Dietary Xylitol Retards the Ovariectomy-Induced Increase of Bone Turnover in Rats

The effects of 10% dietary xylitol supplementation in ovariectomized rats were studied on the degradation of bone organic and inorganic structures. The osseal concentrations of hydroxyproline, pyridinoline, and deoxypyridinoline were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Bone resorption was measured in [³H]tetracycline-prelabeled rats by urinary excretion of ³H, and by the amount of ³H preserved in bone. Bone trabeculation was measured by a computer image analyzer from sections stained by the method of von Kossa. The amount of collagen in bone organic fraction was lower in ovariectomized rats as compared with the sham-operated controls. This most likely is partly a consequence of an increased resorption, and partly a consequence of a higher proportion of immature periosteal bone in the ovariectomized animals, leading to a higher ratio of noncollagenous protein to collagen. The number of pyridinium crosslinks was lower in proportion, indicating no selective changes in the structure of collagen. Dietary xylitol significantly retarded the ovariectomy-associated decrease in the relative amount of collagen and the number of its mature crosslinks. Ovariectomy doubled the excretion of ³H and caused a significant decrease in the amount of ³H preserved in bone; both these changes were significantly retarded by the 10% dietary xylitol supplementation. Ovariectomy significantly decreased the volume of bone trabeculae, but this effect was also significantly inhibited by the xylitol supplementation in the diet. In conclusion, these findings suggest a dietary xylitol-induced normalizing effect on the rate of bone turnover in ovariectomized rats. Received: 12 February 1996 / Accepted: 20 August 1996     

Ovariectomy in the rat induces a rapid increase in the urinary excretion of hydroxylysine glycosides and non-reducible crosslink residues

The ovariectomized rat is the most commonly used animal model of human postmenopausal osteoporosis, exhibiting a high rate of bone turnover with resorption exceeding formation. At present, bone turnover is quantified directly by dynamic histomorphometry. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the measurement of the urinary output of some specific bone collagen catabolites — pyridinolines and hydroxylysine glycosides — could be used to indirectly monitor the initial phase of bone turnover increase in ovariectomized 90-day-old rats. Ninety-day-old female rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=6): ovariectomized, sham-operated and non-treated controls. Urine samples (24 h) were collected 6 days before surgery and twice weekly for the 4 weeks following ovariectomy. Urinary excretion of pyridinoline (PYD), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), glucosyl-galactosyl-hydroxylysine (GGHYL) and galactosyl-hydroxylysine (GHYL) were measured. As expected, ovariectomy was associated with a significant decrease in bone mineral density in both the proximal tibial and distal femoral metaphysis. Compared with both sham-operated and control animals, ovariectomized rats showed significant increases in PYD, GGHYL and GHYL urinary output 8 days after surgery and in DPD output after 15 days. These changes were maintained throughout the study. The results confirm that measurement of the urinary excretion of pyridinolines and hydroxylysine glycosides represents a powerful tool for detecting the onset of bone turnover in ovariectomized 90-day-old rats.     

移植肾组织TGF-β1和MMP-2表达及IV型胶原沉积与慢性移植肾肾病的关系

目的 探讨移植肾组织中转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)和基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP-2)的表达及IV型胶原沉积与慢性移植肾肾病(CAN)的关系.方法 对18例CAN患者进行了移植肾切除术.光镜下观察切除的肾组织标本并根据其纤维化的程度进行分期,用免疫组织化学技术和图像分析法检测移植肾组织中TGF-β1和MMP-2表达量及IV型胶原沉积情况,并分析患者血肌酐(Cr)和尿素氮(BUN)的水平与移植肾纤维化程度的关系.结果 随着患者移植肾纤维化程度的加重,血清肌酐、尿素氮及肾组织中TGF-β1、IV型胶原基因表达量均增加,MMP-2表达量于移植肾纤维化早期明显升高,并随移植肾纤维化程度加重而逐渐降低.结论 移植肾组织中TGF-β1表达量增高及IV型胶原沉积可以促进CAN的进程,而MMP-2则可抑制其进展.     

Alteration of Elastin, Collagen and their Cross-links in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

OBJECTIVES: although the mechanism of arterial dilation and aneurysm development has not been clarified, the degradation of elastin and collagen plays undoubtedly a critical role. We evaluated the elastin and collagen content through the detection of their cross-links in aneurysmal and non-aneurysmal abdominal aortic walls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: in 26 human abdominal aortic aneurysm specimens obtained during surgery and in 24 autopsy control samples of non-aneurysmal abdominal aorta the tissue content of elastin and collagen cross-links were measured by HPLC. Collagen was also detected by evaluating two characteristic amino acids, 4-hydroxyproline (4-hypro) with a colorimetric method and 5-hydroxylysine (5-hylys) by gas chromatography. RESULTS: significantly fewer elastin cross-links were found in aneurysm samples compared to controls (desmosines and isodesmosines: 90% reduction; p<0.01). The opposite was true for pyridinoline collagen cross-links (350% increase) and deoxypyridinolines (100% increase, p=0.01). Tissue content of 5-hylys, 4-hypro and total amino acids were reduced significantly by 50% in aneurysmal samples. CONCLUSIONS: beside confirming decreased elastin content in aneurysmal walls, these results show a concurrent increase of collagen cross-links. Since total collagen markers were decreased (decreased 4-hypro and 5-hylys) it is reasonable to suggest that in aneurysmal aortic walls old collagen accumulates cross-links while new collagen biosynthesis is somehow defective.     

Platelets as targets of snake venom metalloproteinases

For centuries snake venoms have been known to interfere with haemostasis and this is now known basically due either to toxins activating/inhibiting clotting factors, having effects on blood vessels or interfering with platelet function. In this short review, the interaction of one major group of toxins, the snake venom metalloproteinases, with platelets is considered. This is relevant for understanding the mechanism of haemorrhage induced by these toxins.     

The Chemical Protecting Group Concept Applied in Crosslinking of Natural Tissues with Glutaraldehyde Acetals

This work describes the results of the controlled crosslinking of collagen matrices by glutaraldehyde based on a double protection strategy, glutaraldehyde acetals and lysine protonation due to the acidic conditions of acetal formation. Materials crosslinked by this approach were characterized by thermal stability comparable to those obtained by conventional procedures with mechanical properties expected for bioprosthesis manufacture and with a higher stability toward collagenase hydrolysis. The integrity of the microfibrillar structure was confirmed by optical and scanning electronic microscopy. The results indicate that the glutaraldehyde acetals procedure may be of potential use for the crosslinking of bovine pericardium used in the manufacture of bioprosthetic devices. Advantages may be related to the production of materials with homogeneous crosslinking distributions, associated with better definition in the nature of the chemical link that they introduce, due to a better distribution of glutaraldehyde within the tissue matrix before the crosslinking reaction is allowed to occur. As a result, materials with improved biological and mechanical properties are expected.     

超声引导胶原酶治疗外侧型腰椎间盘突出症

目的探讨超声引导胶原酶治疗外侧型腰椎间盘突出症的疗效及安全性.方法在相应椎间盘突出的棘突间,旁开1.5～2.5cm处经皮穿刺,采用超声引导定位,穿刺成功后,先进行加压试验,再进行麻醉试验,无腰麻征象后,将胶原酶注入到突出的椎间盘内或周围.结果 231例病人出院时的优良率为92.21%,有效率为99.57%;随访1～5年的优良率为92.65%,有效率为99.58%.近期与远期疗效比较无显著性差异(χ2=0.129,P＞0.05).结论利用超声引导监测、定位,注射胶原酶治疗外侧型腰椎间盘突出症,安全性强、有效率高.     

Twisted plywood architecture of collagen fibrils in human compact bone osteons

Summary Ultrathin sections of decalcified human compact bone, observed by transmission electron microscopy, reveal that collagen fibrils can be distributed in the form of a superimposed series of nested arcs. This characteristic pattern has never been interpreted in previous works on compact bone structure. We demonstrate, by goniometric observations at the ultrastructural level, that such series of nested arcs are a consequence of the “twisted plywood” architecture of collagen fibrils in the compact bone matrix. In the same specimens, an “orthogonal plywood” disposition of collagen fibrils is also observed; a transition exists between these two types of orders. We show that the “twisted plywood structure” accounts well for certain optical properties of osteons, observed in polarizing microscopy, described as “intermediate osteons.” The particular geometry of collagen fibrils, leading to nested arcs in oblique sections, is analogous to the distribution of molecules in certain liquid crystals (called cholesteric liquid crystals). The principle of a liquid crystalline self-assembly of the collagen matrix in bone is therefore discussed.     

同型半胱氨酸对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞胶原蛋白合成及其mRNA表达的影响

目的 :观察同型半胱氨酸 ( Hcy)对血管平滑肌细胞 ( VSMCs)胶原合成的影响 ,并探讨其作用机制。方法 :本实验采用体外培养的大鼠 VSMCs,加入不同浓度的 Hcy,通过 3 H-脯氨酸掺入、α1[ ]型胶原测定观察 Hcy对 VSMCs胶原合成的影响 ,并通过半定量 RT- PCR检测其对 α1[ ]型胶原 m RNA表达的影响。结果 :Hcy促进 VSMCs的胶原合成及 α1[ ]型胶原 m RNA表达 ,并呈剂量依赖效应。结论 :Hcy促进 VSMCs的胶原合成 ,可能是通过促进 α1[ ]型胶原 m RNA表达实现的。提示 Hcy促进胶原合成可能是动脉粥样硬化的发病机制之一     

Abnormality of type IX collagen in a patient with diastrophic dysplasia

There is growing evidence that a spectrum of chondrodysplasias are caused by mutations in the gene coding for type II collagen. The basic molecular defect in diastrophic dysplasia has not been defined, but it appears not to be in collagen type II. Cartilage contains other tissue-specific collagens, types IX, X, and XI, but no mutations have yet been found in their genes in clinical disease. Type IX collagen is hypothesized to play a role in the regulation of type II collagen fibril organization and structure in cartilage extracellular matrix. In this study, we have examined iliac crest growth cartilage from a patient with diastrophic dysplasia. Although collagen fibrils were markedly increased in diameter on transmission electron microscopy, type II collagen appeared to be normal biochemically. Type XI collagen was also normal. However, type IX collagen appeared abnormal on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a pronounced excess of the COL1 domain of the molecule in pepsin extracts. The findings point to an abnormality in structure or metabolism of type IX collagen in diastrophic dysplasia. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.