Equol suppresses inflammatory response and bone erosion due to rheumatoid arthritis in mice.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease. Typical pathological findings of RA include persistent synovitis and bone degradation in the peripheral joints. Equol, a metabolite of the major soybean isoflavone daidzein, shows superior bioactivity than other isoflavones. We investigated the effects of equol administration on inflammatory response and bone erosion in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The severity of arthritis symptoms was significantly low in the equol-administered CIA mice. In addition, equol administration improved the CIA-induced bone mineral density decline. In the inflamed area of CIA mice, equol administration suppressed the expression of interleukin-6 and its receptor. Furthermore, equol reduced the expression of genes associated with bone formation inhibition, osteoclast and immature osteoblast specificity and cartilage destruction. These results suggest that equol suppresses RA development and RA-induced bone erosion by regulating inflammation and bone metabolism.

A review of knee pain in adolescent females.

Primary care practitioners are in a position to educate patients and parents about the risk factors that may increase the incidence of knee pain in adolescent females. This article highlights patellofemoral pain syndrome, Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome, Osgood-Schlatter disease, and meniscal tears.

Enfermedad de Osgood-Schlatter: deporte, adolescencia y dolor / Osgood-Schlatter disease: sports, adolescence and pain

La enfermedad de Osgood-Schlatter es una de las causas más frecuentes de gonalgia en niños mayores y adolescentes deportistas. Es la consecuencia de la tracción ejercida por el tendón rotuliano sobre el centro de osificación de la tuberosidad tibial anterior. Los cambios radiológicos incluyen condensación, fragmentación, aparición de osículos y edema de partes blandas. Su tratamiento puede ser iniciado por parte de los pediatras de Atención Primaria, e incluye analgesia, estiramientos, potenciación del cuádriceps y modificación de la práctica deportiva (AU)

Osgood-Schlatter’s disease is one of the most common causes of knee pain in older children and adolescent athletes. It is the result of the traction by the patellar tendon on the centre of ossification of the anterior tibial tuberosity. Radiographic changes include condensation, fragmentation, appearance of ossicles and soft tissue edema. The treatment may be initiated by primary care pediatricians, including analgesia, stretching, quadriceps strengthening and modification of the sport (AU)

IL-3 inhibits TNF-alpha-induced bone resorption and prevents inflammatory arthritis.

IL-3, a cytokine secreted by activated T cells is well known to regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells. IL-3 functions as a link between the immune and the hematopoietic system. In this study, we suggest an important new role of IL-3 in inhibition of TNF-alpha-induced bone resorption in vitro and prevention of inflammatory arthritis in mice. We show here that IL-3 potently and irreversibly inhibits TNF-alpha-induced bone resorption in hematopoietic precursors of monocyte/macrophage lineage. IL-3 showed an inhibitory effect on TNF-alpha-induced bone resorption even in the presence of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1alpha, TGF-beta(1), TGF-beta(3), IL-6, and PGE(2). We found that IL-3 prevented TNF-alpha-induced c-fos nuclear translocation and AP-1 DNA-binding activity. Interestingly, IL-3 pretreatment prevented the development of inflammatory arthritis in mice induced by a mixture of anti-type II collagen mAbs and LPS. Furthermore, IL-3 prevented cartilage and bone loss in the joints indirectly through inhibition of inflammation. Thus, we provide the first evidence that IL-3, a strong regulator of hematopoiesis, also plays an important role in inhibition of TNF-alpha-induced bone resorption and prevention of inflammatory arthritis in mice.

Epiphyseal cartilage canal blood supply to the tarsus of foals and relationship to osteochondrosis.

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Pathological changes in the blood supply to growth cartilage have been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteochondrosis (OC) in horses, but have not been reported using vascular perfusion techniques. OBJECTIVE: To describe the developmental pattern of cartilage canal vessels in the distal tibial epiphysis and talar growth cartilage of foals. METHODS: Nine foals bred from parents with OC were sacrificed between the ages of 0 and 7 weeks to undergo a barium perfusion procedure. The distal end of the tibia and the entire talus were cleared in methyl salicylate and perfused vessels studied in the intact bones. Slabs with a thickness of 4-5 mm from 3 predilection sites for OC were examined in the stereomicroscope and with light microscopy. RESULTS: Cartilage canals were present for a limited period of growth. Perfused vessels initially entered canals from the perichondrium. Vessels in the proximal portion of canals retained their perichondrial arterial source throughout. With time, the ossification front advanced to incorporate the mid-portion of canals; and anastomoses formed between canal vessels and subchondral vessels. A shift occurred and vessels in the distal terminus of canals came to use subchondral vessels as their arterial source. Twelve histological lesions were found in 7 foals. All contained necrotic vessels surrounded by necrotic growth cartilage and 3 caused macroscopically visible delay in endochondral ossification. Lesions were located where vessels traversed the ossification front to enter the distal terminus of canals. CONCLUSION: Cartilage canal vessels are particularly susceptible to failure at the point where they cross the ossification front, with consequences for the viability of those chondrocytes that depend on them. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: A better understanding of how lesions of OC arise may improve the ability to identify, monitor, prevent and treat this disorder. Involvement of cartilage canals in the pathogenesis of equine tarsal OC plausibly explains several clinical features of this disease.

Osteochondrosis and copper: histology of articular cartilage from foals out of copper supplemented and non-supplemented dams.

Copper (Cu) supplementation of dams in late gestation may be protective against articular cartilage abnormalities in foals. Articular cartilage was harvested from 22 Thoroughbred foals at 160 days of age, at sites predisposed to osteochondrosis (OC), and examined for evidence of early cartilage abnormalities and established dyschondroplastic (DCP) lesions to determine if there were any significant differences due to mare Cu supplementation by injection during late gestation, or foal liver Cu concentration. Cu supplemented mares received calcium Cu edetate injections in late gestation (250 mg at around 220, 248, 276 and 304 days gestation, then every two weeks until foaling). Foals were euthanased at 160 days of age and articular cartilage was harvested from four defined sites. Samples were examined for histological appearance of chondrocytes after staining with haematoxylin and eosin, and were also stained with toluidine blue to indicate proteoglycan content. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected by histochemistry, and histocytochemical techniques were used to determine the expression of cathepsin B. Cu supplementation of the dam, or liver Cu concentration of the foal at birth or 160 days of age had no statistically significant effect on the frequency of cartilage irregularities observed grossly, or abnormalities detected histologically at four defined sites. ALP expression was similar in all samples. Cathepsin B expression varied between sites, and was seen in chondrocyte clusters. The intensity of toludine blue staining varied between sites. Minor histological cartilage abnormalities were observed in cartilage from clinically normal animals. These abnormalities might be 'early' dyschondroplastic lesions, which could resolve or progress. The role of Cu in the development, resolution or progression of dyschondroplastic lesions is poorly understood.

Effect of phospholipase A2 inhibitory peptide on inflammatory arthritis in a TNF transgenic mouse model: a time-course ultrastructural study.

We evaluated the therapeutic effect of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2)-inhibitory peptide at a cellular level on joint erosion, cartilage destruction, and synovitis in the human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) transgenic mouse model of arthritis. Tg197 mice (N = 18) or wild-type (N = 10) mice at 4 weeks of age were given intraperitoneal doses (7.5 mg/kg) of a selective sPLA2 inhibitory peptide, P-NT.II, or a scrambled P-NT.II (negative control), three times a week for 4 weeks. Untreated Tg197 mice (N = 10) were included as controls. Pathogenesis was monitored weekly for 4 weeks by use of an arthritis score and histologic examinations. Histopathologic analysis revealed a significant reduction after P-NT.II treatment in synovitis, bone erosion, and cartilage destruction in particular. Conspicuous ultrastructural alterations seen in articular chondrocytes (vacuolated cytoplasm and loss of nuclei) and synoviocytes (disintegrating nuclei and vacuoles, synovial adhesions) of untreated or scrambled-P-NT.II-treated Tg197 mice were absent in the P-NT.II-treated Tg197 group. Histologic scoring and ultrastructural evidence suggest that the chondrocyte appears to be the target cell mainly protected by the peptide during arthritis progression in the TNF transgenic mouse model. This is the first time ultrastructural evaluation of this model has been presented. High levels of circulating sPLA2 detected in untreated Tg197 mice at age 8 weeks of age were reduced to basal levels by the peptide treatment. Attenuation of lipopolysaccharide- and TNF-induced release of prostaglandin E2 from cultured macrophage cells by P-NT.II suggests that the peptide may influence the prostaglandin-mediated inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis by limiting the bioavailability of arachidonic acid through sPLA2 inhibition.

El cartílago articular: aspectos mecánicos y su repercusión en la reparación tisular / Articular cartilage: mechanical factors and their effects on tissue repair

El cartílago articular es un tejido con baja densidad celular y predominio de matriz extracelular formada por proteínas colagénicas y no colagénicas. Su disposición e integridad son la base para mantener un tejido en las mejores condiciones posibles. Las peculiares características del tejido, carencia de vasos, baja densidad celular, etc., hace difícil reparar las lesiones y oponerse a factores como la edad o el sobrepeso para prevenir la aparición de signos degenerativos. (AU)

Exercise and children's health.

Every child and adolescent needs exercise, which is a risk-free investment for current and future health. Physicians can help parents and children understand the importance of exercise and help them select safe, enjoyable, age-appropriate activities. This article discusses current literature regarding exercise and its effects on children's health, including nutrition and cardiovascular issues. It also reviews the epidemiology and treatment of injuries in young athletes, including preventative measures.

Partial chondroprotective effect of zoledronate in a rabbit model of inflammatory arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that bisphosphonate treatment has a chondroprotective effect in the carrageenan model of inflammatory arthritis (IA). METHODS: Experimental IA was induced in rabbits by intraarticular injections of carrageenan. One group also received subcutaneous injections of zoledronate, a new bisphosphonate. After 4 weeks, the joints were harvested. Articular cartilage degradation and the degree of synovitis were assessed by light microscope using qualitative grading scores. Articular cartilage and subchondral and cancellous bone were evaluated histomorphometrically. Bone microhardness was measured. RESULTS: Carrageenan injected knees showed changes of inflammatory arthritis with cartilage erosion. Zoledronate treatment partially protected the articular cartilage from degradation. This effect was unlikely due to an antiinflammatory effect of the drug as the carrageenan induced synovitis was unaffected by zoledronate treatment. The treatment preserved subchondral bone thickness and cancellous bone volume and prevented focal breaks in the osteochondral barrier. The subchondral bone hardness was also maintained. CONCLUSION: Zoledronate had a partial effect in a rabbit model of inflammatory arthritis. The chondroprotection may be due to the prevention of bone resorption. By maintaining an intact subchondral bone, normal joint loading may have been maintained and contact between the bone marrow and the articular cartilage averted.

[Prophylaxis of muscular stress in physical labor]. / Profilaktika myshechnogo perenapriazheniia pri fizicheskoi rabote.

The authors demonstrated that work of female molders, acquisitors and stacking packers is characterized by physical load, great number of cliched manual movements, intensive inclinations of corpse and constrained working posture. Prolonged exposure to unfavorable occupational factors results in neuromuscular and cardiovascular stress that induces pathologic changes with increasing length of service. Complex of prophylactic measures suggested by the authors proves effective as releases working strain and delays fatigue during the working shift.

[Prophylaxis of neurological manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis: intermediate results, unsolved problems and some methodologic aspects]. / Profilaktika nevrologicheskikh proiavlenii poiasnichnogo osteokhondroza: promezhutochnye itogi, nereshennye voprosy i nekotorye metodologicheskie aspekty.

Issues of prophylaxis and rehabilitation are considered as regards neurologic manifestations of spinal osteochondrosis (NMSO). NMSO primary prophylaxis requires investigation and quantitative evaluation of the disease risk factors, epidemiologic determination of both incidence and prevalence in different groups of population in various periods of time. The standard risk group of NMSO in Byelorussian consists of population of 40-49-year-olds. Some professions may be risk factors for both onset and relapse of NMSO. Secondary prophylaxis of NMSO concerns elevated relapse risk, screening for individuals with either subclinic or early clinic manifestations of the disease. The computer screening-system has been created to identify a group at high risk of NMSO onset or relapse, to keep records, to print documents. It also gives chance to carry out individual prophylaxis of the high risk in the course of mass examination of employees.

Rehabilitation programmes following arthroscopic meniscectomy in athletes.

The athlete with a meniscal injury can be returned to activity quickly and safely with appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. When injuries occur in the relatively avascular inner zones of the meniscus, partial meniscectomy is usually the treatment of choice. The rehabilitation programme should emphasise decreasing inflammation, restoring motion, increasing strength, and safe return to competition. This can begin preoperatively and progress through a phased programme which allows the athlete to participate in goal setting and advancement. By outlining the different phases of knee rehabilitation, the athlete and support team (coach, parent, trainer, therapist, physician) can progress to and plan appropriate return to sport. During this process, preventive measures for reinjury can be addressed, thereby maximising performance and safety.

Chondritis of the burned ear: a review.

Seventy-six patients with burns of the ears presented to the Western Pennsylvania Hospital Burn Trauma Center over a three year period. To prevent chondritis, all ears were treated prophylactically with periauricular hair shaving, daily cleaning, avoidance of pressure dressings and Sulfamylon Burn Cream. Chondritis developed in two patients. Aspects of auricular chondritis prevention and treatment are reviewed. Biology of the disease is discussed.

The effects of copper supplementation on the prevalence of cartilage lesions in foals.

The potential role of dietary copper in the development of cartilage defects in foals was investigated. Twenty-one mares were fed rations containing 13 ppm copper (CuC, control) or 32 ppm copper (CuS, supplemented) during the last three to six months of gestation and first three months of lactation. Their foals were fed pelleted concentrate containing 15 or 55 ppm Cu and were destroyed at 90 (5 CuC and 5 CuS foals) or 180 (6 CuC and 5 CuS foals) days. Focal cartilage lesions were found at multiple sites on necropsy. In foals killed at 90 days, there were over twice (9 versus 4) as many lesions of osteochondrosis and more than four times (9 versus 2) as many articular lesions of osteophyte formation or thinning in CuC foals compared with CuS foals. These differences were due predominantly to a higher number of lesions in one CuC foal. Two 90-day CuC foals had osteochondrosis of articular-epiphyseal (A-E) complex, one with thickenings and separation from subchondral bone and one with subchondral fibrosis. One 90-day CuS foal had a cartilage thickening of the A-E complex in the tibiotarsal joint with separation from subchondral bone. In foals killed at 180 days, there were seven times more articular lesions (21 versus 3) of osteophyte formation or thinning, nearly twice as many lesions of osteochondrosis (13 versus 8) [corrected] in the physis and over five times as many involving the A-E complex (11 versus 2) in six CuC foals compared with five CuS foals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)