Osteoinductive effect of bone bank allografts on human osteoblasts in culture.

Incorporation of a human bone allograft requires osteoclast activity and growth of recipient osteoblasts. The aim of this work was to study the effects produced by autoclavated and -80 degrees C frozen bone allografts on osteoblast proliferation and synthesis of interleukin 6 (IL6), activator of bone resorption, aminoterminal propeptide of procollagen I (PINP), marker of bone matrix formation, and osteoprotegerin (OPG), inhibitor of osteoclast activity and differentiation. Allografts were obtained from human femoral heads.

Bone remodeling markers in the detection of bone metastases in prostate cancer.

Background: Early detection of bone metastases in prostatic carcinoma is very useful in treatment and prognosis of the disease. The aim of this work was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a group of bone markers in order to discriminate between prostate carcinoma patients without (M(0)) and with (M(1)) bone metastases.

Methods: Sixty-seven non-treated patients with: benign prostate hyperplasia (n=21), prostatic carcinoma in several stages without bone metastases (T(X)M(0)) (n=31) and with bone metastases (T(X)M(1)) (n=15) were studied.