病毒性心肌炎小鼠心肌基质金属蛋白酶-9的动态变化及意义

目的：探讨基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）在病毒性心肌炎（VMC）小鼠发病过程中的动态变化及意义。方法：以柯萨奇病毒 B3 感染 BALB/C 小鼠建立 VMC 模型,腹腔注射 0.1 mL不含病毒的培养液的小鼠作为对照组。造模后 7 d、14 d、21 d、28 d取心肌组织作石蜡切片,行苏木精-伊红和 Masson 染色观察病理改变,免疫组化（SABC法）检测心肌MMP-9及Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原表达。结果：模型组 MMP-9 于 7 d 可见表达,14 d 达高峰（P<0.05）,各时间点 MMP-9 表达均高于对照组（P<0.05）;Ⅰ型胶原于 21 d 表达上调,28 d 表达最高（P<0.05）,21 d 和 28 d 表达高于对照组（P<0.05）;Ⅲ 型胶原于28 d 表达上调并高于对照组（P<0.05）;MMP-9 与心肌病理积分呈正相关（r=0.832,P<0.05）,与 Ⅰ 型胶原呈负相关（r=-0.791,P<0.05）。结论：VMC 小鼠心肌 MMP-9 在早期即表达增高;MMP-9 可能通过介导 Ⅰ 型胶原的降解代谢而参与 VMC 的病理过程,是导致 VMC 胶原重构和心肌纤维化的重要因素之一。     

心脏肥大细胞及Toll样受体4在小鼠病毒性心肌炎中的作用

目的：探讨心脏肥大细胞及Toll样受体4（TLR4）在病毒性心肌炎（VMC）发生发展中的作用。方法：48只BALB/C小鼠随机分为对照组和模型组,每组24只,以柯萨奇病毒B3腹腔注射制作VMC模型,分别于制模后7 d、14 d和28 d,两组各取8只小鼠心肌组织,行苏木精-伊红和Masson染色观察两组小鼠心肌病理改变,以甲苯胺蓝染色法和透射电镜检测两组小鼠各时间点心肌肥大细胞数目及脱颗粒情况,采用免疫组化法及RT-PCR检测小鼠心肌TLR4及其mRNA的表达,并对模型组各时间点肥大细胞数目及TLR4 mRNA的表达进行相关性分析。结果：模型组各时间点心肌病理评分均较对照组明显增高（均P<0.05）;模型组28 d时心肌胶原纤维容积分数较对照组各时间点以及模型组7 d、14 d时均明显增高（均P<0.05）。模型组肥大细胞数目明显多于对照组相应时间点（均P<0.05）;各时间点模型组心肌TLR4及其mRNA表达均高于对照组（P<0.05）。模型组各时间点心肌肥大细胞数目和TLR4 mRNA表达呈正相关（R2=0.877, P<0.05）。结论：VMC小鼠心肌肥大细胞数和TLR4的表达在各时间点均较对照组明显增加,提示肥大细胞及TLR4可能在VMC的炎症反应和纤维化过程中起重要作用。     

曲尼司特抑制病毒性心肌炎小鼠心肌纤维化的作用

目的 探讨曲尼司特对病毒性心肌炎(VMC)小鼠心肌纤维化的作用。方法 72只BALB/C小鼠完全随机分为对照组、模型组和干预组(n=24),对照组小鼠腹腔内注射Eagle's培养液,模型组和干预组腹腔注射科萨奇病毒B3建立VMC模型,干预组建模后予曲尼司特灌胃(每日200mg/kg),维持给药到取材前一天。分别在造模后7、14、28d三个时间点每组各取8只小鼠心肌组织,行苏木精-伊红染色和Masson染色观察病理改变;甲苯胺蓝和硫瑾染色观察肥大细胞(MC)计数;RT-PCR及Westernblot检测结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)、I型胶原蛋白(ColI)的mRNA及蛋白表达量;并分别对CTGFmRNA与MC计数和ColImRNA的表达进行相关性分析。结果 各时间点模型组心肌病理积分及胶原容积分数高于对照组,曲尼司特干预后降低(PPr=0.439,P=0.049);模型组7d、14d时心肌组织CTGFmRNA与ColImRNA呈正相关(r=0.646,P=0.007),28d时亦呈正相关(r=0.326,P=0.031)。结论 曲尼司特可能通过抑制MC的聚集、降低CTGF和ColI的表达,减轻VMC小鼠心肌纤维化效应。     

特发性血小板减少性紫癜激素治疗患儿Ⅰ型前胶原羧基端前肽测定

目的探讨糖皮质激素(GC)对特发性血小板减少性紫癜(ITP)患儿骨组织Ⅰ型胶原合成的影响及预防措施。方法将52例ITP患儿分为激素、维生素D及钙剂治疗组(干预组)和单纯激素治疗组(未干预组),26例同期住院的呼吸道感染患儿为对照组,治疗前、治疗后4周分别测定血清Ⅰ型前胶原羧基端前肽(PICP)。结果干预组治疗前(150.69±55.22)与治疗后(157.35±47.48)比较及治疗后与对照组(148.56±40.12)比较,PICP值差异无显著性(P>0.05);未干预组治疗前(155.73±49.68)与治疗后(113.92±48.25)比较及治疗后与对照组比较,PICP值差异均有显著性(P<0.01)。结论GC治疗4周即可抑制ITP患儿骨组织Ⅰ型胶原的合成。激素治疗同时应用维生素D及钙剂能有效拮抗激素对骨组织Ⅰ型胶原合成的抑制作用。     

糖皮质激素对肾病综合征患儿成骨细胞功能的影响

目的　糖皮质激素是治疗肾病综合征的首选药物。但糖皮质激素可抑制成骨细胞功能,导致骨质疏松。该研究通过检测成骨细胞不同分化阶段的生化指标:I型前胶原羧基端前肽(PICP)、骨钙素(BGP)和总碱性磷酸酶(AKP),探讨糖皮质激素对肾病综合征(NS)患儿成骨细胞功能的影响。方法　测定正常对照组(n=30),未治NS患儿(n=30)和激素治疗后NS患儿(每日泼尼松2mg/kg治疗4 ~8周,n=30)血清PICP、BGP及AKP水平。结果　未治NS患儿血清PICP165 ±56μg/L,BGP15 ±9ng/L水平明显低于正常对照组205 ±81μg/L, 19 ±12ng/L(均P<0. 05),而血清总AKP198 ±71U/L与正常对照组202 ±46U/L比较差异无显著性。激素治疗后NS患儿血清PICP85 ±56μg/L、BGP8±5ng/L、AKP104 ±59 U/L均明显低于未治NS患儿(P<0. 01)。结论　NS患儿本身存在骨合成障碍,大剂量糖皮质激素治疗可进一步抑制NS患儿的成骨细胞合成功能。     

结缔组织生长因子在病毒性心肌炎心肌组织中的变化

目的 观察结缔组织生长因子(connective tissue growth factor,CTGF)在病毒性心肌炎( viral myocarditis,VMC)小鼠心肌组织中的表达情况.方法 实验选取BALB/C小鼠100只,分为对照组、VMC组各50只.应用柯萨奇B3病毒(coxsackie virus B3,CVB3)感染小鼠建立VMC模型.在CVB3感染后第4、7、14、21天各随机抽取8只采集心脏标本,行HE染色测定心肌病理积分,应用Masson染色法观察小鼠心肌胶原纤维分布,测量胶原容积分数(collagen volume fraction,CVF),检测血清CK-MB水平,应用免疫组织化学方法检测转化因子β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)、CTGF蛋白在小鼠心肌中的分布;应用RT-PCR方法检测小鼠心肌组织TGF-β1、CTGF mRNA的相对表达量;并作相关性分析.结果 (1)VMC组小鼠CK-MB水平于第7天达高峰,后逐渐下降(各时间点分别为455.45±37.95,606.95±35.64,573.62±42.90,308.60±20.49),其中第4、7、14天时高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t值分别为6.144,12.558,11.182,P均＜0.01);(2)VMC组小鼠第14、21天时CVF明显高于对照组(CVF值分别为8.22±1.95,9.46±1.87,t值分别为4.486,5.552,P均＜0.01);(3)免疫组织化学法检测VMC组小鼠各时间点心肌CTGF蛋白(各时间点分别为171.50±10.25,141.70±10.863,110.35±11.051,81.05±10.190)及TGF-β1蛋白(184.90±11.480,150.25±9.915,103.50±10.455,84.15 ±9.848)阳性表达均较对照组高(P均＜0.01);(4)VMC小鼠心肌组织中CTGF mRNA(0.4728±0.0328,0.5750±0.0439,0.6228±0.0458,0.7265±0.0469)及TGF-β1mRNA(0.5757 ±0.0426,0.6922 ±0.0408,0.7447±0.0510,0.8513±0.0505)表达随病毒感染时间延长而增强(P均＜0.01);(5)VMC小鼠心肌组织中CTGF的表达与TGF-β1的表达呈显著正相关(r=0.987,P＜0.01);VMC小鼠心肌组织中CTGF的表达与CVF密切相关(r=-0.901,P＜0.01),但CTGF的表达早于心肌纤维化的出现.结论 CTGF的表达伴随VMC的心肌纤维化程度而增加,提示CTGF的异常表达可能参与了VMC中心肌纤维化的发展过程.     

不同时期卡维地洛干预对柯萨奇病毒致心肌纤维化模型小鼠心肌组织炎性因子表达的影响

目的 研究柯萨奇病毒诱导小鼠病毒性心肌炎后心肌纤维化发病中转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)、结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)、内皮素-1(ET-1)等炎性因子的表达及不同时期应用卡维地洛干预对其影响.方法 雄性BALB/c小鼠40只随机分为对照组、模型组、急性期治疗组、慢性期治疗组,每组10只.对照组皮下注射9 g/L盐水,其余组腹腔注射100TCID50的柯萨奇病毒B3(CVB3) 0.1 mL,以后每2周腹腔接种同批次CVB3,每次递增0.05 mL,共6周;急性期治疗组第2天开始、慢性期治疗组第4周开始给予卡维地洛10mg/(kg·d)灌胃,共2周;对照组和模型组均给予等量9 g/L盐水灌胃.第6周末各组取心脏计算心脏质量指数(HWI),心肌组织行Masson染色测胶原容积积分(CVF);酶联免疫吸附试验法检测心肌组织ET-1水平,免疫组织化学检测TGF-β1和CTGF水平;反转录-聚合酶链反应测定三者mRNA表达.结果 与对照组相比,模型组小鼠HWI及心肌组织CVF明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P均＜0.01);急、慢性期治疗组较模型组下降,差异有统计学意义(P均＜0.01);且急性期治疗组低于慢性期治疗组,差异有统计学意义(P均＜0.05);模型组心肌组织中TGF-β1、CTGF、ET-1 mRNA和蛋白的表达明显升高(P均＜0.01),急、慢性治疗组较模型组下降,且急性期治疗组较慢性期治疗组降低(P均＜0.01).结论 TGF-β1、CTGF、ET-1参与CVB致心肌纤维化的发病过程,卡维地洛可通过下调炎性因子的过度表达减轻心肌纤维化程度,早期应用效果好.     

骨膜蛋白在实验性病毒性心肌炎小鼠的表达及意义

目的 探讨骨膜蛋白(periostin)在病毒性心肌炎(VMC)中的表达及可能作用.方法 应用柯萨奇病毒B3(CVB3)感染4周龄Balb/c小鼠,建立VMC小鼠模型.100只小鼠分为正常对照组(n ＝ 40)和病毒组(n ＝ 60).在CVB3感染后第0、7、14、28、56天留取标本,测定各实验组不同时间点心肌胶原容积分数(CVF)值(Masson染色)、血清血管紧张素(Ang)Ⅱ水平(ELISA法)、心肌组织中骨膜蛋白和转化生长因子(TGF)β1 mRNA相对表达量(RT-PCR).将骨膜蛋白 mRNA相对表达量与其他指标进行直线相关性分析.结果 VMC组小鼠骨膜蛋白mRNA表达量从病毒感染后第7天开始增加,第28天持续升高,第56天时表达量最高(P ＜ 0.01).骨膜蛋白mRNA表达量与CVF、血清AngⅡ、TGFβ1 mRNA相对表达量均呈直线正相关(r ＝ 0.870 ～ 0.943,P均＜ 0.01).结论 骨膜蛋白的异常表达在VMC的发生、发展中起重要作用,可能参与了VMC心肌纤维化的发生过程.同时骨膜蛋白与AngⅡ及TGF-β1表达相关,可能成为抗VMC心肌纤维化的新靶点.     

自体冷血停跳液对婴幼儿心肌保护机制的研究

［摘要］目的：研究婴幼儿心内直视手术灌注不同停跳液心肌细胞丙二醛（MDA）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的变化,探讨自体冷血停跳液对婴幼儿心肌保护的作用机制。方法：30例非紫绀型先天性心脏病婴幼儿（体重≤8kg）,随机分为晶体液组、冷血组和自体冷血停跳液组,每组10例。分别于心脏停跳前、复跳后取右心耳心肌,检测心肌MDA和SOD含量。术中记录复跳时间、自动复跳率和室颤发生率。术后监测心脏指数（CI）,正性肌力药物依赖情况。结果：术前3组MDA分别为（0.87±0.14）、（0.88±0.11）、（0.86±0.15）nmol/mg prot;SOD分别为（61.3±3.4）、（69.2±3.1）、（64.4±4.2）U/g,差异无显著性（P>0.05）;同组术后与术前比较,MDA明显升高,分别为（3.12±0.21）、（2.93±0.27）、（1.67±0.15）nmol/mg prot,SOD明显降低（42.6±2.3）、（44.6±3.1）、（57.7±2.1）U/g,差异有显著性（P<0.05或P<0.01）;术后自体冷血组与晶体液组、冷血组冷血比较,MDA含量降低,SOD含量升高,复跳时间缩短,正性肌力药物依赖性降低,CI升高,差异均有显著性（P<0.05或P<0.01）;晶体液组与冷血组比较,复跳时间、正性肌力药物依赖性及CI差异有显著性（P<0.05或P<0.01）。结论：自体冷血停跳液对婴幼儿心内直视手术心肌保护主要作用机制是降低心肌细胞氧自由基的产生。［中国当代儿科杂志,2009,11（8）：638-640］     

病毒性心肌炎小鼠模型中Caveolin-3表达及银杏叶提取物的相关干预研究

目的观察小凹蛋白-3(Caveolin-3)在病毒性心肌炎(viral myocarditis,VMC)小鼠模型心肌组织中的表达情况及银杏叶提取物的干预效果。方法选取160只Balb/c小鼠,随机分成正常对照组、病毒性心肌炎组(VMC)、参麦治疗组(SM)、银杏叶提取物治疗组(GL),每组各40只。建立VMC小鼠模型。在柯萨奇病毒B3(CVB3)感染后第5、10、15天各组随机处死8只小鼠,HE染色、Masson染色法观察心肌病变,半定量RT-PCR方法检测小鼠心肌组织中Caveolin-3 mRNA的相对表达量,并作相关性分析。结果 VMC小鼠的心肌表现为炎性病变;SM及GL组小鼠的炎性改变在各时间点均较VMC组轻;VMC组小鼠第10、15天的CVF明显高于对照组(P均<0.01),SM及GL组小鼠均较VMC组改变轻(P均<0.01);VMC组小鼠Caveolin-3 mRNA的相对表达量随着时间的推移增加明显;SM组及GL组干预后,Caveolin-3 mRNA的相对表达量亦有所降低(P均<0.05)。Caveolin-3 mRNA的相对表达量与病理积分、CVF密切相关(r=0.959、-0.896,P均<0.05)。结论 Caveolin-3可能参与了病毒性心肌炎的发病,银杏叶提取物对病毒性心肌炎具有一定的治疗作用。     

干扰素-λ2对急性病毒性心肌炎小鼠凋亡相关蛋白的研究

目的：干扰素-λ（IFN-λ)广泛存在于人体各组织中,目前研究发现其具有抗病毒、抗肿瘤等作用。但其是否能用于治疗病毒性心肌炎尚缺乏相关报道。探讨IFN-λ2在病毒性心肌炎（VMC）早期的作用,为IFN-λ2 是否能应用于临床治疗或预防VMC提供实验室依据。方法：采用腹腔注射柯萨奇B3（CVB3）病毒的方法制造病毒性心肌炎小鼠模型。实验分3组：空白对照组、病毒组、IFN-λ2 治疗组。空白对照组给予腹腔注射等量的PBS培养液,记为第0天;IFN-λ2治疗组从第1天开始,连续5 d每天经背部皮肤不同点给予小鼠IFN-λ2 400 ng （0.1 mL）,空白对照组和病毒组则每天以同样方法给予等量生理盐水。死亡小鼠从组中剔除。9 d后处死所有存活小鼠。检测各组小鼠心脏的病理改变。采用免疫组织化学技术检测各组小鼠心脏组织中凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2 及Bax的表达。结果：①病毒组心肌病理评分要高于空白对照组及IFN-λ2治疗组。 ②免疫组化结果显示正常心肌组织有少量Bcl-2及Bax的表达,病毒组较空白对照组Bcl-2表达减少、Bax表达明显增加(P<0.01);IFN-λ2治疗组较病毒组Bcl-2表达增加、Bax表达减少(P<0.01) 。结论：INF-λ2 能减轻柯萨奇病毒所致心肌炎小鼠的心肌病理改变,能抑制小鼠心肌细胞凋亡,对VMC小鼠的心肌细胞具有保护作用。［中国当代儿科杂志,2009,11（4）：296-300］     

The insulin-like growth factor axis and collagen turnover during prednisolone treatment.

Serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), the carboxyterminal propeptide of type I collagen (PICP), the carboxyterminal pyridinoline crosslinked telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), and the aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) were studied in 10 prepubertal children with asthma (mean age 9.0 years). The children were treated with 2.5 and 5.0 mg/day prednisolone in a randomised double blind crossover trial with run in, treatment, and washout periods of two weeks. No statistically significant effects on serum concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were found. Dose related reductions of PICP, ICTP, and PIIINP were observed: the mean (SEM) reduction in PICP was 33.4 (26.3) and 68.4 (20.6) micrograms/l, in ICTP 2.5 (0.5) and 2.9 (0.6) micrograms/l, and in PIIINP 2.1 (0.7) and 3.1 (1.8) micrograms/l during the 2.5 and 5.0 mg prednisolone periods respectively. Short term treatment with low daily doses of prednisolone is associated with suppression of serum markers of type I and III collagen turnover in children with asthma. Intermediate and long term effects remain to be studied.     

糖皮质激素对肾病综合征患儿成骨细胞功能的影响

目的　糖皮质激素是治疗肾病综合征的首选药物。但糖皮质激素可抑制成骨细胞功能,导致骨质疏松。该研究通过检测成骨细胞不同分化阶段的生化指标:I型前胶原羧基端前肽(PICP)、骨钙素(BGP)和总碱性磷酸酶(AKP),探讨糖皮质激素对肾病综合征(NS)患儿成骨细胞功能的影响。方法　测定正常对照组(n=30),未治NS患儿(n=30)和激素治疗后NS患儿(每日泼尼松2mg/kg治疗4 ~8周,n=30)血清PICP、BGP及AKP水平。结果　未治NS患儿血清PICP165 ±56μg/L,BGP15 ±9ng/L水平明显低于正常对照组205 ±81μg/L, 19 ±12ng/L(均P<0. 05),而血清总AKP198 ±71U/L与正常对照组202 ±46U/L比较差异无显著性。激素治疗后NS患儿血清PICP85 ±56μg/L、BGP8±5ng/L、AKP104 ±59 U/L均明显低于未治NS患儿(P<0. 01)。结论　NS患儿本身存在骨合成障碍,大剂量糖皮质激素治疗可进一步抑制NS患儿的成骨细胞合成功能。     

Markers of type I and type III collagen turnover, insulin-like growth factors, and their binding proteins in cord plasma of small premature infants: relationships with fetal growth, gestational age, preeclampsia, and antenatal glucocorticoid treatment

Disorders affecting fetal growth are commonly associated with premature birth. IGFs and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) are potent regulators of fetal growth. In vitro evidence suggests that they regulate collagen turnover. Collagen turnover can be monitored by serum markers of type I collagen synthesis (PINP) and degradation (ICTP) and a marker of type III collagen synthesis (PIIINP). We examined whether these markers in fetal circulation reflect intrauterine growth and maturity, and whether any interrelationship exists between them and fetal IGFs and IGFBPs in preterm infants before 32 wk of gestation. Cord plasma PINP, ICTP, PIIINP, IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-3 were determined for 98 preterm infants. To express birth weight in units adjusted for gestational age, a birth weight SD score (SDS) was calculated. Negative correlations existed between gestational age and PINP (r = -0.43; p < 0.0001), ICTP (r = -0.34; p = 0.002), and PIIINP (r = -0.34; p = 0.0001). Positive correlations existed between birth weight SDS and PINP (r = 0.40; p = 0.0002) and ICTP (r = 0.48; p < 0.0001) but not PIIINP. Moreover, birth weight SDS was positively correlated with IGF-I (r = 0.58; p < 0.0001) and IGFBP-3 (r = 0.44; p < 0.0001) and negatively correlated with IGF-II (r = -0.36; p = 0.003) and IGFBP-1 (r = -0.50; p < 0.0001). Gestational age correlated with IGFBP-3 (r = 0.25; p = 0.03). In preeclampsia, IGF-I was lower (p = 0.002) and IGFBP-1 higher (p < 0.0001), also after adjustment for fetal size. The number of antenatal glucocorticoid treatments was associated with lower ICTP (p = 0.04), higher IGF-I (p = 0.002), lower IGF-II (p = 0.02), lower IGFBP-1 (p = 0.05), and higher IGFBP-3 (p = 0.004), also after adjustment for potential confounders. In multiple regression analysis, the factors significantly associated with PINP (R:(2) = 0.47) were gestational age and IGF-I, and those associated with ICTP (R:(2) = 0.54) were IGF-I, gestational age, and antenatal glucocorticoid treatment. We conclude that IGF-I may be involved in regulation of type I collagen turnover in the growing fetus. Cord blood PINP and ICTP reflect both fetal growth and maturity and deserve evaluation as potential indicators of postnatal growth velocity in preterm infants, whereas PIIINP reflects fetal maturity.     

Collagen peptides in osteogenesis imperfecta, idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis and Ehlers–Danlos syndrome

We evaluated the potential of the carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), the carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen I (ICTP), and the amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) to differentiate osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) from Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS) and idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis (IJO) in paediatric patients. Markedly decreased serum concentrations of PICP were found in type I OI, while in IJO they were much less diminished, and in EDS they were near to normal. In type III and IV OI, the serum PICP level was lowered in prepubertal patients, whereas at puberty it was comparable to that in controls. Serum ICTP and PIIINP levels in patients with OI did not differ significantly from the levels in EDS and IJO. Measurements of scrum PICP levels seem to be useful in discriminating OI from EDS and IJO in prepubertal children. In pubertal children, however, they lose their diagnostic power.     

Bone and collagen turnover during treatment with inhaled dry powder budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate

OBJECTIVES--To assess bone and collagen turnover in asthmatic children treated with dry powder budesonide from the Turbuhaler and dry powder beclomethasone dipropionate from the Diskhaler in a dose of 800 micrograms/day. SUBJECTS--Thirteen prepubertal children with asthma. DESIGN--Open crossover study with two treatment periods and treatment free run-in and wash-out periods. All periods were of two weeks' duration. At day 14 in each period blood samples were taken for assessment of serum osteocalcin, the carboxyterminal propeptide of type I collagen (PICP), and the aminoterminal propeptide of type III collagen (PIIINP). At the same time urine was collected for assessment of creatinine corrected pyridinoline (uPYR/cr) and deoxypyridinoline (udPYR/cr) crosslinks. RESULTS--Osteocalcin concentrations were not influenced by any of the treatments. During budesonide treatment mean (SEM) PICP was reduced by 18% (8%) (p = 0.03), PIIINP by 24% (3%) (p = 0.0002), uPYR/cr by 16% (6%) (p = 0.03), and udPYR/cr by 21% (13%) (p = 0.12). During treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate mean (SEM) PICP was reduced by 20% (6%) (p = 0.01), PIIINP by 36% (3%) (p = 0.0002), uPYR/cr by 18% (4%) (p = 0.004), and udPYR by 13% (5%) (p = 0.02). The suppressive effect of beclomethasone dipropionate on PIIINP was more marked than that of budesonide (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION--Treatment with dry powder budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate 800 micrograms/day is associated with suppression of bone and collagen turnover. The suppression seems to be more marked during treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate. Long term effects and effects of lower doses of budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate on bone and collagen markers needs further study.     

Collagen-derived markers of bone metabolism in osteogenesis imperfecta

Markers of bone formation [C-terminal and N-terminal propeptides of procollagen I (PICP, PINP), osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase] and bone resorption [C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of collagen I (ICTP) and hydroxypyridinium cross-links, pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr)] were measured in 78 osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) patients to investigate bone metabolism in vivo and relate marker concentrations to phenotype and in vitro collagen I defects, as shown by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). PICP and PINP were generally low, and the serum levels were lower in all children and adults with mild OI and a quantitative collagen defect than in patients with severe OI and a qualitative collagen I defect. ICTP, Pyr and Dpyr were generally normal or reduced, but elevated in severely affected adults with a qualitative collagen I defect. The in vivo findings correlated with in vitro results of collagen I SDS-PAGE. Bone turnover is reduced in OI children and mildly affected OI adults, whereas bone resorption is elevated in severely affected adults. These findings may prove helpful for diagnosis and decision-making regarding therapy in OI.     

The insulin–like growth factor axis and collagen turnover in asthmatic children treated with inhaled budesonide

Serum concentrations of growth hormone–dependent insulin–like growth factor I (IGF–I) and insulinlike growth factor binding protein–3 (IGFBP–3), the carboxy terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), the carboxy terminal pyridinoline cross–linked telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and the amino terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) were studied in 14 prepubertal children with asthma (mean age 9.7 years) during treatment with inhaled budesonide. The study design was a randomized, crossover trial with two double–blind treatment periods (200 and 800 μg) and one open, non–randomized treatment period (400 μg ). All periods were 18 days'duration. Budesonide treatment was associated with a dose–related suppressive trend in serum concentrations of PIIINP when the 400 μg period was included (p < 0.01; z =–2.7) and when it was excluded from the calculations (p < 0.01; z =–2.6), indicating reduced synthesis of type III collagen. A similar trend was observed in ICTP levels when the 400 μg period was excluded from the calculations (p = 0.05; z =–1.9). No other statistically significant variations were seen.