IL-17A-mediated sRANK ligand elevation involved in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

UNLABELLED: The role of proinflammatory IL-17 cytokine was studied in postmenopausal bone loss between 31 osteopenic and 41 osteoporotic women. The effect of serum IL-17A, soluble receptor activator of NF-κB (sRANK) ligand, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels on lumbar bone mineral densities was measured. The results demonstrated an increased IL-17A-mediated sRANK ligand elevation in postmenopausal osteoporotic bone loss. INTRODUCTION: IL-17 proinflammatory cytokine is a new inducer of bone loss. Postmenopausal osteoporosis represents a cross talk between estrogen deprivation and increased immune reactivity. The role of IL-17 was studied in the bone loss of postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS: Serum IL-17A, sRANK ligand, and OPG levels were investigated on bone mineral densities (BMDs) in the total lumbar (L1-L4) region in 18 pre- and 72 postmenopausal women. IL-17A, sRANK ligand, OPG levels, and BMDs were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS: Increased serum IL-17A, sRANK ligand, and OPG levels were demonstrated in postmenopausal osteoporotic women compared to osteopenic women (3.65 ± 0.61 vs 3.31 ± 0.43 ng/ml for IL-17A, P < 0.007; 2.88 ± 0.84 vs 2.49 ± 0.61 ng/ml for sRANK ligand, P < 0.027; and 1.43 ± 0.07 vs 1.39 ± 0.07 ng/ml for OPG, P < 0.038). In postmenopausal women, IL-17A levels correlated inversely with total lumbar BMDs (P < 0.008, r = -0.279) and positively with sRANK ligand levels (P < 0.0001, r = 0.387) or the ratio of sRANK ligand and OPG (P < 0.013, r = 0.261), but did not with OPG levels alone. CONCLUSION: Increased IL-17A levels are involved in postmenopausal osteoporosis, playing a role in the bone-resorpting processes.

[Cranial structure in unilateral complete cleft lip and palate in children 8-12 years of age]. / 8-12 év közötti teljes egyoldali ajak- és szájpadhasadékos betegek koponyafelépítése.

The tele-X-ray photographs of 108 patients with single-sided cleft lips and palate were compared with 71 normal controls. The examination proved that a basic crane structure difference can be found between the groups. The group with cleft has a characteristic face with significant skeletal and dental changes. Such features have to be considered in the course of habilitation.

[Craniofacial morphology of the complete unilateral cleft lip and palate between the ages of 8-12]. / Morphologia tou kranioprosopikou sympleumatos se atoma me plere eteropleure cheileo-yperoioschistia, elikias 8-12 eton.

108 cephalograms of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate patients, divided into two groups according to ages, had been compared to 71 normal controls. The study demonstrated that there are basic differences in facial morphology between the groups. The cleft sample has a retrognathic facial configuration with significantly different skeletal sagittal and vertical trend compared to the normal. There are also compensatory dental disorders.

Possible role of the control of arginase and methionine adenosyl transferase in the transport processes of endogenous formaldehyde and in hypermethylation.

The authors believe the normal formaldehyde equilibrium in the organism to be governed by a biological control mechanism, which is thought to be closely connected to L - arginine and - indirectly - to the arginase enzyme. Arginine reacts with formaldehyde in a spontaneous equilibrium reaction yielding methylol - derivatives thus mobilizing formaldehyde. The methylol - derivatives of L - arginine were found in serum and urine. The authors assume the methylol - derivatives of L - arginine to have an inhibiting effect on cell - proliferation.