Total sleep deprivation impairs fear memory retrieval by decreasing the basolateral amygdala activity.

It is well known that sleep deprivation impairs fear memory processes, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms or circuits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of total sleep deprivation (24 h) on contextual fear memory acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval, as well as c-Fos activity in the hippocampus and amygdala. Fear memory recall was associated with an increase in the number of c-Fos-positive cells in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions and the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Total sleep deprivation before to the acquisition and during consolidation of memory impaired retrieval and blocked the associated c-Fos activity in the hippocampus and amygdala. In contrast, total sleep deprivation before memory recall also impaired retrieval, but selectively prevented the increase of c-Fos activity in the amygdala (but not in the hippocampus). Our data indicate that sleep is essential not only for acquisition and consolidation but also for the retrieval of fear memories. They also suggest a differential susceptibility of specific memory-related neural circuits (hippocampus and BLA) to the absence of sleep.

Influencia de la vía de administración sobre el efecto del extracto etanólico de la semilla de Jatropha curcas L, en la motilidad intestinal en ratones albinos / Influence of the route of administration on the effect of ethanol extract of the Jatropha curcas L. seeds, on gut motility of albino mice

Objetivo: Determinar la influencia de la vía de administración sobre efecto de distintas dosis del extracto etanólico de la semilla de Jatropha curcas L en la motilidad intestinal de ratones. Materiales y Métodos: Se utilizaron ratones albinos machos con un peso promedio de 23 g, a los que, por vía oral e intraperitoneal, y a dosis escalonadas y no tóxicas, se les administraron extracto etanólico de la semilla de Jatropha curcas L. Los grupos experimentales fueron: suero fisiológico 0,1 mL/10 g, atropina 1 mg/Kg, extracto etanólico de semilla de Jatropha curcas L. 500, 750 y 1000 mg/Kg, respectivamente, y neostigmina 0,4 mg/Kg. Para la validación estadística se usó ANOVA con post-hoc de Sidak. Resultados: Se encontró diferencias significativas al analizar los porcentajes de motilidad intestinal de todos los grupos, sin embargo, al realizar la comparación por parejas solo se halló diferencias entre los grupos que recibieron atropina y neoestigmina (p=0,038), J. curcas L. vía oral a dosis de 500 mg/Kg y 1000 mg/Kg (p=0,001 en ambos casos). Se encontraron diferencias significativas (p>0,05) en las comparaciones entre la administración por vía oral y por vía peritoneal del extracto de J. curcas L. a dosis de 500 mg/Kg y 1000 mg/Kg. Conclusión: Se encontró influencia de la vía de administración, sobre el efecto del extracto etanólico de Jatropha curcas L. en la la motilidad intestinal en ratones albinos.

Objectives. To determine the influence of administration route of Jatropha curcas L. seeds ethanolic extract (in different doses) on intestinal motility of albino mice. Methods. Male albino mice were used with an average weight of 23 g., which the ethanolic extract of Jatropha curcas L. seeds were administered in different administration routes (oral and intraperitoneal), using staggered and non-toxic doses. The experimental groups were 0,1 mL/10 g physiological saline, atropine 1mg/Kg, neostigmine 0.4 mg/kg and Jatropha curcas L seed ethanolic extract in doses of 500, 750 and 1000mg/kg. One-way ANOVA test with Sidak post-hoc test were used to do a statistical inferences. Results. Significant differences were found when all-groups intestinal charcoal transit distance (%) were analyzed. However, when paired comparisons were made, significant differences were found between neostigmine group (p=0,038); and oral administration of J curcas L extracts in doses of 500 mg/Kg and 1000 mg/Kg (p=0.001 in both cases). Significant differences were found (p>0.05) in comparisons made between orally and intraperitoneal administration of J. curcas L. extract in doses of 500 mg/Kg and 1000 mg/Kg. Conclusion. There is some influence caused by route of administration of Jathropa curcas L. seeds ethanolic extract on intestinal motility in albino mice.

The impact of common co-morbidities (as measured using the Charlson index) on hip fracture risk in elderly men: a population-based cohort study.

UNLABELLED: We used a large population-based health care database to determine the impact of common co-morbidities on hip fracture risk amongst elderly men. We demonstrated that diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal failure, HIV infection, dementia, and cerebrovascular disease are independent predictors of hip fracture, as is a Charlson score of ≥ 3. INTRODUCTION: Risk factors for hip fractures in men are still unclear. We aimed to identify common co-morbidities (amongst those in the Charlson index) that confer an increased risk of hip fracture amongst elderly men. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cohort study using data from the SIDIAP (Q) database. SIDIAP(Q) contains primary care and hospital inpatient records of a representative 30% of the population of Catalonia, Spain (>2 million people). All men aged ≥ 65 years registered on 1 January 2007 were followed up until 31 December 2009. Both exposure (co-morbidities in the Charlson index) and outcome (incident hip fractures) were ascertained using ICD codes. Poisson regression models were fitted to estimate the effect of (1) each individual co-morbidity and (2) the composite Charlson index score, on hip fracture risk, after adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol drinking, and use of oral glucocorticoids. RESULTS: We observed 186,171 men for a median (inter-quartile range) of 2.99 (2.37-2.99) years. In this time, 1,718 (0.92%) participants had a hip fracture. The following co-morbidities were independently associated with hip fractures: diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), renal failure, HIV infection, dementia, and cerebrovascular disease. A Charlson score of ≥ 3 conferred an increased hip fracture risk. CONCLUSION: Common co-morbidities including diabetes, COPD, cerebrovascular disease, renal failure, and HIV infection are independently associated with an increased risk of hip fracture in elderly men. A Charlson score of 3 or more is associated with a 50% higher risk of hip fracture in this population.

Cannabinoid type-1 receptors in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus inhibit stimulated food intake.

Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1)-dependent signaling in the brain is known to modulate food intake. Recent evidence has actually shown that CB1 can both inhibit and stimulate food intake in fasting/refeeding conditions, depending on the specific neuronal circuits involved. However, the exact brain sites where this bimodal control is exerted and the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are not fully understood yet. Using pharmacological and electrophysiological approaches, we show that local CB1 blockade in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) increases fasting-induced hyperphagia in rats. Furthermore, local CB1 blockade in the PVN also increases the orexigenic effect of the gut hormone ghrelin in animals fed ad libitum. At the electrophysiological level, CB1 blockade in slices containing the PVN potentiates the decrease of the activity of PVN neurons induced by long-term application of ghrelin. Hence, the PVN is (one of) the site(s) where signals associated with the body's energy status determine the direction of the effects of endocannabinoid signaling on food intake.

Prevalencia de queilitis actínica en trabajadores expuestos a radiación ultravioleta en Talca, Chile / Prevalence of actinic cheilitis in chilean workers exposed to ultraviolet radiation

El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar la prevalencia de queilitis actínica (QA) y factores asociados en trabajadores expuestos a radiación UV solar en la ciudad de Talca, Chile. Se examinaron 151 trabajadores, donde un 16.6 por ciento presentó QA. Todas las lesiones se presentaron en el labio inferior. El 40 por ciento de los casos poseía una edad entre 50 y 59 años y el 96 por ciento de los pacientes diagnosticados trabajaba más de 6 horas diarias expuestos al sol. El 56 por ciento de los diagnósticos de QA presentaron un historial 20 o más años totales de exposición a radiación UV por motivos laborales. El 56 por ciento de los casos de QA presentaron antecedentes de hábito de fumar. Los principales signos presentes en los casos de QA fueron la sequedad (100 por ciento), esfumación del margen del bermellón (88 por ciento) y el edema labial (84 por ciento). La mayoría de las lesiones fueron asintomáticas (60 por ciento).

The objective of this research is to determine the prevalence of actinic cheilitis (AC) and associated factors in workers exposed to solar UV radiation in the city of Talca (Chile). A total of 151 workers, of which 16.6 percent exhibited AC, were examined. All lesions appeared on the lower lip. The 40 percent of cases aged between 50-59 years and 96 percent of patients diagnosed worked up to 6 hours daily exposed to the sun. 56 percent of the diagnoses of AC had a history of 20 or more years of exposure to UV radiation for work. 56 percent of cases of AC had a history of smoking. Major signs present in the AC cases were the dryness (100 percent), blurred demarcation between the lip vermilion border and the skin (88 percent) and labial edema (84 percent). Most lesions were asymptomatic (60 percent).

A minimally invasive surgery robotic assistant for HALS-SILS techniques.

This paper is focused in the design and implementation of a robotic surgical motion controller. The proposed control scheme addresses the issues related to the application of a robot assistant in novel surgical scenario, which combines hand assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) with the single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) techniques. It is designed for collaborating with the surgeon in a natural way, by performing autonomous movements, in order to assist the surgeon during a surgical maneuver. In this way, it is implemented a hierarchical architecture which includes an upper auto-guide velocity planner connected to a low-level force feedback controller. The first one, based on a behavior approach, computes a collision free trajectory of the surgical instrument tip, held by the robot, for reaching a goal location inside of the abdominal cavity. On the other hand, the force feedback controller uses this trajectory for performing the instrument displacement by taking into account the holonomic movement constraints introduced by the fulcrum point. The aim of this controller is positioning the surgical instrument by minimizing the forces exerted over the abdominal wall due to the fulcrum location uncertainty. The overall system has been integrated in the control architecture of the surgical assistant CISOBOT, designed and developed at the University of Malaga. The whole architecture performance has been tested by means of in vitro trials.

Object-oriented modeling and simulation of the closed loop cardiovascular system by using SIMSCAPE.

The modeling of physiological systems via mathematical equations reflects the calculation procedure more than the structure of the real system modeled, with the simulation environment SIMULINK™ being one of the best suited to this strategy. Nevertheless, object-oriented modeling is spreading in current simulation environments through the use of the individual components of the model and its interconnections to define the underlying dynamic equations. In this paper we describe the use of the SIMSCAPE™ simulation environment in the object-oriented modeling of the closed loop cardiovascular system. The described approach represents a valuable tool in the teaching of physiology for graduate medical students.

Efusión pericárdica recurrente en un labrador con una masa sobre el atrio derecho: Reporte de un caso clínico¤ / Efusão pericárdica recorrente em um cachorro labrador com uma massa sobre o átrio direito: Reporte de caso clinico / Recurrent pericardial effusions in a labrador with a right atrial mass. A case report

Este artículo describe el caso clínico de un perro de raza labrador, de nueve años de edad que fue llevado a consulta porque presentaba anorexia, distensión abdominal por ascitis, depresión e intolerancia al ejercicio. Al examen clínico se detectaron sonidos cardiacos poco audibles, un pulso femoral débil, taquicardia, taquipnea y presencia de pulso yugular. Los métodos diagnósticos complementarios permitieron determinar que el paciente se encontraba en una tamponada cardiaca por efusión pericárdica (EP). Se realizó una pericardiocentesis y el líquido extraído era de probable origen neoplásico. A los cinco meses el paciente presentó nuevamente tamponada cardíaca por efusión pericárdica, repitiéndose la pericardiocentesis. En esta ocasión se detectó por ecocardiografía una masa de 0.5 cm de diámetro en la pared externa del atrio derecho compatible con un hemangiosarcoma primario.

This report describes a case of a nine-year-old Labrador that was presented to consultation with signs of anorexia, abdominal distension by ascitis, depression and exercise intolerance. A physical examination revealed low audible cardiac sounds, a weak femoral pulse, tachycardia, taquipnea and the presence of jugular pulse. Ancillary diagnostic methods determined that the patient was in cardiac tamponade by a pericardical effusion (PE). A pericardiocentesis was carried out and the fluid had a probable neoplastic origin. Five months later the patient presented again in cardiac tamponade and a pericardiocentesis was repeated. On this occasion a mass of 0,5 cm diameter was detected ecocardiographically on the external wall of the right atrium compatible with a primary hemangiosarcoma.

Este artigo descreve um caso clínico de um cachorro da raça labrador, de nove anos de idade que foi levado à consulta porque apresentava anorexia, distensão abdominal por ascites, depressão e intolerância ao exercício. O exame clínico detectaram-se sons cardíacos pouco audíveis, um pulso femoral débil, taquicardia, taquipnea e apresentou pulso jugular. Os métodos diagnósticos complementários permitiram determinar que o cachorro encontrava-se em uma tamponada cardíaca por efusão pericárdica (EP). Foi realizada uma pericardiocentesis e o líqüido extraído era de provável origem neoplásico. Aos cinco meses o cachorro apresentou novamente tamponada cardíaca por efusão pericárdica, repetindo a pericardiocentesis. Em esta ocasião foi detectado por ecocardiografía uma massa de 0.5 cm de diâmetro na parede externa do átrio direito compatível com um hemangiossarcoma primário.

Pericardiectomía subfrénica parcial en un canino debido a un quimodectoma / Subphrenic partial pericardiectomy in a dog due to quimodectoma

Se describe el caso de un perro Bóxer, macho de 9 años de edad que presentó en cuatro ocasiones tamponada cardiaca por efusiones pericárdicas recurrentes, al cual se le realizó una pericardiectomía subfrénica parcial como tratamiento definitivo. Durante el procedimiento quirúrgico se detectó una pequeña masa en la base cardiaca, que por su tamaño no fue visible durante las ecocardiografías realizadas al paciente. La biopsia de la masa correspondió a un paraganglioma o quimodectoma. La escisión de esta no fue posible debido a su irrigación, pero la pericardiectomía subfrénica parcial por sí sola ha permitido prolongar el tiempo de sobrevida de este paciente con una excelente calidad de vida.

Tratamiento médico y nutricional en un paciente con encefalopatia hepatica de posible origen portocaval / Medical and nutritional treatment in a patient with hepatic encephalopathy of posible portocaval origen

Se expone el caso de una perra Schnauzer miniatura de 3 meses de edad que presentaba después de consumir alimento para cachorros, hipersalivación, ataxia y desorientación. Al examen clínico, se observó un retraso en el crecimiento para la edad, estado mental alterado y apoyo de la cabeza contra las paredes. Al realizar los exámenes paraclínicos complementarios se encontró un incremento de la alanino-amino-transferasa (ALT) cinco veces por encima de su rango máximo, y la fosfatasa alcalina (FA) triplicando el valor del rango máximo. En las radiografías de abdomen se visualizó microhepatía, confirmada mediante ecografía simple. Se instauró un tratamiento médico y nutricional para el diagnóstico presuntivo de anastomosis portosistémica, obteniendo resultados favorables en la evolución clínica del paciente.

La influencia de las mascotas en la vida humana / The influence of mascots in human lives

La influencia positiva de las mascotas en la salud y bienestar de los seres humanos es bien reconocida y comprende los aspectos sicológico, fisiológico, terapéutico y sicosocial. La función como facilitadores en la terapia asistida motivacional y física de numerosas enfermedades, ha permitido que los efectos benéficos de la tenencia de animales sean empleados en el ámbito terapéutico. Adicionalmente, la compañía de mascotas se ha reconocido como un factor protector contra enfermedades cardiovasculares y reductor del estrés de sus propietarios: son un soporte sicológico, reducen la sensación de soledad y permiten la interacción de sus propietarios con el medio social que los circunda. Estas relaciones hombre-animal implican algunos riesgos zoonóticos que es necesario minimizar, en especial en personas inmunocomprometidas; es aquí donde el médico veterinario debe cumplir una importante función en la asesoría para la tenencia responsable de las mascotas. Así mismo, es esencial que el propietario conozca cuales son las obligaciones legales de la tenencia de una mascota.

The positive influence of mascots in human health and well-being has been widely recognized embracing psychological, physiological, therapeutic and psychosocial aspects. The role of facilitators in motivational and physical therapy of numerous diseases has permitted that the positive effects be used at a therapeutic level. Additionally, animals have been recognized as a protective factor against cardiovascular diseases and to reduce stress. They have also been identified as psychological support, to diminish loneliness and as a social lubricant. However, this animal-man relationship implies some zoonotic risk, which is necessary to lessen, especially with immunecompromised persons. Veterinarians must act as consultants for a responsible animal ownership.

Pharmacological enhancement of the endocannabinoid system in the nucleus accumbens shell stimulates food intake and increases c-Fos expression in the hypothalamus.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Evidence indicates that the endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), increases food intake when injected into the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcS), thereby potentially activating hypothalamic nuclei involved in food intake regulation. We aimed to evaluate potential orexigenic effects of the endocannabinoid anandamide and of AA5HT, a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor, and OMDM-1, an inhibitor of anandamide uptake, injected in the NAcS, as well as the effect of these treatments on activation of hypothalamic nuclei. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Drugs were given into the NAcS of rats and food intake quantified during the next 4 h. In other groups, after the same treatments the brains were processed for c-Fos immunohistochemistry with focus on hypothalamic nuclei. Additional groups were used to quantify endocannabinoid levels in the nucleus accumbens and the hypothalamus after AA5HT and OMDM-1 intra-NAcS injections. KEY RESULTS: Our results indicate that the above treatments stimulate food intake during 4 h post-injection. They also increase c-Fos immunoreactivity in hypothalamic nuclei. The CB(1) antagonist, AM251, blocked these effects. Finally, we found elevated levels of 2-AG, but not anandamide, after intra-NAcS injections of AA5HT. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These data support the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in feeding behavior at the level of the NAcS and hypothalamus. In addition, this is the first experimental demonstration that the pharmacological inhibition of endocannabinoid inactivation in the NAcS stimulates food intake, suggesting that the endocannabinoid degrading proteins can be a target for treating eating disorders.

Comparación de etomidato, ketamina y propofol como inductores para gastroduodenoscopia en perros / Comparison of etomidate, ketamine and propofol as inducers for gastroduodenoscopy in dogs

La endoscopia digestiva superior (EDS) es un método diagnóstico muy utilizado actualmente en la medicina de pequeños animales. El procedimiento requiere anestésicos y la selección de los mismos es crucial. Este estudio comparó los efectos de tres inductores etomidato, ketamina y propofol, en su capacidad para facilitar o hacer más difícil el paso del endoscopio hasta el duodeno. También se determinó, con cuál de estos agentes inductores se utilizaba menos tiempo para realizar la técnica, y se estableció el protocolo que permite una recuperación más rápida. Se encontró que ninguno de los inductores utilizados dificultó significativamente el acceso al estómago ni el paso por el mismo. Con el etomidato se pasó por el estómago en un tiempo menor pero la diferencia no fue significativa, como tampoco hubo diferencia en el tiempo necesario para atravesar el píloro; sin embargo, desde el punto de vista clínico este paso si fue menos fácil con la ketamina. En cuanto a la recuperación anestésica el propofol permitió un tiempo de recuperación menor (p>0.05). Se concluye que los tres agentes tuvieron un comportamiento similar desde el punto de vista estadístico, pero clínicamente el etomidato fue mejor.

Upper digestive endoscopy (EDS) is a currently used diagnostic method in small animal practice. The procedure requires anesthetics which selection is crucial. This study compared the effects of three of them: etomidate, ketamine and propofol, regarding capacity to facilitate the passage of the endoscope until (or down to) to the duodenum. It was also determined which of these inducers contribute the best to perform the technique in a shorter time, and which one of the protocols leads to a faster recovery. The results indicate that none of the inducers make significantly more difficult the access to the stomach, nor the passage through this organ, although with etomidato the time needed was shorter. There were no differences either in time or difficulty to go through the pylorus. Nevertheless, from the clinical point of view ketamine made this step more difficult. For recovery, propofol did present a significant shorter period (p>0.05). It is concluded that the three studied agents show a similar statistical profile, but from the clinical point of view etomidato behaves better.

[From neuronal recovery to the reorganisation of neuronal circuits: a review of the functions of sleep]. / De la restauración neuronal a la reorganización de los circuitos neuronales: una aproximación a las funciones del sueño.

AIM: To analyse the data and concepts that have been produced in relation to one of the functions that have been suggested for sleep, namely, neuronal recovery. DEVELOPMENT: Sleep is a state of consciousness that is different to that of arousal. Mammals devote an important part of their lives to sleeping; for example, as humans, we sleep for a third of our lives, but why do we spend so much time in a state where we lose contact with our surroundings? What would happen if we didn't sleep? Total sleep deprivation alters cognitive processes such as memory or attention, and if this deprivation is prolonged, the individual deteriorates and dies. It has been suggested that sleep provides the organism with time to recover from the wear and tear that occurs during the waking state and, given that the first effects of the absence of sleep are seen to affect processes that are directly dependent on the brain, it has been claimed that its main purpose is to allow neuronal recovery. In this work we analyse some of the studies on the effects of total sleep deprivation in humans and rats, as well as the relationship between sleep and the neurotrophin system, which promotes neuronal survival and recovery. Finally, the latest theories about the function of sleep are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Neuron recovery is not the ultimate purpose of sleep; rather it is to allow for maintenance and reorganisation of neuronal circuits, including new synapse formation, which enables existing neuronal networks to be modified by the effect of experience, and all this makes it possible for the brain to work properly and to adapt itself to the environment.

Relation between leptin and body fat distribution in menopausal status.

We examined the serum concentrations of leptin in a homogeneous group of 52 postmenopausal Mediterranean women, calculating body fat mass distribution by waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR) and other anthropometric measurements. Significant correlations were found between leptin and weight (r=0.59), Body Mass Index (BMI) (r=0.56), Conicity Index (CI) (r=0.49) and all circumferences measured: chest (r=0.55), waist (0.61) and hip (r=0.65), but not between leptin and WHR. Leptin levels does not seem to be influenced by fat mass distribution (android or gynoid type) while weight gain over life appears to be related with the hormone concentration when menopausal status is well established.

Traumatismo encefálico con fractura de cráneo. Tratamiento médico y quirúrgico. Reporte de un caso / Head trauma with a skull fracture. Medical and surgery assessment. Case Report

Se presenta al Consultorio Veterinario de la Universidad de Antioquia una perra de raza Pinsher miniatura de 6 años, con convulsiones tónico clónicas y en estado de delirio, después de sufrir un fuerte traumatismo ocasionado por el ataque de otro perro. A la exploración física se detecta una fractura en el cráneo, que luego fue confirmada por radiología. Se instaura tratamiento médico encaminado a reducir la presión intracraneal. Al no mejorar neurológicamente se somete a cirugía. Este procedimiento permitió la mejoría del paciente y la posterior recuperación total de los síntomas neurológicos, sin que hasta la fecha se hayan presentado secuelas del incidente.

Clinical effects of removable acrylic appliance design on gingival tissues: a short-term study.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects on the gingiva when an experimental palatal acrylic removable appliance, was worn for 3 weeks. Clinical parameters were reassessed after a 3 week recovery period when the appliance was no longer worn. The appliance design featured a base plate on the right side which extended to the gingival margin, but which on the left, was relieved from the gingival margin by 6mm. Plaque index, gingival index, and probing depth were recorded on days 0, 7, and 21, and at day 42. Results indicated that there was increasing gingival inflammation in the right palatal gingiva by day 7, and this became worse by day 21. Statistically significant differences in gingival inflammation were evident when right and left sides were compared at day 7 and 21, although there were no significant differences in plaque accumulation during this period. Probing depth measurements also increased significantly on the right side by day 21. All these gingival changes reversed to baseline levels during the recovery period by day 42. This paper demonstrates the rapid effect of acrylic denture design on gingival tissues.

Salivary testosterone is associated with higher lumbar bone mass in premenopausal healthy women with normal levels of serum testosterone.

The relationships among lumbar and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) and different forms of testosterone--total, salivary testosterone and free testosterone index (FTI) calculated with the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)--, body mass index (BMI) and body fat distribution (waist-to-hip ratio and breast-to-hip ratio) were analysed in a cross-sectional study with 66 Spanish premenopausal healthy women aged 42 years and with normal levels of serum testosterone. BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 1000), and salivary and blood samples were obtained during early follicular phase. In a multiple stepwise regression analysis, lumbar BMD was positively predicted by salivary testosterone and negatively by SHBG adjusted by BMI (R2 = 0.20; p < 0.02). The most femoral BMDs were negatively predicted by SHBG and positively by breast-to-hip ratio (R2 = 0.22-0.33, according to the site measured), but neck BMD was not predicted by any variable. When FTI was entered into the regression model instead of SHBG, it was not an independent predictor of BMD. The waist-to-hip ratio was positively correlated with several femoral BMD sites, but breast-to-hip ratio was better predictor. After adjusting by SHBG, the BMI was only predictor for intertrochanter BMD. All women with elevated salivary testosterone (n = 12) had higher lumbar BMD than those with normal value (1.120 +/- 0.112 vs. 1.026 +/- 0.118; p < 0.01) without differences in other confounding variables. As a conclusion, in premenopausal healthy women of the same age with normal levels of serum testosterone, low levels of SHBG and high levels of salivary testosterone are associated with higher lumbar BMD, whereas low levels of SHBG together with higher breast-to-hip ratio are associated with higher femoral BMD.