Bone Abstracts

Objectives: The present study aims at evaluating bone mineral density (BMD) in a population of children with Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), with particular focus on changes occurring during growth and pubertal development, trying to understand the magnitude and timing of onset of BMD impairment in this multisystemic and progressive disease, the latter poorly defined so far.Methods: Bone metabolic markers (total calcium, phosphorus, bone alkaline phospha...

Tumor development occurs often by over-activation of members of the RAS-oncogene family (small GTPases (sGTPs)). By blocking the mevalonate pathway, aminobisphosphonates (BPs), and statines prevent activation of GTPs by inhibiting their post-translational prenylation. As we have shown, this induces apoptosis in U2OS osteosarcoma cells by re-activation of FAS expression via epigenetic DNA demethylation (1).The histone demethylase JHD...

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a common complication in patients with chronic cholestasis, usually characterized by reduced bone formation. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) improves differentiation and mineralization and counteracts the damaging effects of bilirubin and lithocholic acid (LCA) in osteoblastic cells. Moreover, UDCA decreases apoptosis in a number of cell lines, but this antiapoptotic effect has not been investigated in bone cells.Aims: To assess...

Wnt–β-catenin signalling and its antagonists (sclerostin and Dkk-1) play an important role in the regulation of bone mass and osteoblastogenesis. Glucocorticoid therapy (GCCT) is a well known factor related to decreased bone formation and osteoporosis development. Therefore, we analyzed the effect of GCCT on Wnt signalling antagonists (sclerostin and Dkk-1) and their relationship to bone mass and bone turnover.Methods: 22 patients (11M/11F, age...

We performed a prospective study on 440 young patients (aged 3–20 years), affected by various chronic diseases (cystic fibrosis; juvenile idiopathic arthritis; nephrotic syndrome; systemic lupus erythematosus; Duchenne muscular dystrophy; autoimmune hepatitis; transplants; etc.), with periodical bone mineral density (BMD) evaluations with DXA, for 3–14 years (7.8±6.2).266 patients were on long-term treatment with glucocorticoids (GCs); amo...

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare, auto-inflammatory disorder of unknown cause that affects children and adolescents. CRMO is characterized by periodic bone pain, fever, multiple bone lesions occurring at any skeletal site, even if the metaphyseal area of long bones, clavicle and shoulder girdle are the most common locations. Dermatological manifestations include psoriasis, acne and pustules. The clinical and radiological features of the disease are v...

In children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), low bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk of fractures can be observed at diagnosis and/or during treatment.This prospective study was aimed to evaluate BMD and bone turnover in patients with a new diagnosis of ALL, treated with an international protocol (AIEOP BFM ALL 2009) (*), based on high-dose steroids and chemotherapeutic drugs.Inclusion criteria wer...

Low bone mineral density (BMD) and an increased rate of both peripheral and vertebral fractures have been observed in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, studies specifically addressing bone metabolism, BMD and fractures in this disease are still very few.Our ongoing multicenter, prospective study is aimed to identify the characteristics of the DMD boys with a higher risk of bone loss and fractures, through the evaluation of bone tu...

Tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) plays a key role in osteoclastogenesis through the regulation of RANK/CD40 TRAF6-mediated signaling. Mice deficient in TRAF6 exhibit high bone mass and were protected against inflammation-induced bone loss. Here we describe the effects of a small-molecule 6877002 that has been shown to prevent the binding of TRAF6 to its domain on RANK/CD40 receptor on osteoclast formation in vitro and in vivo and on...

Low bone mineral density (BMD) and an increased rate of both peripheral and vertebral fractures have been observed in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but studies on bone metabolic alterations in this disease are still very few.We are now presenting the preliminary findings of an ongoing multicenter, prospective study aimed to identify the characteristics of DMD boys carrying a higher risk of bone loss and fractures, through the evaluatio...