Bone Abstracts

The microenvironment of osteolytic metastases includes carcinoma cells derived from the primary lesion as well as bone-forming and bone-resorbing cells, namely osteoblasts (OB) and osteoclasts (OC). At this site, both the high glycolysis of cancer cells, and the bone resorption process result in a very acidic milieu. This, in turn, induces the surrounding stroma and OB to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors that promote tumorigenesis and cancer-associated ost...

Low bone formation is considered to be the main feature in osteoporosis associated with cholestatic and end-stage liver diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated the deleterious consequences of retained substances such as lithocholic acid (LCA) and bilirubin (Bil) on osteoblastic cells. These effects are neutralized by ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). To gain new insights into cholestatic-induced osteoporosis, we have assessed the differential gene expression of osteoblastic ce...

We analyzed body composition (DXA, Hologic) in 334 young patients (aged 3–24 years) with chronic diseases, most of them on long-term glucocorticoid (GC) treatment, and monitored its changes over 3–14 years (6.9±6.2 years).Bone mineral content (BMC), fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were measured on total body (TB), trunk, upper limbs, lower limbs. BMC, FM, FFM were expressed as percentages and compared with age- and sex-matched health...

Degradable bone implants may provide improved long-term healing, tissue remodeling and quality of life. In order to optimize alloy composition and degradation properties, in-vivo monitoring of the degradation process and its impact on bone formation is essential because degradation progresses differently in-vivo versus in-vitro. We aim to understand how degradation of magnesium alloy implants influences bone remodeling and bone structure using Micro-...

Bone tissue homeostasis requires the coordinated activity of osteoblasts, the bone forming cells, of osteoclasts, the bone resorbing cells, and of osteocytes, generally referred as the bone mechano-sensors. In this contest, osteoblasts are the mesenchymal cells secreting the extracellular matrix components on which hydroxyapatite crystals are then deposited. The most abundant protein of this organic matrix is type I collagen, a heterotrimeric secretory protein, synthesized as ...

Introduction: The clinical diagnosis of mild forms of hypophosphatasia [HPP], a rare genetic bone disease, is often made in adulthood, on the basis of persistently low serum levels of alkaline phosphatase [ALP], often coupled with signs of poor bone/teeth mineralization.Case report: A 50-year-old male on treatment with vitamin D supplementation because of osteoporosis of lumbar spine (T-score –3.2) and femoral neck (T-score –2.4), was referred ...

The effects of prolactin on bone metabolism have been the subjects of several studies. It is believed that prolactin acts directly influencing the synthesis of bone matrix by stimulating the osteoblastic activity, since receptors for this hormone have been identified in osteoblasts and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, no study on the effects of prolactin on the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs was found in the literature. The objective of this study was to verif...

Numerous studies have reported beneficial effects of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in tissue repair and regeneration. These multipotent cells can be isolated from many different adult tissues and give rise to different cell lineages. The most well-characterized source for adult stem cells is still adult bone marrow, however in the past decade, subpopulations of stem cells have been isolated from dental tissues. Dental pulp has been identified as a promising source ...

Spinal cord injury (SCI) has been associated with a marked increase in bone loss. This study analysed the effect of Wnt signalling antagonists (sclerostin and DKK-1) and their relationship with bone turnover markers and BMD evolution in patients with a recent SCI.Methods: Patients with a recent complete motor SCI (AIS A or B); (<6 months) were prospectively included. Bone turnover markers (bone formation: P1NP, bone AP; bone resorption: sCTx), Wnt an...

Objectives: Impairment of bone mass accrual and alterations of bone metabolism is a common finding in HIV-infected youths. In particular, previous studies demonstrated higher bone formation and bone resorption rates in HIV-infected children and adolescents. Wnt ligands promote bone formation by stimulating osteoblast differentiation and their survival. Recent studies demonstrated that sclerostin (Scl) and dickkopf factor 1 (DKK-1), Wnt antagonists, are important negative regul...