Analysis of fracture healing in osteopenic bone caused by disuse: experimental study

Osteoporosis has become a serious global public health issue. Hence, osteoporotic fracture healing has been investigated in several previous studies because there is still controversy over the effect osteoporosis has on the healing process. The current study aimed to analyze two different periods of bone healing in normal and osteopenic rats. Sixty, 7-week-old female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: unrestricted and immobilized for 2 weeks after osteotomy (OU2), suspended and immobilized for 2 weeks after osteotomy (OS2), unrestricted and immobilized for 6 weeks after osteotomy (OU6), and suspended and immobilized for 6 weeks after osteotomy (OS6). Osteotomy was performed in the middle third of the right tibia 21 days after tail suspension, when the osteopenic condition was already set. The fractured limb was then immobilized by orthosis. Tibias were collected 2 and 6 weeks after osteotomy, and were analyzed by bone densitometry, mechanical testing, and histomorphometry. Bone mineral density values from bony calluses were significantly lower in the 2-week post-osteotomy groups compared with the 6-week post-osteotomy groups (multivariate general linear model analysis, P<0.000). Similarly, the mechanical properties showed that animals had stronger bones 6 weeks after osteotomy compared with 2 weeks after osteotomy (multivariate general linear model analysis, P<0.000). Histomorphometry indicated gradual bone healing. Results showed that osteopenia did not influence the bone healing process, and that time was an independent determinant factor regardless of whether the fracture was osteopenic. This suggests that the body is able to compensate for the negative effects of suspension.

DNA polymorphisms of apolipoprotein B and AI-CIII-AIV genes in a Brazilian population: a preliminary report

Possible associations between coronary heart disease (CHD) and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the apo AI-CIII-AIV cluster and the apo B gene were investigated in a Brazilian population consisting of 46 patients with CHD and 24 individuals without evidence of CHD. A preliminary genetic analysis of SstI RFLP in the apo AI-CIII-AIV cluster showed a significantly higher frequency of the rare SstI allele (S2) in CHD patients as compared with controls. No significant differences were found in the frequencies of PstI RFLP in the apo AI-CIII-AIV cluster or XbaI and EcoRI RFLPs in the apo B gene between CHD patients and controls. Moreover, no association was seen between the RFLPs studied and myocardial infarction or plasma cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

Fatores de risco para doença arterial coronariana em crianças e adolescentes filhos de coronariopatia jovens / Coronary risk factors in children of young coronary artery disease patients

Objetivo - verificar a prevalência dos fatores de risco (FR) em crianças e adolescentes filhos de coronariopatas. Métodos - em 280 filhos de coronariopatas jovens (< 55 anos), submetidos à cirurgia de revascularizaçäo miocárdica, foi determinada a frequência de desvios dos valores considerados ideiais para a faixa etária da colesterolemia total-CT, trigliceridemia-TG, HDL-C e LDL-C, glicemia, da pressäo arterial (PA), do peso corpóreo (através do índice de Newen-Goldstein-ING). Foram também verificas as frequências do hábito de fumar, e de alteraçöes eletrocardiográficas. Crianças de 2 a 12 anos formaram o grupo GA e adolescentes de 12 a 19 anos formaram o grupo GB. Eventuais associaçöes entre o FR e a influência dos fatores idade, sexo, peso corpóreo e tabagismo sobre as variáveis lipídicas também foram estudadas. Resultados - no conjunto estudado, 48,2 por cento e 44,6 por cento apresentaram respectivamente valores de CT e LDL-Cacima dos considerados ideais, sendo que 21,7 por cento e 26,1 por eto apresentavam valores indicativos de risco também para adultos. TG acima de 200 mg/dl ocorreur em 1,4 por cento da amostra e valores diminuídos de HDL-C em 16,8 por cento. O sobrepeso e obesidade estiveram presentes, respectivamente, em 13,1 por cento e 20,0 por cento (12,9 por cento e 31,4 por cento em GA e 13,2 por cento e 15,8 por cento em GB) e influenciaram os níveis de TG. Tabagismo ocorreu em 10,4 por cento; houve somente 3 casos de hipertensäo arterial. Näo foram encontradas anormalidades da liemia e nem alteraçöes eletrocardiográficas. Conclusäo - a investigaçäo reitera a necessidade de particular atençäo preventiva nos filhos de coronariopatas jovens, considerando a levada frequência de desvios do metabolismo lipídoco e de aumento do peso corpóreo (sobrepeso e obesidade)

Purpose - To determine whether children and adolescents, whose fathers have established coronary artery disease (CAD), have increased prevalence of coronary rishfactors (RF). Methods - The frequencies of abnormal values of lipid variables, glucose, blood pressure, obesity index (calculated through Newen-Goldstein index), smoking and electrocardiographic alterations (ECG), were assessed in 280 descendents of young revascularized patients (<55 years). The study population was divided in two groups according to age, respectivelly GA (2 to 12 years) and GB (12 to 19 years). Eventual influences ofage, gender, obesity and smoking on lipid variable were evaluated through variance analysis. Results - Of the study population, 48.2% and 44.6% had total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C respectively above the desirable values; 21.7% and 26.1% had values similar to adults under increased risk. Triglyceridemia (TG) >200mg/dl was found in 1.4% of the sample and lower values of HDL-C in 16.8%. Overweight and obesity were observed in 13.1% and 20.0% of the patients and influenced TG levels in GB. Smoking occurred in 10.4%; hypertension in 3 cases and none had abnormal glucose levels or ECG. Conclusion - Healthy children of fathers with established CAD, exhibit a high freqüency of altered lipid profile and increased body weight. The results suggest the need for early identification of RF in offspring of young CAD patients, thus emphasizing changes in risk profile and improving lifestyle