Bone Plasticity in Response to Exercise Is Sex-Dependent in Rats

Purpose: To characterize the potential sexual dimorphism of bone in response to exercise.Methods: Young male and female Wistar rats were either submitted to 12 weeks of exercise or remained sedentary. the training load was adjusted at the mid-trial (week 6) by the maximal speed test. A mechanical test was performed to measure the maximal force, resilience, stiffness, and fracture load. the bone structure, formation, and resorption were obtained by histomorphometric analyses. Type I collagen (COL I) mRNA expression and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) mRNA expression were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR).Results: the male and female trained rats significantly improved their maximum speed during the maximal exercise test (main effect of training; p<0.0001). the male rats were significantly heavier than the females, irrespective of training (main effect of sex; p<0.0001). Similarly, both the weight and length of the femur were greater for the male rats when compared with the females (main effect of sex; p<0.0001 and p<0.0001, respectively). the trabecular volume was positively affected by exercise in male and female rats (main effect of training; p = 0.001), whereas the trabecular thickness, resilience, mineral apposition rate, and bone formation rate increased only in the trained males (within-sex comparison; p<0.05 for all parameters), demonstrating the sexual dimorphism in response to exercise. Accordingly, the number of osteocytes increased significantly only in the trained males (within-sex comparison; p<0.05). Pearson's correlation analyses revealed that the COL I mRNA expression and TRAP mRNA expression were positively and negatively, respectively, related to the parameters of bone remodeling obtained from the histomorphometric analysis (r = 0.59 to 0.85; p<0.05).Conclusion: Exercise yielded differential adaptations with respect to bone structure, biomechanical proprieties, and molecular signaling in male and female rats.Univ São Paulo, Sch Med, Div Nephrol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Dept Sports, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Anat, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Med, Div Rheumatol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Physiol Sci, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Physiol Sci, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Serum sclerostin is an independent predictor of mortality in hemodialysis patients

Background\ud Sclerostin (Scl) has recently emerged as a novel marker of bone remodeling and vascular calcification. However, whether high circulating Scl is also a risk factor for death is not well established. The purpose of this study was to test whether serum Scl would be associated with mortality.\ud \ud \ud Methods\ud we measured serum Scl in a hemodialysis patients’ cohort, which was followed during a ten-year period. Competing risk regression models were applied, as during the follow-up, patients were exposed to both events kidney transplant and death.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud Ninety-one patients aged 42.3 ± 18.8 years (55% of male gender, 15% of diabetes) were included. During the follow-up, 32 patients underwent kidney transplant and 26 patients died. Non-survivals presented higher FGF23, higher Scl and lower creatinine. There was an association between all-cause mortality and higher Scl (HR = 2.2), higher age (HR = 1.04) and presence of diabetes (HR = 2.27), by competing risk analyses. Even including potential markers of mortality, as creatinine, FGF 23, and gender, Scl, age and diabetes remained significantly related to higher mortality.\ud \ud \ud Conclusion\ud Serum Scl is an independent predictor of mortality in dialysis patients. However, whether clinical interventions to modulate Scl would be able to improve these patients survival needs to be determined.Fapes

Mineral bone disorder in chronic kidney disease: head-to-head comparison of the 5/6 nephrectomy and adenine models

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud Experimental models are important to the understanding of the pathophysiology of, as well as the effects of therapy on, certain diseases. In the case of chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder, there are currently two models that are used in evaluating the disease: 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx) and adenine-induced renal failure (AIRF). However, the two models have never been compared in studies using animals maintained under similar conditions. Therefore, we compared these two models, focusing on the biochemical, bone histomorphometry, and vascular calcification aspects.\ud \ud \ud Methods\ud Wistar rats, initially fed identical diets, were divided into two groups: those undergoing 5/6 Nx (5/6Nx group) and those that were switched to an adenine-enriched diet (AIRF group). After 9 weeks, animals were sacrificed, and we conducted biochemical and bone histomorphometry analyses, as well as assessing vascular calcification.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud At sacrifice, the mean body weight was higher in the 5/6Nx group than in the AIRF group, as was the mean blood pressure. No differences were seen regarding serum phosphate, ionized calcium, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), or fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). However, creatinine clearance was lower and fractional excretion of phosphate (FeP) was higher in the AIRF group rats, which also had a more severe form of high-turnover bone disease. Vascular calcification, as evaluated through von Kossa staining, was not observed in any of the animals.\ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud Overt vascular calcification was not seen in either model as applied in this study. Under similar conditions of diet and housing, the AIRF model produces a more severe form of bone disease than does 5/6 Nx. This should be taken into account when the choice is made between these models for use in preclinical studies.This study was supported by Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH,\ud Germany and Fapesp (grant 2008/53147-0). RMAM is supported by CNPQ,\ud Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (grant\ud 303325/2010-0). It was presented in part at the ASN Kidney Week 2011

Phosphorus Is Associated with Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Preserved Renal Function

High serum phosphorus levels have been associated with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease and in the general population. In addition, high phosphorus levels have been shown to induce vascular calcification and endothelial dysfunction in vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of phosphorus and coronary calcification and atherosclerosis in the setting of normal renal function. This was a cross-sectional study involving 290 patients with suspected coronary artery disease and undergoing elective coronary angiography, with a creatinine clearance >60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Coronary artery obstruction was assessed by the Friesinger score and coronary artery calcification by multislice computed tomography. Serum phosphorus was higher in patients with an Agatston score >10 than in those with an Agatston score ≤10 (3.63±0.55 versus 3.49±0.52 mg/dl; p = 0.02). In the patients with Friesinger scores >4, serum phosphorus was higher (3.6±0.5 versus 3.5±0.6 mg/dl, p = 0.04) and median intact fibroblast growth factor 23 was lower (40.3 pg/ml versus 45.7 pg/ml, p = 0.01). Each 0.1-mg/dl higher serum phosphate was associated with a 7.4% higher odds of having a Friesinger score >4 (p = 0.03) and a 6.1% greater risk of having an Agatston score >10 (p = 0.01). Fibroblast growth factor 23 was a negative predictor of Friesinger score (p = 0.002). In conclusion, phosphorus is positively associated with coronary artery calcification and obstruction in patients with suspected coronary artery disease and preserved renal function

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Phosphorus overload and PTH induce aortic expression of Runx2 in experimental uraemia

Background. Vascular calcification (VC) is commonly seen in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Elevated levels of phosphate and parathormone (PTH) are considered nontraditional risk factors for VC. It has been shown that, in vitro, phosphate transforms vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) into calcifying cells, evidenced by upregulated expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), whereas PTH is protective against VC. In addition, Runx2 has been detected in calcified arteries of CKD patients. However, the in vivo effect of phosphate and PTH on Runx2 expression remains unknown. Methods. Wistar rats were submitted to parathyroidectomy, 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx) and continuous infusion of 1-34 rat PTH (at physiological or supraphysiological rates) or were sham-operated. Diets varied only in phosphate content, which was low (0.2%) or high (1.2%). Biochemical, histological, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses were performed. Results. Nephrectomized animals receiving high-PTH infusion presented VC, regardless of the phosphate intake level. However, phosphate overload and normal PTH infusion induced phenotypic changes in VSMCs, as evidenced by upregulated aortic expression of Runx2. High-PTH infusion promoted histological changes in the expression of osteoprotegerin and type I collagen in calcified arteries. Conclusions. Phosphate, by itself is a potential pathogenic factor for VC. It is of note that phosphate overload, even without VC, was associated with overexpression of Runx2 in VSMCs. The mineral imbalance often seen in patients with CKD should be corrected.Fundacao de Amparo Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)[03/14158-3

Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Markers of Bone Metabolism of Overweight and Obese Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on markers of bone metabolism in overweight and obese nondialysis-dependent patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods: This is a post-hoc study with 39 sedentary patients (55.5 +/- 68.3 years, body mass index 31.2 +/- 64.4 kg/m(2), estimated glomerular filtration rate 26.9 +/- 6 11.7 mL/minute) who were randomly assigned to the aerobic exercise group (n = 24) or the control group (n = 15). The aerobic training (walking) was prescribed according to ventilatory threshold and was performed 3 times per week during 24 weeks. Carboxylated and undercarboxylated osteocalcin (GLA and GLU), sclerostin and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRAP-5b), parathyroid hormone, total alkaline phosphatase (AP), body composition, cardiorespiratory, and functional capacity tests were measured at baseline and after the follow-up. Results: At baseline, carboxylated osteocalcin (GLA) and undercarboxylated osteocalcin (GLU) were inversely correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (r = -0.64r = -0.38, respectively). Both osteocalcin fragments were positively correlated with total AP (GLA: r = 0.36GLU: r = 0.53). An inverse correlation was found between GLA and sclerostin with body fat (r = -0.36r = -0.46, respectively). GLU was negatively correlated with markers of muscle mass (r = -0.34). TRAP-5b and sclerostin were inversely correlated with 6-minute walk test and time up and go test, respectively (r = -0.34r = -0.35, respectively). After 24 weeks, all physical capacity parameters increased in the exercise group (P < .001). Except for total AP that increased after 24 weeks in the exercise group (P < 05), no other changes were observed in both groups in relation to the bone metabolism biomarkers investigated. Conclusion(s): In this post-hoc study, the aerobic training used did not promote relevant changes in the bone metabolism markers investigated. (C) 2017 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Oswaldo Ramos FoundationUniv Fed São Paulo, Nutr Program, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed São Paulo, Div Nephrol, Dept Med, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Div Nephrol, Dept Med, São Paulo, BrazilNove de Julho Univ UNINOVE, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed São Paulo, Nutr Program, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed São Paulo, Div Nephrol, Dept Med, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2009/14786-0Web of Scienc

The Bone Histology Spectrum in Experimental Renal Failure: Adverse Effects of Phosphate and Parathyroid Hormone Disturbances

Bone disease is a common disorder of bone remodeling and mineral metabolism, which affects patients with chronic kidney disease. Minor changes in the serum level of a given mineral can trigger compensatory mechanisms, making it difficult to evaluate the role of mineral disturbances in isolation. The objective of this study was to determine the isolated effects that phosphate and parathyroid hormone (PTH) have on bone tissue in rats. Male Wistar rats were subjected to parathyroidectomy and 5/6 nephrectomy or were sham-operated. Rats were fed diets in which the phosphate content was low, normal, or high. Some rats received infusion of PTH at a physiological rate, some received infusion of PTH at a supraphysiological rate, and some received infusion of vehicle only. All nephrectomized rats developed moderate renal failure. High phosphate intake decreased bone volume, and this effect was more pronounced in animals with dietary phosphate overload that received PTH infusion at a physiological rate. Phosphate overload induced hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and changes in bone microarchitecture. PTH at a supraphysiological rate minimized the phosphate-induced osteopenia. These data indicate that the management of uremia requires proper control of dietary phosphate, together with PTH adjustment, in order to ensure adequate bone remodeling.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)[01/01789-0]Genzym

FGF-23 as a Predictor of Renal Outcome in Diabetic Nephropathy

Background and objectives Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) has emerged as a new factor in mineral metabolism in chronic kidney disease (CKD). An important regulator of phosphorus homeostasis, FGF-23 has been shown to independently predict CKD progression in nondiabetic renal disease. We analyzed the relation between FGF-23 and renal outcome in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Design, setting, participants, & measurements DN patients participating in a clinical trial (enalapril+placebo versus enalapril+losartan) had baseline data collected and were followed until June 2009 or until the primary outcome was reached. Four patients were lost to follow-up. The composite primary outcome was defined as death, doubling of serum creatinine, and/or dialysis need. Results At baseline, serum FGF-23 showed a significant association with serum creatinine, intact parathyroid hormone, proteirturia, urinary fractional excretion of phosphate, male sex, and race. Interestingly, FGF-23 was not related to calcium, phosphorus, 25OH-vitamin D, or 24-hour urinary phosphorus. Mean follow-up time was 30.7 +/- 10 months. Cox regression showed that FGF-23 was an independent predictor of the primary outcome, even after adjustment for creatinine clearance and intact parathyroid hormone (10 pg/ml FGF-23 increase = hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.16, P = 0.02). Finally, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly higher risk of the primary outcome in patients with FGF-23 values of >70 pg/ml. Conclusions FGF-23 is a significant independent predictor of renal outcome in patients with macroalbuminuric DN. Further studies should clarify whether this relation is causal and whether FGF-23 should be a new therapeutic target for CKD prevention. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 6: 241-247, 2011. doi: 10.2215/CJN.04250510FAPESP Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paul