Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Osteoporosis

Aim: In this study, we aimed to determine vitamin D levels and related parameters of patients referring to our osteoporosis follow-up clinic. Material and Methods: Age, gender, occupation, education level, menopausal state, menopause age and vitamin D levels on admission were recorded retrospectively from files of 940 patients, who had been followed between years 2003-2011 at İbn-i Sina osteoporosis follow-up clinic. Vitamin D levels divided into four groups and accepted as 30-80 mcg/L sufficient, 21-30 mcg/L insufficient, 11-20 mcg/L deficient and 0-10 mcg/L osteomalasic. Results: Mean age of the 940 patients was 61.0±10.8 (23-89) years. 867 (92.2%) were female and 73 (7.8%) were male patients. Most of the patients were housewomen (72.6%). Educational level of the patients was usually primary school (45.6%). The number of menopausal patients was 777 (82.7%) and mean menopause age was 45.69±6.16. The mean vitamin D level of the patients was 26.13±18.62 mcg/L. When we grouped patients according to vitamin D levels, approximately 70% were below normal. Patients who had osteomalasic levels were 16.3%. Patients with sufficient vitamin D levels were 31.5%. There was significant difference between sex and vitamin D levels and it was lower in women (χ2=9.63, p=0.022). No relation was found between occupation, educational level, age, menopause time and vitamin D levels. Conclusion: Approximately 70% of the patients admitted to our osteoporosis follow-up clinic had vitamin D levels lower than normal. In addition, it has been found that vitamin D levels were significantly lower in women. There is advanced need for studies focusing on risk factors. (Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis 2011;17:68-70

Effect of Insulin on The Mrna Expression of Procollagen N-Proteinases in Chondrosarcoma Oums-27 Cells

Chondrosarcoma is one of the most common bone tumors, and at present, there is no non-invasive treatment option for this cancer. The chondrosarcoma OUMS-27 cell line produces proteoglycan and type II, IX, and XI collagens, which constitutes cartilage tissue. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) proteases are a group of secreted proteases, which include the procollagen N-proteinases ADAMTS-2, -3 and -14. These procollagen N-proteinases perform a role in the processing of procollagens to collagen and the maturation of type I collagen. The present study aimed to improve the understanding of the causes of metastasis, local invasion and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy in chondrosarcoma, as well as the effect of insulin on cancer cells. The present study was designed to reveal the effects of insulin on procollagen N-proteinases in chondrosarcoma OUMS-27 cells. The cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) alone or in DMEM containing 10 mu g/ml insulin. The medium was changed every other day for 11 days. The cells were harvested on days 1, 3, 7 and 11, and total RNA isolation was performed immediately following harvesting. The expression levels of ADAMTS2, ADAMTS3 and ADAMTS14 mRNA were estimated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction using appropriate primers. ADAMTS2 mRNA expression was found to be decreased on day 7 (P=0.028) and increased at day 11 compared with the control group (P=0.016). The increase in mRNA concentration at day 11 was significantly different compared to the concentrations on days 3 (P=0.047) and 7 (P=0.008). The expression of ADAMTS3 mRNA decreased immediately subsequent to insulin induction on day 1 compared with the control group (P=0.008). The most evident decrease in mRNA concentration was seen at day 7 subsequent to insulin induction (P=0.008). The present results demonstrated that ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS3 may perform a role in the invasion and metastasis of tumors, and may also possess proteolytic activity that results in the breakdown of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Insulin itself can modulate the biosynthesis of ECM macromolecules that are altered in diabetes through various pathways.WoSScopu