Femur Weight Research Articles

The Influence of Statins on Bone Tissue in Ovariectomized Rats

Objectives: Osteoporosis is a silent, progressive, systemic skeletal disease characterized by impaired bone architecture with decreased bone mass density, affecting mainly women. Statins, inhibitors of HMG-CoA-reductase, seem to interfere with bone formation exerting anabolic and anti-resorptive effect. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of simvastatin on size parameters and bone density of mandible and femur, in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis. Methods: 50 Wistar female rats were randomized in five groups (n=10). Groups 1, 2,3 were ovariectomized, 4 and 5 serve as controls. Groups 2, 3 and 5 were treated with simvastatin (0.5mg/kg/daily per os). Size parameters of the isolated femur, mandible and uterus, BMD via dual energy X-Ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and serum interleukin-13 (IL-13) were estimated. Results: DEXA results showed significant decrease of BMD in ovariectomized group / controls while statins treatment decreased the severity of BMD lose. The serum IL-13, as osteogenesis index, seems to be positively influenced by statins treatment. Conclusions: Statins treatment seems to restore the decreased femur and mandible parameters and uterus weight in experimental menopause following ovariectomy.

Exploring bone volume and skeletal weight in the Middle Pleistocene humans from the Sima de los Huesos site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain).

Body mass estimation in fossil human species is a crucial topic in paleoanthropology as it yields information about ecologically relevant characteristics. Nevertheless, variables crucial to body mass estimation such as bone volume and skeletal weight have never before been calculated in a fossil human species. The exceptional state of preservation of several fossil human long bones from the Sima de los Huesos (SH) Middle Pleistocene site, in the Sierra de Atapuerca, makes it possible to calculate for the first time the absolute bone volume in five complete long bones (two femora and three humeri) of a fossil human species, an approach not possible in fragmentary or poorly preserved fossils. We have relied on computed tomography scans and 3D reconstructions to calculate bone volume. A sample of 62 complete bones of robust recent humans was also used for comparative purposes. The male SH femora (weight-bearing bones) and humeri (non-weight-bearing bones) have, relative to their size, greater bone volume (volume of bone tissue over total bone volume) than the equivalent bones in our recent human sample. As mass is volume × density, and bone tissue density (as a material) is similar across mammals, we calculate bone mass, and our results show that the SH hominins had on average heavier long bones than extant humans of the same size. From the femoral weight at hand, we have estimated the total skeletal weight in two SH individuals, which is about 36% heavier than in the recent humans of the equivalent body size. Using different methods and skeletal variables, including skeletal weight, to estimate body mass in these two SH humans, we highlight the considerable differences in body mass estimates we obtained, and that the largest body mass estimate is the one based on the skeletal weight. Our results suggest that we cannot assume the same relative proportion of bone volume and bone and skeletal weight characterized the entire genus Homo. Given that skeletal weight has a significant influence on body mass, current body mass estimates of fossil Homo specimens could be systematically underestimated. Thus, the significantly larger bone volume and heavier bones, probably throughout the entire skeleton, of SH humans could have had consequences for many biological parameters in this Pleistocene population and considerable importance for studies focusing on adaptive and ecologically relevant characteristics. Although more recent human samples should be analyzed, in our view, the high skeletal robusticity of the SH sample, including larger bone volume and skeletal weight, is part of their adaptive body type selected for throughout the Pleistocene to support different mechanical and activity regimes and formed under tight genetic control, including control over bone formative and regulatory processes.

Bacillus subtilis based probiotic improved bone mass and altered brain serotoninergic and dopaminergic systems in broiler chickens

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of a Bacillus subtilis based probiotic on broiler bone health. After 43 days, probiotic fed broilers had greater bone mineralization, wall thickness, size, and weight of tibias and femurs compared to the controls. We further found that probiotic fed broilers also had higher serum calcium levels at day 14 and a trend of lower serum c-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen levels, a bone resorption indicator, at day 43. Moreover, the level of serotonin was increased in the raphe nuclei, whereas the concentrations of norepinephrine and dopamine were decreased in the hypothalamus of broilers fed probiotic at day 43. These results indicate that dietary supplementation of a Bacillus subtilis based probiotic improves broiler bone traits, most likely through increased calcium intestinal absorption and reduced bone resorption by inhibiting sympathetic activity via the central serotonergic system.

English

Plants hormones are widely used in agriculture to alter plant characteristics as growth regulators. Gibberellic acid (GA3) plays important role in promoting plant growth, and cell differentiation. This work was performed to investigate the relationship between lipooxidative damage marker (HEL) and bone damage induced by GA3 in adult albino rats. This study was carried out on 20 adult albino rats for 4 weeks treated 6 days/week. The rats were distributed into 2 groups of 10 rats each: Groups I (control) and II (GA3); each rat was treated by GA3 oral gavage (75 ppm) once daily. There was an increase in body and femur weights and length as compared to controls. GA3 caused a decrease in calcium and phosphorus levels in bone while calcium increased and the phosphorus decreased in the plasma. Lipid peroxidation markers caused high femur malondialdehyde levels with decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities confirmed by histological changes. Immunohistochemical examination for expression of Nε-HEL in bone tissues showed strong positive brown reaction in GA3 treated group when compared with control group that showed negative reaction. GA3 toxicity induced bone damage in adult albino rats. It is recommended to increase public awareness regarding the health impact of gibberellic acid. Key words: Bone, gibberellic acid, lipid per oxidation, Nε-hexanoyl Lysine. &nbsp

RANKL/OPG system regulation by endogenous PTH and PTH1R/ATF4 axis in bone: Implications for bone accrual and strength in growing rats with mild uremia

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) play a central role in the regulation of bone turnover in chronic kidney disease (CKD), but their influence on bone mineral density (BMD) and strength remains unclear, particularly in children. We studied the clinical significance of OPG and RANKL in relation to PTH, femur weight, BMD, and bone biomechanical properties in growing rats after one month (CKD-1) and three months (CKD-3) of surgically-induced mild CKD. Gene expression of parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R) and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), major regulators of anabolic PTH response in bone, was also determined. Serum PTH and bone PTH1R/ATF4 expression was elevated in CKD-3 compared with other groups, and it positively correlated with femur weight, BMD, and the biomechanical properties of the femoral diaphysis reflecting cortical bone strength. In contrast, bone RANKL/OPG ratios were decreased in CKD-3 rats compared with other groups, and they were inversely correlated with PTH and the other abovementioned bone parameters. However, the PTH-PTH1R-ATF4 axis exerted an unfavorable effect on the biomechanical properties of the femoral neck. In conclusion, this study showed for the first time an inverse association between serum PTH and the bone RANKL/OPG system in growing rats with mild CKD. A decrease in the RANKL/OPG ratio, associated with PTH-dependent activation of the anabolic PTH1R/ATF4 pathway, seems to be responsible for the unexpected, beneficial effect of PTH on cortical bone accrual and strength. Simultaneously, impaired biomechanical properties of the femoral neck were observed, making this bone site more susceptible to fractures.

Long term differentiated phosphorus supply from below to above requirement affects nutrient balance and retention, body weight gain and bone growth in growing-finishing pigs

Dietary phosphorus (P) supply has attained increased interest in farm animal production during the last decades due to environmental concern and to limited global phosphate resources. The objective was to study the long-term effect of low (LP; 4.1 g/kg dry matter (DM)), medium (MP; 6.2 g/kg DM) or high dietary P (HP; 8.9 g/kg DM) on the absorption, retention and utilisation of P, calcium (Ca), and protein [N (nitrogen) x 6.25] during the growing-finishing phase (40–100 kg BW) in addition to daily weight gain, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) concentration in serum, and bone length and weight at slaughter. All pigs were subjected to three balances and most traits (daily feed intake, P and Ca but not N balances) were significantly affected by the interaction between diet and balance (P < 0.001). Low dietary P caused reduced feed intake compared to the MP diet. The Ca, P and N absorption, excretion and retention were lower in pigs fed the LP diet compared to pigs fed the MP and HP diets. Oppositely, HP caused increased retention and excretion of P and Ca compared to the MP fed pigs. The absorptive capacity of P, Ca and N increased with age whereas the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P, Ca and N remained constant irrespective of P supply. The length and wet weight of humerus and femur were not affected by dietary P supply, though the defatted dry bone weight was significantly reduced in the LP fed pigs, but similar in the MP and HP fed pigs (P < 0.01). A dietary ratio of 1.4:1 may be tentatively suggested as a proper dietary Ca:P based on both digestible P and Ca and not total P and Ca. The ratio between P:N (retained) of 1:4 along with Ca:N (retained) of 1:3 may also be valuable indicators of sufficient daily P supply in pigs fed adequate protein and amino acids. In conclusion, a daily supply of about 4.6 and 6.7 g digestible P seems to be sufficient to fulfil the physiological need for P to sustain a growth rate of 800–1100 g/day in lean young and growing-finishing pigs, respectively. Deficient as well as excessive P supply resulted in low P utilisation and a relatively higher total P excretion compared to the sufficient dietary P supply. The relative distribution of P excreted through the urine or the faeces depended on the dietary P content.

A Hop Extract Lifenol® Improves Postmenopausal Overweight, Osteoporosis, and Hot Flash in Ovariectomized Rats.

Objective In order to assess the effectiveness of a hop extract (HE) for postmenopausal symptoms, the effects of Lifenol on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis, hyperlipidemia, body weight increase, and hot flash were investigated in rats. Methods Female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized and subjected to a daily scheduled exercise training (15 min at 15 m/min) or treated with HE (30 or 100 mg/kg, oral) or 17β-estradiol (100 μg/kg, intraperitoneal) for 12 weeks. Body and visceral fat weights, serum lipid profiles, osteoporotic parameters in serum, and femoral bones were analyzed. Separately, forced running-induced dermal and rectal temperatures and blood flow velocity were measured in ovariectomized rats. Results Ovariectomy increased blood lipids including triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins, leading to visceral fat accumulation and overweight. Estrogen depletion caused osteoporosis, displaying decreased femoral bone weight, bone mineral density and content, and blood phosphorus level. The disturbances in lipid metabolism and bone resorption were recovered by treatment with HE in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, HE treatment shortened the duration of forced running-induced alterations in skin and rectal temperatures by reducing blood flow velocity. Conclusion The results indicate that HE attenuated overweight, osteoporosis, and hot flash in estrogen-deficient animals by regulating blood lipid profile and fat accumulation, blood estrogen and bone resorption factors, and dermal blood flow.

Detection of SNPs in the BMP6 Gene and Their Association with Carcass and Bone Traits in Chicken

ABSTRACT BMP6, a member of the subfamilies of the morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), plays a crucial role in osteogenic and chondrocyte differentiation in vitro and stimulates chondrogenesis, making chondrocytes differen-tiate on their terminal stage. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between polymorphism of BMP6 gene and slaughter traits in chicken respectively. We screened the exonic and intronic regions of BMP6 gene by DNA pool construction and amplified DNA fragment by PCR, and finally, we got nine SNPs. Association analysis revealed that BMP6 had no significant association among all slaughter traits in Yellow bantam chicken. However, BMP6 had a significant difference with femur weight, tibia weight, femur length (p<0.05), and was extremely significant with tibia length (p<0.01) in Avian chicken. Moreover, femur perimeter also had significant correlation with BMP6 in Avian chicken. These results provide useful information for further investigation on the function of chicken BMP6 gene.

Effect of Deconditioning on Cortical and Cancellous Bone Growth in the Exercise Trained Young Rats

Exercise enhances bone growth and increases peak bone mass. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not 4 weeks of deconditioning after 8 weeks of exercise in growing rats would result in a decrease in bone gain or reverse the benefits of exercise. Fifty 4-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized by a stratified weight method into 5 groups with 10 rats in each group: 8 weeks exercise (8EX), 8 weeks sedentary control (8S), 12 weeks exercise (12EX), 8 weeks exercise followed by 4 weeks sedentary (8EX4S), and 12 weeks sedentary control (12S). The exercise consisted of running on a treadmill with a 5 degrees slope at 24 m/minute for 1 h/day and 5 days/week. After each period of exercise, cancellous and cortical bone histomorphometry were performed on double fluorescent labeled 5-microm-thick sections of the proximal tibia and 40-microm-thick sections of the tibial shaft, respectively. Eight and 12 weeks of exercise resulted in a significant increase in the body weight and gastrocnemius muscle weight by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The femoral wet weight (mg; mean +/- SD; 8EX, 781 +/- 45.1 vs. 8S, 713 +/- 40.5; p < 0.05; 12EX, 892 +/- 41.6 vs. 12S, 807 +/- 19.8; p < 0.05) was significantly higher in the exercise group than that in the respective control groups. The femoral wet weight and bone volume (BV) of the 8EX4S group (818 +/- 46.2 mg and 531 +/- 31.2 microl, respectively) were significantly lower than those of the 12EX group (p < 0.05) and did not differ significantly from those of the 12S groups. The cancellous BV was significantly higher in the 8EX and 12EX groups than that in the respective sedentary groups (p < 0.05). The cortical bone area of the tibial shaft was also significantly higher in the 12EX than that in the 12S group (p < 0.05). The increase in the cancellous BV or cortical bone area was caused by an increase in the mineral apposition rate (MAR), without a significant effect in the labeled perimeter. The bone formation rate (BFR; microm3/microm2 per day) in the cancellous bone (12EX, 27.9 +/- 7.74 vs. 12S, 15.4 +/- 4.56; p < 0.05) or periosteal surface (12EX, 127.6 +/- 27.7 vs. 12S, 79.5 +/- 18.6; p < 0.05) was significantly higher in the exercised groups than that in the respective control group (p < 0.05). Again, deconditioning resulted in a decrease in the cancellous BFR, BV, periosteal BFR, and cortical bone area to levels not significantly different from the 12S group. In conclusion, our findings showed that exercised growing rats, when deconditioned, lost the benefits gained through exercise and their bone parameters were reduced to levels not different from the sedentary control. Thus, continued exercise is required to maintain high bone mass.

Dose-Dependent Influence of Dietary Cu-Glycine Complex on Bone and Hyaline Cartilage Development in Adolescent Rats

Abstract Administration of the amino acid copper (Cu) complex ensures higher Cu bioavailability through enhanced absorption from intestine and decreases the dietary Cu level, compared to the recommended Cu dose. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Cu-low diet on the bone development in adolescent rats. Male rats at the age of 6 weeks were used in the 12-week experiment. The control diet provided the required Cu level from sulfate (S-Cu) and other diets were supplemented with Cu as a glycine complex (Cu-Gly) at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of daily requirement. After the 12-week treatment, rats from the Cu-Gly100 group were heavier, compared to the other groups. The copper and calcium plasma and bone concentrations of the rats in the groups treated with the organic form of Cu (irrespective of its dose) was similar to the control values noted in the rats administered with S-Cu. A decrease in the femur weight and length was observed in the Cu-Gly75 and Cu-Gly50 groups. Cu-Gly increased the cross section area, mean relative wall thickness, and cortical index only in the Cu-Gly75 group. A decrease in the ultimate strength, elastic stress, and ultimate stress was noted in the Cu-Gly100 and Cu-Gly75 groups. In the Cu-Gly50 group, a decrease in the ultimate stress and an increase in the maximal elastic strength and bending moment were noted. Adolescent rats treated with Cu-Gly at a Cu-deficient level exhibited a dose-dependent strongly osteoporotic cancellous bone. Lower proteoglycan content was found in groups fed the Cu-low diet. In the control rats supplemented with S-Cu, there was no evident gradient in safranin O staining. It is difficult to indicate which dose of the Cu-Gly complex among the investigated Cu-poor diet exerted a positive effect on bone metabolism. It appears that the use of this Cu-Gly complex at a significantly reduced dose than S-Cu at the recommended dose did not inhibit the development of bone and hyaline cartilage in adolescent rats.

Effects of diisononyl phthalate on osteopenia in intact mice

Osteopenia is characterized by bone loss and deterioration of trabecular bone, which leads to osteoporotic fractures. This disease is highly prevalent in industrialized areas and is associated with exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) is one of these EDCs and is mainly used as a plasticizer in flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products. Although it is well known that exposure to DINP is harmful to humans, no studies have been reported concerning its contribution to osteopenia. Therefore, in this study, we injected DINP (2, 20, and 200mg/kg) into C3H/HeN mice for 6weeks and found that the uterus weight, bone (femur and tibia) weight, and bone length of the DINP-exposed mice were reduced compared to those of the SHAM group. On the other hand, body weight, the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and inorganic phosphorus (IP) levels in the DINP treated mice were increased compared with those of the SHAM group. The tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity (bone resorption marker) was increased and the bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) activity was lowered by the treatment with DINP as compared with the SHAM group. Furthermore, the microarchitecture of the femur and tibia in the intact mice was destroyed by the DINP injection. The tissue volume (TV), bone volume (BV), BV/TV, bone surface (BS), BS/TV, trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular number (Tb.N) were reduced and the trabecular pattern factor (Tb.Pf), structure model index (SMI), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) were increased by the DINP injection. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur and tibia was lower in the DINP group than in the SHAM group. These results indicate that DINP contributes to an increased risk of osteopenia via destruction of the microarchitecture and enhancement of osteoclast activity.

Relative biological value of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in broiler chicken diets

This study was conducted to evaluate the relative biological value (RBV) of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol (1α-OH-D3) to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) in one- to 21-day-old broiler chickens fed calcium (Ca)- and phosphorus (P)-deficient diets. On the d of hatch, 450 male Ross 308 broiler chickens were weighed and randomly allotted to 9 treatments with 5 replicates of 10 birds per replicate. The basal diet contained 0.50% Ca and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) but was not supplemented with cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). The levels of Ca and NPP in basal diets were lower than those recommended by NRC (1994). 25-OH-D3 was fed at zero, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μg/kg, and 1α-OH-D3 was fed at 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 μg/kg. The RBV of 1α-OH-D3 to 25-OH-D3 based on vitamin D intake was determined by the slope ratio method. Results showed that 25-OH-D3 or 1α-OH-D3 improved the growth performance and decreased the mortality in one- to 21-day-old broilers. A linear relationship was observed between the level of 25-OH-D3 or 1α-OH-D3 and mineralization of the femur, tibia, or metatarsus. The RBV of 1α-OH-D3 to 25-OH-D3 were 234, 253, and 202% when the weight, ash weight, and Ca percentage of femur were used as criteria. The corresponding RBV of 1α-OH-D3 to 25-OH-D3 were 232 to 263% and 245 to 267%, respectively, when tibia and metatarsus mineralization were used as criteria. These data indicate that when directly feeding a hormonally active form of vitamin D as 1α-OH-D3 proportionally less is needed than when using the precursor (25-OH-D3) in diets deficient in Ca and P.

Adverse Effects of Caffeine on Development of Femur of BALB/c Mice and Protective Role of Vitamin D3.

To determine the effects of caffeine ingestion on the development of femur and role of vitamin D3 in preventing these effects in BALB/c mice. Experimental study. Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in cooperation with NIH (National Institute of Health), Islamabad, from October 2014 to October 2015. Thirty (100%) BALB/c mice, 50% male and female each, three weeks old, weighing 12-14 grams were taken and divided equally and randomly into three groups, each having 10 (33.3%) mice; 5 (16.6%) male and female. G1 (control group) was given normal diet with water ad libitum. G2and G3(experimental groups) were given 10 mg of caffeine per 100g body weight, three days a week, through oral gavage for 60 days on alternate days. However, experimental group G3was additionally provided 0.1µg vitamin D3daily, through oral gavage for 60 days. Experimental groups were compared with control group and data was analyzed statistically. The mean weight of mice femur of G1(control group) was 0.387 ±0.019 g; while mean weights of right femur of G2and G3(experimental groups) were 0.316 ±0.020 g and 0.345 ±0.020 g, respectively. Similarly, mean right femur length of group G1 was 20.70 ±0.609 mm; while for groups G2 and G3, it was 24.382 ±1.087 mm and 22.966 ±0.822 mm, respectively. In comparison with group G1for groups G2and G3, femur weight decreased, however femur length increased. Caffeine intake caused femur length to increase and weight to decrease, but treatment with vitamin D3.

Preparation and bioavailability of calcium-chelating peptide complex from tilapia skin hydrolysates.

With the continuous improvement in material life, the generation of fish by-products and the market demand for calcium supplements have been increasing in China. Therefore a calcium-chelating peptide complex (CPC) from tilapia skins was prepared and its effect on calcium (Ca)-deficient mice was investigated. The molecular weight distribution of CPC mainly ranged from 2000 to 180 Da, and its contents of complete amino acids and free amino acids were 85.30 and 8.67% (w/w) respectively. Scanning electron microscopy images and Fourier transform infrared data revealed that Ca crystals were bound with gelatin hydrolysates via interaction between Ca ions and NH/CN groups. When Ca-deficient mice were fed CPC and CaCO3 respectively for 4 weeks, no significant differences in serum biochemistry or bone mineral density were found. However, the length, weight, Ca content and hydroxyproline content of the femur, Ca absorption and body weight gain of mice fed CPC were significantly higher than those of mice fed CaCO3 . It is concluded that the prepared CPC could promote bone formation via better bioavailability of Ca and an increase in bone collagen. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Blood cockle (Anadara granosa) supplementation to increase serum calcium level and femur growth of low-protein diet rat

Solang M. 2017. Blood cockle (Anadara granosa) supplementation to increase serum calcium level and femur growth of lowprotein diet rat. Nusantara Bioscience 9: 62-67. Blood cockle (Anadara granosa) contains protein, zinc and calcium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of blood cockle flour supplement on serum calcium level, rat femur length and weight of rat femur on low-protein diet. The design of research used The Separate Sample Pre-Post Test Design. Forty eight Wistar male rats were randomly grouped into 2 groups, 12 rats as normal control group and 36 rats as malnourished group. After eight weeks, 4 rats from each group were sacrificed. Furthermore, 8 rats as normal control and 32 rats as malnourished group were randomly grouped. Malnourished rats were treated with blood cockle flour of 12.5%/kg diet, 25%/kg diet, and 50%/kg diet ad libitum for 8 weeks. Data analysis was performed with One Way ANOVA, LSD, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. The results of study showed that the supplementation of blood cockle flour of 12.5%/kg diet was significantly increase the serum calcium level (p=0.003), rat femur length (p=0.000) and rat femur weight (p=0.002) on low-protein diet. This study demonstrated that blood cockle flour can be used as alternative food to improve the growth of rat femurs in a malnutrition condition.

Anti-climacterium effects of pomegranate concentrated solutions in ovariectomized ddY mice.

In the present study, the complex anti-climacterium potential of standardized pomegranate concentrated solution (PCS) was investigated using bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) female ddY mice. Changes in body weight and gain during experimental periods, food consumption, serum estradiol levels, total body and abdominal fat densities, abdominal fat pads, and uterus weights were observed, along with the histopathology of abdominal fat pads and uterus for anti-obesity and estrogenic effects. In addition, liver weights, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and histopathological inspections were performed to explore the hepato-protective effects. Serum total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein, and triglyceride (TG) levels were monitored for hypolipidemic effects with total body and femur mean bone mineral density (BMD), right femur wet, dry and ash weights, strength, serum osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP) contents, and histological and histomorphometrical analyses for anti-osteoporosis activity. As a result of OVX, notable increases in body weight and gains, food consumption, abdominal fat mass densities, weights of abdominal fat pads deposited in the abdominal cavity, and serum AST, ALT, TC, LDL, TG, and osteocalcin levels were observed, along with decreases in the uterus, liver, and femur weights, mean total body and femur BMD, femur strength, serum bALP, and estradiol levels. In addition, marked hypertrophic alterations in adipocytes located in the deposited abdominal fat pads, liver steatosis, uterine disused atrophic changes, and decreases in bone mass and structures of the femur were also observed in OVX control mice with significant increases in bone resorption markers based on histopathological and histomorphometrical analysis. However, these estrogen-deficient climacterium symptoms were significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01) inhibited after 84 days of continuous treatment with estradiol and PCS (1, 2 and 4 ml/kg), respectively. The present results suggested that PCS was able to effectively inhibit or refine the climacterium symptoms, including obesity, hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and osteoporosis, induced by OVX in ddY mice.

Extracorporeal shock waves alone or combined with raloxifene promote bone formation and suppress resorption in ovariectomized rats.

Osteoporosis is a metabolic skeletal disease characterized by an imbalance between osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and osteoblast-mediated bone formation. We examined the beneficial effect of shock waves (SW) alone or in combination with raloxifene (RAL) on bone loss in ovariectomized rats (OVX). Sixteen weeks after surgery, OVX were treated for five weeks with SW at the antero-lateral side of the right hind leg, one session weekly, at 3 Hz (EFD of 0.33 mJ/mm2), or with RAL (5 mg/kg/die, per os) or with SW+RAL. Sera, femurs, tibiae and vertebrae were sampled for following biochemical and histological analysis. SW, alone or combined with RAL, prevented femur weight reduction and the deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture both in femur and vertebrae. All treatments increased Speed of Sound (SoS) values, improving bone mineral density, altered by OVX. Serum parameters involved in bone remodeling (alkaline phosphatase, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand, osteoprotegerin) and osteoblast proliferation (PTH), altered by ovariectomy, were restored by SW and RAL alone or in combination. In tibiae, SW+RAL significantly reduced cathepsin k and TNF-α levels, indicating the inhibition of osteoclast activity, while all treatments significantly increased runt-related transcription factor 2 and bone morphogenetic-2 expression, suggesting an increase in osteoblastogenic activity. Finally, in bone marrow from tibiae, SW or RAL reduced PPARγ and adiponectin transcription, indicating a shift of mesenchymal cells toward osteoblastogenesis, without showing a synergistic effect. Our data indicate SW therapy, alone and in combination with raloxifene, as an innovative strategy to limit the hypoestrogenic bone loss, restoring the balance between bone formation and resorption.

SERUM ADIPONECTIN AND IRISIN LEVELS IN OVARIECTOMIZED OSTEOPOROTIC RAT MODEL

Background: Post-menopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is the most common bone disease in females characterized by decreased bone mineral density (BMD). However, the exact pathogenesis remains unclear. Objective: Investigating the relationship between serum levels of adiponectin and irisin, and their relation to BMD in ovariectomy induced osteoporosis rat model. Material and Methods: Three equal groups of adult female albino rats (n=15) were used; i.e. control, sham operated and ovariectomized (OVX) groups. Nine weeks after ovariectomy, serum analysis of adiponectin, irisin, FSH, estradiol, Ca++, phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose, and insulin were estimated. Final BMI and HOMA-IR were calculated. Bone BMD measurements (dry and ash femur weight, bone Ca++ and P together with femur histopathological examination) were done. Results: In OVX osteoporotic rat model, while serum levels of adiponectin significantly elevated and negatively correlated with BMD, serum irisin levels significantly reduced, and showed significant positive correlation with BMD. Changes in OVX adiponectin and irisin levels were significantly associated with the elevated insulin resistance. However, they were not association with FSH or estradiol levels. Conclusion: OVX induced osteoporosis was associated with a significant increase in adiponectin levels, and decrease in irisin levels which are associated with changes in insulin resistance rather than sex hormones. It can be hypothesized that the exact causative of PMOP extends beyond pituitary; ovarian axis to be metabolic, muscle and adiposity cross talks which needs more detailed investigations.

Association of RUNX2 and TNFSF11 genes with production traits in a paternal broiler line.

Intense selection for production traits has improved the genetic gain of important economic traits. However, selection for performance and carcass traits has led to the onset of locomotors problems and decreasing bone strength in broilers. Thus, genes associated with bone integrity traits have become candidates for genetic studies in order to reduce the impact of bone disorders in broilers. This study investigated the association of the RUNX2 and TNFSF11 genes with 79 traits related to performance, carcass composition, organs, and bone integrity in a paternal broiler line. Analyses of genetic association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and traits were carried out using the maximum likelihood procedures for mixed models. Genetic associations (P < 0.05) were found between SNP g.124,883A>G in the RUNX2 gene and chilled femur weight (additive plus dominance deviation effects within sex) and with performance traits (additive within sex and additive effects). The SNP g.14,862T>C in the TNFSF11 gene presented genetic associations (P < 0.05) with additive plus dominance deviation effects within sex for performance traits. Suggestive genetic associations (P < 0.10) were found with abdominal fat and its yield. Selection based on SNPs g.14,862T>C in TNFSF11 and g.124,883A>G in RUNX2 could be used to improve performance and carcass quality traits in the population studied, although SNP g.14,862T>C was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium because it was not undergoing a selection process. Furthermore, it is important to validate these markers in an unrelated population for use in the selection process.

Pathogeny of Fatigued Walking Condition in Pekin Ducks.

Fatigued walking condition (FWC) in ducks is an important welfare and processing issue during the loading/unloading to the processing plant that can be related to heart and bone development. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of incubation conditions on duck embryo bone and heart development and their subsequent effects on ducks showing FWC at market age. Four groups of 2500 Pekin duck eggs were subjected to combinations of two incubation temperature profiles (elevated [E] and normal [N]) and two eggshell conductance profiles (G) (reduced [GR] and normal [GN]). At hatch 10 ducklings from each treatment combination were sampled for heart, liver, residual yolk, and total body weight as well as relative weights (organ percentage of whole body weight). Femur, tibia, and tarsus length and weight were also obtained, and relative asymmetry (RA) was calculated for each leg section. At 35 days of age during unloading of the truck at the slaughter plant, five hens and five drakes demonstrating normal walking and FWC were sampled. Body, heart, and ventricular weights were obtained along with femur, tibia and tarsus length, weight, and RA. Bone strength was evaluated using a three-point bending test, and tibia ash content was assessed. At hatch duckling bone characteristics and organ weights were found to be primarily affected by GR conditions, while heart development in older ducks was mainly impacted by E incubation temperatures. Tibia and relative weight at 35 days were also increased by GR and E. Fatigued ducks presented heavier tibias with more RA and cortical thickness but lower ash percentage. In conclusion, the changes in bone development during incubation and posthatch life were related to duck FWC presence during transportation to the processing plant.