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MICE PROVIDE CLUES TO OSTEOPOROSIS
NEWS MICE PROVIDE CLUES TO OSTEOPOROSIS
Scientists at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, or NIDCR, have produced genetically engineered mice that may mimic symptoms of human osteoporosis. This mouse model is significant, because it identifies a gene that may be a risk factor for developing osteoporosis. It also provides a new testing ground for potential osteoporosis therapies. In humans, bone mass reaches a peak at about age 30 years. Low peak bone mass is believed to be the prime risk factor for developing osteoporosis. To better understand the processes that determine peak bone mass, researchers from NIDCR’s Craniofacial and Skeletal Diseases Branch decided to take a closer look at biglycan, a bone matrix protein called a proteoglycan. Researchers produced a mouse strain that was unable to make biglycan. The mice developed normally at first. As they aged, however, their bones failed to gain the mass and strength observed in normal mice. Tests showed that the differences were due to decreased bone formation rather than increased bone loss. “This is the first time that a matrix proteoglycan has been shown to be necessary for developing peak bone mass,” said Marian Young, Ph.D., a research team leader. “Without the biglycan gene, our animals developed age-related bone abnormalities that closely mimic osteoporosis. It is conceivable 1670
that individual variation in the human biglycan gene could affect bone mass and, therefore, be a contributing factor in the development of osteoporosis.” The relationship between biglycan and bone mass may provide a new way to treat osteoporosis. Current therapies deal with slowing down the rate of bone loss. Researchers believe that their findings can be useful in determining how biglycan helps build bone mass. PAINKILLERS TO CARRY WARNING LABELS
All over-the-counter, or OTC, painkillers and fever-reducing medications must carry warning labels that advise people who drink three or more alcoholic drinks a day to consult their physicians before taking the drugs, according to a ruling announced Oct. 21 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. By April 1999, all manufacturers must add warning labels to products intended for adult use that contain aspirin and other salicylate drugs, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium or ketoprofen. In addition, the FDA specifies that the warnings must be visible on the outside of the carton. The warnings are as follows: dAcetaminophen. “Alcohol Warning: If you consume three or more alcoholic drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you should take acetaminophen or other pain relievers/fever reducers. Acetaminophen may cause liver damage.” dAspirin, carbaspirin calcium, choline salicylate, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, magnesium salicylate, naproxen sodium and sodi-
um salicylate. “Alcohol Warning: If you consume three or more alcoholic drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you should take [ingredient] or other pain relievers/fever reducers. [Ingredient] may cause stomach bleeding.” dCombination of acetaminophen with other analgesic/antipyretic ingredients. “Alcohol Warning: “If you consume three or more alcoholic drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you should take [ingredients] or other pain relievers/fever reducers. [Ingredients] may cause liver damage and stomach bleeding.” The FDA issued the ruling after considering public comments and data on the effects of combining chronic alcohol ingestion and OTC analgesic use. The FDA also followed the recommendations of the Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee and the Arthritis Drugs Advisory Committee. These committees concluded that chronic alcohol users should be warned that they may be at increased risk of developing liver damage or stomach bleeding from the use of these drugs. WATCHING WHAT YOUR PATIENTS EAT
Some foods your patients eat several days before surgical procedures may alter how their bodies react to anesthetics, report researchers from the University of Chicago Medical Center. Researchers found that ingesting even small amounts of natural substances found in Continued on page 1672
JADA, Vol. 129, December 1998 Copyright ©1998-2001 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
Scientists at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, or NIDCR, have produced genetically engineered mice that may mimic symptoms of human osteoporosis. This mouse model is significant, because it identifies a gene that may be a risk factor for developing osteoporosis. It also provides a new testing ground for potential osteoporosis therapies. In humans, bone mass reaches a peak at about age 30 years. Low peak bone mass is believed to be the prime risk factor for developing osteoporosis. To better understand the processes that determine peak bone mass, researchers from NIDCR’s Craniofacial and Skeletal Diseases Branch decided to take a closer look at biglycan, a bone matrix protein called a proteoglycan. Researchers produced a mouse strain that was unable to make biglycan. The mice developed normally at first. As they aged, however, their bones failed to gain the mass and strength observed in normal mice. Tests showed that the differences were due to decreased bone formation rather than increased bone loss. “This is the first time that a matrix proteoglycan has been shown to be necessary for developing peak bone mass,” said Marian Young, Ph.D., a research team leader. “Without the biglycan gene, our animals developed age-related bone abnormalities that closely mimic osteoporosis. It is conceivable 1670
that individual variation in the human biglycan gene could affect bone mass and, therefore, be a contributing factor in the development of osteoporosis.” The relationship between biglycan and bone mass may provide a new way to treat osteoporosis. Current therapies deal with slowing down the rate of bone loss. Researchers believe that their findings can be useful in determining how biglycan helps build bone mass. PAINKILLERS TO CARRY WARNING LABELS
All over-the-counter, or OTC, painkillers and fever-reducing medications must carry warning labels that advise people who drink three or more alcoholic drinks a day to consult their physicians before taking the drugs, according to a ruling announced Oct. 21 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. By April 1999, all manufacturers must add warning labels to products intended for adult use that contain aspirin and other salicylate drugs, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium or ketoprofen. In addition, the FDA specifies that the warnings must be visible on the outside of the carton. The warnings are as follows: dAcetaminophen. “Alcohol Warning: If you consume three or more alcoholic drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you should take acetaminophen or other pain relievers/fever reducers. Acetaminophen may cause liver damage.” dAspirin, carbaspirin calcium, choline salicylate, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, magnesium salicylate, naproxen sodium and sodi-
um salicylate. “Alcohol Warning: If you consume three or more alcoholic drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you should take [ingredient] or other pain relievers/fever reducers. [Ingredient] may cause stomach bleeding.” dCombination of acetaminophen with other analgesic/antipyretic ingredients. “Alcohol Warning: “If you consume three or more alcoholic drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you should take [ingredients] or other pain relievers/fever reducers. [Ingredients] may cause liver damage and stomach bleeding.” The FDA issued the ruling after considering public comments and data on the effects of combining chronic alcohol ingestion and OTC analgesic use. The FDA also followed the recommendations of the Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee and the Arthritis Drugs Advisory Committee. These committees concluded that chronic alcohol users should be warned that they may be at increased risk of developing liver damage or stomach bleeding from the use of these drugs. WATCHING WHAT YOUR PATIENTS EAT
Some foods your patients eat several days before surgical procedures may alter how their bodies react to anesthetics, report researchers from the University of Chicago Medical Center. Researchers found that ingesting even small amounts of natural substances found in Continued on page 1672
JADA, Vol. 129, December 1998 Copyright ©1998-2001 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.