Expression of genes for estrogen receptors α and β in human articular chondrocytes

AbstractObjective To investigate the gene expression of estrogen receptor (ER) α and ERβ in human articular chondrocytes.Methods 16 articular cartilage specimens were obtained from 15 patients during surgery. Three of the specimens were from men and 13 from women; three from hip joints and 13 from knee joints; four were normal and 12 showed osteoarthritic cartilage. Total RNA was extracted from the articular chondrocytes and the expression of both ERα and ERβ genes was investigated by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.Results Gene expressions of ERα were detected in all specimens and those of ERβ were found in 15 specimens by the RT-PCR method. There was a significant correlation between the amounts of ERα and ERβ. Expression levels of both genes were significantly higher in men than in women. There were no significant differences in the expression levels of both ER genes between the hip and knee joint sites, nor between normal and osteoarthritic tissues.Conclusion This study is to our knowledge the first to demonstrate the gene expression of both ERα and ERβ in human articular chondrocytes. Since there are some functional differences between the two receptors, the effects of estrogen on cartilage metabolism should be elucidated by two different receptor mechanisms.{copy

Unusual organ involvement in sarcoidosis: sarcoid myopathy and peritoneal sarcoidosis

Myopathy and peritoneal involvement are rare complications of sarcoidosis, and the latter can mimic malignancy with peritoneal dissemination. In this case, a patient with a history of polyarthritis and positive rheumatoid factor presented with proximal muscle weakness and abdominal pain. Biopsies of muscle and peritoneum revealed non-caseating granuloma suggesting sarcoidosis. Ocular and pulmonary involvement later developed and confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.</jats:p

Bilateral calcified ureteral stenosis in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangitis

Ureteral calcification is a rare complication of systemic vasculitis. Bilateral ureteral calcification in a patient with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangitis led to obstructive uropathy. A combination of immunosuppressive therapy and ureteral reconstruction successfully restored kidney function.</jats:p

Measurement of Growth Promoting Activity in Human Milk Using a Fetal Small Intestinal Cell Line

To evaluate the effect of the growth promoting activity in human milk on intestinal cells, a bioassay method was established using a fetal intestinal cell line (FHS 74 Int, ATCC CCL 241), since the developing intestine is considered to be a target organ for the growth factors present in human milk. Human milk had a growth promoting activity on the cultured human fetal intestinal cells. The activity level was very high in colostrum and decreased gradually during lactation, while formula products had no activity. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentration in human milk was significantly correlated with the growth promoting activity measured by bioassay. Thus, EGF may be the main growth factor for the proliferation of intestinal cells. These results suggest that human milk may stimulate the proliferation of intestinal cells in newborn infants, especially in very-low-birth-weight infants, and accelerate the maturation of the intestinal portion of the digestive system.</jats:p