Western blotting analysis of the beta-hexosaminidase alpha- and beta-subunits in cultured fibroblasts from cases of various forms of GM2 gangliosidosis

OBJECTIVES

The GM2 gangliosidoses are a group of genetic disorders caused by the accumulation of ganglioside GM2 in neuronal cells. We examined the alpha- and beta-subunits of beta-hexosaminidases by a non-radioisotopes detecting system to evaluate whether it was a useful method for understanding of the pathophysiologies of GM2 gangliosidoses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the alpha- and beta-subunits of beta-hexosaminidases in cultured fibroblasts from cases of various forms of GM2 gangliosidosis by means of Western blotting and a chemiluminescence detection system.

RESULTS

In a patient with infantile Tay-Sachs disease [HEXA genotype, Int5-SA(g-1-->t)/Int5-SA(g-1-->t)], the mature alpha-subunit was undetectable. In a patient with infantile Sandhoff disease (HEXB genotype, C534Y/C534Y), the mature beta-subunit was deficient. However, a small amount of the mature beta-subunit was detected in a patient with adult Sandhoff disease (HEXB genotype, R505Q(+I207V)/R505Q(+I207V)), which may have resulted in the residual enzyme activity and mild clinical course. Normal amounts of alpha- and beta-subunits were detected in a patient with GM2 activator deficiency.

CONCLUSION

This method is easy and sensitive for detecting target proteins, and is useful for clarification of the pathophysiologies of GM2 gangliosidoses.

Modifying effects of propolis on MeIQx promotion of rat hepatocarcinogenesis and in a female rat two-stage carcinogenesis model after multiple carcinogen initiation

The modifying effects of the dietary administration of water- and ethanol-extracted propolis produced in Brazil (WB and EB, respectively) on 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) promotion of rat hepatocarcinogenesis were investigated in a medium-term liver bioassay system with use of male Fischer 344 rats. The number and area of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci in rats given 0.5% WB were significantly increased compared with the group given MeIQx alone. Furthermore, the numbers of GST-P-positive foci were higher in rats given 0.1% WB or EB than in those given the basal diet alone. The modifying effects of propolis on other organs were also examined in female Fischer 344 rats given multiple carcinogens for initiation. Rats received water- and ethanol-extracted propolis produced in Brazil and Uruguay (WB, EB, WU, and EU, respectively) in the diet after exposure to three different carcinogens. The incidence of total mammary tumors was significantly lower in rats given EU than in the control group. These results indicate that a water extract of propolis exerts a cocarcinogenic effect on MeIQx hepatocarcinogenesis while promoting the effect at low dose in a two-stage hepatocarcinogenesis model. Moreover, they suggest that ethanol-extracted propolis may be an inhibitor of mammary gland carcinogenesis.

Epoprostenol sodium, a prostaglandin I2, lacks tumor promoting effects in a medium-term liver carcinogenesis bioassay in rats

Potential modifying effects of epoprostenol sodium administration on liver carcinogenesis were investigated in male F344/DuCrj rats initially treated with N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN). Two weeks after a single dose of DEN (200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), rats daily received subcutaneously epoprostenol sodium at doses of 0, 1, 10 and 100 microg/kg, or were fed phenobarbital sodium (PB) at a dietary level of 500 parts per million (ppm) as positive control for 6 weeks. All animals were subjected to partial hepatectomy at week 3, and were killed at week 8. Prominent flushing of extremis and signs of behavioural depression occurred after injection and lasted for 1 h in rats given 100 microg/kg epoprostenol sodium. Such clinical signs were slight in rats treated with 10 microg/kg, but not observed with 1 microg/kg. Marked decrease in body weight gain was noted in rats given 100 microg/kg. Statistically significant changes in relative liver weights were not found in any group given the test chemical. Epoprostenol sodium did not significantly increase the quantitative values for glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive liver cell foci observed after DEN initiation, in clear contrast to the positive control. The results thus demonstrate that epoprostenol sodium lacks modifying potential for liver carcinogenesis in our medium-term bioassay system.

The incidence of reflux oesophagitis after cure of Helicobacter pylori in a Japanese population

AIM

To investigate the incidence of reflux oesophagitis after antibacterial therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection in our patient population.

METHODS

Subjects were 451 H. pylori-infected patients (primary symptom: peptic ulcer disease in 347, nonulcer dyspepsia in 100, and reflux oesophagitis in four): 11 of these patients had reflux oesophagitis on study entry. H. pylori infection was treated by a proton pump inhibitor/amoxycillin-clarithromycin regimen for either 7 or 14 days. Each patient was examined by endoscopy before treatment and more than 6 months after treatment to compare oesophageal findings. In addition, 227 patients were interviewed regarding reflux symptoms, using symptom questionnaires, before and more than 6 months after treatment.

RESULTS

Among 440 patients who did not have reflux oesophagitis prior to antibacterial treatment (340 peptic ulcer patients and 100 nonulcer dyspepsia patients), 23 patients whose infection was eradicated developed reflux oesophagitis (5.4%). The 11 patients who had reflux oesophagitis prior to treatment were all successfully cured of infection. Six of these patients showed no change in their oesophagitis, while the condition improved in three and worsened in two. Symptom scores improved in 34 of the 36 patients who reported reflux symptoms. Among 19 patients who showed persistent infection, only one developed reflux oesophagitis (5.2%), while none complained of newly developed symptoms following treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Development of reflux oesophagitis after treatment of H. pylori infection was observed in a Japanese population. However, the incidence of this condition was comparable between those with persistent H. pylori infection and those in whom the infection was eradicated.

Post-initiation effects of a super critical extract of propolis in a rat two-stage carcinogenesis model in female F344 rats

Post-initiation modifying effects of dietary administration of a super critical extract of propolis on major organs were examined using a two-stage carcinogenesis model. Groups of 21 or 22 F344 female rats were treated sequentially with 2,2'-dihydroxy-di-n-propylnitrosamine (DHPN, i.g.), 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA, i.g.), 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH, s.c.) and N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN, in drinking water) during the first 3 weeks for initiation, and then administered diet containing 0.1 or 0.01% propolis for 33 weeks. Further groups were treated with the carcinogens alone, 0.1% propolis alone or basal diet alone. All surviving animals were killed at week 36, and major organs were examined histopathologically for development of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. The incidence and multiplicity of mammary carcinomas were significantly decreased by the 0.1 and 0.01% propolis treatments. In the urinary bladder, the incidence of PN hyperplasia but not tumors was, in contrast, significantly increased by 0.1% propolis. Similarly, the number and area of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive liver foci were significantly elevated with this high dose. The results indicate that a low dose of a super critical extract of propolis may find application as a potent chemopreventor of mammary carcinogenesis.

CYP1A2 is not the primary enzyme responsible for 4-aminobiphenyl-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice

4-Aminobiphenyl (4-ABP), a potent carcinogen in rodents (liver cancer) and human (bladder cancer), is found as an environmental contaminant and in tobacco smoke. Hemoglobin adducts and lung DNA adducts of 4-ABP are found in tobacco smokers. In vitro metabolism studies with human and rat liver microsomes have shown that CYP1A2 is primarily responsible for catalyzing N-hydroxylation, the initial step in the metabolic activation of 4-ABP. To determine whether this P450 is a rate limiting pathway for hepatocarcinogenesis, CYP1A2-null mice were analyzed at 16 months of age and were compared with wild-type mice in their response to 4-ABP using the neonatal mouse bioassay and two different doses of the carcinogen. Overall differences in incidences of hepatocellular adenoma, carcinoma and preneoplastic foci were not significant between either genotypes or 4-ABP doses used, whereas small, but significant, differences were found for specific types of foci. These results suggest that while CYP1A2 levels may not be rate limiting for 4-ABP metabolism to produce tumors and foci, it may modulate the induction process of some types of liver foci in either a positive or negative manner. In vitro studies using CYP1A2-null and wild-type mouse liver microsomes revealed that CYP1A2 is not the sole P450 required for 4-ABP N-hydroxylation and that another, yet to be identified, P450 is likely to be involved.

Organ-dependent modifying effects of caffeine, and two naturally occurring antioxidants alpha-tocopherol and n-tritriacontane-16,18-dione, on 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP)-induced mammary and colonic carcinogenesis in female F344 rats

Modifying effects of caffeine, alpha-tocopherol, and n-tritriacontane-16,18-dione (TTAD) on 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP)-induced mammary and colonic carcinogenesis were investigated in female F344 rats. Groups of 20 rats, 6 weeks old, were given 0.02% PhIP (in diet) alone, or together with 0.1% caffeine (in drinking water), 0.5% alpha-tocopherol (in diet) or 0.1% TTAD (in diet) for up to 54 weeks. Groups of 10 females receiving basal diet or one of the test chemicals without PhIP supplementation were also maintained. The final combined incidences (adenomas plus adenocarcinomas) and multiplicity (No./rat) of mammary adenomas and adenocarcinomas were significantly lowered in the PhIP plus caffeine group (10%, 0.10) as compared to the PhIP alone value (40%, (1.50). Incidences of mammary tumors in the PhIP plus alpha-tocopherol or TTAD groups tended to be decreased while their multiplicities were significantly lowered. With regard to colon tumor development, on the other hand, rats given PhIP plus caffeine exhibited an elevated incidence (75% versus 15% in the control), whereas alpha-tocopherol and TTAD had no effect. Surprisingly, metabolic activation of PhIP was inhibited by addition of caffeine in an in vitro assay. The results indicate that caffeine exerts a potent chemopreventive action against PhIP-induced mammary carcinogenesis, but acts as a co-carcinogen for PhIP-induced colonic carcinogenesis.

Relapsed duodenal ulcer after cure of Helicobacter pylori infection

We report a patient--a 42-year-old man--who had suffered from recurrent duodenal ulcer for about 20 years. Successful curative therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection was performed for 2 weeks with new triple omeprazole, anoxicillin, clarithromycin (OAC) treatment in October 1995, and cure of the infection was repeatedly confirmed by histology, culture, and the 13C urea breath test. One month after the curative therapy, recurrence of a small duodenal ulcer was observed and in February another duodenal ulcer and reflux esophagitis occurred, with severe symptoms, despite the continuous administration of ranitidine. None of the examinations to reconfirm cure of the infection revealed the presence of H. pylori. As the patient experienced continual psychological stress and smoked more frequently during the recurrent episode and had not used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, stress and smoking appeared to play important roles in the relapse of duodenal ulcer in this patient after cure of H. pylori infection.

Post-initiation inhibitory effects of green tea catechins on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary gland carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats

The dose-dependence of green tea catechin (GTC) effects on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary gland carcinogenesis were investigated in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Groups of 20 6-week-old rats were treated with dietary 1, 0.1 or 0.01% GTC for 2 weeks and then basal diet alone for 35 weeks. At the end of week 1, they received a 25 mg/kg body weight intragastric dose of DMBA. Further groups of 20 7-week-old rats each were given an intragastric dose of 25 mg/kg body weight DMBA, and starting 1 week after DMBA treatment they were placed on diet containing 1, 0.1 or 0.01% GTC or basal diet alone for 35 weeks. Control rats were given 1% GTC or basal diet alone. The final incidences and multiplicities of mammary tumors were not significantly different between the groups treated with GTC at the same time as DMBA, compared to the DMBA alone control group. On the other hand, the final multiplicities of mammary tumors in groups treated with 1% GTC (P < 0.05) or 0.01% GTC (P < 0.01), but not 0.1% GTC, after DMBA treatment were significantly decreased as compared to the control value. These results indicate that whereas GTC may inhibit mammary carcinogenesis in the post-initiation stage, the effect is weak and not dose-dependent.

Effect of fasting subjects' posture on 13C-urea breath test for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND

Although many factors that may affect the 13C-urea value have been verified, no literature is available regarding the effect of the posture of the patient on the shape of the delta 13C excretion curve. In an effort to contribute to the development of a simple and standard procedure for the 13C-urea breath test, we investigated whether either the posture of the patient during the procedure or the mouthwash after dosing affects the shape of the delta 13C excretion curve.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-two Helicobacter pylori-infected subjects were divided into four groups according to the position during procedure and the mouthwash after dosing: group A, in the supine position with mouthwash; group B, in the sitting position with mouthwash; group C, changed position by rolling with mouthwash; and group D, changed position (as did group C) without mouthwash. Absolute values of delta 13C at each sampling point were compared in the four groups.

RESULTS

delta 13C values in group A gradually increased until the 15-minute point; those in group B were almost stable from 5 to 30 minutes, and those in group C peaked at the 5-minute point, then decreased until 30 minutes, the values becoming similar at the 20-minute point. Significant differences were seen between groups A, B, C, and D at the 5- and 10-minute points.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that posture and mouthwash affect delta 13C value at the 5- and 10-minute points. Sampling at 20 (maybe 15 or 30) minutes for fasting patients in a sitting position is considered to be appropriate for detection of H. pylori infection in a standard two-sampling-point 13C-urea breath test.

Lack of involvement of p53 gene mutations in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced bladder tumor progression in N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine-treated rats and no suppression by indomethacin

The relevance of p53 mutations to rat bladder cancer progression induced by a single injection of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and the chemopreventive effects of indomethacin (IM) were investigated in male F344 rats, initially given N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) at a dose of 500 ppm in the drinking water for 10 weeks. The animals were subsequently treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of MNU at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. at week 20. A subgroup was then given IM dissolved in the drinking water at a concentration of 20 ppm for 20 weeks. The experiment was terminated at week 40 when transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) were observed in all animals given BBN, regardless of the administration of MNU and/or IM (incidences ranged from 80 to 100%). The extent of invasion was significantly greater with the additional MNU treatment but no inhibitory effects of IM were noted. A low frequency of p53 mutations was detected without relation to the extent of tumor invasion. Thus, only two mutations were found, one in a Ta and the other in a T1 carcinoma. The present study thus demonstrated that p53 mutations are not involved in MNU-induced progression in rat urinary bladder cancers, suggesting that they are not critical for malignancy.

Decrease of prostaglandin E2 and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labeling but not prostate tumor development by indomethacin treatment of rats given 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl and testosterone propionate

The modifying effects of indomethacin (IM) on rat prostate carcinogenesis induced by 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB) were investigated. F344 rats were given 50 mg/kg body weight of DMAB at 2-week intervals for 20 weeks and then received IM at a dose of 20 ppm in the drinking water for 37 weeks. Separate groups additionally received testosterone propionate (TP) in Silastic tubes throughout the experiment. DMAB alone induced carcinomas in situ in the ventral lobe and in combination with TP caused invasive carcinomas of the dorso-lateral and anterior lobes and seminal vesicles. No clear suppression by IM of development of in situ carcinomas or invasive carcinomas was observed. In a short-term satellite experiment, it was revealed that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in the dorso-lateral prostate and seminal vesicles, but not the ventral prostate, were significantly reduced by IM and that TP itself also suppressed PGE2 levels. The 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labeling index in the ventral prostate was significantly decreased by IM administration. These results indicate that while IM can efficiently suppress tissue PGE2 levels, it does not inhibit tumor development in the prostate or seminal vesicles of rats in the present model.

Effects of tamoxifen, an antiestrogen, on rat prostate carcinogenesis by 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl and testosterone do not support an estrogen role in testosterone promotion

BACKGROUND

Our previous data suggest that estrogen plays an important role in rat prostate carcinogenesis, particularly in promotion by testosterone. Therefore, in the present experiment, effects of an antiestrogen, tamoxifen (TAM), were investigated.

METHODS

Male F344 rats initially received 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB) at 50 mg/kg bw every 2 weeks for 20 weeks and then TAM in Silastic tubes was subcutaneously given alone or together with testosterone propionate (TP) for 40 weeks.

RESULTS

TAM significantly suppressed prostate weights, suggesting an estrogenic action, but the development of preneoplastic and/or neoplastic lesions of the prostate or seminal vesicles in rats given DMAB alone or DMAB and TP was not altered. TAM reversed the suppression of development of ventral atypical hyperplasias by TP.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that estrogen, which is derived from testosterone by the action of aromatase, is not involved in the strong promotion by TP of DMAB prostate carcinogenesis.

Lack of tumor promoting effects of KCB-1, a recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor, on two-stage skin carcinogenesis in female CD-1 (ICR) mice

Skin tumor promoting and co-promoting potentials of KCB-1, a recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor, were investigated in a two-stage skin carcinogenesis model using female ICR mice. Animals were allocated to either normal (non-injured) or injured skin groups, and given a single topical application of dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene (DMBA) at 100 micrograms/mouse to fur-clipped back skin. One week after the DMBA initiation step, mice were injected with KCB-1 (0.4, 4.0 and 40 micrograms/mouse, s.c.) and/or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) at 4.0 micrograms/mouse twice a week until the termination at week 20. The treatment with KCB-1 was not associated with any increases of papillomas and hyperplasias in either the normal or the wounded skin cases. High incidences and multiplicities of skin papillomas and hyperplasias developed in TPA-treated groups. The positive control TPA promotion was not influenced by the KCB-1 treatment in the present initiation/promotion protocol. Thus, KCB-1 exerted no tumor promoting effects on mouse skin two-stage carcinogenesis, and also no amplification activity for the established skin tumor promoter TPA.

Subchronic toxicity study of L-isoleucine in F344 rats

A subchronic toxicity study with L-isoleucine was conducted using F344 rats. Groups of 10 rats of each sex were given diet containing 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, or 8.0% L-isoleucine for 13 wk. No treatment-related effects were observed in terms of body weight change, food consumption or hematology. In both sexes given 8.0% L-isoleucine, increased or a tendency for increased urine volume and relative kidney weights were observed. Furthermore, the high-dose L-isoleucine treatment brought about an elevation of urinary pH and variations in serum electrolytes. However, histopathological alterations related to these changes were not observed in any organs of either sex. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that L-isoleucine possessed minimal toxicity at dietary levels of 5.0% and 8.0%, while it did not exert any adverse affects at a dietary level of 2.5% or less.

Chemically induced lung and forestomach neoplasias in transgenic mice carry mutant forms of the human c-Ha-ras transgene

Susceptibility to lung carcinogens and genetic changes in neoplastic lesions were investigated in transgenic mice carrying a human hybrid c-Ha-ras gene, encoding a prototype p21 gene product. Nine-week-old male and female transgenic mice and non-transgenic littermates were injected i.p. with 6-nitrochrysene (6NC) three times biweekly or administered urethane in their drinking water for 3 weeks. Control mice were given dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), the solvent for 6NC, alone. The incidences of lung adenocarcinomas were four out of seven female (57%) transgenic mice treated with 6NC and three out of three males (100%) and three out of three females (100%) receiving urethane. No adenocarcinomas were observed in control animals or non-transgenic mice. Adenomas developed in all treated groups, but the incidence and multiplicity were higher in transgenic animals than in their non-transgenic counterparts. In the 6NC-treated group, forestomach papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas were also observed in both male (25 and 50%) and female (56 and 33%) transgenic mice. PCR-SSCP and DNA sequence analysis of these induced lesions revealed point mutations at codon 61 of transgenic human c-Has-ras, from CAG (Gln) to CTG (Leu) or CAG (Gln) to AAG (Lyn) in lung hyperplasias (two out of three), an adenoma (one out of two), adenocarcinomas (five out of seven) and forestomach squamous cell carcinomas (four out of five). Mutations were not observed in forestomach papillomas. No changes in mouse Ha-ras or Ki-ras were found in any lesions. Furthermore, p21 overexpression was not evident in lung or forestomach tumors on immunohistochemical analysis. These findings indicate a high sensitivity to lung carcinogens in transgenic mice carrying the human c-Ha-ras gene and that this might be effected by mutational activation.

Lack of carcinogenicity of monosodium L-glutamate in Fischer 344 rats

Monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) was administered to groups of 50 male and 50 female Fischer 344 rats in the diet at levels of 0, 0.6, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0% for a 2-yr period. Survival of dosed and control rats of both sexes was comparable, although animals receiving 5.0% MSG showed a trend towards (or significant) growth retardation. Urinary biochemistry values indicated increased pH and Na+ levels and decreased K+ in rats of both sexes given 2.5 or 5.0%. However, no significant increases in proliferative or neoplastic lesion development in the urinary tract were observed in any MSG-treated animals. In addition, occurrences of neoplastic lesions in other organs did not differ between treated and control groups. The present study thus did not demonstrate any long-term carcinogenic effect of MSG administered to rats at levels up to 5.0% in the diet.

Effects of combined treatment with phenolic compounds and sodium nitrite on two-stage carcinogenesis and cell proliferation in the rat stomach

The effects of combined treatment with NaNO2 and phenolic compounds on N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) stomach carcinogenesis were investigated in F344 rats. In the first experiment, groups of 15-20 male rats were treated with an intragastric dose of 150 mg/kg body weight of MNNG, and starting 1 wk later, were given 2.0% butylated hydroxyanisole, 0.8% catechol, 2.0% 3-methoxycatechol or basal diet either alone or in combination with 0.2% NaNO2 in the drinking water until they were killed at week 52. All three antioxidants significantly enhanced forestomach carcinogenesis without any effect of additional NaNO2 treatment. However, in the absence of MNNG pretreatment, the grade of forestomach hyperplasia in the catechol and 3-methoxycatechol groups was significantly increased by the combined treatment with NaNO2. In a second experiment, the combined effects of various phenolic compounds and NaNO2 on cell proliferation in the upper digestive tract were examined. Groups of 5 rats were given one of 24 phenolic compounds or basal diet either alone or in combination with 0.3% NaNO2 for 4 weeks and then killed. Particularly strong enhancing effects in terms of thickness of the forestomach mucosa were seen with t-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), catechol, gallic acid, 1,2,4-benzenetriol, dl-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-alanine and hydroquinone in combination with NaNO2. In the glandular stomach, similar enhancing effects were evident in 11 cases, and in the esophagus with phenol, TBHQ and gallic acid. These results demonstrate that NaNO2 can augment cell proliferation induced in the stomach epithelium by various phenolic compounds.

[Basic study of bone mineral density in os calcis by single energy X-ray absorptiometry]

We studied bone mineral density (BMD) in the os calcis by means of single energy X-ray absorptiometry (SXA), and BMD in the third lumbar spine by means of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), results were as follows. (1) The doses absorbed in SXA at the exposure site and the opposite site were measured by thermoluminescent dosimetry. The dose absorbed in SXA may be lower than that in DXA. (2) The BMD of the os calcis was measured in 30 female volunteers by SXA and that of the third lumbar spine by DXA, and age, weight, height, and consequences of physical exertion were investigated. BMD as determined by SXA was significantly correlated with that determined by DXA (r = 0.65). BMD as determined by SXA and DXA tended to decrease with age, to increase with height and weight, and to be significantly higher in those who made some physical exertion. In conclusion, SXA may be a useful method for the measurement of BMD.