Effect on bone turnover markers of once-yearly intravenous infusion of zoledronic acid versus daily oral risedronate in patients treated with glucocorticoids.

Objective: Long-term glucocorticoid use is accompanied by rapid bone loss; however, early treatment with bisphosphonates prevents bone loss and reduces fracture risk. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of two bisphosphonates, i.v.

Differential effects of olanzapine and risperidone on plasma adiponectin levels over time: results from a 3-month prospective open-label study.

Second-generation antipsychotics (SGA), especially clozapine and olanzapine, are associated with an increased metabolic risk. Recent research showed that plasma adiponectin levels, an adipocyte-derived hormone that increases insulin sensitivity, vary in the same way in schizophrenic patients as in the general population according to gender, adiposity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether different SGAs differentially affect plasma adiponectin levels independent of body mass index (BMI) and MetS status.

Highest prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy in institutionalized women compared with noninstitutionalized women: a case-control study.

The reduced capacity of older skin to synthesize vitamin D(3) under the influence of ultraviolet light makes older persons at risk of vitamin D deficiency. The risk could even be increased in institutionalized persons owing to their lower sunshine exposure. It has been reported that an inadequate vitamin D level is associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism, increased bone turnover, and bone loss, which increase fracture risk.

A cross-sectional evaluation of adiponectin plasma levels in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Background: In recent years, several studies showed increased rates of hyperglycaemia, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome as well as cardiovascular disease in schizophrenic patients. The underlying mechanism, however, is poorly understood. Adiponectin is a recently identified adipocyte-derived protein, with low adiponectin levels being associated with metabolic abnormalities such as obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Vitamin D inadequacy in French osteoporotic and osteopenic women.

Objective: Studies have shown that low serum vitamin D levels are associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism, which decreases bone strength and increases fracture risk, most notably after 50 years of age. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D status of postmenopausal women in France.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study of 1292 menopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia.

Role of biochemical markers of bone turnover as prognostic indicator of successful osteoporosis therapy.

Most of the currently available anti-osteoporosis medications promptly and significantly influence the rate of bone turnover. Biochemical markers of bone turnover now provide a high sensitivity to change, allowing the detection of these bone turnover changes within a couple of weeks. Since the anti-fracture efficacy of inhibitors of bone resorption or stimulators of bone formation appears to be largely independent of baseline bone turnover, biochemical markers do not appear to play a significant role in the selection of one particular drug, for an individual patient.

Vitamin D inadequacy in Belgian postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Background: Inadequate serum vitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism, increased bone turnover and bone loss, which increase fracture risk. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of inadequate serum 25(OH)D concentrations in postmenopausal Belgian women. Opinions with regard to the definition of vitamin D deficiency and adequate vitamin D status vary widely and there are no clear international agreements on what constitute adequate concentrations of vitamin D.

Evaluation of different bone markers in hemodialyzed patients.

Background: Routinely, nephrologists rely on different biochemical markers like intact PTH (iPTH), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), plasmatic calcium and phosphate. The aim of the present study was to evaluate different other bone markers like N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP), active isoform 5b of the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP 5b) and beta-crossLaps (CTXS) as well as full-length PTH (wPTH), presumed non-(1-84) PTH, and their ratio in the diagnosis of renal osteodystrophy with high and low turnover. We also determined 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25VTD), 1-25 dihydroxyvitamin D and homocystein (HCY).

Strontium ranelate (Fujisawa/Servier).

Strontium ranelate (PROTELOS), a divalent strontium salt, has been developed and launched by Servier for the treatment of osteoporosis. Fujisawa Pharmaceutical is developing the drug in Japan; in November 2004, phase II Japanese trials were ongoing.

Cord C-peptide and insulin-like growth factor-I, birth weight, and placenta weight among North African and Belgian neonates.

Objective: Despite their low socioeconomic status, infants of North African immigrants have been reported to have high birth weights in Belgium. The aim of the study was to further explore potential mechanisms explaining this high birth weight.

Study Design: Venous umbilical cord blood samples and perinatal characteristics of live-born infants from mothers of North African and Belgian nationality were collected in 1997 through 1998 at the University Hospital La Citadelle, Liège, Belgium.

Biochemical markers of bone and cartilage remodeling in prediction of longterm progression of knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between biochemical markers of bone and cartilage remodeling and severity or progression (symptoms and structure) of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Mean and minimal joint space width (JSW) of the femorotibial joint were measured from standardized radiographs taken at baseline and at the end of a 3-year longitudinal study of patients with knee OA. Pain, stiffness, and physical function subscales of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index were assessed at the same time points.

Interest of biochemical markers of bone turnover for long-term prediction of new vertebral fracture in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Objective: To analyse the interest of baseline levels and short-term (3-months) changes in serum osteocalcin (BGP), serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and urinary C-telopeptide of type I collagen/creatinine ratio (U-CTX) to predict 3-years changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and spinal deformity index (SDI) in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Methods: Data were derived from a cohort of 603 osteoporotic women corresponding to the placebo arm of a 3-years prospective, double-blind study.

Results: Baseline values of BALP, BGP and U-CTX were negatively and significantly correlated with baseline spinal BMD.

Hepatocarcinoma cell lines down-regulate matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in human hepatic myofibroblasts.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteases that degrade extracellular matrix components and are involved in tumor progression and metastasis. We studied the pattern of expression of MMP-2 by human hepatoma cell lines and human hepatic myofibroblasts and its regulation in co-culture between these cell types. MMP-2 expression was studied by zymography and semi-quantitative RT-PCR.