PubMed Health⌕ Search

PubMed · 7747921

[Sex steroids and bone tissue].

Abstract

The precise mechanism of action of sexual steroids in the regulation of bone tissue is still poorly understood. Besides the indirect action via the production of calciotropic hormones, the fact that receptors respond to oestrogens as well as to androgens and progesterone is evidence that sexual steroids have a direct action in regulating bone activity. The anti-osteoclastic action of oestrogens, via the modulation in osteoblastic production of different substances such as interleukin-1 and -6, TGF beta, GM-CSF which inhibit osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption activity, is well documented. More recently, the direct role in osteoclast inhibition was suggested by the observation that osteoclasts carry oestrogen receptors. Likewise, certain in vivo and in vitro data suggest that oestrogens could also have a positive effect on bone formation regulation. For androgens, currently available data show that in vitro stimulation of bone formation, with increased proliferation and cell differentiation, could be mediated by TGF beta. The role of progesterone is more recently known. In vivo, progesterone increases cell growth and IFGF-II secretion by non-transformed human osteoblasts. The number of potential mechanisms which have already been demonstrated suggest the complexity of sex hormone regulation which leads to the final situation of physiological calcium sparing in the skeleton while maintaining skeletal structure.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

C Ribot, F Tremollieres. 1995. [Sex steroids and bone tissue].. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7747921/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

Cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic findings in dedifferentiated liposarcoma with neural-like whorling pattern and metaplastic bone formation.

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is a subtype of liposarcoma characterized by juxtaposition of well-differentiated liposarcoma with a nonadipocytic sarcoma. A peculiar form of dedifferentiated liposarcoma has been described, characterized by a nonlipogenic component with a neural-like whorling pattern of growth and metaplastic bone formation. We report the cytogenetic and molecular genetic findings of this peculiar form of dedifferentiation in a retroperitoneal tumor found in a 58-year-old female. The neoplasm had typical histologic findings and a complex karyotype characterized by several numeric and structural chromosomal abnormalities, including the presence of ring and giant rod chromosomes. Molecular cytogenetic studies found high levels of amplification of the MDM2 oncogene, consistent with the amplification of the 12q14 chromosome band, a cytogenetic abnormality commonly found in these tumors. These findings indicate that, despite its unique and peculiar morphologic features, this unusual type of dedifferentiated liposarcoma shares many of the cytogenetic features and molecular genetic abnormalities found in other forms of dedifferentiation. The specific cytogenetics and molecular determinants of these peculiar morphologic findings, however, remain unknown.

Bone and Bones↗

Traditional and virtual microscopy compared experimentally in a classroom setting.

The technology known as virtual microscopy is now widely available to medical students. A number of medical school histology and pathology course directors, including those at the Eastern Virginia Medical School, are exploring the question of how best to make use of this new tool. The current study compared the efficacy of teaching and testing one unit of histology, bone and cartilage, using two technologies, namely, virtual microscopy and traditional microscopy. Additionally, the study examined whether low, moderate, high moderate, or high achieving students perform more effectively in any of the learning/testing formats. In a completely randomized block design, 96 first semester, first-year medical students were grouped by previous exam quartiles then subsequently randomly assigned to one of four groups. Using identical laboratory exercises with highly comparable slides for each experimental group, half of the subjects learned the exercise with traditional microscopy and half learned with virtual microscopy. Subjects were further randomly subdivided into virtual or actual testing groups. The authors found no significant differences in test scores when they examined effects by learning group or by testing group, nor were there significant interaction effects. Student performance evaluated by previous exam quartile was significant (P < 0.001). That is, students who had scored in a particular quartile on a previous test tended to score in the same quartile on the bone and cartilage test regardless of learning or testing method. In a short opinion survey, students were polled to evaluate their experience. Student preferences for both learning and testing method varied widely.

Bone and Bones↗