Effects of prostacyclin and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on bone resorption in the presence and absence of parathyroid hormone

Iloprost modulates the immune response in systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Iloprost has been suggested to possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating actions and it is widely use as a vasodilatator in systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this study we evaluate the effect of iloprost on immune response in SSc patients. To this extend we enrolled 15 women affected by SSc and infused iloprost for 5 days. The effect of iloprost on T cells and monocytes was measured by flow cytometry, Real time PCR and measuring cytokines production in vivo and in vitro by ELISA.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrate that Iloprost reduces T cell and TNF alpha production both in vivo and in vitro. It reduces T regulatory cells number, but increases their activity after immune stimulation. It increases serum IL-2 and this increase persists 28 days after the last infusion, also RANKL was increased both in vivo and in vitro. We observed no effect on IFN gamma production.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that iloprost has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects, reducing TNF alpha production by T cells and the number of T regulatory cells and increasing IL-2 and RANKL.

Hormonal regulation of bone growth and remodelling

Many systemic and local hormones influence bone growth and remodelling. These include calcium regulating hormones, systemic growth regulators and local growth factors. Parathyroid hormone (PHT) is a potent stimulator of osteoclastic bone resorption and a direct inhibitor of osteoblastic collagen synthesis. However, intermittent low-dose PTH administration can increase bone formation in vivo. PTH may act indirectly via local factors. It has been shown to increase prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) release from bone. Both PGE2 and TGF-beta have complex effects on bone metabolism and are likely to be physiological regulators of bone remodelling. Oestradiol has been shown to inhibit bone resorption in vivo but not in vitro. While there is evidence for oestrogen receptors in cultured bone cells, the effect could still be indirect. Oestradiol can inhibit bone PGE2 release in an in vivo-in vitro model in the rat. Glucocorticoids are potent inhibitors of bone formation and inhibit PGE2 and interleukin 1 production both in vivo and in vitro. While many regulatory factors affect prostaglandin production in bone, the complex effects of PGE2 on bone metabolism make it difficult to predict the ultimate response. The major effects of PGE2 are stimulation of bone formation and resorption and an increase in bone turnover. However, opposite effects can occur at certain times and concentrations. Interactions among these factors could explain some physiological, pathological, and therapeutic responses in skeletal tissue.

The regulation of osteoclastic development and function

Cells of the osteoblastic lineage exert a dominant influence on osteoclastic bone resorption. They form a communicating network of osteocytes, surface osteocytes and osteoblasts that seems well placed to monitor the structure and performance of bone and to judge where bone formation or resorption is appropriate. Osteoblasts produce prostaglandins (PGs) which strongly inhibit osteoclastic resorption. None of the agents that stimulate resorption in intact bone, such as parathyroid hormone (PTH), interleukin 1 (IL-1), 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) or tumour necrosis factors, affects isolated osteoclasts, but all induce osteoblastic cells to produce osteoclastic resorption stimulatory activity (ORSA) that acts directly on osteoclasts. Osteoblasts seem to initiate resorption as well as stimulating or inhibiting it. Contact with bone mineral appears to be necessary: osteoclasts resorb mineralized but not unmineralized bone. All bone surfaces are lined by unmineralized organic material. Osteoblastic cells secrete neutral proteases, including collagenase, in response to hormonal stimulators of bone resorption. Incubation of osteoblasts, in the presence of PTH, on such surfaces or preincubation of the bone with collagenase predisposes bone to osteoclastic resorption. Agents that stimulate resorption in organ cultures seem to share these osteoblast-mediated mechanisms for induction and stimulation of resorption but 1,25-(OH)2D3 stimulates it through an additional mechanism. We have found that osteoclasts can be induced from haemopoietic tissue (including haemopoietic spleen cells) in the presence of 1,25-(OH)2D3--PTH and IL-1 have no effect in this system. Because osteoclasts lack receptors for 1,25-(OH)2D3 these results suggest either that osteoclast precursors lose 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors during differentiation, or that a 1,25-(OH)2D3-responsive accessory cell in bone marrow induces osteoclastic differentiation in the presence of 1,25-(OH)2D3.

Estimation of bone matrix apparent stiffness variation caused by osteocyte lacunar size and density

The role of osteocyte lacunar size and density on the apparent stiffness of bone matrix was predicted using a mechanical model from the literature. Lacunar size and lacunar density for different bones from different gender and age groups were used to predict the range of matrix apparent stiffness values for human cortical and cancellous tissue. The results suggest that bone matrix apparent stiffness depends on tissue type (cortical versus cancellous), age, and gender, the magnitudes of the effects being significant but small in all cases. Males had a higher predicted matrix apparent stiffness than females for vertebral cancellous bone (p< I0(-7)) and the difference increased with age (p =0.0007). In contrast, matrix apparent stiffness was not different between males and females forfemoral cortical bone and increased with age in both males (p < 0.0001) and females (p < 0.0364). Osteocyte lacunar density and size may cause significant gender and age-related variations in bone matrix apparent stiffness. The magnitude of variations in matrix apparent stiffness was small within the physiological range of lacunar size and density for healthy bone, whereas the variations can be profound in certain pathological cases. It was proposed that the mechanical effects of osteocyte density be uncoupled from their biological effects by controlling lacunar size in normal bone.

Oestrogen and essential fatty acid supplementation corrects bone loss due to ovariectomy in the female Sprague Dawley rat

Essential fatty acid deficient animals develop osteoporosis. Eicosapentaenoic acid and gamma-linoleic acid have been reported to have positive effects on bone metabolism in both the growing male rat and the ovariectomized (OVX) female rat. These effects have been further investigated using a novel gamma-linolenic/eicosapentaenoic acid diester together with an oestrogen implant in the ovariectomized, female Sprague Dawley rat. Rats were sham-operated or ovariectomized at age 11 weeks. Two groups of OVX rats received an oestrogen implant at ovariectomy. Animals received fatty acids, linoleic acid (control) or a diester with gamma-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid as part of a semi-synthetic diet. Bone calcium content and excretion of deoxypyridinolines as marker of bone degradation were measured at 14 weeks. Oestrogen, as well as diester alone, increased calcium/femur to sham levels. Oestrogen plus diester potentiated the effect of oestrogen on bone calcium (P < 0.05 vs OVX). At the same time, oestrogen alone and the combination of oestrogen plus diester significantly reduced (P < 0.05 vs OVX) urinary deoxypyridinoline and hydroxyproline excretion. Again, the diester potentiated the effect of oestrogen. The effects of the diester alone, together with the potentiated effects of oestrogen by the essential fatty acids on osteoporosis, are novel findings.

Changes in trabecular bone architecture in women during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of early and late pregnancy on the microarchitecture of maternal cancellous bone.

SAMPLE

Transilial bone biopsies were obtained from two groups of pregnant women one group (n = 15) in the first trimester and the other (n = 13) at term. Comparison was made with biopsy and autopsy samples from a group (n = 25) of normal premenopausal nonpregnant women.

METHODS

Undecalcified sections were analysed under a low power optical microscope using an automated trabecular analysis system which measures a comprehensive range of structural variables including the bone volume, trabecular number, width, separation and connectivity.

RESULTS

In early pregnancy the quantity of cancellous bone fell from a mean relative bone volume of 23.07% (SD 5.49) in nonpregnant controls to 16.72% (SD 3.91) (P < 0.001). This was primarily due to a decline in trabecular thickness from 122.9 microm (SD 10.5) to 97.2 microm (SD 21.8) (P < 0.01) and was accompanied by a loss of trabecular connectivity expressed as a reduction in the trabecular node: terminus ratio from 0.90 (SD 0.71) to 0.38 (SD 0.26) (P < 0.001). By late pregnancy the bone volume had been entirely restored to 23.41% (SD 9.76). This was primarily due to an increase in the number of trabeculae from 73.2 (SD 35.5)/field to 100.3 (SD 33.3) /field (P < 0.05)with an associated reduction in trabecular separation from 431 microm (SD 150) to 315.8 microm (SD 78.5) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancy affects the maternal skeleton by producing a fluctuation in the cancellous bone volume in which early temporary bone loss through trabecular thinning is restored in entirety through the addition of new trabeculae to produce a modestly more complex system of thinner more numerous bars by term.

Bone cell function, regulation, and communication: a role for nitric oxide

A large array of factors serve as vital communication links between cells and the characterization, regulation, and mechanisms of action of such factors are topics of intense research efforts. Most intercellular messenger molecules which have been described over the years are represented by proteins, small peptides, amino acids or their derivatives, ions, lipid metabolites, or steroids. However, a small uncharged free radical, nitric oxide, has recently garnered much attention as a potent multifunctional signal molecule with widespread actions within and between diverse tissues. Biochemical, molecular, and regulatory studies of the family of enzymes responsible for nitric oxide synthesis, nitric oxide synthases, have established that there are at least three distinct isoforms of this enzyme which are differentially expressed and regulated in various cells or tissues. Modulation of these isoenzyme levels or activities by diverse signals is mediated via transcriptional, translational, and/or post-translational mechanisms, and consequently, alterations in such control may influence normal or pathological processes. Nitric oxide appears to exert pronounced effects on skeletal physiology and its production by various bone cells, elicited target cell responses, modulation by other signalling molecules (e.g., cytokines, hormones, fatty acid derivatives), and chemical interactions with other free radicals (e.g., superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals) may form one important facet of the many complicated communication pathways controlling bone cell physiology and remodeling. Further cell and molecular studies are needed to address the precise roles that nitric oxide plays in bone development and in the formation and degradation of bone during ordinary bone metabolism. In addition, alterations in the regulation and action of the bone nitric oxide system as a function of certain bone disorders may be manifested by perturbations in bone integrity or mineral homeostasis. In this article, we review the current evidence implicating nitric oxide as an important messenger molecule in bone intercellular communication, speculate on potential roles for this radical in bone biology, and discuss possible future directions for advanced research into the function of nitric oxide in skeletal physiology.

Regulation of bone metabolism by the kallikrein-kinin system, the coagulation cascade, and the acute-phase reactants

Inflammation-induced localized bone resorption in diseases such as marginal and apical periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteomyelitis is due to activation and recruitment of osteoclasts by locally produced cytokines and inflammatory mediators. Thus several interleukins (1, 3, 4, 6, and 11), tumor necrosis factors (alpha, beta), colony-stimulating factors (M and GM), leukemia inhibitory factor, gamma-interferon, and transforming growth factor-beta have effects on bone resorption and bone formation in vivo and in vitro. The kallikrein-kinin system and the coagulation cascade are also activated in inflammation. We have found that peptides produced in the kallikrein-kinin system (bradykinin, kallidin) and thrombin, the end product in the coagulation cascade, can stimulate bone resorption in vitro. The stimulatory effect of bradykinin is linked both to B1 and B2 bradykinin receptors. Both kinins and thrombin stimulate prostaglandin biosynthesis in bone parallel with the bone resorptive effect. The stimulatory effect of bradykinin on bone resorption is completely lost when the prostaglandin response is abolished, whereas thrombin can stimulate bone resorption both via prostaglandin-dependent and independent mechanisms. In addition, bradykinin and thrombin act in concert with interleukin-1 to synergistically stimulate bone resorption and prostaglandin biosynthesis. We also have found that one of the acute-phase reactants, haptoglobin, can stimulate bone resorption in vitro, indicating the possibility of generalized bone loss in chronic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, haptoglobin synergistically potentiates bradykinin-induced and thrombin-induced prostanoid biosynthesis in osteoblasts. These observations indicate that the rate of bone resorption in inflammation-induced bone loss may not be due to a single factor but to the concerted action of several local or systemic factors.

Carboxyl-terminal parathyroid hormone-related protein inhibits bone resorption by isolated chicken osteoclasts

Carboxyl-terminal peptides from parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) have been studied for their effect on bone resorption by osteoclasts isolated from 15 day embryonic chickens. Basal bone resorption by chicken osteoclasts was directly inhibited by chicken and human PTHrP-(107-139) and the pentapeptide PTHrP-(107-111). The chicken and human analogs were equipotent. Both the number of resorption pits and the total area resorbed per bone slice were reduced by PTHrP-(107-139), but it did not alter the size of individual resorption pits. Resorption stimulated by hPTH-(1-34) in cocultures of chicken osteoclasts with osteoblasts was also inhibited by cPTHrP-(107-139) but required a concentration three orders of magnitude greater than that required to inhibit basal resorption in cocultures or cultures of isolated osteoclasts. The finding of resorption inhibitory activity by PTHrP-(107-139) in avian as well as mammalian species strengthens the hypothesis that carboxyl-terminal PTHrP may act as a paracrine regulator of bone cell activity.

Prostaglandins: mechanisms of action and regulation of production in bone

Prostaglandins (PGs), particularly PGE2, are produced by bone and have powerful effects on bone metabolism. PGs have an initial, transient, direct inhibitory effect on osteoclast function. However, the major long-term effect in bone organ culture is to stimulate bone resorption by increasing the replication and differentiation of new osteoclasts. PGs also stimulate osteoclast formation in cell culture systems. Stimulation of osteoclastic bone resorption may be important in mediating bone loss in response to mechanical forces and inflammation. PGs have a biphasic effect on bone formation. At relatively low concentrations or in the presence of glucocorticoids, the replication and differentiation of osteoblasts is stimulated and bone formation is increased. This increase is associated with an increase in production of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). However, at high concentrations or in the presence of IGF-I, PGE2 inhibits collagen synthesis. In osteoblastic cell lines this inhibition can be shown to occur at the level of transcription of the collagen gene. The stimulatory effect on bone formation has been demonstrated when PGs are administered exogenously, but it is not clear how endogenous PG production affects bone formation in physiological or pathologic circumstances. The production of PGs in bone is highly regulated. The major source appears to be cells of the osteoblast lineage. A major site of regulation is at the level of the enzyme PG endoperoxide synthase (cyclooxygenase or PGH synthase). PGE2 production and PGH synthase mRNA are increased by PTH and interleukin-1 and decreased by estrogen. Glucocorticoids probably act by a different mechanism, decreasing either arachidonic acid or PGH synthase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Increased bone growth by local prostaglandin E2 in rats

The effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on bone growth were investigated in rats. Daily injection of PGE2 (1, 10, and 100 pmol) was given via local intraosseous route into the metaphysis of the left tibia for 14 days. The contralateral right tibia injected with vehicle and saline was for the control. The rats receiving no injection provided as normal control. The results obtained indicated that PGE2 slightly but significantly decreased the body weight increment without effect on tibial length. The most prominent effect of PGE2 was the increase of metaphyseal bone trabeculae by 45-81% in a dose-dependent manner. The microscopic examination revealed that PGE2 unequivocally increased the new woven bone formation. The bone cell population study showed no difference between the number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in primary spongiosa of the PGE2-injected limbs and those of contralateral limbs. However, the numbers of osteoblasts and osteoclasts were markedly increased in secondary spongiosa in the PGE2-injected limbs. This finding confirmed a stimulatory role of PGE2 in the bone formation. The local intraosseous injection of PGE2 was proven to be a good model for the study of local growth factors on bone metabolism with a lower effective dose which eliminates the systemic side effects.

Prostaglandin E2 promotes osteoclast formation in murine hematopoietic cultures through an action on hematopoietic cells

Osteoclastic differentiation is induced from hematopoietic cells in the presence of 1,25-(OH)2D3 by stromal cells that are present in bone but not in hematopoietic spleen. Recent evidence suggests that prostaglandins (PGs) are essential for this process. In this communication we describe experiments in which we have examined further the role of PGE2 in osteoclast formation. We found a marked reduction in basal, 1,25-(OH)2D3, and IL-3-induced production of calcitonin receptor (CTR)-positive cells and bone resorption by cyclooxygenase inhibitors, which was restored by PGE2 addition. Although some stromal cell types (ST2 cells) that support osteoclast formation from spleen cells produced PGs in response to 1,25-(OH)2D3, others (ts8 and calvarial cells) did not, either alone or in combination with spleen cells. On the other hand, both bone marrow and spleen cells produced amounts of PGE2 in response to 1,25-(OH)2D3 that were sufficient to account for osteoclast formation. Osteoclast-inductive ts8 cells were able to support osteoclast formation from spleen cells in the presence of 1,25-(OH)2D3 or PGE2 even if devitalized. Incubation of ts8 cells in these agents before devitalization did not avoid the requirement for the presence of PGE2 or 1,25-(OH)2D3 during subsequent incubation with spleen cells. Thus, hematopoietic cells produce sufficient PGE2 for osteoclast formation, and the PGE2 thus produced acts on hematopoietic precursors, which can be induced in the presence of PGE2 to express CTR and resorb bone on contact with osteoclast-inductive stromal cells. The ability of osteoclast-inductive cells to support osteoclast formation appears not to rest on their ability to produce, induce, or respond to PGE2.

Loading-related increases in prostaglandin production in cores of adult canine cancellous bone in vitro: a role for prostacyclin in adaptive bone remodeling?

Cyclic mechanical loading sufficient to engender strains of physiologic magnitude applied to recently excised canine cancellous bone cores in vitro increased the release of prostaglandin E (PGE) and prostacyclin (PGI2, measured as its breakdown product 6-keto-PGF1 alpha), during a 15 minute loading period in which PG levels were measured in perfusing medium at 5 minute intervals. Peak production occurred in the 0-5 minute sample. Mean levels preload compared to during load were PGE, 2.66 and 3.67 ng/ml (p less than 0.002); and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, 543 and 868 pg/ml (p less than 0.007). The elevated levels then declined to preload levels during the loading period. However, the 5-10 minute but not the 10-15 minute samples still contained levels greater than preload values. A second 15 minute period of load, 1 h following the end of the first, produced smaller increases in the levels of release that were statistically significant only for the first 0-5 minute sample during load (preload compared to load mean values, PGE, 1.09-1.66 ng/ml, p less than 0.02; 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, 401-558 pg/ml, p less than 0.04). Immunolocalization revealed PGE and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in lining cells and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha but not PGE in osteocytes. Addition to the medium of 1 microM PGE2, approximating the concentration produced by loading, had no significant effect on the specific activity of the extractable RNA fraction labeled with [3H]uridine, whereas 1 microM PGI2 produced an increase similar to that seen previously with loading.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prostaglandin E2 initially inhibits and then stimulates bone resorption in isolated rabbit osteoclast cultures

Osteoclasts were isolated from the long bones of neonatal rabbits and cultured on devitalized bovine bone slices for 8, 24, 48 and 72 h with and without prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (10(-6) M). The number of osteoclasts present at the end of the culture periods was counted after staining the cells for tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). After removal of the cells, the resorption lacunae excavated by the osteoclasts were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and their size and depth calculated by computer-assisted morphometric and stereomorphometric techniques. PGE2 had no effect on the number of TRAP positive multinucleated osteoclasts, but decreased the number of TRAP positive mononuclear cells. The total area of the excavated pits and the area excavated per osteoclast in PGE2-treated cultures were decreased by 62 and 58% respectively after 8 h in culture. After 24 h in culture, the total excavated area and the excavated area per osteoclast were still 44 and 38% lower in the PGE2-treated cultures than in the corresponding control cultures. However, after 48 h of culture, resorptive activity in PGE2-treated cultures was consistently greater than in control cultures. In the course of a 48 h culture period, the PGE2 concentration decreased from 1.0 x 10(-6) to 0.3 x 10(-6) M. Thus, despite the continuous presence of PGE2, the resorptive activity of osteoclasts not only recovered from the transient inhibitory effect of PGE2, but was actually greater than in the control cultures. This confirms that the effects of PGE2 in isolated osteoclast preparations are inhibitory in short term cultures, but shows that the effects of PGE2 in such preparations are stimulatory in longer term cultures. Proliferating stromal cells with osteoblast-like characteristics comprised approximately 45% of the 'osteoclast' cultures at the start of the cultures, but their number increased to 93% of the total cell population at 48 h and to 98% at 72 h. Our results suggest that the PGE2-induced stimulation of osteoclastic activity represents an indirect effect mediated by stromal cells derived from bone marrow. Our results also indicate that the increased resorptive activity in PGE2 treated cultures can be accounted for by an increase in the size of the resorption lacunae and is not caused by an increase in osteoclast number.

Hypercalcaemia of malignancy

Hypercalcaemia in malignancy is a major clinical problem. It contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality and can present difficult diagnostic and management dilemmas. Direct bony invasion by tumour cells rather than humorally mediated hypercalcaemia is probably the most common cause of malignant hypercalcaemia. Yet even in this situation the mechanism of bone resorption or the reason that the normal homeostatic mechanisms cannot cope with the calcium load are poorly understood. It is likely that the humoral and paracrine factors produced by tumours which result in hypercalcaemia or in osteosclerotic bone metastases, are interposing themselves into the normal regulatory processes and deranging them. Humoral hypercalcaemia of malignancy is an important model for studying these questions, and it also provides some insight into the normal regulation of bone turnover. This review will examine the animal models and human syndromes of malignant hypercalcaemia and show how animal models, although helpful, fail to delineate the relative importance of the various potential humoral factors. A most interesting recent development in this area is the description of a new hormone, the parathyroid hormone-related peptide, which may explain many of the cases of humoral hypercalcaemia of malignancy. It is also a useful model with multiple sites of action within the bone and calcium homeostatic process. The active hormonal form of vitamin D3, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, may also be involved in a small proportion of cases, but again it is a useful model of some of the factors that may operate. Of considerable interest are the tumour derived factors, such as the transforming growth factors, and the cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factors, interleukins, and haemopoietic colony stimulating factors. Prostanoids are seldom of major importance, but may be important in certain tumour types. Osteosclerotic metastases, although seldom associated with hypercalcaemia, may provide insight into osteoblast regulating factors. Treatment of hypercalcaemia is discussed to show ways in which response to treatment may shed light on underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Most effective treatments have many potential modes of action, and further study of the interactions of these agents and tumour types may help to unravel some of the enigmas in this human syndrome. The major advances in this complex problem involve the realisation of the necessity of multiple sites of action, including renal calcium handling as well as relative increases in bone resorption and/or intestinal calcium absorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effect of arachidonic acid metabolites on bone resorption by isolated rat osteoclasts

Arachidonic acid metabolites (eicosanoids) have major effects on bone but their role is unclear. Many are known to stimulate bone resorption in organ culture, but paradoxically, previous work has suggested that at least some of them act as direct inhibitors of osteoclastic function. In an attempt to clarify the role of eicosanoids in bone physiology, we have defined the duration of action and relative potencies of prostaglandin (PG) E1 and E2 and have extended the range of eicosanoids tested on isolated osteoclasts. We have found that PGE1 and PGE2 inhibited bone resorption by isolated osteoclasts for at least 6 h. Inhibition was followed by recovery to control, not supranormal levels. Bone resorption was inhibited in the range 10(-5)-10(-9) M for PGE1 and PGE2, and the rank order as resorption inhibitors was PGE1 greater than 6-keto PGE1 greater than PGE2 greater than PGA2 greater than PGB2. None of the products of lipoxygenase metabolism showed a significant direct effect. The effects of PGE1 and PGE2 were not antagonistic. Prostaglandin production does not seem to be implicated as a second messenger for the action of calcitonin. Although inhibition of osteoclasts by PGs was less prolonged than that observed in the presence of calcitonin, the sensitivity of osteoclasts to inhibition by PGs, and the duration of the effect without subsequent direct stimulation, suggests that inhibition of osteoclastic resorption is a major physiological role of PG production in bone.

Comparison between the effects of forskolin and calcitonin on bone resorption and osteoclast morphology in vitro

The adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (1-10 mumol/L) inhibited 45Ca release from parathyroid hormone (PTH; 10 nmol/L) stimulated prelabeled neonatal mouse calvaria in short term culture (24 h). This effect of forskolin was potentiated by rolipram, Ro 20-1724, and isobutyl-methylxanthine, three structurally different inhibitors of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. Forskolin (10 mumol/L) and calcitonin (30 mU/mL) inhibited the mobilization of stable calcium and inorganic phosphate as well as the release of the lysomal enzymes beta-glucuronidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from PTH-stimulated unlabeled bones. Osteoclasts in PTH-stimulated calvaria showed active ruffled borders with numerous membrane infoldings. Treatment of PTH-stimulated bones with forskolin and calcitonin resulted in a rapid (2 h) loss of the active ruffled border. In addition, forskolin and calcitonin induced similar changes with respect to the number and size distribution of cytoplasmic vesicles in PTH-activated osteoclasts. After 24 h, all signs of osteoclast inactivation were still prominent, whereas after 48 h of treatment with forskolin or calcitonin, the reappearance of a ruffled border on a number of osteoclasts signaled an escape from the inhibitory action of both calcitonin or forskolin. These data indicate that forskolin inhibits bone resorption by a cyclic AMP dependent mechanism and that the effect of forskolin and calcitonin on bone resorption and osteoclast morphology are comparable. These observations lend further support to the view that cyclic AMP may be an intracellular mediator of the inhibitory action of calcitonin on multinucleated osteoclasts.

Forskolin sensitizes parathyroid hormone-induced cyclic AMP response, but not the bone resorptive effect, in mouse calvarial bones

The effect of forskolin on parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulated bone resorption, as assessed in vitro by the release of 45Ca from prelabelled neonatal mouse calvarial bones, and cyclic AMP formation in mouse calvarial bones and osteoblast-like cells was investigated. Much higher concentrations (100-300-times) of PTH were required to stimulate cyclic AMP accumulation than to stimulate mineral mobilization in murine calvarial bones. PTH, in the absence of phosphodiesterase inhibitor, stimulated cyclic AMP formation in mouse calvarial bones at and above concentrations of 3-10 nmol/l with EC50 at 10-15 nmol/l. In the presence of forskolin (1 or 10 mumol/l) the minimal concentration required to obtain a cyclic AMP response to PTH was decreased by a factor of 30-100 and the EC50 value was decreased to 1-2 nmol/l. Similar results were seen in osteoblast-enriched cells. In addition, the magnitude of the PTH-induced cyclic AMP response was substantially potentiated by forskolin, both in calvarial bones and in isolated osteoblasts. Forskolin, in the absence of PTH, stimulated cyclic AMP levels in mouse calvaria at and above 1 mumol/l. In the presence of PTH, the response to forskolin was potentiated over the whole dose-response curve with apparent EC50 value at 1-2 mumol/l of forskolin. Forskolin (1 mumol/l) did not affect the magnitude of the 45Ca release response to PTH in 24 or 48 h cultures. In 96 h cultures, forskolin, in an additive manner, potentiated the effect of PTH on calcium mobilization. These results show that forskolin, in mouse calvarial bones and in isolated osteoblasts, in addition to directly stimulating cyclic AMP, can enhance receptor-mediated activation of adenylate cyclase. The finding that forskolin did not synergistically potentiate PTH-induced bone resorption suggests that there is no simple relationship between PTH-induced cyclic AMP formation and stimulation of bone resorption.

Calcitonin-like effects of forskolin and choleratoxin on surface area and motility of isolated rabbit osteoclasts

We have previously found that the adenylate cyclase stimulators forskolin and choleratoxin increase cyclic AMP and transiently inhibit bone resorption in cultured mouse calvaria, suggesting that the compounds, directly or indirectly, may inhibit osteoclast activity. In the present study, forskolin and choleratoxin were investigated for their direct effects on surface area and motility of isolated rabbit osteoclasts, and the effects were compared to those of calcitonin (CT). Osteoclasts were cultured on coverslips for different times in the absence or presence of the compounds. The effect on osteoclast mean area was quantified on fixed and stained osteoclasts, and in addition effects were recorded with time-lapse cinemicrography. The effects of CT (100 mU/ml) on mean area and motility were seen within minutes and were maximal after 10-60 minutes. Forskolin (10-30 mumol/liter) produced a rapid (15-60 minutes) inhibition of motility and decrease in area (contraction) of osteoclasts. Choleratoxin (1 microgram/ml) treatment also resulted in cell contraction and inhibition of motility; however, the response was not seen before 45-60 minutes. The difference in the kinetics of the osteoclast response between forskolin, CT, and choleratoxin is similar to differences in time course for the effect on cyclic AMP in calvarial bones, which we reported earlier. Although cells were incubated continuously with forskolin, choleratoxin, or CT, the effects were transient. Thus, after 7-8 h incubation with CT, 3-4 h treatment with forskolin, or 4-6 h with choleratoxin, the osteoclasts started to recover from contraction and immotility. The effect of forskolin and choleratoxin on the mean surface area of osteoclasts was dose dependent. The present study shows that forskolin and choleratoxin have a direct inhibitory action on osteoclast activity and thus provide further evidence that cyclic AMP is a mediator of the action of CT on bone resorption.

Bone histology and mineral homeostasis in human pregnancy

Mineral homeostasis was studied biochemically and histologically in patients in early pregnancy and at term. In early pregnancy there was evidence of increased and reversible resorption of bone, whereas in late pregnancy bone demonstrated active formation and rapid mineralization with minimal resorption. Gut absorption of calcium was not increased in early pregnancy. The overall findings were consistent with calcium liberation from bone in early pregnancy, and with enhanced conservation of bone calcium at term. It is proposed that the additional calcium required during pregnancy is derived largely from the skeleton during early gestation and from dietary absorption at term.

Enhancement of fetal rat limb bone resorption by phorbol ester (PMA) and ionophore A-23187

The present investigation was undertaken to determine if an interaction affecting 45Ca release from prelabeled fetal rat long bones could be elicited by the Ca2+ ionophore, A-23187, and the phorbol ester, 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Treatment with either A-23187 at a concentration of 0.3 microM or PMA at concentrations of 10(-6) M, 10(-7) M, and 10(-8) M produced significant 45Ca mobilization. When A-23187 and PMA were combined, enhanced 45Ca release was observed on days 1 and 2 of culture. The stimulation of calcium mobilization noted on day 1 occurred when neither ionophore nor 10(-6) M PMA treatments alone produced significant 45Ca release. On day 2, cumulative 45Ca release elicited by the combination of A-23187 plus 10(-6) M PMA was slightly more than additive (15.9% for combination treatment vs. 13.7% for the sum of the individual treatments). Moreover, when A-23187 was combined with 10(-7) M PMA on day 2, an enhancement of 45Ca release was observed which was clearly more than additive (14.5% for combination treatment vs. 8.8% for the individual treatments), suggesting the possibility of a synergistic interaction between the two agents. These results were in marked contrast to those obtained with the inactive phorbol ester analog, phorbol 13-monoacetate. No stimulation of 45Ca release was observed with 10(-6) M and 10(-7) M phorbol 13-monoacetate alone nor was enhanced 45Ca release noted when the analog was combined with 0.3 microM A-23187.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bone loss and bone blood flow in paraplegic rats treated with calcitonin, diphosphonate, and indomethacin

Sham-operated (SO) and paraplegic rats were treated from the day of operation during a period of 4 or 6 weeks with salmon calcitonin 4 IU/kg/day or a diphosphonate (APD) 1mM/kg/day or indomethacin 2.5 mg/kg/day. The consequence of spinal cord section on the femur and tibia is a loss of mineral which affects predominantly trabecular bone (-24 and -13% in calcium content for the tibial metaphysis and the whole bone, respectively, when compared with the SO controls), a twofold increase in bone blood flow as measured by the technique of the microspheres trapping, a moderate decrease of the 72 hour 45Ca accretion rate in the bone shaft, and an increase in the number of metaphyseal osteoclasts in the tibia. In paraplegics, all three drugs inhibit bone loss to some degree, calcitonin and indomethacin being mostly effective on the cortical bone of the shaft, and APD tremendously increasing the trabecular network of the metaphysis. APD is the only drug to exhibit a significant effect on the calcium content of the bones of the SO controls, but some effect is apparent for calcitonin on X-rays and histological preparations. The increase in bone blood flow in paraplegics is unaffected, this point being discussed in view of the hypothesis of the resorptive action of prostaglandins produced by newly formed vessels. 45Ca accretion rate increases in the shaft of calcitonin-treated paraplegics, whereas it decreases in APD-treated controls and paraplegics. The number of osteoclasts decreases in paraplegics treated with calcitonin and indomethacin, and increases in both controls and paraplegics treated with APD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of cholera toxin on cyclic AMP accumulation and bone resorption in cultured mouse calvaria

We have utilized the adenylate cyclase stimulator, cholera toxin, as a tool to test the role of cyclic AMP as a mediator of the effects on bone resorption by the calcium-regulating hormones, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin. The effects on bone resorption were studied in an organ culture system using calvarial bones from newborn mice. Cyclic AMP response was assayed in calvarial bone explants and isolated osteoblasts from neonatal mouse calvaria. Cholera toxin caused a dose-dependent cAMP response in calvarial bones, seen at and above approx. 1-3 ng/ml and calculated half-maximal stimulation (EC50) at 18 ng/ml. The stimulatory effect of cholera toxin could be potentiated by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX, 0.2 mmol/l). Cyclic AMP accumulation in the bones was maximal after 4-6 h, and thereafter declined. However, activation of the adenylate cyclase was irreversible and the total amount (bone + medium) of cAMP produced, in the presence of IBMX (0.2 mmol/l), increased with time, for at least 48 h. In osteoblast-like cells cholera toxin (1 microgram/ml) stimulated the cellular levels of cAMP with a peak after 60-120 min, which could be potentiated with IBMX. The total cAMP accumulation indicated an irreversible response. In short-term bone organ cultures (at most, 24 h) cholera toxin, at and above 3 ng/ml, inhibited the stimulatory effect of PTH (10 nmol/l) on 45Ca release from prelabelled calvarial bones. The inhibitory effect of cholera toxin (0.1 microgram/ml) on 45Ca release was significant after 6 h and the calculated IC50 value at 24 h was 11.2 ng/ml. Cholera toxin (0.1 microgram/ml) also inhibited PTH-stimulated (10 nmol/l) release of Ca2+, inorganic phosphate (Pi), beta-glucuronidase, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and degradation of organic matrix (release of 3H from [3H]proline-labelled bones) in 24 h cultures. 45Ca release from bones stimulated by prostaglandin E2 (1 mumol/l) and 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (0.1 mumol/l) was also inhibited by cholera toxin (0.3 microgram/ml) in 24-h cultures. The inhibitory effect of cholera toxin on bone resorption was transient, and in long-term cultures (120 h) cholera toxin caused a dose-dependent, delayed stimulation of mineral mobilization (Ca2+, 45Ca, Pi), degradation of matrix and release of the lysosomal enzymes beta-glucuronidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Prostaglandin E2 causes a transient inhibition of mineral mobilization, matrix degradation, and lysosomal enzyme release from mouse calvarial bones in vitro

The effect of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on the kinetic of bone resorption in vitro was assessed by following the release of minerals and degradation of matrix in cultured mouse calvarial bones. PGE2 (1 and 3 mumol/liter) caused an initial inhibition of the release of 45Ca, stable calcium, and inorganic phosphate from unstimulated calvarial bones. The effect was transient and after 24 and 48 hours the release of 45Ca, stable calcium, and inorganic phosphate from PGE2-treated bones was enhanced. 0.3 mumol/liter of PGE2 stimulated the release of 45Ca after 24 hours, but at this concentration no initial inhibition was observed. The initial inhibitory effect of PGE2 (1 mumol/liter) could be further increased by three structurally different inhibitors of cyclic AMP breakdown. PGE2 (1 mumol/liter) caused not only an initial inhibition of mineral release but also an initial inhibition of matrix degradation, as assessed by the release of 3H from [3H]-proline labeled bones. In addition, PGE2 (3 mumol/liter), in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine, caused a rapid (6 hours) inhibition of the release of the lysosomal enzymes beta-glucuronidase and beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, without affecting the release of the cytosolic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. Similar specific initial inhibition of lysosomal enzyme release was also seen in the presence of calcitonin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, but not in the presence of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Neither PGE2 nor the phosphodiesterase inhibitors rolipram and Ro 20.1724, could inhibit the initial stages of PTH-induced 45Ca release. Nor did PGE2 inhibit the stimulation of radioactive calcium mobilization induced by 1 alpha (OH)-vitamin D3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of forskolin on bone resorption in the absence and presence of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin

Release of previously incorporated 45Ca from fetal rat long bones was determined with the diterpene forskolin, both in the absence and presence of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT). In the absence of hormone, increased bone resorption was observed with 10(-7)M forskolin, but biphasic responses, consisting of initial decreases in 45Ca release that were followed by increased calcium mobilization, were produced with 10(-6)M and 10(-5)M forskolin. Inhibition of 45Ca release was pronounced and delayed more with 10(-5)M forskolin while the greatest stimulation of bone resorption was elicited by 10(-6)M forskolin, a response that was inhibited by 100 mU/ml CT. In the presence of 250 ng/ml PTH, a synergistic enhancement of 45Ca release occurred with 10(-7)M forskolin treatment while, in contrast, calcium mobilization was inhibited by 10(-6)M and 10(-5)M forskolin. Inhibition by 10(-6)M forskolin was characterized by "escape" while that of 10(-5)M forskolin was continuous over a 5 day interval. Inhibition throughout the experimental period also was noted when 10(-5)M forskolin was combined with 2.5 ng/ml PTH, but no effect on calcium mobilization was observed upon addition of 10(-7)M forskolin and, rather than inhibition, an enhancement of 45Ca release occurred when 10(-6)M forskolin was combined with 2.5 ng/ml PTH. Inhibition of 250 ng/ml PTH, but lack of inhibition of 2.5 ng/ml PTH by 10(-6)M forskolin suggests a 10(-6)M forskolin-sensitive portion of PTH-mediated calcium efflux. Absence of "escape" when 10(-5) M forskolin is combined with 250 ng/ml PTH suggests that heterologous desensitization may not play a major role in the "escape" which occurs with 10(-6) M forskolin.

The role of bone cells in increasing metaphyseal hard tissue in rapidly growing rats treated with prostaglandin E2

The skeletal effects of graded doses of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) given to weanling Sprague-Dawley rats for 3 weeks were investigated to elucidate the role of bone cells in increasing hard tissue mass. Decalcified (3 micron) sections were quantified in the light microscope by point hit and intersect counting using a Merz grid. Hard tissue mass (bone and calcified cartilage) and osteoblast, osteoclast and osteoprogenitor cell numbers were counted in metaphyseal tissue bands 0.24, 0.48, 0.72, 1.20, 1.68, 2.16, 2.64, 3.12, 3.60 and 4.08 mm from the growth plate metaphyseal junction. Changes were different and more marked in the secondary spongiosa than the primary spongiosa of the proximal tibial metaphysis of treated rats. In the primary spongiosa of rats treated with 3 or 6 mg PGE2/kg/d (1) an increase in bone and hard tissue masses and (2) a decrease in osteoclasts, osteoprogenitor cell numbers and surface to volume ratio was observed. In the secondary spongiosa (lower metaphysis) of rats treated with 2 same dose levels (1) an increase in bone mass, calcified cartilage cores, and hard tissue mass and perimeter, an elevation of osteoprogenitor cell and osteoblast numbers, a depression of osteoclast, osteoclast nuclei numbers and surface to volume ratio and new sites of intramembranous ossification (woven bone formation) originating from the cortico-endosteal envelope was observed. In this growing rat skeletal model, we showed that PGE2 increases metaphyseal calcified tissue mass by depressing hard tissue resorption and stimulating the replication and differentiation of osteoblast precursors to form new foci of woven bone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)