Metformin reverts aortic calcifications and elastin loss induced by an experimental metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with osteogenic transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and accumulation of arterial calcifications (AC). Metformin (MET) inhibits this transdifferentiation in vitro. Here, we evaluate the in vivo efficacy of oral MET to reduce AC in a model of MetS.

Lactobacillus plantarum CIDCA 8327: An α-glucan producing-strain isolated from kefir grains.

Lactobacillus plantarum CIDCA 8327 is an exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producer strain isolated from kefir with promising properties for the development of functional foods. The aim of the present study was to characterize the structure of the EPS synthesized by this strain grown in skim milk or semidefined medium (SDM). Additionally, genes involved in EPS synthesis were detected by PCR.

Effects of a metabolic syndrome induced by a fructose-rich diet on bone metabolism in rats.

Objective: The aims of this study were: first, to evaluate the possible effects of a fructose rich diet (FRD)-induced metabolic syndrome (MS) on different aspects of long bone histomorphometry in young male rats; second, to investigate the effects of this diet on bone tissue regeneration; and third, to correlate these morphometric alterations with changes in the osteogenic/adipogenic potential and expression of specific transcription factors, of marrow stromal cells (MSC) isolated from rats with fructose-induced MS.

Materials/methods: MS was induced in rats by treatment with a FRD for 28 days. Halfway through treatment, a parietal wound was made and bone healing was evaluated 14 days later.

Morphological changes induced by advanced glycation endproducts in osteoblastic cells: effects of co-incubation with alendronate.

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) accumulate with age in various tissues, and are further increased in patients with Diabetes mellitus, in which they are believed to contribute to the development and progression of chronic complications that include a decrease in bone quality. Bisphosphonates are anti-osteoporotic drugs that have been used for the treatment of patients with diabetic bone alterations, although with contradictory results. In the present study, we have evaluated the in vitro alterations on osteoblastic morphology by environmental scanning electron microscopy, in actin cytoskeleton and apoptosis induced by AGEs, as well as the modulation of these effects by alendronate (an N-containing bisphosphonate).

Effect of metformin on bone marrow progenitor cell differentiation: in vivo and in vitro studies.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with bone loss. Patients with type 2 diabetes are frequently treated with oral antidiabetic drugs such as sulfonylureas, biguanides, and thiazolidinediones. Rosiglitazone treatment has been shown to increase adipogenesis in bone marrow and to induce bone loss.