High Serum Osteopontin Levels Are Associated with Low Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women

Osteopontin (OPN) is an acidic, noncollagenous matrix protein produced by the bone and kidneys. It is reportedly involved in bone resorption and formation. We examined the association between serum OPN levels and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Premenopausal women (n=32) and postmenopausal women (n=409) participated in the study. We measured serum osteopontin levels and their relationships with bone mineral density and previous total fragility fractures. The postmenopausal women had higher mean serum OPN levels compared to the premenopausal women (43.6+/-25.9 vs 26.3+/-18.6 ng/mL; P<0.001). In the postmenopausal women, high serum OPN levels were negatively correlated with mean lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) (r=-0.113, P=0.023). In a stepwise multiple linear regression model, serum OPN levels were associated with BMD of the spine, femoral neck, and total hip after adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, and physical activity in postmenopausal women. However, serum OPN levels did not differ between postmenopausal women with and without fractures. Postmenopausal women exhibit higher serum OPN levels than premenopausal women and higher serum OPN levels were associated with low BMD in postmenopausal women.

Valoración del morfotipo raquídeo en el plano sagital en ciclistas de categoría máster 40 / Spinal posture of thoracic and lumbar spine in master 40 cyclists

El objetivo principal del estudio fue valorar la disposición sagital del raquis torácico y lumbar en bipedestación y sobre la bicicleta, en ciclistas de la categoría máster 40. Un total de 50 ciclistas máster 40 (media de edad: 44,02 +/- 2,51 años) fueron evaluados mediante el sistema Spinal Mouse en bipedestación y sobre la bicicleta en tres agarres del manillar: transversal, de manetas y bajo. En bipedestación, los valores angulares medios para el raquis torácico y lumbar fueron de 49,42 +/- 9,00 y -22,74 +/- 9,38, respectivamente. Un elevado porcentaje de los ciclistas (68 por ciento) presentaron una hipercifosis torácica, mientras que la mayoría tenían valores normales en la lordosis lumbar. Sobre la bicicleta, los ciclistas mostraron una reducción significativa de la cifosis torácica con respecto a la bipedestación, mientras que el raquis lumbar se disponía en una postura de inversión. En conclusión, la frecuente hipercifosis torácica en bipedestación de los ciclistas de la categoría máster 40 no está relacionada directamente con la postura adoptada sobre la bicicleta.

The aim of this study was to determine the sagittal spinal morphology of thoracic and lumbar spine in relaxed standing and sitting on the bycicle in master 40 cyclists. A total of 50 master 40 male cyclists (mean age: 44.02 +/- 2.51 years) were evaluated. The Spinal Mouse system was used to measure the sagittal thoracic and lumbar curve in standing and sitting on the bicycle at three different handlebar-hand positions (high, medium, and low). The values for thoracic and lumbar curvatures in standing were 49.42 +/- 9.00 and -22.74 +/- 9.38, respectively. A high frecuency of thoracic hyperkyphosis in standing was observed (68 percent). When sitting on the bicycle the thoracic curve showed lower angles in the three handlebar.hand positions that in standing. The lumbar curve adopted a kyphotic posture. The standing thoracic hyperkyphosis in master 40 cyclists may be related to other factors than the posture adopted on the bicycle.

Does Quantitative Tibial Ultrasound Predict Low Bone Mineral Density Defined by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry?

PURPOSE: Efforts for the early detection of bone loss and subsequent fracture risk by quantitative ultrasound (QUS), which is a non-invasive, radiation free, and cheaper method, seem rational to reduce the management costs. We aimed in this study to assess the probable correlation of speed of sound (SOS) values obtained by QUS with bone mineral density (BMD) as measured by the gold standard method, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and to investigate the diagnostic value of QUS to define low BMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-two postmenopausal women having prior standard DEXA measurements were included in the study. Spine and proximal femur (neck, trochanter and Ward's triangle) BMD were assessed in a standard protocol by DEXA. The middle point of the right tibia was chosen for SOS measurement by tibial QUS. RESULTS: The SOS values were observed to be significantly higher in the normal BMD (t score >-1) group at all measurement sites except for the lumbar region, when compared with the low BMD group (t score <-1). SOS was negatively correlated with age (r=-0.66) and month since menopause (r=-0.57). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for QUS t score to diagnose low BMD did not seem to be satisfactory at either of the measurement sites. CONCLUSION: Tibial SOS was correlated weakly with BMD values of femur and lumbar spine as measured by DEXA and its diagnostic value did not seem to be high for discriminating between normal and low BMD, at these sites.

Isolation of a haemorrhagic protein toxin (SA-HT) from the Indian venomous butterfish (Scatophagus argus, Linn) sting extract.

A haemorrhagic protein toxin (SA-HT) was isolated and purified from the spine extract of the Indian venomous butterfish, S. argus Linn, by two step ion exchange chromatography. The toxin was homogeneous in native and SDS-PAGE gel. SDS-molecular weight of the toxin was found to be 18.1 +/- 0.09 kDa. SA-HT produced severe haemorrhage on stomach wall but devoid of cutaneous haemorrhage. UV, EDTA, trypsin, protease, cyproheptadine, indomethacin, acetylsalicylic acid and BW755C treatment significantly antagonized the haemorrhagic activity of SA-HT. The toxin produced dose and time dependent oedema on mice hind paw, which was significantly encountered by cyproheptadine, indomethacin and BW755C. SA-HT increased capillary permeability on guinea pig dorsal flank. On isolated guineapig ileum, rat fundus and uterus, SA-HT produced slow contraction which was completely antagonised by prostaglandin blocker SC19220. On isolated rat duodenum, SA-HT produced slow relaxation. SA-HT significantly increased plasma plasmin, serum MDA level and decreased serum SOD level indicating the possible involvement of cyclooxygenase and lipooxygenase pathway.

Poor renal uptake of technetium-99m-DMSA and technetium-99m-MDP in a patient with Fanconi syndrome and near normal glomerular filtration rate

We present a patient with Fanconi syndrome who demonstrated poor renal uptake of 99mTc-DMSA and high urinary concentration of the tracer. A 99mTc-DTPA scan was normal and the creatinine clearance only minimally decreased. These findings suggest that 99mTc-DMSA may be accumulated in the kidney by glomerular filtration and subsequent tubular reabsorption, with the nonabsorbed fraction appearing in the urine. In Fanconi Syndrome the tubular reabsorption of DMSA may also be reduced, thus explaining the poor renal uptake in this patient. A 99mTc-MDP bone scan showed faint renal uptake and diffuse high uptake mainly in the spine, demonstrating that the metabolic bone disease associated with Fanconi Syndrome can be another mechanism for poor renal visualization on bone scan.