dolichols and Osteoarthritis

The isoprenoid pathway produces three key metabolites: i) digoxin (a membrane sodium-potassium ATPase inhibitor which can regulate intracellular calcium/magnesium ratios), ii) dolichol (which regulates N-glycosylation of proteins), and iii) ubiquinone (a free radical scavenger), all of which are important in bone and joint metabolism. The pathway was assessed in senile osteoporosis, spondylosis, and osteoarthritis. Digoxin could possibly play a role in the genesis of cerebral dominance because it can regulate multiple neurotransmitter systems. The pathway was also assessed in individuals of differing hemispheric dominance for comparison and to find out the role of cerebral dominance in the pathogenesis of these diseases. The plasma/serum-activity of HMG CoA reductase, magnesium, digoxin, dolichol, ubiquinone, and tryptophan/tyrosine catabolic patterns, as well as RBC Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity, were measured in the above mentioned groups. The glycoconjugate metabolism, free radical metabolism, and membrane composition were also studied. The pathway was upregulated with increased digoxin synthesis in patients with spondylosis and osteoarthritis. In this group of patients, the glycoconjugate levels and dolichol levels were increased and lysosomal stability reduced. The ubiquinone levels were low and free radicals increased in spondylosis and osteoarthritis. On the other hand, in senile osteoporosis, the isoprenoid pathway was downregulated and digoxin synthesis reduced. The glycoconjugate and dolichol levels were low and lysosomal stability increased. The ubiquinone levels were increased and free radical production increased in senile osteoporosis. The significance of these changes in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, spondylosis, and osteoporosis is discussed. The hyperdigoxinemic state is seen in osteoarthritis and spondylosis and in right hemispheric dominance. The hypodigoxinemic state is seen in left hemispheric dominance and senile osteoporosis. Hemispheric dominance plays a crucial role in deciding the predisposition to bone and joint diseases. Right hemispheric chemical dominance predisposes to spondylosis and osteoarthritis. Left hemispheric chemical dominance predisposes to osteoporosis.

Topics: Digoxin; Dolichols; Dominance, Cerebral; Erythrocytes; Female; Free Radicals; Glycoconjugates; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; Hypothalamus; Lysosomes; Magnesium; Male; Matched-Pair Analysis; Osteoarthritis; Osteoporosis; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; Spinal Osteophytosis; Ubiquinone

Catalysing the transfer of oses and ose derivatives on various accepters, glucosyltransferases are of increasing importance in biology and pathology. Their sub-cellular localisation is now known together with the physico-chemical parameters of their activity and the importance of polyprenic intermediates. The first phenomenological studies concerning them are in favour of a mechanism of Bi-Bi type. For example, they may play a role in mucoviscidosis, virus diseases, vaccination and arthrosis.

Topics: Animals; Cystic Fibrosis; Dolichols; Extracellular Space; Glycoproteins; Hexosyltransferases; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Influenza, Human; Intracellular Fluid; Isoenzymes; Microsomes; Nucleoside Diphosphate Sugars; Oligosaccharides; Osteoarthritis; Structure-Activity Relationship; Subcellular Fractions; Vaccines