The effect of alendronate sodium on trabecular bone structure in an osteoporotic rat model.

OBJECTIVES: TObjectives: This study aims to investigate the effect of alendronate sodium on trabecular bone structure in an osteoporotic rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2006 and July 2006, 60 female Wistar Albino rats aged three months were randomly allocated to three groups: sham operated receiving no treatment (Shm); ovariectomized-alendronate receiving 1 mg/kg/day alendronate sodium (Ovx-A), and ovariectomized-vehicle receiving 1 mL/kg/day physiological saline (Ovx-PS). Both Ovx groups received treatment through gastric gavage for 56 days. RESULTS: Densitometric measurements showed that bone mineral density decreased in the Ovx-PS and increased in Ovx-A groups (p<0.05). Biomechanical measurements showed a decrease in the breaking force in the Ovx-PS group and an increase in the Ovx-A group (p<0.05). Histomorphometric measurements showed that the Shm group had normal trabecular structure, while the Ovx-PS group had a less well- formed trabecular structure with a loss in the trabecular number and thickness and a corresponding increase in the trabecular spacing (p<0.05). In the Ovx-A group, there was an improvement in the trabecular structure with an increase in the trabecular number and thickness and a loss in the trabecular space (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that alendronate sodium is a valuable treatment agent for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

The effects of maternal deprivation on the hippocampal structure in adult rats.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the ultrastructural effects of maternal deprivation during developmental periods of limbic-hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system on hippocampal dendritic structures in adult rats. METHODS: The experiments were carried out with male and female Wistar rats in our department. The rats were mated and, after birth, the pups were divided into four groups. The first group (control group) pups remained undisturbed with their dam until postweaning day 22. Maternal deprived groups were separated from their dams for 24 hours at postnatal day 4, 9 and 18. The subjects were provided with food and water ad libitum until 3-months-of-age. At the third month, the rats were transcardially perfused, samples were taken from CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. Tissues were prepared for electron microscopy. RESULTS: When the data were analyzed, there were no differences between male and female rats in both ultrastructure and semiquantitative analysis of axodendritic synapses. The ultrastructure of Group 1 was seen as normal while in the second Group some neurons nuclear envelope made deep invagination into the nucleus. Additionally, axodendritic synapses were found normal. In Group 3, micrographs and axodendritic synapses were showed normal structure. However, in Group 4 in some neurons invaginations were seen similar to Group 2. Axodendritic synapses were found to be normal. CONCLUSION: These experiments establish that MD in rats produces slight ultrastructural changes and decreases the number of synapses in CA1 and CA3 subregions of the hippocampus.

Morphometry of the external ear in our adult population.

This study aimed to determine the mean values of the different morphometric measurements from right and left ears. These measurements were taken from 341 healthy young adults (150 women and 191 men) ages 18 to 25 years using an electronic digital caliper. The results showed the mean values for total ear height, lobular height and width, distances from tragus to antihelix and to helix, and ear projection and width to be, respectively, 59.7 +/- 3 mm, 17.5 +/- 1.4 mm, 18.5 +/- 2.2 mm, 16.6 +/- 1.7 mm, 25.1 +/- 2 mm, 16.6 +/- 2 mm, and 31.3 +/- 2.2 mm for the left ear, and 59.5 +/- 3.1 mm, 17.9 +/- 1.5 mm, 18.9 +/- 2 mm, 16.5 +/- 1.8 mm, 25.2 +/- 1.9 mm, 17 +/- 1.9 mm, and 31.2 +/- 2.2 mm for the right ear in the young women. However, in the young men, these values were, respectively, 63.1 +/- 3.6 mm, 18.3 +/- 1.7 mm, 19.4 +/- 2 mm, 17.2 +/- 1.8 mm, 26.3 +/- 1.9 mm, 17 +/- 2.3 mm, and 33.3 +/- 2.2 mm for the left ear, and 62.9 +/- 3.5 mm, 18.4 +/- 1.7 mm, 19.8 +/- 1.9 mm, 17.2 +/- 1.8 mm, 26.6 +/- 1.9 mm, 17.6 +/- 2.1 mm, and 33.1 +/- 2.1 mm for the right ear.