The influence of vitamin D receptor genetic variants on bone mineral density and osteoporosis in Chinese postmenopausal women.

Growing evidence indicates that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene is an important candidate gene for influencing the development of osteoporosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential association between genetic variants of VDR gene and bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis in Chinese postmenopausal women. The study included 970 Chinese postmenopausal women at the postmenopausal osteoporosis (482) and healthy controls (488).

[Enhancement of meniscal tearing damage repairing in the avascular zone using connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the rabbit model].

Objective: To investigate effect of connective tissue growth factors (CTGF) on secretion of extracellular matrix synthesis of meniscal fibrochondrocytes, expression of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), and angiogenesis during the repair of meniscal tearing damage.

Methods: Meniscal fibrochondrocytes were isolated from the inner--1/2 of rabbits' meniscus by collagenase enzymatic digestion, centrifugal separation, and treated with 100 ng/ml CTGF in vitro. Characterization of fibrochondrocytes was identified by flow cytometry analysising CD31, CD44, CD45 and CD105, and was further tested by type II collagen immunocytochemistry.