Effects of 12 weeks of back-squat training program on jump performances and bone markers in female students

Background:The training program promoted improvements of jump abilities throughout the musculoskeletal system including bone markers.The aim of this study is to examine both the acute and chronic response of bone markers to resistance training program.Methods:Ten female students(age:18±0.7 years,body mass:63±3.6 kg;height:164±5.2 cm)participated in this study.They were recruited for a back-squat training program for 12 weeks,two days/week.The full-back squat protocol consisted of 3–5 sets×3–8 repetitions at 45–55%one repetition maximum.Testing sessions included a 5 jump test(5JT),standing long jump(SLJ),drop jump(DJ),and vertical jump(VJ).Results:Substantial improvements in all testing jumps(5JT:∆10%;P=0.000;ES=1.72;SLJ:∆7%;P=0.000;ES=1.33;DJ:∆11%;P=0.000;ES=0.72;VJ:∆20%;P=0.000;ES=1.84)were found during post program in comparison to pre-program results.Moreover,a significant change(P≤0.05)of bone markers during post-exercise compared to pre-exercise either before or after the training program.Only collagen type I carboxy-terminal peptide(CICP)levels elevated after the training program(pre-exercise only)compared to former levels.Conclusion:12 weeks of back-squat training program resulted greater acute improvements of jump abilities with adaptation in all musculoskeletal system including bone formation.

Calcium-fortified fresh milk ameliorates postmenopausal osteoporosis via regulation of bone metabolism and gut microbiota in ovariectomized rats

The aging of the global population has made postmenopausal osteoporosis prevention essential;however,pharmacological treatments are limited.Herein,we evaluate the effect of calcium-fortified fresh milk(FM)in ameliorating postmenopausal osteoporosis in a rat model established using bilateral ovariectomy.After 3 months of FM(containing vitamin D,and casein phosphopeptides,1000 mg Ca/100 g)or control milk(110 mg Ca/100 g milk)supplementation,bone changes were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry,microcomputed tomography,and bone biomechanical testing.The results revealed that FM can regulate bone metabolism and gut microbiota composition,which act on bone metabolism through pathways associated with steroid hormone biosynthesis,relaxin signaling,serotonergic synapse,and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis.Furthermore,FM administration significantly increased bone mineral content and density in the lumbar spine and femur,as well as femoral compressive strength,while improving femoral trabecular bone parameters and microarchitecture.Mechanistically,we found that the effects may be due to increased levels of estrogen,bone formation marker osteocalcin,and procollagen typeⅠN-propeptide,and decreased expression of the bone resorption marker C-telopiptide and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b.Overall,the findings suggest that FM is a potential alternative therapeutic option for ameliorating postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Relationship of serum GDF11 levels with bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal Chinese women

Growth differentiation factor 11 （GDF11） is an important circulating factor that regulates aging. However, the role of GDF11 in bone metabolism remains unclear. The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between serum GDF11 level, bone mass, and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal Chinese women. Serum GDF11 level, bone turnover biochemical markers, and bone mineral density （BMD） were determined in 169 postmenopausal Chinese women （47-78 years old）. GDF11 serum levels increased with aging. There were negative correlations between GDF11 and BMD at the various skeletal sites. After adjusting for age and body mass index （BMI）, the correlations remained statistically significant. In the multiple linear stepwise regression analysis, age or years since menopause, BMI, GDF11, and estradiol were independent predictors of BMD. A significant negative correlation between GDF11 and bone alkaline phosphatase （BAP） was identified and remained significant after adjusting for age and BMI. No significant correlation was noted between cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen （NTX） and GDF11. In conclusion, GDF11 is an independent negative predictor of BMD and correlates with a biomarker of bone formation, BAP, in postmenopausal Chinese women. GDF11 potentially exerts a negative effect on bone mass by regulating bone formation.

Clinical application value of bone turnover markers in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with bone metastases

Objective:The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical application value of bone turnover markers in non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patients with bone metastases.Including diagnosing bone metastases,detecting bone metastatic spread.Methods:Alkaline phosphatase(AKP),β-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen(β-CTx),osteocalcin(OST) and bone alkaline phosphatase(BALP) were measured in 76 patients with bone metastases from NSCLC and 44 normal people.Results:The level of AKP,β-CTx and BALP in patients with bone metastasis was significantly higher than in the normal people.Significant correlation was observed among bone turnover markers.The levels of BALP and OST were significantly correlated with the extent of bone metastasis.The patients with high-level CTx and low-level BALP had higher risk of pathologic fracture.Conclusion:In NSCLC patients with bone metastases,bone turnover markers can help to make diagnosis and evaluate the severity.It will have a wide range of use in clinical practice.

Correlation of Serum Leptin Level with Bone Mineral Density and Bone Turnover Markers in Chinese Adolescent Dancers

Objective To investigate plasma leptin concentrations in adolescent female dancers and to determine whether leptin has some effects on their bone mineral density （BMD） and bone turnover markers. Methods Sixty dancers aged 15-17 years and 77 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Bone mineral density （BMD） and body composition were detected by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum leptin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay （RIA）. Two bone turnover markers, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase （BAP） and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase（TRACP）, were determined by ELISA. Results The dancers had a lower fat mass and a lower leptin level than the controls, while they had a relatively higher BMD of the total body and legs after adjustment for BMI and age. The levels of bone resorption and formation of markers were higher in the dancers than in the controls. Leptin was positively correlated with BMI, body weight, fat mass, and percentage of body fat. In dancers, Leptin was positively correlated with the BMD of the total body and the left leg. However, after adjustment for BMI, no correlation of serum leptin concentrations with BMD values was found in either dancers or controls. Nor correlation was found between leptin and bone turnover markers after adjustment for BMI. Conelusion The leptin profile is different between the controls and the dancers with a lower BMI and a lower fat mass. Circulating plasma leptin level depends on BMI and is not a direct determinant of BMD in Chinese adolescent dancers.

New simulation model for bone formation markers in osteoporosis patients treated with once-weekly teriparatide

Daily 20-mg and once-weekly 56.5-mg teriparatide（parathyroid hormone 1–34） treatment regimens increase bone mineral density（BMD） and prevent fractures, but changes in bone turnover markers differ between the two regimens. The aim of the present study was to explain changes in bone turnover markers using once-weekly teriparatide with a simulation model. Temporary increases in bone formation markers and subsequent decreases were observed during once-weekly teriparatide treatment for 72 weeks. These observations support the hypothesis that repeated weekly teriparatide administration stimulates bone remodeling, replacing old bone with new bone and leading to a reduction in the active remodeling surface. A simulation model was developed based on the iterative remodeling cycle that occurs on residual old bone. An increase in bone formation and a subsequent decrease were observed in the preliminary simulation. For each fitted time point, the predicted value was compared to the absolute values of the bone formation and resorption markers and lumbar BMD. The simulation model strongly matched actual changes in bone turnover markers and BMD. This simulation model indicates increased bone formation marker levels in the early stage and a subsequent decrease. It is therefore concluded that remodeling-based bone formation persisted during the entire treatment period with once-weekly teriparatide.

Effect of Chongcao Bushen Capsule on bone turnover markers in patients with diabetic osteoporosis

Objective:To study the effect of Chongcao Bushen Capsules on bone turnover markers in patients with diabetic osteoporosis.Methods:107 patients with diabetic osteoporosis treated in the Hospital from December 2016 to November 2019were enrolled.They were divided into a control group(n=54)and an observation group(n=53)by random number table.The control group was treated with calcium carbonate,and the observation group was treated with Chongcao Bushen Capsules.The treatment effects,TCM syndrome scores,and bone turnover markers[including osteocalcin,type 1 procollagen amino-terminal propeptide(tP1NP),parathyroid hormone(PTH),25-hydroxyvitamin D,andβ-isomerized c-terminal peptide(β-CTx)],and the incidence of adverse reactions in the two groups were observed and compared.Results:After treatment,the total effective rate of treatment in the observation group(94.44%)was higher than that in the control group(73.58%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The scores of symptoms including waist and knee weakness,back and waist pain,lower limb weakness,fatigue and tiredness,difficult walking and dizziness in the observation group were shown to be lower than the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The levels of osteocalcin,PTH,tP1NP,andβ-CTx in the observation group were lower than those in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the observation group was higher than the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Bone density in both male and female in the observation group was higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:For patients with diabetic osteoporosis,Chongcao Bushen Capsule can help improve their clinical symptoms,bone density and the level of bone turnover markers.

Role of Sclerostin in the Bone Loss of Postmenopausal Chinese Women with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective To evaluate the role of sclerostin in bone loss of postmenopausal Chinese women with type 2 diabetes me｜litus. Methods The postmenopausal patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus and age, body mass index, and duration of menopause matched healthy controls were enrolled into this cross-sectional study according to criteria of inclusion and exclusion.

Unveiling osteoprotective potential of biologically active naringenin in rats with dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis

Objective To investigate the protective effects of naringenin(NRG)against dexamethasone(DEX)-induced osteoporosis(OP)in rats.Methods Molecular docking of NRG was done with AutoDock Vina 1.2.0 software.Forty-eight female Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups(n=8 each):normal control(NC),DEX(7 mg/kg,i.m.),NRG-low(NRG-L;25 mg/kg,i.g.),NRG-medium(NRG-M;50 mg/kg,i.g.),NRG-high(NRG-H;100 mg/kg,i.g.),and alendronate(ALN;0.25 mg/d,i.g.)groups.OP was induced by administering DEX once a week for five weeks in all groups except NC group.Begining in the third week after the initial DEX administration,the rats in NRG-L,NRG-M,NRG-H,and ALN groups received the corresponding treatments daily for three weeks,while NC and DEX groups received no additional treatment.Serum samples were collected at the end of the experiment for biochemical,bone turnover,antioxidant,lipid profile,and inflammatory cytokine analyses.Femur bones underwent physical parameter testing and histopathological examination.Results The molecular docking results illustrated that NRG docked with calcitonin(CT),lowdensity lipoprotein(LDL),bone morphogenetic protein(BMP),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)receptor,forkhead transcription factors,and osteoprogenitor cells showed good binding energy.In rats administered with 25,50,and 100 mg/kg NRG,there was a significant enhancement in serum biochemical indices,characterized by a reduction in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP),parathyroid hormone(PTH),and an elevation in osteocalcin(OC)and CT levels(P<0.05,P<0.01,and P<0.001,respectively).Despite no significant changes in thickness,weight,and length(P>0.05),there was a marked increase in bone mineral density(BMD)(P<0.01,P<0.001,and P<0.001,respectively).Antioxidant enzyme markers showed significant upregulation,with higher glutathione,superoxide dismutase,and catalase,and a concurrent decrease in malondialdehyde(MDA)(P<0.05,P<0.01,and P<0.001,respectively).The lipid profile also improved significantly,with lower cholesterol(CH),triglycerides(TG),and low-density lipoprotein(LDL)levels,and an increase in high-density lipoprotein(HDL)level(P<0.05,P<0.01,and P<0.001,respectively).Inflammatory cytokine levels were reduced,as evidenced by decreases in tumor necrosis factor(TNF),interleukin(IL)-6,and IL-1β(P<0.05,P<0.01,and P<0.001,respectively).Furthermore,histological alterations revealed obvious improvements,and the body weight of rats treated with NRG showed an increase compared with DEX group.Conclusion These findings imply that NRG exhibited a protective effect against DEX-induced OP in rats as it promotes the bone formation process by increasing the number of bone turnover markers including OC and CT,and restoring of antioxidant status,lipid metabolism,and inflammatory markers.

The association between the baseline bone resorption marker CTX and incident dysglycemia after 4 years

Bone is an endocrine organ involved in modulating glucose homeostasis. The role of the bone formation marker osteocalcin （OCN） in predicting diabetes was reported, but with conflicting results. No study has explored the association between baseline bone resorption activity and incident diabetes or prediabetes during follow-up. Our objective was to examine the relationship between the baseline bone resorption marker crosslinked C-telopeptide of type I collagen （CTX） and glycemic dysregulation after 4 years. This longitudinal study was conducted in a university teaching hospital. A total of 195 normal glucose tolerant （NGT） women at baseline were invited for follow-up. The incidence of diabetes and prediabetes （collectively defined as dysglycemia） was recorded. A total of 128 individuals completed the 4-year study. The overall conversion rate from NGT to dysglycemia was 31.3%. The incidence of dysglycemia was lowest in the middle tertile [16.3% （95% confidence interval （CI）, 6.8%-30.70/0）] compared with the lower [31.0% （95% CI, 17.2%-46.1%）] and upper [46.5% （95% CI, 31.2%-62.6%）] tertiles of CTX, with a significant difference seen between the middle and upper tertiles （P = 0.002 5）. After adjusting for multiple confounding variables, the upper tertile of baseline CTX was associated with an increased risk of incident dysglycemia, with an odds ratio of 7.09 （95% CI, 1.73-28.99） when the middle tertile was the reference. Osteoclasts actively regulate glucose homeostasis in a biphasic model that moderately enhanced bone resorption marker CTX at baseline provides protective effects against the deterioration of glucose metabolism, whereas an overactive osteoclastic function contributes to an increased risk of subsequent dysglycemia.

Bone mineral density in lifelong trained male football players compared with young and elderly untrained men

Purpose: The purpose of the present controlled cross-sectional study was to investigate proximal femur and whole-body bone mineral density(BMD), as well as bone turnover profile, in lifelong trained elderly male football players and young elite football players compared with untrained age-matched men.Methods: One hundred and forty healthy, non-smoking men participated in the study, including lifelong trained football players(FTE, n = 35)aged 65—80 years, elite football players(FTY, n = 35) aged 18—30 years, as well as untrained age-matched elderly(UE, n = 35) and young(UY,n = 35) men. All participants underwent a regional dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DXA) scan of the proximal femur and a whole-body DXA scan to determine BMD. From a resting blood sample, the bone turnover markers(BTMs) osteocalcin, carboxy-terminal type-1 collagen crosslinks(CTX-1), procollagen type-1 amino-terminal propeptide(P1NP), and sclerostin were measured.Results: FTE had 7.3%—12.9% higher(p < 0.05) BMD of the femoral neck, wards, shaft, and total proximal femur in both legs compared to UE,and 9.3%—9.7% higher(p < 0.05) BMD in femoral trochanter in both legs compared to UY. FTY had 24.3%—37.4% higher(p < 0.001) BMD in all femoral regions and total proximal femur in both legs compared to UY. The whole-body DXA scan confirmed these results, with FTE showing similar whole-body BMD and 7.9% higher(p < 0.05) leg BMD compared to UY, and with FTY having 9.6% higher(p < 0.001) wholebody BMD and 18.2% higher(p < 0.001) leg BMD compared to UY. The plasma concentration of osteocalcin, CTX-1, and P1NP were 29%,53%, and 52% higher(p < 0.01), respectively, in FTY compared to UY.Conclusion: BMD of the proximal femur and whole-body BMD are markedly higher in lifelong trained male football players aged 65—80 years and young elite football players aged 18—30 years compared to age-matched untrained men. Elderly football players even show higher BMD in femoral trochanter and leg BMD than untrained young despite an age difference of 47 years.

Animal Modelling of Lumbar Corpectomy and Fusion and in vivo Growth of Spine Supporting Bone by Titanium Cage Implants: An Experimental Study

In this study a lumbar spinal fusion animal model is established to assess the effect of spinal fusion cage,and explore theminimum area ratio of titanium cage section to vertebral section that ensures bone healing and biomechanical property.Lumbarcorpectomy was conducted by posterolateral approach with titanium cage implantation combined with plate fixation.Titaniumcages with the same length but different diameters were used.After implantation of titanium cages,the progress of bone healingwas observed and the bone biomechanical properties were measured,including deformation and displacement in axial compression,flexion,extension,and lateral bending motion.The factors affecting the in vivo growth of spine supporting body wereanalyzed.The results show that the area ratio of titanium cage section to vertebral section should reach 1/2 to ensure the bonehealing,sufficient bone intensity and biomechanical properties.Some bone healing indicators,such as BMP,suggest that there isa relationship between the peak time and the peak value of bone formation and metabolism markers and the bone healing strength.

Bone Loss in Women with Type 1 Diabetes

Background: Although osteoporosis has been investigated and debated in the diabetic population over the past decades, very little is known about the spontaneous changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover in pre- and postmenopausal type 1 diabetic (T1DM) women over time. Aim: To measure spontaneous changes in BMD and biochemical markers of bone turnover in pre- and postmenopausal T1DM women. Subjects: 53 T1DM women (31 premenopausal and 22 postmenopausal) from the outpatient clinic were enrolled in the study in 1993 and 35 (22 premenopausal, 13 postmenopausal) were reexamined in 1997. Method: BMD was measured at femoral neck (f.n.), spine (L2 - L4), total body and forearm with DXA or SXA in 53 T1DM women. 4 years later a re-scan was carried out on 35 T1DM. Results: In premenopausal subjects a yearly decrease less than 1% at f.n., spine, forearm and total body was observed, though only statistically significant (s.s.) at f.n., p ≤ 0.05. In postmenopausal subjects a s.s. decrease less than 2% was observed at f.n., forearm and total body, p ≤ 0.05. In general, osteopenic or osteoporotic values were observed at the measured skeletal sites. Only at f.n. a lower s.s. BMD compared to age-matched reference women was seen. Conclusion: Small or non-significant changes in BMD and biochemical markers of bone turnover were observed in pre- and postmenopausal T1DM subjects after a 4-year period.

Effect of chronic sleep deprivation on peak bone mass in rats: An experimental study

Objective:To investigate the effects of chronic sleep deprivation(CSD)on bone microstructure and peak bone mass(PBM)in SD rats.Methods:Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into CSD group and control group.In the CSD group,a CSD model was established using a new sleep deprivation instrument for rats and mice,and intervened for 5 weeks.Bone turnover markers including P1NP and CTX-1 before and after the experiment were observed.After the experiment,the left femur were scanned by Micro-CT,and the cortical bone and bone trabecula were three-dimensionally reconstructed,respectively.The bone mineral density(BMD)and relevant parameters were detected.Results:CT images of the femur(proximal ends)showed significant trabecular loss in CSD rats.Trabecular parameters including bone volume fraction(BV/TV),trabecular number(Tb.N)and trabecular separation(Tb.Sp)in the CSD group were all lower than those in the control group.The bone cortex of the middle segment of the femur and tibia in CSD rats was also lower than that in the control group.The parameters of bone cortex including total tissue area(Tt.Ar),cortical bone area(Ct.Ar)and cortical bone thickness(Ct.Th)in the CSD group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.01).After chronic CSD,BMD of both bone trabecula and bone cortex of the femur was lower,while the corresponding P1NP and CTX-1 were significantly higher than those in the control group.Conclusion:Sleep plays an important role in PBM formation.CSD accelerates bone turnover and thus significantly reducing PBM in SD rats.

EXPRESSION OF rhBMP-7 GENE IN TRANSDUCED BONE MARROW DERIVED STROMAL CELLS

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possibility of expression of exogenous gene in transduced bone marrow derived stromal cells (BMSCs). METHODS: The marker gene, pbLacZ, was transferred into cultured BMSCs and the expression of transduced gene by X-gal staining was examined. Then plasmid pcDNA3-rhBMP7 was delivered to cultured BMSCs. Through immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR assay, the expression of rhBMP7 gene was detected. RESULTS: The exogenous gene could be expressed efficiently in transduced BMSCs. CONCLUSION: The present study provided a theoretical basis to gene therapy on the problems of bone and cartilage tissue.

Physiological and pharmacological basis for the ergogenic effects of growth hormone in elite sports

Growth Hormone （GH） is an important and powerful metabolic hormone that is secreted in a pulsatile pattern from cells in the anterior pituitary, influenced by several normal and pathophysiological conditions. Human GH was first isolated in the 1950s and human derived cadaveric GH was initially used to treat patients with GH deficiency. However, synthetic recombinant GH has been widely available since the mid-1980s and the advent of this recombi- nant GH boosted the abuse of GH as a doping agent. Doping with GH is a well-known problem among elite athletes and among people training at gyms, but is forbidden for both medical and ethical reasons. It is mainly the anabolic and, to some extent, the lipolytic effects of GH that is valued by its users. Even though GH＇ s rumour as an effective ergogenic drug among athletes, the effectiveness of GH as a single doping agent has been questioned during the last few years. There is a lack of scientific evidence that GH in supraphysiological doses has additional effects on muscle exercise performance other than those obtained from optimised training and diet itself. However, there might be synergistic effects if GH is combined with, for example, anabolic steroids, and GH seems to have positive effect on collagen synthesis. Regardless of whether or not GH doping is effective, there is a need for a reliable test method to detect GH doping. Several issues have made the development of a method for detecting GH doping complicated but a method has been presented and used in the Olympics in Athens and Turin. A problem with the method used, is the short time span （24-36 hours） from the last GH administration during which the test effectively can reveal doping. Therefore, out-of-competition testing will be crucial. However, work with different approaches to develop an alternative, reliable test is ongoing.

Bone Metabolic Markers in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Background： Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome （OSAS） is prevalent in obesity and is associated with many metabolic abnormalities. The relationship between OSAS and bone metabolism is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the severity of OSAS and bone metabolic markers. Methods： A total of 119 obese males were enrolled in this study in spring months from 2015 to 2017. All candidates underwent polysomnography, and their bone mineral density （BMD） and the serum levels of total procollagen type 1 N-tenninal propeptide （t-P I NP）, N-terminal midfragment ofosteocalcin （N-MID）, [3-C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen （β-CTX）, vitamin D （VD）, and parathyroid hormone （PTH） were measured. The analysis of variance and Pearson correlation analysis were performed for data analyses. Results： No significant differences in the mean values of BMD were observed among the obesity, mild-to-moderate OSAS, and severe OSAS groups; and the serum levels oft-P1NP and [3-CTX in the severe OSAS group were significantly higher than those in the obesity group （48.42 ±23.78 ng/ml vs. 31.98 ± 9.85 ng/ml, P 〈 0.001 ; 0.53 ± 0.24 ng/ml vs. 0.41 ±0.13 ng/ml, P 0.011, respectively）. The serum level of VD in the obesity group was significantly higher than those in the mild-to-moderate and severe OSAS groups （both P 〈 0.001 ）, and decreased as the severity of OSAS increased （P 〈 0.001）. The serum level of PTH in the severe OSAS group was significantly higher than those in the obesity and mild-to-moderate OSAS groups （both P 〈 0.001 ）. The results of correlation analysis indicated that the level of apnea-hypopnea index （AHI） was correlated with the levels oft-P1NP （r = 0.396, P 〈 0.001 ）, VD （r = 0.404, P 〈 0.001 ）, and PTH （r = 0.400, P 〈 0.001 ）, whereas the level of minimum 02 saturation （SaO2min） was correlated with the levels ofVD （r = 0.258, P=0.016） andPTH（r= 0.376, P〈0.001）. Conclusions： The levels of bone resorption and formation markers in patients with severe OSAS were significantly increased compared to obese men, and the severity of OSAS was correlated with the serum levels of t-P1NP, VD, and PTH.

Urine products of bone breakdown as markers of bone resorption and clinical usefulness of urinary hydroxyproline:an overview

Purpose The purpose of this study is to review the urine products of bone breakdown as markers of bone resorption and usefulness of urinary hydroxyproline.Data Related researches published in 1985 -2000 were systematically reviewed.Results Bone markers could be used for early diagnosis of bone metabolic diseases. Biochemical markers of bone resorption that reflect osteoclast activity and/or collagen degradation provide a new and potentially important clinical tool for the assessment and monitoring of bone metabolism. Assessment of bone resorption can be achieved with measurement of urinary hydroxylysine glycosides, urinary excretion of the collagen pyridinium cross-links, urinary excretion of type I collagen telopeptide breakdown products (cross-linked telopeptides) and urinary hydroxyproline.Conclusion Urinary hydroxyproline has been in use as a marker of bone resorption, but it lacks sensitivity and specificity. It is a modified aminoacid that is a metabolic product of collagen breakdown. Hydroxyproline may be released either free or with fragments of the collagen molecule attached during bone resorption, and it is also liberated by the breakdown of complement and nonskeletal collagen.

Clinical significance of HBME-1,Galectin-3,and CK19 expression and the status of BRAF mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the clinical significance of the expression of proteins human bone marrow endothelial cell markers(HBME-1), Galectin-3, and cytokeratin19(CK19), as well as the status of v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1(BRAF) mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC). Methods Immunohistochemical staining was performed in 82 specimens each of PTC and papillary benign lesions to detect the expression of HBME-1, Galectin-3, and CK19. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and gene sequencing were performed on 60 specimens each of PTC and papillary benign lesions to detect the status of BRAF mutation. Results The positive expression ratios of HBME-1, Galectin-3, and CK19 in PTC were 98.8%, 97.6% and 100% respectively, which were significantly higher than the expressions in papillary benign lesions(P < 0.05). No significant relationship was observed between the expression of these makers and the clinicopathological features of PTC. The sensitivity of co-expression of HBME-1 and CK19 or HBME-1 and Galectin-3 as diagnostic criteria of PTC was 99.9%, with a specificity of 95.4%. BRAF mutation was detected in 40 of 60 PTC(66.7%) specimens. There was a statistical difference in BRAF mutations between PTC and papillary benign lesions(P < 0.05); there were no associations between BRAF mutation and the clinicopathological features of PTC. Conclusion Combined immunohistochemical staining of HBME-1, Galectin-3, and CK19 can further improve the sensitivity and specificity of differential diagnosis of PTC. BRAF mutation is a significant genetic event, which may have diagnostic value for PTC.

Effects of a Herbal Formula on Biochemical Markers of Bone Turnover in Ovariectomized Rats

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of a Chinese herbal formula MG in ameliorating estrogen deficiency bone loss. Methods: 10 month old female rats were randomly divided into three groups: ovariectomized (OVX), OVX treated with MG decoction (OVX M) and OVX treated with estrogen injection (OVX E). The urinary pyridinoline creatinine ratio (Pyd/Cr), deoxypyridinoline creatinine ratio (Dpd/Cr), and plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined at the baseline, 1, 4, 8 and 12 postoperative weeks. Results: Our data showed an average increase of 93% in Pyd/Cr ( P <0.001), 180% in Dpd/Cr ( P <0.005) and 59% in plasma ALP ( P <0.001) respectively in the OVX group after ovariectomy. Compared with OVX rats, the increase of the OVX M group were prevented 39% in Pyd/Cr, 102% in Dpd/Cr and 19% in ALP respectively ( P <0.05). Conclusion: The herbal formula MG possesses a therapeutic effect on estrogen dependent bone loss by inhibiting the bone turnover as estrogen replacement.