Bone Abstracts

Introduction: Osteocalcin (OC) is a marker of bone formation but also seems to play a hormonal role in the regulation of glucose and energy metabolism. Recently, an association of BMI with a haplotype composed of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene for OC, located on chromosome 1q22, was observed in ethnically homogeneous European pedigrees.Aim: The aim of the study was to test the association of these three polymorphisms in the gene...

Denosumab (DMAb) significantly improves bone strength at the hip, estimated by FEA from QCT scans, from baseline (B/L) and vs placebo (Pbo) (Keaveny ASBMR 2010). We determined the extent and distribution of mass and thickness changes at the proximal femur, a key skeletal site for fracture risk, using a novel cortical bone mapping technique on the same serial QCT scans. A FREEDOM substudy included 80 women who underwent hip QCT scanning at B/L and months 12, 24 and 36 during DM...

Objectives: To assess the vitamin D nutrition status of healthy children in the age group 2–5 years and to assess the daily dietary calcium intake of these children.Methods: A total of 100 healthy children (age group 2–5 years) were studied in this cross sectional study. Dietary calcium and energy intake was estimated using 24 h dietary recall method. Average sun exposure over last 3 days was assessed by calculating u.v. score. Biochemical para...

It is well known that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), its ligands, and the structurally related receptor ERBB2/neu are expressed in skeletal cells. However, the functions of EGFR ligands in bone cells remain poorly defined. In this study, we employed a transgenic mouse line overexpressing the EGFR ligand amphiregulin (AREG) specifically in osteoblasts under the α1(I)-collagen promoter. AREG-tg mice did not show changes in body weight or gross phenotype. Compa...

Objectives: Autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (OP) is a rare metabolic bone disease characterized by impaired osteoclast function resulting in defective bone resorption and generalized high bone mineral density (BMD). Excessive bone compromises bone marrow space, leading to marrow failure. The infantile malignant form is typically fatal within the first decade of life. The intermediate form presents later during childhood. Currently, the only potential curative therapy for OP ...

Osteoporosis and vertebral fractures are recognised complications of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) but the underlying causes are incompletely understood. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a decoy receptor for RANK-L and inhibits osteoclastogenesis. We have previously demonstrated that antibodies to OPG (OPG-Ab) are associated with osteoporosis and increased bone turnover in patients with autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to determine whether OPG-Abs were detectable in AS pat...

Introduction: Acromegaly is a rare disease caused by excess growth hormone (GH) production by an adenoma of the anterior pituitary gland. The skeletal complications of GH and IGF-1 excess include increased bone turnover, increased cortical bone mass and deteriorated microarchitecture of trabecular bone, associated with a high risk of vertebral fractures in the presence of a relatively normal Bone Mineral Density (BMD). There are no data on bone material properties in patients ...

We have shown that the bisphosphonate pamidronate (P) given to children <10d post-burn prevents resorptive bone loss and muscle protein breakdown. We have also shown in vitro that Ca modulates the inflammatory response by altering mononuclear cell chemokine production. We hypothesized that P affects muscle protein breakdown by altering cytokine or chemokine concentration directly or indirectly by lowering blood ionized (i) Ca. We retrospectively analysed biomarker...

Objectives: Bone development can be enhanced by exercise during growth, but not all types of exercise may be beneficial. Weight bearing and non-weight bearing sports have different effects on bone outcomes during adolescence. However, there is no longitudinal evidence comparing the effects of popular sports in the UK on bone acquisition in adolescent males.Methods: In the present study 116 adolescent males (13.1±0.1 years: 37 footballers, 37 swimmer...

Background: Severe vitamin D deficiency (VDD), is a common disorder, which has complications including rickets, hypocalcaemia, hypotonia, delayed development and cardiomyopathy. Although nutritional rickets associated craniosynostosis has been reported, there is little awareness of this or knowledge about its clinical course or severity. We present five cases of late onset craniosynostosis in association with nutritional rickets.Clinical presentation: Th...