Osteoporosis in murine systemic lupus erythematosus--a laboratory model.

The aim of this study was to assess the skeletal metabolism in a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). MRL/n and MRL/l mice (respectively representing a benign and a malignant form of the disease) were observed from 1.5 to 6.5 months of life. The monthly follow-up included: biochemical and histomorphometrical studies of the femoral bone, serum biochemistry, immunoglobulins and osteocalcin, and histological evaluation of the kidney tissue. The results showed a higher femoral weight (+11.5%), calcium (+4.4%) and protein bone content (+11.4%) and a significantly higher (+77%) phosphorus bone content in the MRL/n group; significantly lower (-48.9%) bone alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity, lower bone alkaline/acid phosphatase enzymatic activities ratio (-40.8%) and lower (-38.4%) serum osteocalcin values in the MRL/l group (which might suggest reduced bone formation in these animals); markedly smaller trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) in the femoral head (-36.2%) and femoral neck (-39.8%), and smaller cortical and femoral areas in the mid-femoral shaft (-38.8% and -38.1% respectively) in the MRL/l group; higher serum immunoglobulins, increased serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine and a higher index of activity in the kidney histology in the MRL/l group, indicating increased activity of the disease in this substrain. The MRL mice, through their two substrains, may serve as a valuable laboratory animal model for study of the skeletal changes in SLE and of the influence of the disease activity on the skeletal metabolism.

[The treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer with accompanying Helicobacter pylori infection]. / Leczenie przewleklej choroby wrzodowej dwunastnicy z towarzyszacym zakazeniem Helicobacter pylori.

Three hundred seventy four patients with duodenal ulcers and Helicobacter pylori infections were given a four-week treatment of bismuth or ranitidin. In all patients two-week antibiotic therapy were given. Endoscopies with urease tests and histologic examinations were performed before initiation and four weeks after cessation of therapy. Four-week therapy with ranitidini and two-week therapy with amoxicillin and metronidasole is highly effective (89.6%) in duodenal ulcer healing and symptom improvement comparison to bismuth and antibiotic therapy.

Impairment of granulation tissue formation after menopause.

Formation of connective tissue is an essential step in the process of wound healing. After menopause an atrophy of connective tissues in skin, bone, and reproductive organs takes place. Using a dead-space wound healing model we measured collagen synthesis and deposition, and cell replication in the granulation tissue of 18 premenopausal and 23 peri- and postmenopausal women not receiving any hormonal therapy. In the postmenopausal group collagen synthesis and deposition and cell number in the granulation tissue were diminished. These results document the impairment of the granulation tissue formation after menopause.

Calcium and vitamin D enriched diets increase and preserve vertebral mineral content in aging laboratory rats.

To assess the long-term effect of vitamin D or calcium supplementation on the skeletal metabolism of aging laboratory rodents, 1.5-month-old female Wistar rats were fed with diets containing twice the concentration of vitamin D (group 2) and of calcium (group 3) as in the usual rat chow. Follow-up to 24 months of age did not show significant differences between the enriched-diet groups and the controls (group 1) in terms of the vertebral body weight and protein content. Significantly higher bone mineral contents were found in groups 2 and 3 than were found in controls, as revealed by an increased bone mineral density (BMD: +62%, group 2; +48%, group 3) and vertebral calcium content (+73%, group 2; +84%, group 3). The vertebral alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity was significantly lower in the enriched diet groups than in controls (-47%, group 2; -45%, group 3). The ratio alkaline phosphatase/acid phosphatase activity was markedly reduced in groups 2 and 3 (-57% and -59%, respectively), which might indicate a diminished rate of bone turnover. The trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) decreased in all groups during senescence, being significantly elevated in group 3 as compared to controls. Vitamin D and calcium dietary supplementations increase the axial mineral bone content in laboratory rats and might reduce the bone turnover. Their influence on the trabecular bone volume has yet to be examined.