Deoxyribonucleic Acid Content Research Articles

The prognostic value of DNA ploidy in small renal cell carcinoma.

The objective was to study the prognostic value of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) ploidy status in small renal cell carcinomas (RCC). The nuclear DNA content of renal cell carcinoma tissues from patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy has been analyzed by flow cytometry. The results of the DNA ploidy have been correlated to the size of tumors and disease progression. Of the 50 patients with RCC studied, 8 (16%) progressed. Tumors with non-diploid DNA patterns were found in 24 (48%) of the 50 patients and in 4 of the 8 patients who progressed. Overall the median tumor size in our series was 50 mm. A tumor diameter of 50 mm or less was measured in 26 patients (group I) and above 50 mm in 24 (group II). Non-diploid DNA patterns were found in 11 (42.3%) and 13 (54.2%) patients in groups I and II, respectively. This difference between the groups was not significant. Only one patient in group I (3.8%) developed metastatic disease and died 72 months after the operation. In group II, 7 patients (29.2%) presented tumor progression and 5 died of metastatic disease. The survival probability in group I was 95% at 5 and 8 years (95% CI 70% to 99%) and for group II 94% at 5 years (95% CI 67%-99%) and 67% at 8 years (95% CI 39%-83%). DNA ploidy is an inaccurate predictor of tumor behavior in patients with RCC, even in small tumors. Tumor size is a more significant predictor of outcome.

Cell-free fetal deoxyribonucleic acid in maternal circulation as a marker of fetal-maternal hemorrhage in patients undergoing external cephalic version near term

Objective: Our aim was to investigate whether external cephalic version performed near term increases the concentration of cell-free fetal deoxyribonucleic acid in maternal plasma. Study Design: Forty-five patients who had singleton male fetuses and were undergoing external cephalic version at or beyond 36 weeks of gestation were recruited during a 20-month period. Maternal venous blood samples were taken before and within 10 minutes after external cephalic version. Deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted from the plasma samples. The amount of fetal deoxyribonucleic acid was quantified by means of the SRY gene on the Y chromosome as a fetal marker. The change in SRY gene concentration before and after external cephalic version was compared by paired sample t test. Results: There was a significant increase in the concentration of fetal deoxyribonucleic acid in maternal serum after external cephalic version (before, 296 ± 209 copies per milliliter; after, 369 ± 228 copies per milliliter; P =.014). This increase in the concentration of deoxyribonucleic acid was most profound among the nulliparous patients after a successful version and in the presence of a posterior placenta. The location of the placenta was found to be the most significant factor accounting for the change in the deoxyribonucleic acid concentration. Conclusions: External cephalic version near term imposed a significant disturbance to the maternalplacental interface. Fetal deoxyribonucleic acid is a sensitive marker that is useful in the assessment of subclinical fetal-maternal hemorrhage. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:712-6.)

Effect of [formula omitted] - α -lipoic acid on tissue nucleic acid contents in aged rats

We have attempted to evaluate the effect of dl - α -lipoic acid on nucleic acid and protein contents in young and aged rats. An age-associated decrease in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein contents were observed in aged rats. dl - α -lipoic acid was administered intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg body weight/day) to young and aged rats from 7 and 14 days. Lipoate administration demonstrated a substantial increase in nucleic acid and protein contents in aged rats. Hence it can be justified that lipoate is functionally efficient in helping the cell to recover from oxidative damage.

Alternation in bone components with increasing age of newborn rats: role of zinc in bone growth

The effect of zinc on bone growth in newborn rats supplied with lactation by maternal rats was investigated. Newborn rats were killed between 1 and 35 days after birth. Increasing age caused a significant increase in zinc content, calcium content, and alkaline phosphatase activity in the femoral-diaphyseal and metaphyseal tissues, while the bone deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content was significantly decreased because of elevation of mineral content. Oral administration of zinc sulfate (2.0mg/100g body weight; four times at 24-h intervals) to maternal rats from 1 day after birth induced a significant increase in zinc, alkaline phosphatase activity, DNA, and calcium content in the femoral-diaphyseal and metaphyseal tissues of newborn rats compared with those 7 or 14 days old. The results indicate that the increase in bone components results from lactation with zinc-containing milk of maternal rats. The femoral-metaphyseal tissues of newborn rats obtained at 7 days after birth were cultured for 24h in a medium containing either vehicle or zinc sulfate (10(-6) to 10(-4) M) in vitro. Bone alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium and DNA content were significantly increased by zinc addition. These increases were completely prevented by the presence of dipicolinate (10(-3) M), a chelator of zinc ion, or cycloheximide (10(-6) M), an inhibitor of protein synthesis. The present study suggests that zinc plays a role in the development of bone growth in newborn rats.

Pretreatment assessment of prognostic indicators in endometrial cancer

Objective: The object of this study was to assess the association of histologic, cytokinetic, and molecular variables in preoperative endometrial samples with extrauterine disease, recurrence, and survival among patients with endometrial cancer. Study Design: In a case-cohort study of 125 women, ploidy, S-phase fraction, proliferative index, deoxyribonucleic acid index, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, MIB-1 proliferation marker, p53 tumor suppressor gene, and cytoplasmic HER-2/neu oncogene and bcl-2 expressions were quantitated. Results: A model with only one independent term predicted progression-free survival; that variable was p53 (P <.0001; relative risk, 5.60). A model with two independent terms predicted disease-related survival; these variables were p53 (P =.0002; relative risk, 7.39) and MIB-1 (P =.03; relative risk, 3.27). Among patients with tumors with both p53 and MIB-1 expression exceeding 33%, a total of 32% had died of disease by 2 years. A model for predicting extrauterine disease selected two independent variables: p53 (odds ratio, 3.20; P =.01) and ploidy (odds ratio, 2.16; P =.04). An advanced surgical stage was encountered in 26% to 35% of cases in which either the p53 expression exceeded 33% or the deoxyribonucleic acid content was nondiploid and in 53% of cases in which both variables were unfavorable. Conclusions: Preoperative evaluation of quantifiable cytokinetic and molecular variables can assist in identifying tumor types that are predisposed toward a more aggressive clinical course. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:1535-44.)

Sex cord-stromal tumors of the testis with entrapped germ cells: a lesion mimicking unclassified mixed germ cell sex cord-stromal tumors.

The authors describe 10 sex cord-stromal tumors of the testis that incorporated germ cells, thereby mimicking the unclassified type of mixed germ cell sex cord-stromal tumor (MGCSCST). These neoplasms occurred in patients from 3 to 48 years old (mean age, 26 years) who presented with testicular masses. On microscopic examination, nine tumors had a combination of tubular and cord-like arrangements of sex cord cells with transition to spindle-shaped tumor cells. They were diagnosed as either unclassified sex cord-stromal tumors (n = 5) or Sertoli-stromal cell tumors (n = 4). One tumor was a pure Sertoli cell tumor. The admixed germ cells were usually at the periphery and in clusters, but occasionally were in the center or more diffuse. In nine patients the germ cells resembled spermatogonia, having round nuclei with uniform, dusty chromatin and inconspicuous or small nucleoli. None of these cells stained with a variety of markers used for neoplastic germ cells, and in one case in which the non-neoplastic Sertoli cells were strongly reactive for inhibin but the neoplastic Sertoli cells were not, all the germ cells within the tumor occurred adjacent to inhibin-positive Sertoli cells. With static cytophotometry, a diploid deoxyribonucleic acid content was found in these germ cells in the two investigated cases. In one case the germ cells had the morphologic appearance of seminoma cells and they stained positively for the markers of neoplastic germ cells. This case was interpreted as a "collision" tumor between a Sertoli cell tumor and a seminoma. The authors conclude that sex cord-stromal tumors with entrapped germ cells of the testis are more common than unclassified MGCSCSTs--a bona fide testicular example of which has not been seen by any of the authors.

Synergistic effect of genistein and zinc on bone components in the femoral-metaphyseal tissues of female rats.

The effect of genistein and zinc on bone components in rats was investigated. Femoral-metaphyseal tissues obtained from female rats (4 weeks old) were cultured for 24 h in a medium containing either vehicle or genistein (10(-7)-10(-5) M) in the absence or presence of zinc sulfate (10(-6)-10(-4) M) in vitro. The presence of genistein (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) or zinc (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) caused a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and calcium content in the metaphyseal tissues. These increases were significantly enhanced by the combination of each compound. The synergistic effect on bone components was seen in the combination with genistein (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) plus zinc (10(-5) M). Such an effect was completely blocked by the presence of cycloheximide (10(-6) M), an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Moreover, the oral administration of genistein (100 and 300 micrograms/kg body weight) or zinc sulfate (1 and 5 mg Zn/kg) to rats for 3 days caused a significant elevation of alkaline phosphatase activity, DNA, and calcium content in the femoral-metaphyseal tissues. These increases were significantly enhanced by the combination of each compound. The synergistic effect was seen in the case of genistein (100 and 300 micrograms/kg) plus zinc (5 mg/kg). These results demonstrate that the anabolic effect of genistein on bone components is synergistically enhanced by zinc in vitro and in vivo. This study further supports the view that the combination of nutritional factors has a potent anabolic effect on bone metabolism.

Does the Macrostructure of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Molecules Adsorbed on Substrates by the Pulse Injection Method Reflect That in Solution?

In order to investigate whether the concentration-dependent macrostructure of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules can be retained after pulse injection, as compared to that originally present in the aqueous solution, we performed scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) imaging of plasmid DNA pulse-injected from an aqueous solution containing different DNA concentrations. The observed STM images revealed the presence of a relaxed circular macrostructure at low concentrations (1.2 µg/ml of DNA and 0.3 mM of Na+) whereas an entangled circular macrostructure was observed at high concentration (60 µg/ml of DNA and 15 mM of Na+). We conclude that plasmid DNA molecules retain the macrostructures possessed in the aqueous solution even after pulse injection onto a solid surface under vacuum environment.

Synergistic Effect of Genistein and Casein Phosphopeptides on Bone Components in Young and Elderly Female Rats.

The effect of genistein and casein phosphopeptides (CPP) on bone components in the femoral tissue of young and elderly rats was investigated. Genistein has been shown to directly stimulate bone formation, and CPP has been reported to increase intestinal calcium absorption. Genistein (10 or 50μg/100g body weight) or CPP (40mg/100g) was orally administered to young (5 weeks old) or elderly (50 weeks old) rats for 14d. The administration of genistein (50μg/100g) resulted in a significant increase in the femoral dry weight, calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content in the femoral-diaphyseal and metaphyseal tissue of young and elderly rats. The administration of CPP (40mg/100g) caused a significant increase in the femoral dry weight of young and elderly rats. CPP administration increased significantly the diaphyseal calcium content in young rats, but it did not have an effect on the diaphyseal and metaphyseal alkaline phosphatase activity and DNA content. The genistein (50μg/100g)-increased femoral dry weight, calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and DNA content in the diaphyseal and metaphyseal tissue of young rats was significantly enhanced by the simultaneous administration of CPP (40mg/100g). In elderly rats, this enhancement was resulted in the metaphyseal tissue. This study demonstrates that the combination of genistein and CPP administration has a synergistic-anabolic effect on bone components in rats with increasing age, suggesting that it may have a role in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Violacein cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis in V79 cells.

Violacein, a pigment produced by Chromobacterium violaceum, is reported to be a potential drug for the treatment of Chagas' disease. Violacein is also effective against leukemia and lymphoma cells in culture (IC50 10(-8) M). Changes in the nuclear acid content, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-biphenyl tetrazolium bromide reduction and neutral red uptake in these cells were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of violacein in V79 Chinese hamster (M-8) fibroblasts. Violacein was highly cytotoxic to V79 fibroblasts (IC50 5-12 microM). Using the TUNEL method and the Feulgen reaction coupled to image analysis, violacein (5 and 10 microM) was found to trigger apoptosis but not necrosis in V79 cells. The morphological changes seen in the nuclei of these cells included chromatin condensation and a decrease in deoxyribonucleic acid content. These results demonstrating that violacein induces apoptosis in V79 cells strengthen its potential as a therapeutic agent.

DNA-based polymer hybrids Part 1. Compatibility and physical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/DNA sodium salt blend

Transparent blend films of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sodium salt from salmon testes were prepared by the solvent cast method from a homogeneous aqueous solution; as a new class of biopolymer-based hybrid materials. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), dynamic mechanical, thermogravimetric, and scanning electron microscopic analyses indicated that PVA and DNA are compatible in a wide range of compositions. As the DNA content increases, a melting peak of PVA reduces in intensity with a lower temperature shift, appearing at 203°C in the PVA/DNA (50 wt%) blend by DSC. Physical properties of the blend films were evaluated by tensile strength and contact angle measurements. The tensile strength values of PVA/DNA (10 wt%) and PVA/DNA (30 wt%) blend films were 56 and 48 MPa, respectively. The surface free energy of PVA/DNA (30 wt%) blend film was 46 dyn/cm, which is identical to that of PVA, while the pure DNA film was revealed to show hydrophobicity (surface free energy 32 dyn/cm; water contact angle 104°).

Increase in bone protein components with healing rat fractures: enhancement by zinc treatment.

The alteration in bone components in the femoral-diaphyseal tissues with fracture healing was investigated. Rats were sacrificed 7 and 14 days after the femoral fracture. Protein content in the femoral-diaphyseal tissues was markedly elevated by fracture healing. Analysis with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that many protein molecules were induced in the diaphyseal tissues with fracture healing. Moreover, when the femoral-diaphyseal tissues with fracture healing were cultured for 24 and 48 h in a serum-free medium, many proteins in the bone tissues were released into the medium. Also, the culture of the diaphyseal tissues with fracture healing caused a significant increase in bone alkaline phosphatase activity and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content. Meanwhile, the presence of zinc acexamate (10-5 and 10-4 M), a stimulator of bone formation, in a culture medium induced a significant elevation of protein content and alkaline phosphatase activity in the diaphyseal tissues with fracture healing. Such an effect was completely abolished by the presence of cycloheximide (10-6 M), an inhibitor of protein synthesis. The present study suggests that fracture healing induces a newly synthesized bone protein component including stimulatory factor(s) for bone formation. Zinc supplementation may stimulate the healing of femoral fracture.

Tissue engineering of autologous aorta using a new biodegradable polymer

Background. Ovine pulmonary valve leaflets and pulmonary arteries have been tissue-engineered (TE) from autologous cells and biodegradable polyglycolic acid (PGA)-polyglactin copolymers. Use of this cell-polymer construct in the systemic circulation resulted in aneurysm formation. This study evaluates a TE vascular graft in the systemic circulation which is based on a new copolymer of PGA and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA).Methods. Ovine carotid arteries were harvested, expanded in vitro, and seeded onto 7-mm diameter PHA-PGA tubular scaffolds. The autologous cell-polymer vascular constructs were used to replace 3–4 cm abdominal aortic segments in lambs (group TE, n = 7). In a control group (n = 4), aortic segments were replaced with acellular polymer tubes. Vascular patency was evaluated with echography. All control animals were sacrificed when the grafts became occluded. Animals in TE group were sacrificed at 10 days (n = 1), 3 (n = 3), and 5 months (n = 3). Explanted TE conduits were evaluated for collagen content, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content, structural and ultrastructural examination, mechanical strength, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity.Results. The 4 control conduits became occluded at 1, 2, 55, and 101 days. All TE grafts remained patent, and no aneurysms developed by the time of sacrifice. There was one mild stenosis at the anastomotic site after 5 months postoperatively. The percent collagen and DNA contents approached the native aorta over time (% collagen = 25.7% ± 3.4 [3 months] vs 99.6% ± 11.7 [5 months], p < 0.05; and % DNA = 30.8% ± 6.0 [3 months] vs 150.5% ± 16.9 [5 months], p < 0.05). Histology demonstrated elastic fibers in the medial layer and endothelial specific von Willebrand factor on the luminal surface. The mechanical strain-stress curve of the TE aorta approached that of the native vessel. A 66 kDa MMP-2 was found in the TE and native aorta but not in control group.Conclusions. Autologous aortic grafts with biological characteristics resembling the native aorta can be created using TE approach. This may allow the development of “live” vascular grafts.

Influence of soil storage and exposure period on DNA recovery from teeth

A study was performed to determine the influence of garden soil on the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) recovery from teeth depending on the duration of storage. In the first series 24 teeth supplied by dentists were exposed to garden soil storage for a maximum of 18 weeks. Selected samples were excavated for DNA extraction at time intervals of 6,12 and 18 weeks. For the second series 20 teeth were stored for one year in garden soil. Following phenol/chloroform extraction with decalcification (first series) and without decalcification prior to extraction (second series) DNA was quantified, amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the tandem repeat loci D1S80, tyrosine hydroxylase, intron 1 (TH01) and Von Willebrand factor, intron A (VWA) (first series), human alpha fibrinogen (FGA) (second series) and sequenced in the hypervariable regions 1 and 2 (HV1, HV2) of the mitochondrial DNA (second series). The DNA concentration of the extracts after the first 6 weeks in soil was reduced by more than 90%. Amplification and direct sequencing of HV1 and HV2 of the mitochondrial genome was the most successful DNA technique.

FETAL PARTIAL URETHRAL OBSTRUCTION CAUSES RENAL FIBROSIS AND IS ASSOCIATED WITH PROTEOLYTIC IMBALANCE

Purpose We determine whether fetal bladder outlet obstruction induces renal fibrosis, and is associated with an alteration in the regulation of connective tissue degradation and the presence of fibrogenic interstitial cells. Materials and Methods Partial bladder outlet obstruction was surgically induced in 33 fetal sheep at 95 days of gestation. These animals and 24 normal age matched controls were sacrificed at 109, 116 and 135 (term) days of gestation, and the kidneys were rapidly retrieved, drained and weighed. Representative whole kidney samples were snap frozen for assessment of deoxyribonucleic acid, protein and collagen content. Morphometric analysis and alpha-smooth muscle actin immunohistochemistry were performed on histological specimens from formalin fixed kidneys. Tissue extract from fresh kidney specimens were analyzed for metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase activity. Urine samples obtained at the time of sacrifice were analyzed for electrolyte, creatinine and N-acetyl glucosaminidase excretion. Results All obstructed kidneys were hydronephrotic and larger than age matched controls. Obstructed kidneys at term showed interstitial fibrosis, as measured by increased extracellular matrix volume fraction (45% in male obstructed kidneys versus 2.5% in normal male kidneys, p = 0.0004), increased total collagen content (120 mg./kidney in male obstructed versus 20 mg. in normal male animals, p = 0.016) and collagen/deoxyribonucleic acid content per kidney (2.78 versus 0.53 mg./mg., p = 0.016). Metalloproteinase-1 activity was significantly lower in obstructed kidneys (210 versus 380 U./mg. protein in normal kidneys). Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase activity was undetectable in both groups. The presence of an increased population of myofibroblasts often associated with fibrotic processes was seen by alpha-smooth muscle actin staining which was localized to interstitial cells throughout the cortex in obstructed kidneys. Conclusions Fetal partial bladder outlet obstruction induces renal interstitial fibrosis as early as 2 weeks after obstruction. A possible mechanism for this process is a shift in proteolytic activity to reduce matrix degradation in obstructed kidneys. These changes might be mediated by the increased number of fibrogenic interstitial cells. The observations suggest several potential approaches to developing an understanding of congenital obstructive uropathy.

Action of chondroitinase ABC on epidurally transplanted nucleus pulposus in the rabbit.

After autotransplanting the nucleus pulposus into the epidural space of rabbits, chondroitinase ABC was administered, and the effect of chondroitinase ABC was examined. To examine whether chondroitinase ABC accelerates resolution of the nucleus pulposus transplanted into the epidural space. No previous reports exist on the effect of chondroitinase ABC on the nucleus pulposus in the epidural space. In Study 1, autotransplantation of the nucleus pulposus into the epidural space was performed in rabbits. Histologic change was observed. In Study 2, dry weight, deoxyribonucleic acid content, and the amount of glycosaminoglycans of autotransplanted nucleus pulposus were quantified and compared with the respective values in the control group, chondroitinase-ABC-injected group, and phosphate-buffered saline-injected group. In Study 3, granulocytes obtained from the blood of a rabbit treated with chondroitinase ABC or phosphate-buffered saline were added to the nucleus pulposus taken from the same rabbit. In chondroitinase ABC group, inflammatory cells tended to infiltrate earlier than those in the control group (Study 1). The dry weight of recollected nucleus pulposus in the chondroitinase ABC group was significantly less than in the other groups. Deoxyribonucleic acid content in the nucleus pulposus tended to be larger in the chondroitinase ABC group, although no significant difference in content compared with that in the other groups was found. Regarding the residual glycosaminoglycans in the transplanted nucleus pulposus, the amount of chondroitin sulfate markedly decreased in the chondroitinase ABC group (Study 2). The number of granulocytes infiltrating the nucleus pulposus was distinctly large in the chondroitinase ABC group (Study 3). Chondroitinase ABC can enhance resolution of the nucleus pulposus in the epidural space.

Changes in some enzyme activities and DNA content in frozen stored and freeze-dried bovine thymus

The effect of the preservation method and storage time of bovine thymus on the activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), as well as on the quantity changes of desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), was studied in this work. Fresh bovine thymus was divided into 3 groups. The first one was frozen and stored at −12°C, the second at −30°C, and the third was freeze-dried. The last was placed in air-tight containers and stored at 4°C. Every 2 months during 20 months of storage, the activity of ADA and PNP by the Kalckar method and DNA content by the diphenylamine method were determined. Lowest activities of ADA and PNP were in freeze-dried samples while the highest were found for the frozen samples stored at −12°C. DNA content was at nearly the same level throughout the storage time. If fresh thymus is not available for the production of drugs containing the analysed enzymes and DNA, it is sufficient to freeze it. In this state the gland remains stable for nearly 2 years. ©

Effects of diagnostic levels of color Doppler ultrasound energy on the cell cycle of newborn rats.

Our objective was to evaluate the safety of diagnostic levels of color Doppler ultrasound energy in the field of obstetrics and to provide the experimental data for its clinical application. After insonating pregnant rats with diagnostic levels of color Doppler ultrasound energy, we studied the cell cycles of the newborn rats by flow cytometry and factorial analysis. We found that the deoxyribonucleic acid content was not affected in any phase of the cell cycle in newborn rats by any of the different insonation times and frequencies.

Stimulatory effect of zinc acexamate administration on fracture healing of the femoral-diaphyseal tissues in rats

The effect of zinc acexamate on fracture healing of the femoral-diaphyseal tissues in rats was investigated in vivo. Zinc acexamate (0.3 and 10.0 mg Zn/100 g body weight per day) was orally administered to rats (4 weeks old) surgically fractured the femoral diaphysis for 14 to 28 days. Calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity in the femoral-diaphyseal tissues were significantly decreased in rats with fracture healing, while bone acid phosphatase activity and protein content were markedly increased. The administration of zinc acexamate (10.0 mg Zn/100 g) for 28 days caused a significant increase in calcium content, alkaline and acid phosphatases activities, protein and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) contents in the femoral-diaphyseal tissues of rats with fracture healing. With the lower dose (3.0 mg Zn/100 g), zinc compound had a partial effect on bone components. Femoral mineral density in rats with fracture healing was significantly increased by the administration of zinc acexamate (10.0 mg Zn/100 g) for 28 days. Femoral-diaphyseal zinc content was significantly decreased in rats with fracture healing. This decrease was completely restored by the administration of zinc acexamate (10.0 mg Zn/100 g) for 28 days. The present study suggests that the supplement of zinc compound stimulates fracture healing of the femoral-diaphyseal tissues in rats.

Anabolic Effect of Soybean Saponin on Bone Components in the Femoral Tissues of Rats

The effect of soybean saponin on bone components in the femoral tissues of rats was investigated. Rats were orally administered saponin (100μg/ml/100g body weight) for 10 d. The administration caused a significant increase in calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content in the diaphyseal and metaphyseal tissues of the femur in the animals. When bone tissues were cultured for 24h in a medium containing either vehicle or saponin (10μg/ml of medium), the presence of saponin caused a significant rise in calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and DNA content in the femoral-diaphyseal and metaphyseal tissues. The effect of saponin in increasing bone components was completely prevented by the presence of cycloheximide (10-6M), suggesting that the saponin effect is partly based on a newly synthesized protein component. This study demonstrates that soybean saponin has an anabolic effect on bone components in rats, suggesting its role as a nutritional factor in the prevention of osteoporosis.