Polycan suppresses osteoclast differentiation and titanium particle-induced osteolysis in mice.

Particle-induced osteolysis is a major issue, and it is most likely the result of enhanced osteoclast activation in the pathogenesis of various skeletal diseases. This study investigated whether the inhibitory effect that Polycan has on osteoclast differentiation can be used to treat osteolysis induced by titanium (Ti) particles. To this end, the effects of Polycan were examined in terms of the cytotoxicity, osteoclast differentiation, cytokine expression, and Ti-induced calvarial osteolysis. Polycan had no significant cytotoxic effects on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) but instead increased BMM proliferation. High levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were expressed in BMM cells in the presence of Polycan, suggesting that Polycan drives the differentiation of BMMs into M1 macrophages. Polycan significantly inhibited osteoclast differentiation induced by M-CSF and the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL). The expression levels of the osteoclast marker genes significantly decreased, and Polycan induced and maintained the expression of IL-12, which suppressed osteoclast differentiation. In contrast, the RANKL signaling pathway was not inhibited by Polycan. An in vivo calvarial osteolysis model revealed that Polycan significantly decreased the osteoclast numbers and suppressed osteolysis. Our results suggest that the natural compound Polycan is a good candidate for therapeutic intervention against enhanced osteoclast differentiation and Ti particle-induced osteolysis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1170-1175, 2016.

The impact of religious practice and religious coping on geriatric depression.

OBJECTIVE: Both religiousness and social support have been shown to influence depression outcome, yet some researchers have theorized that religiousness largely reflects social support. We set out to determine the relationship of religiousness with depression outcome after considering clinical factors. METHODS: Elderly patients (n=114) in the MHCRC for the Study of Depression in Late Life while undergoing treatment using a standardized algorithm were examined. Patients completed measures of public and religious practice, a modified version of Pargament's RCOPE to measure religious coping, and subjective and instrument social support measures. A geriatric psychiatrist completed the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at baseline and six months. RESULTS: Both positive and negative religious coping were related to MADRS scores in treated individuals, and positive coping was related to MADRS six months later, independent of social support measures, demographic, and clinical measures (e.g. use of electro-convulsive therapy, number of depressed episodes). Public religious practice, but not private religious practice was independently related to MADRS scores at the time of completion of the religiousness measures. Religious coping was related to social support, but was independently related to depression outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians caring for older depressives should consider inquiring about spirituality and religious coping as a way of improving depressive outcomes.