The effect of single oral doses of prednisone on the circadian rhythm of serum osteocalcin in normal subjects.

Serum osteocalcin (OC), which is a sensitive marker of bone formation, is reduced during chronic glucocorticoid treatment in accordance with the finding of reduced bone formation, and even short term glucocorticoid treatment reduces serum OC. In a double blind placebo-controlled study, we measured the effects of 2.5 and 10 mg prednisone, orally, on the circadian variation of serum OC in 15 normal subjects (8 women and 7 men), aged 22-46 yr.

The effects of high-dose glucocorticoid administration on serum bone gamma carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein, serum alkaline phosphatase and vitamin D metabolites in normal subjects.

The effects of 40 mg of prednisone given daily for 5 days to normal individuals on serum levels of bone Gla-protein (BGP), alkaline phosphatase, calcium phosphate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (S-iPTH) and on renal excretions of calcium, phosphate and hydroxyproline were evaluated in a double-blind, placebo controlled study. In the prednisone group a 75% decrease (P less than 0.001) was found in serum BGP compared to a 6% decrease (P less than 0.

The effects of short-term, high-dose treatment with prednisone on the nuclear uptake of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in monocytes from normal human subjects.

Animal and cell culture studies indicate glucocorticoid regulation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors and interference with cellular effects of vitamin D. These investigations prompted us to examine the effects of prednisone on the nuclear uptake of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in freshly isolated human monocytes. Eighteen normal subjects were studied in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis of the iliac bone. Etiological possibilities.

An adolescent with chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis located to both iliac bones and an adult with pustulotic arthro-osteitis, involving the left iliac bone, an invertebral space, and the sternoclavicular, first sternocostal, manubriosternal and single peripheral joints are described. Their iliac bone changes were identical, except for the occurrence of bilateral changes in the adolescent, and ankylosis of the sacroiliac joint in the adult. It is suggested that chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis and pustulotic arthro-osteitis may be related diseases with age-dependent differences.

Biochemical evidence of disturbed bone metabolism and calcium homeostasis in two types of autosomal dominant osteopetrosis.

Biochemical markers of bone resorption and bone formation were measured in 14 patients with autosomal dominant osteopetrosis, and compared with age- and sex-matched controls. There were eight patients with the radiological type I characterized by diffuse, symmetrical osteosclerosis with pronounced sclerosis of the skull and enlarged thickness of the cranial vault, and six patients with type II characterized by diffuse, symmetrical osteosclerosis, "Rugger-Jersey spine" and "endobones" (bone within a bone) in the pelvis. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin in types I and II did not differ from controls indicating normal bone formation.

Serum vitamin D metabolites and nuclear uptake of (3H)-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in monocytes from patients with autosomal dominant osteopetrosis: a study of two radiological types.

The nuclear uptake of (3H)-1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 in freshly isolated human monocytes and the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were investigated in 13 patients with autosomal dominant osteopetrosis and in sex- and age-matched controls. Seven patients had type I osteopetrosis characterized by diffuse, symmetrical osteosclerosis with pronounced sclerosis of the skull and increased thickness of the cranial vault. The other six patients had type II with "Rugger Jersey Spine" and "endobones" as characteristic findings.

Triiodothyronine stimulates urinary excretion of calcium and hydroxyproline in autosomal dominant osteopetrosis.

Six patients with autosomal dominant osteopetrosis were treated orally with 100 mcg. triiodothyronine (T3) daily for seven days. The effect of T3 on bone remodelling was monitored.

Iliac crest trabecular bone volume as predictor for vertebral compressive strength, ash density and trabecular bone volume in normal individuals.

Whole vertebral bodies (L2) and cylindrical trabecular bone samples from the central part of the first lumbar vertebral body (L1) were obtained from 42 normal individuals aged 15-87 years (27 females and 15 males). These bone samples were analyzed by a compression test, and maximum load and stress values were calculated from the load deformation curves. After the compression the ash density of the samples was estimated.

Age-related changes in vertebral trabecular bone architecture--assessed by a new method.

Cylindrical trabecular bone specimens (d = 7 mm) were drilled in a vertical direction from the central part of the third vertebral body (L3) from 23 normal individuals aged 15-87 years (10 males and 13 females). The bone samples were embedded in methylmetacrylate and sawn in 400 microns thick sections with an arbitrary rotation but a fixed vertical axis. The sections were investigated in polarized light at a magnification of x 8.

Bone turnover and balance evaluated by a combined calcium balance and 47calcium kinetic study and dynamic histomorphometry.

Bone resorption and formation rates were evaluated at the organ level using calcium kinetic methods and at the trabecular bone tissue level using dynamic histomorphometry in 20 patients with various metabolic bone diseases (primary hyperparathyroidism (N = 9), hyperthyroidism (N = 6), and hypothyroidism (N = 5). Highly significant correlations were demonstrated between resorption and formation rates at organ level (r = .90, P less than .

Bisphosphonate whole body retention test: relations to bone mineralization rate, renal function and bone mineral content in osteoporosis and metabolic bone disorders.

The bisphosphonate whole body retention test (WBR) has been used to estimate bone mineralization rate (bone turnover). Bisphosphonates given i.v.

Compressive strength, ash weight, and volume of vertebral trabecular bone in experimental fluorosis in pigs.

The aim of the investigation was to measure the effect of fluoride on vertebral trabecular bone compressive strength and to correlate this with fluoride-induced changes in bone density. This correlation would express changes in the quality of bone during fluoride treatment. Pigs were used in the experiment because their trabecular bone structure and remodeling sequences are very similar to the human.

Etidronate disodium in the management of malignancy-related hypercalcemia.

To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous etidronate disodium (etidronate) in controlling hypercalcemia of malignancy, 20 patients with known malignant disease and hypercalcemia were randomly assigned on a two-to-one basis to receive etidronate, 7.5 mg/kg of body weight, or placebo for three to five days. All patients received 3,000 ml of saline and 40 mg of furosemide per day.

Safety of osteoporosis treatment with sodium fluoride, calcium phosphate and vitamin D.

During an 8-year period, 163 consecutive patients with spinal crush fracture osteoporosis started a 5-year treatment with a combination of sodium fluoride (60 mg/day), calcium phosphate (45 mmol/day) and vitamin D2 (18,000 IU/day), and were followed in the outpatient clinic every 3 months. Fourty-three patients completed the 5-year treatment. Mean observation time was 2.

Biomechanical competence of vertebral trabecular bone in relation to ash density and age in normal individuals.

Cylindrical trabecular bone samples from the central part of the first lumbar vertebral body were obtained from 42 normal people (27 females and 15 males) aged 15-87 years and analyzed by a compression test in either vertical or horizontal direction. Maximum stress, maximum stiffness, energy absorption capacity, and strain at maximum stress (compressibility) were calculated from the load-deformation curves. The ash density of the samples was measured after incineration.

Exogenous triiodothyronine activates bone remodeling.

The effect of exogenous triiodothyronine (T3) as an activator of bone remodeling was investigated by measuring biochemical marker levels. Fourteen people received 100-160 micrograms of T3 for 1 week and were followed for a total of 10 weeks. Serum T3 increased markedly during the first week, whereas serum TSH and serum thyroxine (T4) decreased.

Etidronate disodium for treating hypercalcaemia of malignancy: a double blind, placebo-controlled study.

The efficacy of intravenous etidronate disodium in controlling hypercalcaemia of malignancy was evaluated in a double blind, placebo-controlled study. Twenty patients with known malignant disease and hypercalcaemia were randomly assigned on a 2:1 basis to etidronate 7.5 mg kg-1 body weight or placebo for 3-5 days.

Primary hyperparathyroidism: evaluated by 47calcium kinetics, calcium balance and serum bone-Gla-protein.

Combined 47Calcium kinetic and calcium balance studies with correction for dermal calcium loss were performed in thirteen patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP), in whom serum bone-Gla-protein (S-BGP) was measured, and in ten matched controls. Dietary calcium was normal in PHP but both net (7.9 +/- 1.

Mechanical properties of collagen from decalcified rat femur in relation to age and in vitro maturation.

Cortical bone collagen was obtained by decalcifying femoral bones from 2-, 5-, 15-, and 25-month-old male rats. Collagen specimens were cut longitudinal to the long axis of the femur and tested mechanically. The maximum load (ultimate strength) and maximum slope of the load-strain curve (maximum stiffness) were found to decrease with age.

Nuclear uptake of 1,25-dihydroxy[3H]-cholecalciferol in peripheral blood monocytes.

The active vitamin D metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol induces differentiation of monocytes into macrophages. The pharmacological induction of differentiation of primitive, rapidly proliferating cell lines into more mature cells with lower proliferative potential is a new dimension in the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders, which may prove to be an important alternative to more traditional regimens. Furthermore, the cell primarily engaged in bone resorption--the osteoclast--represents another differentiated form of mononuclear phagocytes, and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol increases the number of osteoclasts.