Complete denture displacement following open-mouth reline.

In 21 complete denture wearers, six upper and 15 lower denture relines were performed with the open-mouth technique. The centric relation (CR) was recorded with the Central-Bearing-Point (CBP) method three times before and three times after the reline. For each registration, the right and left condylar position was recorded in three dimensions using a custom-made measuring device. The average denture displacement from an initial reference position (CR) was calculated for each registration. An upper denture reline leads to a mean displacement of 2·5 mm, both in the right and left condylar area. With an average of 2·0 mm, this displacement was smaller following a lower denture reline (right and left mean, 1·6 mm). The precision of the CBP-registrations proved 0·5 mm before and 0·3 mm after reline; hence, the measured condylar displacement after reline could not attribute to a methodological bias. This clinical-experimental study demonstrates that relining complete dentures with the open-mouth technique may lead to a substantial denture shift and thus imply inevitably clinically relevant occlusal discrepancies. It is therefore important to carefully check the occlusion at denture delivery and remount the prostheses if necessary.

Pseudoaneurysm of the superior medial genicular artery following knee arthroscopy.

We describe a case of a pseudoaneurysm of the superior medial genicular artery following arthroscopic knee surgery, which was diagnosed by means of computed tomography and arterial duplex ultrasound. The treatment consisted of surgical exploration with excision of the pseudoaneurysm, followed by ligation of the feeding artery.

Down-regulation and differential restoration of cAMP responses upon transient phorbol ester treatment of primary osteoblastic cells.

We studied cAMP responses induced by parathyroid hormone (PTH), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and forskolin in foetal rat calvariae-derived osteoblastic cells after 24 h treatment with a protein kinase C (PKC) activating phorbol ester. After this treatment, meant to down-regulate PKC activity, all tested cAMP responses were attenuated and were indeed accompanied by a decline in PKC activity. PTH receptor affinity was not altered and PTH receptor number was only slightly lowered after 24 h phorbol ester treatment. These results indicate that modulation of the cAMP responses by 24 h PMA treatment was mainly caused by a general impairment of adenylyl cyclase activity. Removal of the phorbol ester and subsequent culture for 2 days rendered the cells hyper-responsive to PTH: the PTH-induced cAMP response was 2 to 3 times higher than in control cells. Again no change in binding affinity of the PTH receptor was observed and receptor number was just 10% lower than in control cells. The PGE2- and forskolin-induced cAMP responses were not higher than normal. So, transient phorbol ester treatment leads to a differential, agonist-dependent restoration of the cAMP signalling system.

Interleukin-6 is produced by bone and modulated by parathyroid hormone.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cellular regulatory molecule, the diverse functions of which relate to cells both within and outside the immune system. In this report we demonstrated that bone tissue, specifically osteoblasts, produce interleukin-6 and that this function can be modulated by the osteotrophic hormone parathyroid hormone (PTH). Given that the complex process of bone remodeling is now thought to be regulated not only by systemic hormones but also by locally produced factors, the existence of a parathyroid hormone-stimulated production of interleukin-6 by osteoblasts may have important physiological significance.

Inhibition of bone collagen synthesis by the tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate.

We characterized the effect of the tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on osteoblast function and DNA synthesis in 21-day-old fetal rat calvaria maintained in organ culture. Protein synthesis was determined by measuring the incorporation of [3H]proline into collagenase-digestible (CDP) and noncollagen protein (NCP), respectively. Alkaline phosphatase activity was assessed as the release of p-nitrophenol from p-nitrophenol phosphate. DNA synthesis was determined by the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into acid-insoluble bone and total DNA content. PMA at 3-100 ng/ml (4-133 nM) caused a dose-related inhibition of collagen synthesis that was observed 6 hours after adding PMA to calvaria. PMA inhibited collagen synthesis in the osteoblast-rich central bone of calvaria but did not alter collagen synthesis in the periosteum. There was little effect of PMA on noncollagen protein synthesis in the central bone or periosteum. Phorbol esters that do not promote tumor formation in vivo did not alter collagen synthesis in calvaria. PMA stimulated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in calvaria, but indomethacin did not alter the inhibitory effect of PMA on bone collagen synthesis. PMA decreased alkaline phosphatase activity measured after 48 hr of culture and increased the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into bone and DNA content after 96 hr of culture. These data indicate that PMA inhibits collagen synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity, while stimulating DNA synthesis, suggesting that activation of protein kinase C might regulate osteoblast function and bone cell replication.

Modulation of the effects of glucocorticoids on collagen synthesis in fetal rat calvariae by insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2.

To test the hypothesis that insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) play a role in the response of bone to glucocorticoids, we determined the effects of cortisol on the incorporation of [3H]proline into collagenase-digestible protein (CDP) and noncollagen protein (NCP), the percent collagen synthesis, and the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA of 21-day fetal rat calvariae cultured in the presence and absence of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2). At 24 h, cortisol (100 nM) increased CDP labeling and the percent collagen synthesis, and these effects were blocked by IGFBP-2 (1000 nM). At 24 h, cortisol decreased the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into bone, which was not affected by the addition of IGFBP-2. At 48 h, cortisol (1000 nM) decreased CDP labeling, which was maintained in the presence of IGFBP-2. At 48 h, IGFBP-2 alone decreased basal levels of CDP and NCP labeling and the percent collagen synthesis. Our data suggest that endogenous IGFs maintain basal levels of collagen synthesis and mediate the early stimulatory effect of glucocorticoids on collagen synthesis in fetal rat calvariae. However, blocking endogenous IGFs does not abrogate the inhibitory effect of glucocorticoids on DNA synthesis and the later inhibition of collagen synthesis in calvariae.

Establishment and characterization of conditionally immortalized stromal cell lines from a temperature-sensitive T-Ag transgenic mouse.

We established bone marrow stromal cell lines from a transgenic mouse that harbors a temperature-sensitive mutant of the simian virus 40-derived large T-antigen under the control of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I promotor. These cell lines were screened for their ability to induce the formation of osteoclasts in a spleen cell/stromal cell coculture system. By means of this screen, five clones, referred to as marine bone marrow stromal clone 1 (mBMS-B1) mBMS-B2, mBMS-B14, mBMS-B18, and mBMS-B21, were selected for detailed characterization. Cell growth depends on culture conditions, i.e., cells grow at 33 degrees C in the presence of murine interferon-gamma, whereas cell proliferation ceases at 39 degrees C. The phenotype of the cells is also correlated with the culture conditions because the osteoclast inductive capacity is only seen at 39 degrees C, indicating that the cells undergo differentiation when the transforming agent is inactivated. These conditionally immortalized stromal cells can be induced to express a variety of markers that are typical for mature osteoblasts, e.g., alkaline phosphatase activity and expression of functional parathyroid hormone receptor after stimulation with soluble osteogenic protein 1 (sOP-1). mRNA analysis revealed the expression and regulation of osteopontin, osteonectin, and collagen alpha 1(I) as well as the inducibility of osteocalcin upon treatment with sOP-1. The cells have the potential to form mineralized nodules in supplemented medium. We observed expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, which is stimulated upon treatment of the cells with 1 alpha,25-dihydrocholecalciferol after 4 days, indicating the presence of the receptor for this steroid. These cell lines represent a model to study mechanisms and factors involved in osteoblast differentiation.

Down-regulation of the receptor for parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related peptide by PTH in primary fetal rat osteoblasts.

We studied the effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on PTH parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) receptor mRNA level, PTHrP binding and PTH-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation in osteoblasts, derived from fetal rat calvariae (ROB). Cells isolated during 10-70 minutes of collagenase treatment were seeded at a density of 25,000 cells/cm2 and cultured for 4 days. These cells show a fast increase in cAMP production after stimulation for 5 minutes with 20 nM bovine parathyroid hormone(1-34) (bPTH(1-34)). When ROB are incubated with bPTH(1-34) (0.04-40nM) for 24 h, a dose-dependent decrease of the PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA level, PTHrP binding, and PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation can be observed. Pretreatment of ROB with a high concentration of bPTH(1-34) (40 nM) leads within 15 minutes to a decrease in PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation. However, it takes > or = 3 h before a significant decrease in PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA level can be observed. Also a significant decrease in PTHrP binding is observed after only 4 h of incubation with bPTH(1-34). Compared with bPTH(1-34), pretreatment of ROB with bPTH(3-34) (40 and 100 nM) for 24 h causes smaller decreases in PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation, PTHrP binding, and in the PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA level. We investigated the possible involvement of the protein kinase A signaling pathway in the regulation of the PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA expression. Both forskolin and (Bu)2cAMP decreased PTHrP binding and PTH/PTHrP mRNA levels. These observations suggest that chronic activation of the PKA signaling pathway may down-regulate PTH/PTHrP receptor expression and thus hormone responsiveness in "normal" osteoblasts. In short, we found that the decrease of the PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation after long-term pretreatment with bPTH(1-34) is correlated with both PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA level and PTHrP binding. These data also suggest that the initial desensitization (< 30 minutes) of PTH-stimulated cAMP responsiveness by pretreatment with a high concentration of bPTH(1-34) (40 nM) is not dependent on the number of available PTH/PTHrP receptors. The protein kinase A signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of the PTH/PTHrP receptor, but, regarding the effect of bPTH(3-34), other signaling systems are also involved.

Prostaglandin production by calvariae from sham operated and oophorectomized rats: effect of 17 beta-estradiol in vivo.

The mechanism by which estrogen inhibits bone resorption in vivo is not known. Since prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a potent stimulator of bone resorption in vitro, we tested the hypothesis that estrogens might affect bone indirectly by inhibiting endogenous PGE2 synthesis. Cultured parietal bones from 7- to 9-week-old rats showed a gradual release of immunoreactive PGE2 in vitro. Oophorectomy resulted in a two-fold increase in PGE2 release. Treatment in vivo with low doses of 17 beta-estradiol or high doses of 17 alpha-estradiol 26 h and 2 h prior to sacrifice inhibited bone PGE2 release in vitro. Addition of 17 beta-estradiol to calvariae in vitro did not affect PGE2 release, whereas cortisol inhibited PGE2 release.

Effects of pertussis toxin on resorption of 19-day-old fetal rat long bones.

We tested the effects that pertussis toxin had on bone resorption mediated by cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent stimuli in 19-day-old fetal rat long bones. Agents that stimulate cAMP were PTH, prostaglandin E2, and calcitonin. Agents that act independent of cAMP were: phorbol 13-myristate 12-acetate (PMA), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, murine interleukin-1 alpha, osteoclast-activating factor, and human tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Pertussis (1-10 ng/ml) produced a dose-related inhibition of resorption in unstimulated control cultures. The inhibitory effect was not associated with changes in either [3H]thymidine or [3H]proline incorporation into bones. beta-Glucuronidase activity in the medium was decreased. PMA was the only agonist whose resorptive effect was completely blocked by pertussis. The resorptive response to other stimulators was reduced, but treated/control ratios usually remained the same or increased because of the greater effect of pertussis on control resorption. There was a partial inhibition of the resorptive effect of low doses of prostaglandin E2 (10 nM), but increasing the concentration of agonist overcame the inhibition. Pertussis did not enhance the sensitivity of bones to calcitonin. Pertussis enhanced the cAMP response to PTH, but had no effect on basal cAMP production. Since PMA was inhibited by pertussis while agents that may act through cAMP-mediated or phosphatidylinositol pathways were not affected, we hypothesize that a protein kinase-C dependent pathway can modulate bone resorption.

Down-regulation of the receptor for parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related peptide by transforming growth factor-beta in primary fetal rat osteoblasts.

We studied the effects of transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF beta 2) on the level of PTH/PTH-related peptide-(PTHrP) receptor messenger RNA (mRNA), PTHrP binding, and PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation in cultured osteoblasts derived from fetal rat calvariae (ROB). When ROB were pretreated with TGF beta 2 at concentrations ranging from 1-100 pM for 24 h, dose-dependent decreases in the level of PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA, PTHrP binding, and PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation were observed. For the PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA level and PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation, the half-maximal effective concentration was approximately 4 pM. For the inhibition of PTHrP binding, the half-maximal effective concentration was much higher. A 50% decrease in both PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA level and PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation was obtained when ROB were treated with 100 pM TGF beta 2 for 4 h. A comparable decrease in PTHrP binding was only observed after 24 h of incubation with 100 pM TGF beta 2. Actinomycin D induced a rapid decrease in the PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA level (70% after 4 h), indicating a half-life for the receptor mRNA of 2-3 h. Under the same conditions, PTHrP binding and PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation did not change. When ROB were treated with cycloheximide for the same period, only a small decrease in PTHrP binding (20%) was observed, suggesting that PTH/PTHrP receptors do not have a rapid turnover. Cycloheximide also reduced PTH-stimulated cAMP production; after coincubation of cycloheximide with TGF beta 2, this inhibition was smaller than that in ROB cultures treated with TGF beta 2 exclusively. From these observations we conclude that TGF beta 2 induces a decrease in steady state levels of PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA that results in decreased PTHrP receptor binding. The PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation is at least to some extent independent of the PTH/PTHrP receptor availability. Furthermore, there is a high turnover of PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA, whereas turnover of the receptor protein is much slower. Finally, protein synthesis is required for TGF beta 2-induced desensitization of cAMP responsiveness to PTH.

Expression of the cell-adhesion molecule VCAM-1 by stromal cells is necessary for osteoclastogenesis.

Osteoblastic cells have been shown to be involved in osteoclast formation through cell to cell contacts. This study was designed to examine the possible function of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) during osteoclastogenesis. As a source for stromal cells we used the recently established mouse bone marrow stromal cell line mBMS-B1 which has the ability to support osteoclastogenesis when used in co-culture with a crude spleen cell suspension. mBMS-B1 cells express a single approximately 3.9 kb VCAM-1 mRNA species. Expression was low under basal culture conditions and a 5-10-fold increase was observed in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3. Cell surface expression of VCAM-1 examined by FACS analysis was increased about 2-fold after 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment. Immunoprecipitation of cell surface expressed VCAM-1 or total VCAM-1 protein using the anti-VCAM-1 monoclonal antibody MK2.7 resulted in a single approximately 110 kDa protein on SDS-PAGE. Induction by 1,25(OH)2D3 was about 2-5-fold on day 3. The stromal cell-osteoclast precursor cell interaction was investigated in a co-culture of the mBMS-B1 and mouse spleen cells in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3. The monoclonal antibody MK2.7 which is known to block hemopoietic-stromal cell recognition inhibited the formation of osteoclasts when added to the co-culture at day 2 but not day 4. These data suggest that VCAM-1 is involved in the interaction between stromal cells and osteoclastic precursor cells during osteoclastogenesis presumably most important during early stages of the formation of osteoclasts.

A C-terminally truncated human parathyroid hormone receptor is functional and activates multiple G proteins.

We have investigated the role of the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the human PTH receptor in effector coupling. Following transient expression in COS-1 cells, coupling to both AC and PI-PLC was observed with the full-length receptor. Progressive C-terminal truncations did not dissociate activation of the two signalling systems. In stably transfected 293 cells, however, the full-length receptor as well as the majority of truncated constructs stimulated AC exclusively but failed to activate PI-PLC. Activation of both signalling systems was again observed following stable expression of a severely truncated receptor (R483) in 293 cells. In this case, pertussis toxin was also found to potentiate the cAMP response to hPTH-(1-38) significantly, indicating functional coupling of R483 to Gi proteins. Our results suggest that a core region of the human PTH receptor (first, second, third intracellular loop) can interact promiscuously with different G proteins and that the C-terminus of the full-length receptor directs the receptor towards an interaction with Gs.

A novel inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase Src suppresses phosphorylation of its major cellular substrates and reduces bone resorption in vitro and in rodent models in vivo.

The tyrosine kinase Src has been implicated in the process of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Here, we describe a novel class of Src inhibitors, substituted 5,7-diphenyl-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines, and characterize one of them, CGP77675, in vitro and in models of bone resorption in vivo. In vitro, CGP77675 inhibited phosphorylation of peptide substrates and autophosphorylation of purified Src (concentration producing half-maximal inhibition [IC50] values 5-20 and 40 nmol/L, respectively). The compound was selective toward other protein kinases: the Src IC50 value was lower than those for Cdc2 (>500-fold), epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (7.5-fold), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (>50-fold), and for v-Abl (15-fold) and focal adhesion kinase (Fak) (>25-fold). The Src kinase family members Lck and Yes were inhibited with IC50 values 20-fold higher than or equal to Src. To measure the inhibition of cellular Src activity, we identified the major tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in an Src-overexpressing cell line IC8.1 as Src, Fak, and paxillin. CGP77675 potently inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of the Src substrates Fak and paxillin, but had much less effect on Src (IC50 values 0.3, 0.5, and 5.7 micromol/L). The phosphorylation of Src in IC8.1 cells reflected phosphorylation of the negative regulatory tyrosine 527 (Y527); thus, the inhibitor was selective against the Y527 C-terminal Src kinase Csk. In osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, CGP77675 inhibited signaling induced by PDGF at the receptor level, but not signaling by EGF, basic fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The effect of CGP77675 on bone resorption was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The parathyroid hormone-induced bone resorption in rat fetal long bone cultures was inhibited with an IC50 of 0.8 micromol/L. CGP77675 dose-dependently reduced the hypercalcemia induced in mice by interleukin-1beta and partly prevented bone loss and microarchitectural changes in young ovariectomized rats, showing that the protective effect on bone was exerted via the inhibition of bone resorption. Thus, specific Src family kinase inhibitors may be useful for the treatment of diseases associated with elevated bone loss.

Regulation of parathyroid hormone-related protein production in a human lung squamous cell carcinoma line.

The synthesis and release of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) could be influenced in a paracrine or autocrine manner by substances present around or inside tumours, such as bone or stromal cell-derived cytokines, factors produced by the tumour itself or by peritumoural inflammatory cells. We investigated the effects of various cytokines known to be synthesized by osteoblasts, stromal cells, leucocytes or cancer cells, on PTHrP production by the human lung squamous cell carcinoma line BEN. The influence of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was studied, and compared with those of insulin-like growth factors-I and -II (IGF-I, IGF-II), or macrophage- or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors (M-CSF, GM-CSF). TNF-alpha caused a 1.9 +/- 0.1-fold increase in immunoreactive PTHrP production, which was maximal by 24 h of incubation. IL-6 caused a 2.3 +/- 0.2-fold increase, which was maximal by 16 h. These effects, which were time- and concentration-dependent, were blocked by monoclonal antibodies raised against the corresponding cytokine. An increase of PTHrP mRNA was found in IL-6-treated cells. IGF-I and IGF-II increased PTHrP production by 2.0 +/- 0.3- and 2.3 +/- 0.1-fold respectively. Neither M-CSF nor GM-CSF altered PTHrP production up to 64 h of incubation. PTHrP production was not affected by varying extracellular calcium concentrations, but was decreased by incubation with 100 nmol/l dexamethasone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The functional significance of glycosylation of pro-opiomelanocortin in melanotrophs of the mouse pituitary gland.

Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) is a glycoprotein precursor for a number of neuropeptides and peptide hormones. The functional significance of the glycosylation of POMC has never been established. Using the antibiotic tunicamycin to block glycosylation of the prohormone in the mouse pars intermedia, we have compared processing of non-glycosylated prohormone with that of glycosylated prohormone in pulse-chase experiments. The peptides produced from non-glycosylated prohormone were shown to be correct cleavage products. Therefore it was concluded that, with the possible exception of peptides from the N-terminal region of the prohormone, the carbohydrate on POMC plays no role in directing cleavage or in protecting the prohormone from random proteolysis. Tunicamycin treatment retarded N-terminal acetylation of melanotrophin but had no apparent effect on acetylation of beta-endorphin. The mouse pars intermedia synthesizes two forms of POMC which differ in their degree of glycosylation. Our results indicated that, during secretion, the melanotrophs make no distinction between peptides derived from the two prohormones.

Cloning and functional expression of a human parathyroid hormone receptor.

We have cloned a human receptor for parathyroid hormone from a kidney complementary DNA library. The deduced sequence of 593 amino acids shows high homology to the previously cloned receptors from opossum and rat. Expressed in COS-1 cells, the human receptor binds to parathyroid hormone-(1-38) with high affinity (pKD = 8.5) and is functionally coupled to adenylate cyclase (pEC50 = 9.4). At high concentrations of agonist, the receptor also activates phosphoinositide turnover.

The fluorimetric determination of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio of amniotic fluid after HPLC.

We have investigated whether fluorimetric determination of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio is feasible after HPLC. We found that the saturated phospholipid, dipalmitoyl lecithin, which is secreted by the fetal lung, and which cannot be detected by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, can be determined fluorimetrically. For this purpose we have added the fluorescence-enhancing substance, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene to the effluent. With the aid of a continuous-flow system we showed that the method can be used for a rapid assay of the ratio of these phospholipids in amniotic fluid.

Numerical analysis of the transport and fate of nitrate in the soil and nitrate leaching to drains.

In this study, the transport and fate of nitrate within the soil profile and nitrate leaching to drains were analyzed by comparing historic field data with the simulation results of the DRAINMOD model. The nitrogen version of DRAINMOD was used to simulate the performance of the nitrogen transport and transformation of the Hooibeekhoeve experiment, situated in the sandy region of the Kempen (Belgium) and conducted for a 30-year (1969-1998) period. In the analysis, a continuous cropping with maize was assumed. Comparisons between experimentally measured and simulated state variables indicate that the nitrate concentrations in the soil and nitrate leaching to drains are controlled by the fertilizer practice, the initial conditions, and the rainfall depth and distribution. Furthermore, the study reveals that the model used gives a fair description of the nitrogen dynamics in the soil and subsurface drainage at field scale. From the comparative analysis between experimental data and simulation results it can also be concluded that the model after calibration is a useful tool to optimize as a function of the combination "climate-crop-soil-bottom boundary condition" the nitrogen application strategy resulting in an acceptable level of nitrate leaching for the environment.

Modeling of nitrogen in river water using a detailed and a simplified model.

To model catchment surface water quantity and quality, different model types are available. They vary from detailed physically based models to simplified conceptual and empirical models. The most appropriate model type for a certain application depends on the project objectives and the data availability. The detailed models are very useful for short-term simulations of representative events. They cannot be used for long-term statistical information or as a management tool. For those purposes, more simplified (conceptual or meta-) models must be used. In this study, nitrogen dynamics are modeled in a river in Flanders. Nitrogen sources from agricultural leaching and domestic point sources are considered. Based on this input, concentrations of ammonium (NH4-N) and nitrate (NO3-N) in the river water are modeled in MIKE 11 by taking into consideration advection and dispersion and the most important biological and chemical processes. Model calibration was done on the basis of available measured water quality data. To this detailed model, a more simplified model was calibrated with the objective to more easily yield long-term simulation results that can be used in a statistical analysis. The results show that the conceptual simplified model is 1800 times faster than the MIKE 11 model. Moreover the two models have almost the same accuracy. The detailed models are recommended for short-term simulations unless there are enough data for model input and model parameters. The conceptual simplified model is recommended for long-term simulations.