BACKGROUND Epimedii herba is one of the most frequently used herbs in formulas that are prescribed for the treatment of osteoporosis in China and its main constituent is Epimedium pubescen flavonoid (EPF). However, it is unclear whether EPF during chronic exposure to cigarette smoke may have a protective influence on the skeleton. The present study investigated the effect of EPF on bone mineral...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this work was to analyze the relationship between intensity and duration of physical activity and composite indices of femoral neck strength and bone-mineral content of the femoral neck, lumbar spine, and total body. METHODS Physical activity was assessed by accelerometry in 143 girls and 150 boys (mean age: 9.7 years). Measurement of bone-mineral content, femoral nec...

An inadequate and imbalanced intake of protein and energy results in protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). It is known that bone mineral density and serum magnesium levels are low in malnourished children. However, the roles of serum magnesium and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels in the pathophysiology of bone mineralization are obscure. Thus, the relationships between serum magnesium and ET-1 levels an...

OBJECTIVE To compare the effect of 800 vs 400 IU of daily oral vitamin D3 on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) at 40 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA) in preterm infants of 28 to 34 weeks' gestation. METHODS In this randomized double-blind trial, we allocated eligible infants to receive either 800 or 400 IU of vitamin D3 per day (n = 48 in both groups). Primary outcome was VDD (serum ...

BACKGROUND Isoflavone phytoestrogen therapy has been proposed as a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT has a beneficial effect on bone, but few trials in humans have investigated the effects of isoflavones on bone. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determine the effect on bone density of a red clover-derived isoflavone supplement that provided a daily dose ...

Fifteen men, who had undergone Billroth I gastrectomy and 19 men who had undergone Billroth II gastrectomy were studied with respect to vitamin D and other indices of calcium metabolism. The Billroth I group had hypocalcaemia, raised concentration of serum alkaline phosphatase, and reduced bone mineral content. The same biochemical disturbances were found in the Billroth II group, but bone mine...

There have been few reports of advanced body composition profiles of elite fast bowlers in the sport of cricket. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to determine total, regional and unilateral body composition characteristics of elite English first-class cricket fast bowlers in comparison with matched controls, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Twelve male fast bowlers and 1...

1. We have examined the relationship between broadband ultrasound attenuation in the os calcis and measurements of bone mineral in the distal forearm and lumbar spine of normal and postmenopausal osteoporotic women. 2. Values of broadband ultrasound attenuation in postmenopausal women with vertebral osteoporotic fractures were significantly lower (35%) than in normal pre- and peri-menopausal wo...

1. Four paraplegic men volunteered for an exercise programme in which their paralysed quadriceps muscles were stimulated by means of computer-regulated electrical impulses applied through external electrodes. The first exercise regimen consisted of leg raising against a graded load, and during the second regimen exercise took the form of cycling on a modified bicycle ergometer. Each subject exe...

Soft tissue-to-bone transitions, such as the osteochondral interface, are complex junctions that connect multiple tissue types and are critical for musculoskeletal function. The osteochondral interface enables pressurization of articular cartilage, facilitates load transfer between cartilage and bone, and serves as a barrier between these two distinct tissues. Presently, there is a lack of quan...