Changes in organic matrix of bone and of bone and blood ATP in rats fed rachitogenic diets

Early manifestation of hypophosphatemic rickets in goslings: a potential role of insufficient muscular adenosine triphosphate in motility impairment of early P-deficient geese

We aimed to determine the onset time of hypophosphatemic rickets and investigate the mechanism of motility impairment through adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in goslings. Two hundred and sixteen 1-day-old male Jiangnan white geese were randomly divided into 3 groups, with 6 replicates and 12 geese per replicate. Birds were fed on 3 diets: a control diet (nonphytic phosphorus, NPP, 0.38%), a P-deficient diet (PD; NPP, 0.08%), and a high P diet (HP; NPP, 0.80%) for 14 d. Subsequently, all birds were shifted to the control diet for an additional 14 d. The cumulative incidence of lameness increased significantly (P < 0.01) starting on d 4, reaching over 80% on d 7 and 100% on d 12 in the PD group. Drinking and eating frequency decreased from d 4 and d 5, respectively, in the PD group compared to the other groups (most P < 0.01). The PD group exhibited shorter and narrower beaks, higher (worse) curvature scores of the beak and costochondral junctions, swelling caput costae, and dirtier feathers since d 4, in contrast to the control and HP groups (most P < 0.01). The HP had bigger (P < 0.05) beak and sternum sizes than the control groups on d 4 to 11. Leg muscle ATP levels were lower (P < 0.01 or 0.05) on d 4 to 11; in contrast, adenosine diphosphate (d 7-11) was higher in PD compared to the control (P < 0.05). Leg muscle ATP level had positive linear (R2 > 0.40) correlations (r > 0.60) with eating and drinking frequencies on d 7 and 11 (P < 0.01). Bone stiffness, feather cleanliness, and ATP levels recovered (P > 0.05) to the control level, whereas bone size did not recover (P < 0.05) in PD and HP after eating the control diet for 2 wk. The onset time of hypophosphatemic rickets was around 4 d in goslings, and insufficient leg muscle ATP was related to the impaired motility observed in early P-deficient geese.

Purinergic signalling in the musculoskeletal system

It is now widely recognised that extracellular nucleotides, signalling via purinergic receptors, participate in numerous biological processes in most tissues. It has become evident that extracellular nucleotides have significant regulatory effects in the musculoskeletal system. In early development, ATP released from motor nerves along with acetylcholine acts as a cotransmitter in neuromuscular transmission; in mature animals, ATP functions as a neuromodulator. Purinergic receptors expressed by skeletal muscle and satellite cells play important pathophysiological roles in their development or repair. In many cell types, expression of purinergic receptors is often dependent on differentiation. For example, sequential expression of P2X5, P2Y1 and P2X2 receptors occurs during muscle regeneration in the mdx model of muscular dystrophy. In bone and cartilage cells, the functional effects of purinergic signalling appear to be largely negative. ATP stimulates the formation and activation of osteoclasts, the bone-destroying cells. Another role appears to be as a potent local inhibitor of mineralisation. In osteoblasts, the bone-forming cells, ATP acts via P2 receptors to limit bone mineralisation by inhibiting alkaline phosphatase expression and activity. Extracellular ATP additionally exerts significant effects on mineralisation via its hydrolysis product, pyrophosphate. Evidence now suggests that purinergic signalling is potentially important in several bone and joint disorders including osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancers. Strategies for future musculoskeletal therapies might involve modulation of purinergic receptor function or of the ecto-nucleotidases responsible for ATP breakdown or ATP transport inhibitors.

Further characterization of ATP-initiated calcification by matrix vesicles isolated from rachitic rat cartilage. Membrane perturbation by detergents and deposition of calcium pyrophosphate by rachitic matrix vesicles

Although membrane associated enzymes such as ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, and NTP pyrophosphohydrolase in matrix vesicles (MVs) may underlie the mechanisms of ATP-promoted calcification, prior to the current investigation, the role of the MV membrane in calcification had not been addressed. In this study, various perturbations were introduced to the MV membrane in in vitro calcification systems to determine ideal conditions for ATP-initiated calcification by MVs isolated from rachitic rat epiphyseal cartilage. Membrane integrity appears to be required, since the rupture of the vesicular membrane by vigorously mixing with 10% butanol abolished calcification. In contrast, a mild treatment of MVs with low concentrations (e.g., 0.01%, which is much below the critical concentration for micelle formation) of either neutral Triton X-100 or anionic deoxycholate stimulated calcification by >2-fold, without inducing obvious changes in vesicular appearance. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies were done to identify the mineral phase formed in these experiments. For the first time, rachitic MVs were shown to induce the formation of a calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate-like phase after their exposure to calcifying medium with 1 mM ATP. The integration of spectral areas indicated that calcification was enhanced by Triton X-100. The detergent effect was reversible and appeared to be not mediated through activation of ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, or ATP pyrophosphohydrolase. In contrast to neutral Triton X-100 and anionic deoxycholate, cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide inhibited both ATPase activity (I50=10 microM) and ATP-initiated calcification. These observations suggest that membrane perturbations can affect calcification and that the presence of NTP-pyrophosphohydrolase in MVs may play a role in the deposition of CaPPi in rachitic cartilage.

Evidence of the presence of a specific ATPase responsible for ATP-initiated calcification by matrix vesicles isolated from cartilage and bone

Accumulating evidence indicates that calcification by isolated mammalian matrix vesicles (MVs) can be initiated by ATP. Since ATP can be hydrolyzed by either a specific ATPase or by nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (ALP), it remains to be established whether ATPase or ALP mediates ATP-initiated Ca and Pi deposition. To support the hypothesis that specific ATPase is responsible for ATP-initiated calcification by MVs isolated from mammalian cartilage and bone, the effects of ATP analogs, ALP substrates, and specific inhibitors on ATP hydrolysis and ATP-initiated calcification were compared between intact MVs and monoclonal antibody affinity-purified MV ALP. ATP analogs such as ADP and AMP exerted marked inhibitory effects on both [gamma-32P]ATP hydrolysis and ATP-initiated calcification by intact MVs, whereas phosphomonoesters such as beta-glycerophosphate or phosphoethanolamine had no effect. In contrast to intact MVs, purified MV ALP failed to calcify, and its [gamma-32P]ATP hydrolytic activity was readily inhibited by phosphomonoesters. Additionally, [gamma-32P]ATP hydrolysis by purified ALP in contrast to that by intact vesicles was completely inhibited by l-tetramisole, a specific inhibitor of ALP, suggesting a loss of specific ATPase during purification. Vanadate inhibition of ATP hydrolysis by purified ALP can be decreased by increasing ATP concentrations. On the contrary, ATP concentrations did not affect vanadate inhibition of ATP hydrolysis by intact MVs if ALP activity was blocked by l-tetramisole. These observations, therefore, suggest that: 1) a portion of [gamma-32P]ATP hydrolysis by MVs is attributable to a specific ATPase, whereas the remaining activity is due to ALP; and 2) a specific ATPase, but not ALP, is responsible for ATP-dependent Ca- and Pi-depositing activity of MVs isolated from bone or cartilage.

In vitro calcium deposition by rachitic rat matrix vesicles: nucleoside triphosphate supported calcium deposition

The present study was designed to test whether ATP at serum levels can support matrix vesicle-mediated Ca deposition while the final Ca x P ion product is maintained at or below serum or cartilage fluid levels. Rachitic rat epiphyseal cartilage matrix vesicles (40 micrograms protein/ml) in a simple calcifying solution (without exogenously added Pi) containing 50 mM Tris, pH 7.6 at 37 degrees C, 0.1 M NaCl, 1.35 mM CaCl2, 1 mM ATP, deposited about 500 nmol Ca/mg protein after 5 h. The amount of Ca deposited increased with increases in incubation time, concentrations of ATP, Ca2+, hydroxide, and matrix vesicle protein. UTP, GTP, and CTP were equally effective in supporting Ca deposition by matrix vesicles. ATP-alpha,beta-methylene and ATP-beta,gamma-methylene were inhibitory for ATP-dependent Ca deposition. Experiments with limiting amounts of ATP and Ca2+ available in the calcifying solution indicated that ATP concentration at serum levels, in the presence of Ca x P ion products at serum or cartilage fluid levels, can support matrix vesicle-mediated Ca deposition.

Lipid changes in the bones of the healing vitamin D-deficient phosphate-deficient rat

The bones of vitamin D-deficient, phosphate-deficient rats have a lipid composition that is significantly different from that of normal bones. Specifically, these bones have elevated cholesterol and reduced lysophosphatide and free fatty acid contents. Treatment of these animals with a single dose of vitamin D and phosphate produces healing within 72 h and causes rapid corrections of alterations in growth plate and cancellous bone lipid composition. Healing of the rachitic/osteomalacic state in these animals was demonstrated radiographically and histologically. Histomorphometric measurements showed that the relative osteoid volume of the cancellous bone rapidly approached the 7% value of normal controls, decreasing from 29% in the rachitic animals to 16% by 12 h and 8.5% by 72 h. Significant changes in ash weight, Ca:P ratio, and crystal-lite size and perfection were detectable at 12 h, with these parameters approaching values found in normal animals within 72 h. Calcium-acidic phospholipid-phosphate complexes, which are known to promote hydroxyapatite formation, peaked in concentration at 12 h in epiphysis, cancellous, and cortical bone, returning rapidly to normal values after that time. In untreated animals the complexed acidic phospholipid content of the nonmineralized epiphysis was comparable to that in normal mineralizing epiphysis, whereas the content of the complexes was reduced in the cancellous bones of the untreated animals.

Defective binding of macrophages to bone in rodent osteomalacia and vitamin D deficiency. In vitro evidence for a cellular defect and altered saccharides in the bone matrix

In the osteomalacic as well as normal skeleton, few osteoclasts are associated with osteoid-covered bone surfaces. The reason for this particular cellular deficit is not clear, but may relate to the inability of osteoclasts and/or osteoclast precursors (monocyte-macrophages) to attach to immature, unmineralized bone matrix, a step apparently essential for normal resorptive activity and osteoclast differentiation. In this study, we have examined cell-bone binding using macrophages (M phi) and bone isolated from vitamin D-deficient rats and hypophosphatemic, osteomalacic mice and from their normal counterparts. The data show that M phi-bone attachment is greatly reduced (P less than 0.001) in both vitamin D deficiency and hypophosphatemia, but that the mechanisms responsible for this reduction are apparently different in the two disorders. In hypophosphatemia, the reduction in binding appears solely attributable to the absence or inaccessibility of bone matrix oligosaccharides or glycoproteins essential to the attachment process. In vitamin D deficiency, on the other hand, not only is the bone matrix defective as a binding substrate, but the M phi, per se, is limited in its capacity to attach to normal, vitamin D-deficient, and hypophosphatemic bone.

Phospholipid changes in the bones of the vitamin D-deficient, phosphate-deficient, immature rat

The epiphyseal (cartilage) and diaphyseal (bone) regions of the long bones of vitamin D-deficient, phosphate-deficient, immature rats have been shown to contain Ca-PL-PO4 complexes in amounts comparable to that found in normal rat bones. This suggests that these calcium acidic phospholipid complexes are formed prior to mineralization. The metaphysis (bone and calcified cartilage) of the experimental animals contained less Ca-PL-PO4 than control bone, which suggests that Ca-PL-PO4 content is elevated as mineralizing activity increases. Overall bone lipid composition was dependent on the vitamin D status of the animals. Total lipid, cholesterol, and cholesterol ester content was higher in experimental animals than in controls. In contrast, free fatty acid and lysophosphatide were lower in experimental than in control animal's bones. The total phospholipid content (based on organic phosphate analyses) was unaltered by the vitamin D status. These lipid changes, reminiscent of changes seen in the intestinal brush border membrane of rachitic animals, suggest that vitamin D effects on lipid metabolism in bone may be similar to those in the intestine.

Effect of vitamin D deficiency on urinary excretion of connective tissue derivatives (hydroxyproline and glycosaminoglycans) in rats

The urinary excretion of two connective tissue metabolites was studied in both control and vitamin D deficient rats. Hydroxyproline (HyPRO) excretion was determined after 2, 13 and 22 months (experiment I). It decreased with aging in animals receiving the control diet. On the contrary, this excretion increased as a function of age in vitamin D deficient animals. At the age of 22 months, HyPRO excretion was respectively 31 and 1708 micrograms a day in control and deficient animals. HyPRO and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) excretion was measured on a group of both control and vitamin D deficient rats at the age of 21 months (experiment II). These results confirm the high excretion of HyPRO in deficient animals. On the contrary, the GAG excretion was higher in control animals than in deficient ones, the mean excretion being respectively 412 and 234 micrograms a day.