vitamin-d-2 and Spinal-Diseases

Osteoporosis is a widespread disease characterised by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone resulting in an increased susceptibility to fractures. Osteoporosis affects women more frequently than men; every second woman older than 50 years suffers from an osteoporotic fracture, frequently a vertebral fracture. The aim of this study was to induce osteoporosis in rats to establish an osteoporotic small-animal model that simulates the human pathology particularly in the spine. Therefore, bone density parameters, which are routinely determined in the spine of osteoporotic patients, were investigated by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA).. Fourteen-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 50) were either sham-operated (control group: sham) or ovariectomised (experimental group). Ovariectomised rats were further divided into two groups; one received calcium/vitamin D2/D3 deficient diet (OVX + diet), and the other received subcutaneous steroid injections (dexamethasone 0.3 mg/kg body weight) twice a month (OVX + steroid). Rats were scanned by DEXA at three time points (Month = M, 0 M, 1 M and 3 M). DEXA measurement of the spine delivered T-value, Z-value, bone mineral content (BMC), and the scanned area. Fifteen female patients at an age of 57-72 years were scanned in 8-10 regions of the spine (150 measurements). T-values and Z-values were pre-calculated based on patient databases. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni correction, with significance considered at p < 0.05.. T-value and Z-value of both rat groups were compared with the patient data as well as with each others. Both treated rat groups revealed significantly lower T- and Z-values than controls. Despite the significant difference, the reference line (-2.5 for T-value and -1.5 for Z-value) was only reached by the OVX + diet group. On the other hand, the sham group showed an increase in BMC over time, while no change was seen in OVX + diet or OVX + steroid. Bone area demonstrated a significant increase up to M3. However, the increase in bone area within the OVX + diet group was notably higher than in both sham and OVX + steroid groups. Patients showed significantly lower T- and Z-values than sham and OVX + steroid but insignificant ones when compared with OVX + diet.. A reproducible vertebral osteoporosis can be generated in a rat model by combination of ovariectomy with administration of a calcium/vitamin D3 deficient diet. T- and Z-values of this experimental group mimicked values obtained from osteoporotic patients, reflecting a simulation of their pathology. Interestingly, the increase in bone area over time with the steady BMC results in lower mineral density (BMD) of the OVX + diet group. Therefore, this rat model presents a reliable experimental set-up that may serve as a tool to better understand and treat osteoporosis.

Topics: Animals; Calcium; Cholecalciferol; Disease Models, Animal; Ergocalciferols; Female; Osteoporosis; Ovariectomy; Radiography; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spinal Diseases

Hypovitaminosis D and its consequences are significant complications in the course of untreated celiac disease (CD). We report a case that illustrates the natural evolution of osteomalacia in an adult patient with untreated CD and his response to vitamin D supplementation. In patients with complicated CD and hypovitaminosis D, vitamin D-2 replacement in high enough doses is important to improving functional performance and for the treatment of osteomalacia.

Topics: Calcium; Celiac Disease; Diet, Gluten-Free; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ergocalciferols; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae; Male; Middle Aged; Osteomalacia; Osteoporosis; Radiography; Spinal Diseases; Sternum; Thoracic Vertebrae; Vitamin D Deficiency

Topics: Aged; Bone Regeneration; Calcium; Calcium Phosphates; Ergocalciferols; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Osteoporosis; Sodium Fluoride; Spinal Diseases

About 11% of post-menopausal women with wrist fractures have spinal osteoporosis with compressed vertebrae, and about 25% of postmenopausal osteoporosis patients have had a wrist fracture. The estimated prevalence of post-menopausal spinal osteoporosis is 4% of the female population at age 60 and about 8% at age 80. Osteoporotic patients have lower plasma oestrone and androstenedione levels, lower calcium absorption and higher urinary hydroxyproline than matched controls. Of six treatments tested in three different ways, the least successful were vitamin D2 and 1 alpha-OHD3 and the most successful were hormones with or without 1 alpha-(OH)2D3 and calcium supplements. Calcium and vitamin D given in combination occupied an intermediate position.

Topics: Aged; Androstenedione; Calcium; Ergocalciferols; Estradiol; Estrone; Ethinyl Estradiol; Female; Humans; Hydroxycholecalciferols; Menopause; Middle Aged; Osteoporosis; Spinal Diseases; Testosterone

Fourteen women averaging 69.5 years of age with painful osteoporosis of the spine were treated with sodium fluoride, calcium salts and calciferol. At assessment after 5-19 months of therapy 8 patients were free of pains while in 5 women pains had decreased and mobility improved. One patient had unaltered pains. Side effects were few and mild.

Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Calcium; Denmark; Ergocalciferols; Female; Fluorides; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Middle Aged; Osteoporosis; Pain; Spinal Diseases

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Asthma; Calcium Metabolism Disorders; Cortisone; Ergocalciferols; Fractures, Spontaneous; Geriatrics; Humans; Osteoporosis; Phosphorus Metabolism Disorders; Spinal Diseases; Toxicology