Does Riluzole Influence Bone Formation?: An In Vitro Study of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Osteoblast

Type II collagen from squid cartilage mediated myogenic IGF-I and irisin to activate the Ihh/PThrp and Wnt/β-catenin pathways to promote fracture healing in mice

Fractures are the most common large-organ, traumatic injury in humans. The fracture healing stage includes the inflammatory stage (0-5d), cartilage callus stage (5-14d) and hard callus stage (14-21d). All mice underwent open tibial fracture surgery and were treated with saline, Glu or SCII for 21d. Calluses were harvested 5d, 10d and 21d after fracture. Compared with the model group, SCII significantly decreased TNF-α and increased aggrecan serum levels by 5d. H&E results showed that fibrous calluses were already formed in the SCII group and that chondrocytes had begun to proliferate. By 10d, the chondrocytes in the SCII group became hypertrophic and mineralized, and the serum TGF-β and Col-Iα levels were significantly increased, which indicated that the mice with SCII treatment rapidly passed the cartilage repair period and new bone formation was accelerated. Skeletal muscle repaired bones through muscle paracrine factors. IGF-1 and irisin are the two major secretory cytokines. The results showed that the content of muscle homogenate IGF-1 in the SCII group reached the peak at 10d, followed by the up-regulation of Ihh, Patched, Gli1 and Col10α in the callus through the bone surface receptor IGF-1R. Besides, SCII also significantly elevated the muscle irisin level (10 and 21d), and then increased Wnt10b, LRP5, β-catenin and Runx2 expression in the callus by receptor αVβ5. These results suggest that SCII can accelerate the process of endochondral osteogenesis and promote fracture healing through activating the Ihh/PThrp and Wnt/β-catenin pathways by regulating muscle paracrine factors. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the effect of marine-derived collagen on fracture healing. This study may provide a theoretical basis for the high-value application of the laryngeal cartilage of squid in the future.

Bone Mineral Density and Body Composition in Males with Motor Neuron Disease: A Study from Teaching Hospital in Southern Part of India

Background

Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are important aspects of motor neuron disease (MND). Individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (MND-ALS) have an increased risk of falls and fractures. Currently, the standard of care does not involve a routine assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition in these patients. We aimed to assess BMD, bone mineral parameters and body composition in men with MND and compared them with healthy controls.

Methods

Consecutive males between 50 and 80 years of age diagnosed as MND-ALS by revised El Escorial criteria and able to walk unassisted attending Neurology outpatient clinic were recruited into the study. Age, gender and body mass index (BMI) matched healthy controls were recruited from the local community. BMD and body composition were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone mineral parameters and bone turnover markers (BTMs) were also assessed in them.

Results

A total of 30 subjects with MND-ALS and 33 controls were recruited. The mean age (years) was 59.2 in cases and 61.2 in controls. The mean BMD (g/cm²) between the two groups was similar; however, BTMs were significantly higher in the MND group (P < 0.05). Subjects with MND-ALS had significantly lower mean appendicular lean mass (ALM) (19.9 versus 22.4 kg; P = 0.007) and ALM corrected for BMI than the healthy control group (0.858 versus 0.934 kg/kg/m²; P = 0.034). Sarcopenic obesity (Percentage fat mass >27% + ALM/BMI <0.786 kg/kg/m²) was more prevalent in MND-ALS compared to controls (44.5% versus 16.7%; P = 0.03).

Conclusion

Although BMD was not significantly different between subjects with MND-ALS and healthy controls, BTMs were significantly higher in the MND group indicating a high bone turnover state. Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity were also more in MND-ALS group than controls. Routine assessment for bone health parameters and body composition indices may be included in management of the patients with MND.