Rapid increase in lumbar spine bone density in osteopenic women by high-dose intramuscular estrogen-progestogen injections. A preliminary report

A MOUSE MODEL OF MAMMARY HYPERPLASIA INDUCED BY ORAL HORMONE ADMINISTRATION

Background:

Mammary hyperplasia is one of the most common benign breast disorders. Although traditional Chinese medicine has a vast experience in the treatment of mammary hyperplasia, it is not accepted widely due to its unclear mechanism.

Methods and Materials:

To address the mechanism, we developed a mouse model of mammary hyperplasia. We gave mice estradiol valerate tablets and progesterone capsules sequentially for one month by intragastric administration.

Results:

Mice treated by this method had a series of pathological changes which are similar to those detected in women with mammary hyperplasia, including ectopic level of estradiol and progesterone in serum, hyperplasia of mammary glands and increased expression of ERα and PR.

Conclusion:

This model will facilitate the mechanical study of traditional medicine on mammary hyperplasia.

Bone remodeling and bone mineral density during pregnancy

INTRODUCTION

The effect of pregnancy upon the maternal skeleton is not fully understood. The information that has been gathered by recent studies is conflicting with regard to overall loss or gain of bone during pregnancy. The aim of the present longitudinal, controlled study, therefore, was to investigate the effect of pregnancy on lumbar spine, wrist, and hip bone mineral density, and to describe bone remodeling during pregnancy as indicated by biochemical markers of both bone resorption and formation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty healthy women (15 subjects seeking pregnancy and 15 non-pregnant controls) were studied. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry before conception and within 2 weeks after parturition. Markers of bone resorption (urinary cross-linked type I collagen N-telopeptides, serum type I collagen C-telopeptides) and bone formation (total and bone specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin), and total serum calcium were analyzed before, during (once in each trimester), and after pregnancy.

RESULTS

During pregnancy, BMD decreased significantly by 3.4+/-4.1% at the lumbar spine and 4.3+/-3.9% at the trochanter, while there was a slight but significant increase in BMD at the proximal 1/3 of the forearm (1.3+/-1.9%). Total hip and femoral neck BMD did not change significantly, nor did total and ultradistal forearm BMD. Bone resorption increased during pregnancy with peak levels in the third trimester (N-telopeptides) or post partum (C-telopeptides), respectively. The increase in bone resorption was accompanied by a significant decrease in serum calcium in the third trimester. Markers of bone formation showed a biphasic pattern with decreases from baseline to the first (total and bone specific alkaline phosphatase) or second trimester (osteocalcin), respectively, followed by a significant increase in the third trimester and post partum. There was no change in any parameter in the control group throughout the study.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, pregnancy is characterized by high bone turnover with resorption preceding formation. During the first and second trimester bone remodeling is uncoupled. Serum calcium decreases as bone resorption peaks in late pregnancy. There are significant decreases in bone mineral density at sites rich in trabecular bone, such as the lumbar spine and the trochanter.