prostaglandin biosynthesis and that non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs do not affect the effects of IL-1 and TNF on bone matrix biosynthesis.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Bradykinin and thrombin synergistically potentiate interleukin 1 and tumour necrosis factor induced prostanoid biosynthesis in human dental pulp fibroblasts.

The effects of and interactions between the six inflammatory mediators interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumour necrosis factor (TNF), gamma-interferon (INF-gamma), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), bradykinin (BK) and thrombin on prostanoid biosynthesis in primary cultures of human, dental, pulp fibroblasts were examined. IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and TNF-beta caused a time- and concentration-dependent enhancement of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation in the fibroblasts. The onset of action was delayed 1-2 h and maximal response was seen after 24 h. In contrast, BK and thrombin caused a burst of PGE2 formation with maximal response after 10 min. BK (1 microM) and thrombin (3 U/ml) synergistically potentiated IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta stimulated PGE2 formation in 24 h cultures. The effect of BK and thrombin on IL-1 beta enhanced PGE2 formation was seen both at suboptimal and optimal concentrations of IL-1 beta without affecting the sensitivity to IL-1 beta. BK and thrombin also synergistically potentiated the stimulatory effect of TNF-alpha and TNF-beta on PGE2 formation. The synergistic interactions between BK and IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha were seen after 2-4 h of treatment. BK analogues with affinity to BK B2-receptors, but not to BK B1-receptors, were able to synergistically potentiate IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha-enhanced PGE2 production. The synergistic stimulation of PGE2 formation by IL-1, TNF and BK was abolished by indomethacin and flurbiprofen. Preincubation with IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha for 24 h resulted in a substantial amplification of the PGE2 response to a subsequent 24 h challenge with BK in the absence of cytokine. Similarly, when the pulp fibroblasts were preincubated with or without IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha for 24 h and then challenged with exogenous arachidonic acid for 60 min, PGE2 formation was significantly enhanced in cytokine pretreated cells. BK potentiated cytokine induced amplification of the PGE2 response to arachidonic acid. gamma-IFN and TGF-beta did not enhance PGE2 formation, nor did these cytokines potentiate IL-beta or TNF-alpha-induced PGE2 production. These data show that proinflammatory mediators such as BK and thrombin act in concert with IL-1 and TNF in stimulating prostanoid formation in human pulpal fibroblasts and that the action of BK is linked to BK B2-receptors. The results are compatible with the view that enhanced metabolism of arachidonic acid, probably due to increased activation or de novo synthesis of cyclooxy-genase(s), is involved in the mechanism by which IL-1, TNF, BK and thrombin interact.

Bradykinin↗

Effects of bradykinin and thrombin on prostaglandin formation, cell proliferation and collagen biosynthesis in human dental-pulp fibroblasts.

Bradykinin and thrombin caused a time- and dose-dependent stimulation of prostanoid biosynthesis in human dental-pulp fibroblasts, as assessed by the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (the stable breakdown product of prostacyclin). The stimulatory effect of bradykinin and thrombin on PGE2 biosynthesis was maximal within 5-10 min. The concentration of bradykinin producing half-maximal stimulation (EC50) of PGE2 and prostacyclin formation was 10 nM. EC50 for thrombin-induced formation of PGE2 and prostacyclin were 0.05 and 0.2 U/ml, respectively. Bradykinin analogues with affinity to the bradykinin B2 receptor, but not those with affinity to the B1 receptor, caused a burst of PGE2 formation. The stimulatory action of bradykinin and thrombin on PGE2 biosynthesis was abolished by two structurally different cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors and significantly reduced by two corticosteroids. Thrombin dose-dependently enhanced the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA in pulpal fibroblasts by a mechanism that was unrelated to the effect on prostanoid biosynthesis. Bradykinin did not affect thymidine incorporation. Thrombin, but not bradykinin, stimulated the biosynthesis of type 1 collagen in the pulpal fibroblasts. The stimulatory effect of thrombin on collagen biosynthesis was not affected by cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. These data show that human dental-pulp fibroblasts are equipped with receptors for bradykinin and thrombin linked to enhanced prostanoid biosynthesis. Occupancy of the thrombin receptors also leads to a prostaglandin-independent stimulation of cell proliferation and collagen biosynthesis.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Effects and interactions of tumour necrosis factor alpha and bradykinin on interleukin-1 production in gingival fibroblasts.

Effects of and interactions between tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and bradykinin (BK) on production of interleukin-1 (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta) in human gingival fibroblasts were studied. The cytokine TNF alpha induced production of cell-associated IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta in gingival fibroblasts, with IL-1 beta being most abundant. Addition of BK, in the presence of TNF alpha, for 1 h and 6 h, respectively, synergistically enhanced the TNF alpha induced IL-1 beta production, whereas BK alone did not induce IL-1 production. Similar to BK, two phorbol esters, phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate (PDBu) and phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) which are known to stimulate protein kinase C (PKC), synergistically enhanced the TNF alpha induced IL-1 beta production in the gingival fibroblasts. On the contrary, a phorbol ester which does not activate protein kinase C, 13-phorbolacetate (13-PA), did not potentiate the TNF alpha induced IL-1 beta production. Similar to BK, the phorbol esters (PMA, PDBu, 13-PA) alone did not induce IL-1 beta production in the gingival fibroblasts. The results indicate that TNF alpha induces production of cell-associated IL-1 in gingival fibroblasts, which can be upregulated by a PKC dependent pathway.

Bradykinin↗

Cholera toxin-stimulated bone resorption in cultured mouse calvarial bones not inhibited by calcitonin: a possible interaction at the stimulatory G protein.

We examined the effect of calcitonin in cultured mouse calvarial bones after prestimulation with different activators of adenylyl cyclase. Calcitonin (100 ng/ml), added after 48 h of culture, inhibited bone resorption (assessed as release of 45Ca from prelabeled bones cultured for 96-144 h) stimulated with parathyroid hormone (PTH, 10 nM; 0-144 h) or the adenylyl cyclase stimulator forskolin (2 microM; 0-144 h). However, no effect of calcitonin was demonstrated when bone resorption was prestimulated with the adenylyl cyclase stimulator cholera toxin, at and above 1 ng/ml, at any time point studied. In contrast, two other types of inhibitors of bone resorption in vitro, the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide (10 microM) and the aminobisphosphonate AHPrBP (10 microM), significantly inhibited cholera toxin-stimulated bone resorption. No cyclic AMP response to calcitonin was seen after preculture for 48 h with cholera toxin (0.1-100 ng/ml), although bones precultured in basic medium, in the absence or presence of forskolin, were still able to respond to calcitonin with elevation of cyclic AMP. Binding studies with [125I]calcitonin demonstrated that the preculture with cholera toxin did not affect the binding of calcitonin to the receptor. In summary, our data show that cholera toxin pretreatment makes calvarial bones insensitive to calcitonin-induced inhibition of bone resorption as a result of an interaction with cholera toxin at the level of calcitonin receptor-linked signal transduction. We suggest that the interaction, distal to the calcitonin receptor, is caused by the irreversible activation of Gs produced by cholera toxin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Monoclonal antibodies against the putative divalent cation-receptor that is located on parathyroid cells do not stain isolated rat osteoclasts.

It has been reported that osteoclastic function is regulated by calcium-induced alterations in cytoplasmic free calcium ([Ca2+]i), possibly through a specific receptor. We have investigated whether osteoclasts, isolated from neonatal rat long bones, possess the divalent cation-receptor that has been demonstrated on parathyroid cells. Studies with fura-2 loaded adherent single cells showed that an increase in extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]e) from 0.5 mM to 10 mM resulted in an increase in [Ca2+]i in isolated rat osteoclasts, from a basal value of 94.7 +/- 16.2 to 150.6 +/- 22.4 nM (means +/- SEM; n = 14). The shape and time course of the [Ca2+]i increase varied considerably from cell to cell. Less than half of the cells responded with a rapid transient increase whereas the rest responded with a slow increase that reached a plateau within 1-2 minutes. When [Ca2+]e was changed back to 0.5 mM, a slow decrease in [Ca2+]i was monitored. Immunohistochemical staining with two different monoclonal antibodies, recognizing the putative Ca2+ receptor on parathyroid cells, did not indicate any staining on freshly isolated rat osteoclasts. Thus, our data demonstrate that an increase in [Ca2+]e causes an elevation of [Ca2+]i in osteoclasts. This increase is not mediated via the putative cation-receptor found on parathyroid cells.

Animals↗

Helodermin, helospectin, and PACAP stimulate cyclic AMP formation in intact bone, isolated osteoblasts, and osteoblastic cell lines.

Helodermin and helospectin are peptides structurally similar to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) which were recently isolated from the salivary gland venom of the lizard Heloderma suspectum. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been isolated from ovine hypothalamus and also shows sequence homology to VIP. A helodermin-like peptide has been detected by combined immunohistochemical and immunochemical techniques in the thyroid C-cells. In the present study, lizard helodermin was found to cause a time- and dose-dependent stimulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) formation in neonatal mouse calvarial bones. Also, helospectin I, PACAP 27, and the C-terminally extended PACAP 38 stimulated cAMP accumulation in the mouse calvariae. The cAMP rise in response to helodermin was comparable to that induced by VIP, both in terms of potency and magnitude of the response. Helodermin, helospectin I, PACAP 27, and PACAP 38, at concentrations of 1 mumol/liter, stimulated cAMP accumulation in enzymatically isolated mouse calvarial bone cells. A significant response to all peptides was observed in both early and late released bone cells isolated from the calvariae, with low and high alkaline phosphatase activity, respectively. Helodermin and VIP stimulated cAMP accumulation in the cloned mouse calvarial osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1, in rat (UMR 106-01), and human (Saos-2) osteoblastic osteosarcoma cell lines, but not in the rat osteosarcoma cell line ROS 17/2.8. The effect of helodermin was synergistically and dose-dependently enhanced by forskolin (0.1 and 1 mumol/liter). These data show that bone cells, including osteoblasts, respond to several peptides of the VIP family, including helodermin, helospectin I, PACAP 27, and PACAP 38.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3T3 Cells↗

Regulation of bone metabolism by the kallikrein-kinin system, the coagulation cascade, and the acute-phase reactants.

Inflammation-induced localized bone resorption in diseases such as marginal and apical periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteomyelitis is due to activation and recruitment of osteoclasts by locally produced cytokines and inflammatory mediators. Thus several interleukins (1, 3, 4, 6, and 11), tumor necrosis factors (alpha, beta), colony-stimulating factors (M and GM), leukemia inhibitory factor, gamma-interferon, and transforming growth factor-beta have effects on bone resorption and bone formation in vivo and in vitro. The kallikrein-kinin system and the coagulation cascade are also activated in inflammation. We have found that peptides produced in the kallikrein-kinin system (bradykinin, kallidin) and thrombin, the end product in the coagulation cascade, can stimulate bone resorption in vitro. The stimulatory effect of bradykinin is linked both to B1 and B2 bradykinin receptors. Both kinins and thrombin stimulate prostaglandin biosynthesis in bone parallel with the bone resorptive effect. The stimulatory effect of bradykinin on bone resorption is completely lost when the prostaglandin response is abolished, whereas thrombin can stimulate bone resorption both via prostaglandin-dependent and independent mechanisms. In addition, bradykinin and thrombin act in concert with interleukin-1 to synergistically stimulate bone resorption and prostaglandin biosynthesis. We also have found that one of the acute-phase reactants, haptoglobin, can stimulate bone resorption in vitro, indicating the possibility of generalized bone loss in chronic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, haptoglobin synergistically potentiates bradykinin-induced and thrombin-induced prostanoid biosynthesis in osteoblasts. These observations indicate that the rate of bone resorption in inflammation-induced bone loss may not be due to a single factor but to the concerted action of several local or systemic factors.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Bradykinin and thrombin stimulate release of arachidonic acid and formation of prostanoids in human periodontal ligament cells.

Previous reports have demonstrated the importance of prostaglandin formation in orthodontic tooth movement, but the mechanisms involved in the activation of prostaglandin biosynthesis in the periodontal ligament (PDL) are still unclear. There is, however, evidence that inflammatory reactions appear after application of orthodontic forces. In the present study, the effect of bradykinin (BK) and thrombin, two inflammatory mediators, on prostanoid biosynthesis in human PDL-cells was investigated. BK and thrombin caused a time-dependent burst of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation (maximal effect after 2-5 min). The stimulatory actions of BK and thrombin on PGE2 biosynthesis were dose-dependent; seen in PDL-cells isolated from four different patients and abolished by the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin. BK and thrombin also dose-dependently stimulated the biosynthesis of PGI2. BK agonists, with affinity to the B2 subtype of BK receptors, caused a significant increase of PGE2 biosynthesis in human PDL-cells. In contrast, BK agonists with affinity to BK-B1 receptors did not cause a burst of PGE2 biosynthesis. BK and BK-B2 receptor agonists as well as thrombin, but not BK-B1 receptor agonists, also significantly increased [3H] release in human PDL-cells prelabelled with [3H]-arachidonic acid, indicating that BK and thrombin stimulate prostanoid biosynthesis, at least partly, due to activation of phospholipase A2. These data show that BK via BK-B2 receptors, as well as thrombin, have the capacity to stimulate arachidonic acid release and subsequent prostanoid biosynthesis in human PDL-cells and thus may be implicated in the tissue reactions involved in orthodontic tooth movement.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparison of three test methods used for the diagnosis of candidiasis.

A total of 266 specimens was taken from oral mucosa or dentures of 88 patients with suspected Candida-infected oral mucosa. One-third of the debris from each sample was cultured on Microstix-Candida (C), strips, one-third was cultured on Oricult-N-plates, and the rest was collected on glass plates and stained by the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) method. The PAS-stained samples were analyzed under the light microscope for the presence of Candida hyphae. The other samples (Oricult-N or Microstix-C) were studied visually, according to the manufacturer's recommendation. PAS-stained specimens showed significantly less often positive results than those of the two culture methods. These data suggest that oral candidiasis may be incorrectly diagnosed if based upon results obtained with the culture methods. It is also possible that the PAS-staining method yielded false negative findings. This possibility should always be considered, especially if other findings and symptoms disagree with the test results obtained.

Candida↗

Role of protein kinase C in bradykinin-induced prostaglandin formation in osteoblasts.

UNLABELLED: Bradykinin (1 microM, 5 min) induced translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) to the plasma membrane fraction in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Bradykinin also enhanced the binding of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) to intact cells, a measure of PKC activation. Addition of bradykinin (1 microM) to cells preincubated with [3H]PDBu (10 nM, 20 min) caused an increase in specific PDBu binding that was maximal after 5-10 min. The bradykinin-induced enhancement of PDBu binding was seen at 1 nM and was maximal at 10 nM. The bradykinin B1 receptor agonist des-Arg9-bradykinin (1 microM) did not enhance specific PDBu binding to intact MC3T3-E1 cells. PDBu at and above 3 nM stimulated the formation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in MC3T3-EI cells. This stimulatory effect was seen after 15-20 min incubation. The Ca2+ ionophore A23187 at and above 1 microM induced a rapid (within seconds) burst of PGE2 formation in MC3T3-E1 cells. The effect of PDBu and A23187 on PGE2 formation was synergistic. The PKC inhibitor staurosporine (200 nM) inhibited basal as well as bradykinin-induced prostaglandin-formation in MC3T3-E1 cells. IN CONCLUSION: bradykinin enhances PKC activation in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. This kinase activation may be involved in bradykinin-induced prostaglandin formation.

Alkaloids↗

Tumor necrosis factors alpha and beta can stimulate bone resorption in cultured mouse calvariae by a prostaglandin-independent mechanism.

Human recombinant tumor necrosis factors alpha and beta (TNF-alpha and TNF-beta), at and above 1 ng/ml (approximately equal to 70 pM), caused a dose- and time-dependent enhancement of 45Ca release from neonatal mouse calvarial bones in vitro. In addition, TNF-alpha and TNF-beta (3-100 ng/ml) caused a dose-dependent stimulation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation in the calvarial bones. TNF-alpha also enhanced the biosynthesis of PGI2, as assessed by analysis of the stable breakdown product 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. The stimulatory actions of TNF-alpha and TNF-beta on PGE2 formation was maximal at 12 h. Indomethacin, flurbiprofen, and meclofenamic acid, three structurally unrelated nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, abolished PGE2 biosynthesis induced by TNF-alpha and TNF-beta (100 ng/ml). The 45Ca release stimulated by TNF-alpha and TNF-beta (100 ng/ml), however, was only slightly reduced by indomethacin, flurbiprofen, and meclofenamic acid. The partial inhibitory effect of indomethacin on 45Ca release was seen over a wide range of TNF-alpha concentrations, without affecting the concentration producing half-maximal stimulatory response. TNF-alpha and TNF-beta (100 ng/ml) stimulated bone matrix breakdown, as assessed by analysis of the release of 3H from bone prelabeled with [3H]proline. Also, the stimulatory effect of TNF-alpha and TNF-beta on bone matrix degradation was partially reduced by indomethacin. Hydrocortisone (1 microM) and dexamethasone (0.1 microM) abolished TNF-alpha- and TNF-beta-induced production of PGE2. In contrast to the cyclooxygenase inhibitors, the corticosteroids did not affect the stimulatory action by the cytokines on 45Ca release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

The phenytoin metabolite p-HPPH upregulates prostaglandin biosynthesis in human gingival fibroblasts challenged to interleukin-1.

The effects of and interactions between the major phenytoin (PHT) metabolite 5-parahydroxyphenyl-5-phenylhydantoin (p-HPPH) and interleukin-1 (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) on prostaglandin biosynthesis in human gingival fibroblasts were studied. IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and TNF alpha, dose-dependently, stimulated PGE2 formation in gingival fibroblasts. The metabolite, p-HPPH (1.2-2.4 micrograms/ml), did not induce PGE2 formation itself but potentiated IL-1 alpha and IL1 beta induced PGE2 formation in the gingival fibroblasts in a manner dependent on the concentration of both IL-1 and p-HPPH. The metabolite also stimulated IL-1 induced formation of 6-Keto PGF1 alpha, the stable breakdown product of PGI2, in a dose dependent manner. IL-1 beta induces release of [3H]-arachidonic acid ([3H]-AA) from prelabelled fibroblasts, which was potentiated by p-HPPH (> or = 1.2 micrograms/ml). TNF alpha (> or = 1 ng/ml) significantly stimulated the biosynthesis of PGE2 by a process that was also potentiated by p-HPPH. Addition of exogenous, unlabelled AA (10 microM) caused an increase of PGE2 formation in the fibroblasts that was not potentiated by p-HPPH (1.6 micrograms/ml). The results indicate that treatment with p-HPPH results in upregulation of prostaglandin synthesis in gingival fibroblasts challenged to IL-1 or TNF alpha at the level of phospholipase A2.

Cells, Cultured↗

Epidermal growth factor potentiates interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor-induced prostaglandin biosynthesis in human gingival fibroblasts.

The effects of and interactions between epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) on arachidonic acid release and prostaglandin biosynthesis in human gingival fibroblasts were studied. IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, but not EGF nor TGF-alpha, stimulated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation in the gingival fibroblasts. The effect of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha on PGE2 formation was significantly potentiated by EGF in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, TGF-alpha synergistically potentiated IL-1 beta stimulated PGE2 formation. IL-1 beta but not EGF stimulated the release of 3H-arachidonic acid (3H-AA) from prelabelled gingival fibroblasts. In contrast to the effect on PGE2 formation, no synergistic interaction between EGF and IL-1 was seen on arachidonic acid (AA) release. Addition of unlabelled exogenous AA, in the presence of EGF, resulted in a significant increase in PGE2 formation compared to that seen in fibroblasts not exposed to EGF. The results demonstrate that EGF and IL-1 as well as EGF and TNF-alpha act in concert to enhance prostanoid formation in gingival fibroblasts. Data indicates that EGF potentiates the IL-1 and TNF-alpha induced PGE2 formation at the level of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (cyclooxygenase). The synergistic effects of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors may be of physiological importance for regulation of regenerative tissue growth during inflammation and repair.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Bone-resorbing activity of different periprosthetic tissues in aseptic loosening of total hip arthroplasty.

Using bone organ culture techniques, we studied the production of bone-resorption stimulating factors by the different tissues surrounding loosened total hip arthroplasties. Revision arthroplasties were performed in 13 patients. Various periprosthetic tissues were obtained from these patients. Culture media conditioned by the newly formed capsules contained higher bone-resorption activity when compared to the resorptive activity found in media conditioned by bone-cement membranes. Addition of indomethacin or structurally unrelated non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or corticosteroids, to bone-cement membrane cultures altered the process of bone resorption in the vicinity of cemented joint implants suggesting that both prostaglandin and other mediators may be involved in the mechanism by which bone-resorbing osteoclasts are stimulated. Our observations indicate that, in the sequence of events that leads to loosening of implants, mediators released from the joint capsules may be more important than those produced by the bone-cement membranes.

Aged↗

Parathyroid hormone is able to enhance cyclic adenosine monophosphate formation without causing an increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ in osteoblasts.

There are several reports indicating that parathyroid hormone (PTH), besides inducing the formation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), also causes an increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in osteoblasts, and it has been speculated that both of these second messengers are necessary to mediate PTH-induced bone resorption. In the osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1, bovine PTH 1-34 (10 nmol/l-1 mumol/l) stimulated cAMP formation but did not cause an increase in [Ca2+]i in adherent single cells (basal [Ca2+]i = 151 +/- 5 nmol/l, mean +/- SEM; N = 98). In contrast, subsequent addition of bradykinin (1 mumol/l) resulted in a transient increase in [Ca2+]i from a basal level of 155 +/- 11 nmol/l to a peak value of 351 +/- 60 nmol/l (N = 14). When the PTH challenge was followed by the addition of thrombin (10 U/ml), the latter induced a transient rise in [Ca2+]i from a basal level of 173 +/- 12 nmol/l to a peak at 341 +/- 33 nmol/l (N = 20). Primary cultures of human osteoblasts were obtained from trabecular bone. These cells were also PTH-responsive in terms of cAMP formation. On the other hand, human PTH 1-34 (100 nmol/l) did not affect [Ca2+]i in the isolated human osteoblasts, while bradykinin (1 mumol/l) caused a transient increase in [Ca2+]i (from a basal value of [Ca2+]i at 154 +/- 10 nmol/l to a peak value of 757 +/- 147 nmol/l within 30 s; N = 16).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bradykinin↗

[Calcitonin as medication in pain?].

An antinociceptive effect of calcitonin has been reported in numerous studies on both animals and humans. In the present article, we review the controlled clinical studies in which calcitonin has been used to relieve skeletal pain (cancer metastases, osteoporotic fractures) as well as extraskeletal pain (phantom limb pain, neurogenic claudication, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, migraine). To date, a positive effect of calcitonin is well documented against placebo in short-term treatment of skeletal pain. However, for long-term treatment of skeletal pain, and for the treatment of extraskeletal pain, the present documentation is insufficient. No controlled trials against conventional analgesic treatment is published. Thus, further studies are required before the place of calcitonin in pain therapy can be established.

Bone Neoplasms↗