Evaluation of the association between a single-nucleotide polymorphism of bone morphogenetic proteins 5 gene and risk of knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disorder probably affected by both genetic and environmental causes. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are bone-derived factors that can induce new bone formation. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of BMP5 gene alters the transcriptional activity of the BMP5 promoter that has been involved in OA susceptibility. This case-control study investigated the association of rs1470527 and rs9382564 SNP of BMP5 gene with susceptibility to knee OA (KOA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 499 cases with radiographic KOA and 458 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Venous blood samples were obtained from all the cases as well as controls for polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: The genotype distribution for rs1470527 and rs9382564 SNP was significantly different in cases and controls (P < 0.0001). Within both the SNPs of BMP5 gene, genotype CT and TT were significantly (P < 0.0001) associated with KOA as compared to the CC genotype. T allele of both the studied SNP was significantly associated with KOA (P < 0.0001). The allele frequencies of rs1470527 were 0.56(T) and 0.44(C) in cases and 0.33(T) and 0.67(C) in controls and in rs9382564 were 0.57(C) and 0.43(T) in cases and 0.71(C) and 0.29(T) in controls. Further in relation with clinical severity of OA, we observed signification association of TT genotype with both visual analog scale (P < 0.0001) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities score (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate significant association of rs1470527 and rs9382564 polymorphism of BMP5 gene with KOA.

Early abortifacient action of RU 486 by continuous intravenous infusion in rat.

RU 486 administered through constant intravenous infusion at 20 mg/kg dose on day 8 of pregnancy induced frank vaginal bleeding and resorption of all implantations in 100% rats. This was associated with an almost 4-fold reduction in progesterone secretion rate by the dispersed luteal cells ex-vivo. At 12 mg/kg dose, an incomplete resorption of implantations was observed in all treated animals. Results indicate that slow and continuous intravenous infusion of this antiprogestin was highly effective in terminating pregnancy shortly after implantation in the rat and this could, at least partially, be related to its luteolytic action in this species.

Rat luteal cells in tissue culture: a technique for obtaining primary cell culture without enzymatic dissociation.

A technique for obtaining isolated luteal cells without any prior enzymatic dissociation of the rat corpus luteum (CL) has been developed. With a view to obviate any kind of chemical/biophysical trauma to the cells the latter were obtained following simple migration of cells from small pieces of chopped up CL (8-10 day old) put in culture. The cells started migrating in progressively increasing numbers from these tissue pieces within 24 hr leading to monolayer formation by day 10-12 of culture. The cells were found to grow under the described conditions for 35 days without any exogenous hormonal supplementation. The technique is being utilized for characterization of different cell types of the rat CL of pregnancy and the regulatory mechanisms involved in their metabolic function and/or regression.

Effect of flutamide, a nonsteroidal antiandrogen on functional maturation of the epididymis of rat.

The effect of flutamide, a non-steroidal antiandrogen on the growth and secretory function of the epididymis of rat during transition from prepubertal age (35 days old) to puberty (50 days old) was investigated. The results showed that the antiandrogen interfered with the growth of all the genital organs accompanied by a marked reduction in the secretory function of the epididymis as revealed by lowered levels of sialic acid and glycerylphosphorylcholine. These findings are discussed in relation to our previous observations in adult rats.

Flutamide as an androgen antagonist on epididymal function in the rat.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether flutamide (alpha-alpha-alpha--Trifluro-2-methyl-4'-nitro-m-propionatoluidide), a nonsteroidal compound acts as an androgen antagonist at the level of the epididymis. For comparison, cyproterone acetate was also evaluated under identical experimental conditions. The levels of glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC), sialic acid, total phospholipids were used as functional indices of epididymis and, in addition, weights of the accessory sex organs were recorded. Adult male rats castrated and maintained on testosterone therapy (TP: 250 microgram/rat: i.m.) were treated with flutamide (25 mg/kg, oral) or cyproterone acetate (25 mg/kg, s.c.). Castration caused a reduction in the weight and secretory activity of the epididymis which was restored to near normal following TP replacement therapy. GPC level was found to be the most sensitive index of epididymal secretory function. The two antiandorgens antagonised the action of TP on all the accessory sex organs. These findings are discussed in relation to our previous study which demonstrated the lack of effect of flutamide on the epididymal function of intact rats.

Biochemical Composition of rat Cowper's gland.

Cowper's glands of rats were analysed for ten different biochemical parameters including enzymes and substrates under different hormonal status of the animals. Sialic acid, glycogen and activities of maltase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes of the prepuberal glands were found to be elevated to the levels of the adult (control animals) after treatment with testosterone propionate. On the other hand, following castration of adult animals a dramatic fall of the maltase activity of the gland was recorded; other parameters studied also registered a significant fall from their normal values. However, following treatment with testosterone propionate of the castrate animals all parameters excepting total lipids and phospholipids were found to recover. Sialic acid of the prepuberal animals and maltase activity of the adult were highly sensitive to testosterone propionate.