Association of Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)/Smad Signaling Pathway with Fracture Healing and Osteogenic Ability in Senile Osteoporotic Fracture in Humans and Rats.

BACKGROUND To investigate the effect of the BMP/Smad signaling pathway on fracture healing and osteogenic ability in senile osteoporotic fracture on humans and rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty-two patients and well-matched normal controls were enrolled for clinical observation. A rat model of senile osteoporotic fracture was established. Serum BMP2 and Smad4 levels, as well as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, were detected by ELISA. Fracture healing was observed by X-ray radiography and bone formation was analyzed by micro-CT. RESULTS Serum BMP2 and Smad4 levels in patients with senile osteoporotic fracture were significantly lower than those in normal controls (all P<0.01). BMP2 was highly positively correlated with Smad4 in patients with senile osteoporotic fracture (r=0.738). Compared with patients with low serum BMP2 and Smad4 levels, visual analog scale scores decreased, bone mineral density (BMD) increased, and duration of fracture healing was shortened in patients with high levels (all P<0.05). Compared with the Model group, serum BMP2 and Smad4 levels increased, fracture healing was improved, BMD, trabecular bone volume (TBV), tissue volume (TV), bone volume fraction (BV/TV), mean trabecular thickness (Tb. Th), and mean number of trabecular bone (Tb. N) were increased, and ALP activity increased in the BMP2 overexpression group (all P<0.05), while each index in the NC group showed no statistical difference relative to rats in the Model group (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS BMP2 overexpression can promote fracture healing and osteogenic ability in senile osteoporotic fractures through activating the BMP/Smad signaling pathway.

Anatomic study of maximum intensity projection of the membranous labyrinth and the internal auditory meatus - MRI scan in 16 Chinese adults.

CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional reconstruction of maximum intensity projection (MIP) might document objectively, stereoscopically and directly the minute structures of the membranous labyrinth and internal auditory meatus. In this study, we establish magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement criteria of the inner ear in Chinese adults. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to provide an anatomic basis for otolosurgery and neurosurgery in Chinese adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen healthy volunteer subjects were scanned by a GE-signa 1.5T MRI scanner. All original images were transferred to an MRI workstation and all the structures of the inner ear were reconstructed, rotated at various angles and measured with an MIP program. RESULTS: Anatomic structures of the membranous labyrinth and internal auditory meatus were well demonstrated in MIP images in all volunteers. All inner ear structures including utricle, saccule, cochlear duct, internal auditory meatus and three semicircular ducts produced high intensity signals.