Bone Abstracts

Although bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) is known for its ability to induce growth of bone and cartilage, recent studies identified BMP6 as a key endogenous regulator of hepcidin expression and iron metabolism. Here, we examined BMP6 presence in the serum and investigated whether circulating levels of BMP6 may reflect body iron status. First, we showed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and western blotting that BMP6 is present in the circulation ...

In light of prolonged life expectancy, the need for biomaterials that govern bone regeneration increases. Improved bone regeneration and osseointegration can be achieved by funtionalizing implant materials. The extracellular matrix (ECM) affects differentiation of bone cells and is critical for bone regeneration. Here we assessed the role of the natural occurring bone ECM glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) hyaluronan (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), and their sulfated derivatives, on...

Osteoprotegerin gene (OPG) is an important candidate gene of osteoporosis. Association of the OPG polymorphisms and bone mineral density (BMD) have been studied by several research groups, however results are not uniform.The aim of this study was to determine if two polymorphisms in the OPG gene influence bone turnover markers and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women and elderly men. A total of 135 patients, aged 41–87 years, were incl...

Diabetes mellitus results in increased skeletal fragility through reduced bone mineral density and altered collagen structure. How these changes affect bone mechanics at the tissue level remains largely unclear. Anti-osteoporosis medications improve bone mass, but whether they can fully restore tissue strength in diabetic bone, where collagen quality is compromised, has not been fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of type 2 diabetes mellit...

High fat diet (HFD), obesity, and physical inactivity characterize the modern lifestyle. This can lead to coronary heart diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent studies have shown that these conditions frequently are associated with poor bone quality. However, the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. To analyze the effect of HFD and exercise (EX) on bone homeostasis, we fed 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice a high fat (60% fat) or standard chow diet for 10 weeks (10–20...

Clinical data suggest that the mTOR inhibitor everolimus may have bone protective effects in addition to its anti-tumor effects in women with ER+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer receiving hormone-ablative therapies. Based on these findings, we tested the hypothesis, whether everolimus exerts concurrent anti-tumor effects while protecting the skeleton in murine models. Thus, we assessed bone metabolism and anti-tumor effects in osteolytic cancer models upon exposure to eve...

Bone metastasis (BM) is a dismal complication of cancer, occurring frequently in patients with advanced breast carcinoma. During metastatic progression, carcinoma cells harness osteoclast (OC) activity, promoting osteolysis. To adapt to hypoxia and/or to support proliferation, carcinoma cells adopt primarily glycolysis for energy production, therefore releasing lactic acid in the microenvironment through monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4). Stressed by tumor cells, osteoblast...

High fat diet (HFD), obesity, and physical inactivity characterize the modern lifestyle. This can lead to coronary heart diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent studies have shown that these conditions frequently are associated with poor bone quality. However, the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. To analyze the effect of HFD and exercise (EX) on bone homeostasis, we fed 6 week-old C57BL/6 mice a high fat (60% fat) or standard chow diet for 10 weeks (10-20 mice...

We recently observed an increased risk for vertebral fractures (VF) in a randomized controlled trial comparing the analgesic effect of vertebroplasty (VP) vs conservative treatment (CT) in symptomatic VF. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the risk factors related to the development of VF after VP in these patients.Methods and results: We evaluated risk factors including age, gender, bone mineral density, the number, type and severity of verteb...

Severe generalised recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a rare disorder resulting from loss of function mutations in the type VII collagen gene (COL7A1). Although RDEB is characterised by severe skin blistering and erosions following minor mechanical trauma, it is a multisystem disorder with pubertal delay and low bone mass as part of the many complications.Children with RDEB have been described as having inadequate gains in bone...