Effects of ovariectomy and estrogen replacement therapy on arthritis and bone mineral density in rats with collagen-induced arthritis

We investigated the effects of ovariectomy (ovx) and estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on bone mineral density (BMD) and arthritis severity in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Seven-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into a sham group (n = 8), CIA group (n = 14), ovx group (n = 10), CIA + ovx group (n = 11), and CIA + ovx + ERT group (n = 14). In these groups, ovx was performed at 7 days, and ERT (17beta-estradiol at 20 microg/kg three times per week) was initiated 8 days after sensitization. Every 2 weeks, until 8 weeks after sensitization, arthritis score and hind paw thickness were evaluated, and BMD of the trabecular and cortical bones in the metaphysis and diaphysis of the tibia were measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. The arthritis score was highest in the CIA + ovx group at all timepoints after sensitization. The hind paw thickness was significantly higher in the CIA + ovx group than in the CIA group at 8 weeks after sensitization (p < 0.05). Both the arthritis score and hind paw thickness were lower in the CIA + ovx + ERT group than in the CIA + ovx group. BMD in the metaphysis was significantly decreased in both the trabecular and cortical bones in the CIA + ovx group compared with those in the CIA group at 4, 6, and 8 weeks after sensitization. In the CIA + ovx group, trabecular BMD was changed by -34 +/- 11%, and cortical BMD changed by -14 +/- 7% in the metaphysis at 8 weeks compared with those at 0 week. In the CIA group, changes of BMD in the metaphysis were -7 +/- 11% in trabecular bone and 0 +/- 7% in cortical bone. These differences of trabecular and cortical bone loss in the metaphysis were significant (both p < 0.01). BMD reduction was significantly less in the CIA + ovx + ERT group than in the CIA + ovx group at 6 and 8 weeks after sensitization. Although BMD in the diaphysis was also reduced in the groups with CIA, the degree of reduction was smaller than in the metaphysis. We conclude that ovx in CIA rats could enhance the severity of arthritis and bone loss, and that ERT could suppress arthritis and bone loss.

[Bone changes in osteoporosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis]

Low bone volume with reduced trabecular thickness and the increased eroded surface are common features in periarticular bone histology in patients with rheumatoid arthritis;however, there is no consensus on the change in bone formation. Main histological changes of iliac bone in rheumatoid arthritis are reduced bone volume, low trabecular thickness, and decreased trabecular connectivity caused by increased bone resorption. Results in parameters for bone formation are conflicting. The experimental model for arthritis demonstrates that bone turnover changes with the severity of arthritis.

Tensile properties of rat anterior cruciate ligament in collagen induced arthritis

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of collagen induced arthritis (CIA) on the tensile properties of rat anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

METHODS

The tensile strength, bone mineral density (BMD), and histology of ACL units from rats with CIA were investigated.

RESULTS

The tensile strength of the ACL unit was significantly lower in the rats with CIA at 10 weeks after immunisation (ultimate failure load, 74.9% of the control; stiffness, 62.0% of the control). The major mode of failure was femoral avulsion, and the BMD was significantly lower in the rats with CIA. A histological examination of the ligament insertion in rats with CIA showed resorption of the cortical bone beneath the ACL insertion and an enlarged mineralised fibrocartilage zone.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that the decrease in tensile strength of ACL units correlated with histological changes in the ligament-bone attachment, such as bone resorption beneath the ligament insertion site and an enlargement of the mineralised fibrocartilage zone.

Effect of parathyroid hormone on cortical bone response to in vivo external loading of the rat tibia

Cortical bone responses following administration of parathyroid hormone (PTH) were evaluated using a four-point bending device to clarify the relationship between the effect of PTH and mechanical loading. Female Wistar rats, 6-months-old, [corrected] were used. Rats were randomized into three groups (n = 10/group), namely PTH-5 (5 microgram PTH/kg body weight), PTH-30 (30 microgram PTH/kg body weight), and PTH-v (vehicle). PTH (human PTH (1-34)) was injected subcutaneously three times/week for 3 weeks. Loads on the right tibia were applied in vivo at 29.1 +/- 0.3 N for 36 cycles at 2 Hz 3 days/week for 3 weeks using four-point bending. The administration of PTH and tibial mechanical loading were performed on the same day. After calcein double labeling, rats were killed and tibial cross-sections were prepared from the region with maximal bending at the central diaphysis. Histomorphometry was performed over the entire periosteal and endocortical surfaces of the tibiae, dividing the periosteum into lateral and medial surfaces. The in vivo average peak tibial strains (predicted) on the lateral periosteal surface were 1392.4, 1421.8 and 1384.7 (mu)strain in PTH-v, PTH-5 and PTH-30 groups, respectively, showing no significant difference among the three groups. Significant loading-related increases in the bone formation surface, mineral apposition rate, and bone formation rate were observed at the periosteal and endocortical surfaces. Significant differences between PTH groups were also seen. Interaction between mechanical loading and PTH was significant at both periosteal and endocortical surfaces. It is concluded that PTH has a synergistic effect on the cortical bone response to mechanical loading.

Bone mass changes of tibial and vertebral bones in young and adult rats with collagen-induced arthritis

To study the effect of arthritis on bone mass, bone mineral density (BMD) of cancellous and cortical bone in the tibial metaphysis and diaphysis in 2- and 7-month-old rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was serially measured using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). BMD in the fourth lumbar vertebra in 7-month-old CIA rats was also measured by pQCT. The fourth lumbar vertebral body, distal femur, and proximal tibia in 7-month-old CIA rats were analyzed histomorphometrically. Changes in BMD differed between 2-month-old (young) and 7-month-old (adult) CIA rats. Although the BMD for the proximal tibia (2 mm and 5 mm distal from the growth cartilage) in young CIA rats decreased compared with that in control rats, the values exceeded the initial value during the arthritis course. On the other hand, bone loss in adult CIA rats occurred predominantly in the cancellous bone of the periarticular region of the tibia (2 mm distal from the growth cartilage), in which the enhancement of bone resorption and reduced bone formation were observed histomorphometrically. No remarkable changes were demonstrated in BMD or histomorphometrical analysis for the lumbar vertebra during the experimental course. These results suggest that bone loss in adult CIA rats resembles the osteoporosis that develops during the early stage of human rheumatoid arthritis. We conclude that adult CIA rats are more appropriate than young CIA rats as an experimental model of secondary osteoporosis due to rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstinence from drink ameliorated cerebral blood flow and vasoreactivity in patients with chronic alcoholism

High dose ethanol consumption is a risk factor for both ishemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovasucular disease. This link between heavy drinkers and the risk factor of stroke has been considered as hypertension, liver dysfunction, abnormality of platelet function or other unknown mechanisms. Recently some of the experimental study suggest that direct action of ethanol on the inhibition of the synthesis/release of nitric oxide from endothelium and neurons may contribute to this link. Few studies in this field, however, were performed clinically. We examined cerebral blood flow (CBF) and vaso-reactivity in the patients with chronic alcoholism on abstinence from drink. CBF of nine male patients were measured by use of stable Xe-CT method before and after acetazolamide load. Regional CBF increased in second measurement after abstinence, but there were no significant changed statistically. However, %vaso-reactivity in right ACA and MCA significantly improved. We considered that large brain vessels dilated then small vessels could response to acetazolamide.

Magnetic resonance imaging of meniscal degeneration in torn menisci: a comparison between anterior cruciate ligament deficient knees and stable knees

Signal anomalies observed in magnetic resonance imaging of the intrameniscal tissue adjacent to the tear were compared between stable knees (group 1, 54 menisci) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knees (group 2, 98 menisci). The histological significance of these signal anomalies was also studied (n = 25). The frequency of intrameniscal signal anomalies adjacent to the tear was significantly lower in ACL-deficient knees than in ACL-stable knees (P = 0.0022). There was a close correlation between the imaging anomalies and the presence of histological lesions (fissures, degeneration) within meniscal tissues adjacent to the tear (sensitivity: 0.95, specificity: 0.60). Our results suggest that the severity of intrameniscal degenerative changes adjacent to the tear are lower in ACL-deficient knees than in ACL-stable knees.

Anterior-posterior knee laxity increased by exercise. Quantitative evaluation of physiologic changes

To quantify physiologic changes in anterior-posterior laxity of the normal knee caused acutely by exercise, we evaluated the exercise level and the duration of exercise needed to cause changes in laxity, the magnitude of changes in laxity, and the time needed for laxity to return to the level before exercise, by continuously applying a fixed exercise load. After a 20-minute run at 7 km/hr, anterior laxity with a displacement force of 133 N increased by about one third, and the compliance increased by one half with anterior drawer between 0 and 67 N. These changes were maintained at a similar level during exercise. The levels before exercise were restored gradually over 1 hour after exercise. As the muscle strength showed no changes during exercise, we consider these changes in laxity are not associated with a decrease in muscle strength. Furthermore, since the changes in knee laxity after triathlon (in which the knee is subjected to prolonged excessive exercise) are similar to those after running at 7 km/hr, we believe that the magnitude of changes in laxity after exercise is fixed, regardless of the level of the exercise load. Moreover, the threshold of exercise that causes the maximum change is low.

[Cerebral infarction due to vasospasm following intracranial aneurysm rupture (author's transl)]

We have made an investigation of the 827 cases of ruptured saccular cerebral aneurysms operated on and 151 of them presented infarction attacks thought to be due to vasospasm brought about by aneurysm rupture. Based upon symptoms, angiography and surgical findings, an analysis was made of their age, sex and aneurysm location so related to incidence of infarction, period from the initial or last rupturing until time of infarction, indication of vasospasms from angiographical findings, and symptoms of infarction. Infarction occurs only between the fourth and fifteenth days following the last bleeding and in this period there was a high incidence of rebleeding, so that the current conception of reattack following cerebral aneurysm rupture must be updated in light of the fact that the therapy for rerupture and the therapy for infarction due to vasospasm are completely different.

[Oculomotor palsy caused by aneurysms at the internal carotid-posterior communicating artery junction and its prognosis following intracranial surgery (author's transl)]

Sixty-three cases of an aneurysm at the internal carotid-posterior communicating artery junction with aneurysm-induced unilateral eye-lid ptosis, a symptom of the third nerve palsy, were described. 1) The incidence of this palsy in 189 cases of the aneurysm was thirty-three percent. 2) The palsy before the aneurysm rupture was recognized in three cases (5 percent). The onset of this palsy following an aneurysm rupture was most frequent in the first day and in almost half of the patients within two days, but in four cases the palsy appeared three or four weeks after the aneurysm rupture. 3) The size and direction of the growth of the aneurysms in carotid angiograms were compared between palsy and non-palsy groups and there were no significant differences between them. 4) Thirty-one patients who had had a palsy before direct aneurysm surgery were followed one to ten years post-operatively. In twenty-three (74 percent), the unilateral eye-lid ptosis was recovered by the follow-up. In eleven of the twelve cases operated within two weeks after the onset, the palsy was recovered. On the other hand, in seven of eight not-recovered cases there was a delay of more than two weeks before operation.