• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2012

Objective : To evaluate the effect of calcium supplementation on spinal bone fusion in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Methods : Sixteen female Sprague Dawley rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy at 12 weeks of age to induce osteoporosis and were randomly assigned to two groups : control group (n=8) and calcium-supplemented group (OVX-Ca, n=8). Autologous spinal bone fusion surgery was performed on both groups 8 weeks later. After fusion surgery, the OVX-Ca group was supplemented with calcium in drinking water for 8 weeks. Blood was obtained 4 and 8 weeks after fusion surgery. Eight weeks after fusion surgery, the rats were euthanized and the L4-5 spine removed. Bone fusion status and fusion volume were evaluated by manual palpation and three-dimensional computed tomography. Results : The mean fusion volume in the L4-5 spine was significantly greater in the OVX-Ca group ($71.80{\pm}8.06mm^3$) than in controls ($35.34{\pm}8.24mm^3$) (p<0.01). The level of osteocalcin, a bone formation marker, was higher in OVX-Ca rats than in controls 4 weeks ($610.08{\pm}10.41$ vs. $551.61{\pm}12.34$ ng/mL) and 8 weeks ($552.05{\pm}19.67$ vs. $502.98{\pm}22.76$ ng/mL) after fusion surgery (p<0.05). The level of C-terminal telopeptide fragment of type I collagen, a bone resorption marker, was significantly lower in OVX-Ca rats than in controls 4 weeks ($77.07{\pm}12.57$ vs. $101.75{\pm}7.20$ ng/mL) and 8 weeks ($69.58{\pm}2.45$ vs. $77.15{\pm}4.10$ ng/mL) after fusion surgery (p<0.05). A mechanical strength test showed that the L4-5 vertebrae in the OVX-Ca group withstood a 50% higher maximal load compared with the controls (p<0.01). Conclusion : Dietary calcium given to OVX rats after lumbar fusion surgery improved fusion volume and mechanical strength in an ovariectomized rat model.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3437-3445
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• 2016

Background: There is an increasing concern in the role of microRNA (miRNA) in the pathogenesis of bone metastasis (BM) secondary to prostate cancer (CaP). In this exploratory study, we hypothesized that the expression of vinculin (VCL) and chemokine X3C ligand 1 (CX3CL1) might be down-regulated in clinical samples, most likely due to the post-transcriptional modification by microRNAs. Targeted genes would be up-regulated upon transfection of the bone metastatic prostate cancer cell line, PC3, with specific microRNA inhibitors. Materials and Methods: MicroRNA software predicted that miR-21 targets VCL while miR-29a targets CX3CL1. Twenty benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 16 high grade CaP formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) specimens were analysed. From the bone scan results, high grade CaP samples were further classified into CaP with no BM and CaP with BM. Transient transfection with respective microRNA inhibitors was done in both RWPE-1 (normal) and PC3 cell lines. QPCR was performed in all FFPE samples and transfected cell lines to measure VCL and CX3CL1 levels. Results: QPCR confirmed that VCL messenger RNA (mRNA) was significantly down-regulated while CX3CL1 was up-regulated in all FFPE specimens. Transient transfection with microRNA inhibitors in PC3 cells followed by qPCR of the targeted genes showed that VCL mRNA was significantly upregulated while CX3CL1 mRNA was significantly down-regulated compared to the RWPE-1 case. Conclusions: The down-regulation of VCL in FFPE specimens is most likely regulated by miR-21 based on the in vitro evidence but the exact mechanism of how miR-21 can regulate VCL is unclear. Up-regulated in CaP, CX3CL1 was found not regulated by miR-29a. More microRNA screening is required to understand the regulation of this chemokine in CaP with bone metastasis. Understanding miRNA-mRNA interactions may provide additional knowledge for individualized study of cancers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.132-142
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• 2004

Nutritional factors affecting bone mineral density (BMD) in the different age groups of Korean men were investigated to obtain baseline data for maintaining bone health. Information on diet and anthropometry was collected in 80 elementary school children, 83 high school students, 87 adults aged 25 to 35 years and 98 elderly people over 60 years of age. Data for food and nutrient intake were obtained by 24-hour recall method. BMDs of lumbar spine (L$_2$- L$_4$) and femoral neck were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The relationship between BMD and nutritional factors were analyzed. In the femoral neck, 5.7% of adults was classified as osteopenia and 47.9% and 37.8% of the elderly were classified as osteopenia and osteoporosis. It was shown that plant protein, Ca, p, Fe, thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin C intakes were related with BMD in all age groups. As for the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) of nutrients, the lowest quartile group of BMD showed significantly lower MAR among children. The RDA percent of nutrients was a strong influential factor on BMD. Subjects who consumed below 75% of Korean RDA in energy, vitamin A, thiamin, and vitamin C showed lower BMD. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that MAR in children, vegetable Ca in adolescents, and vitamin C in adults and elderly people were the highest influential factor on BMD. Therefore, the above results demonstrated that not only calcium but also other nutrients such as protein, iron, vitamin A, riboflavin, and vitamin C were necessary in order to keep the healthy bone status. In addition, although there were various dietary factors that influenced bone density, MAR was identified as the major factor that affected bone density. Thus, a balanced diet that includes all nutrients is necessary for a healthy bone density. (Korean J Nutrition 37(2) : 132-142, 2004)

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.379-385
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• 2018

Purpose: Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element for bone mineralization and osteoblast function. We examined the effects of Zn deficiency on osteoblast differentiation and mineralization in MC3T3-E1 cells. Methods: Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured at concentration of 1 to $15{\mu}M$ $ZnCl_2$ (Zn- or Zn+) for 5, 15 and 25 days up to the calcification period. Extracellular matrix mineralization was detected by staining Ca and P deposits using Alizarin Red and von Kossa stain respectively, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected by ALP staining and colorimetric method. Results: Extracellular matrix mineralization was decreased in Zn deficiency over 5, 15, and 25 days. Similarly, staining of ALP activity as the sign of an osteoblast differentiation, was also decreased by Zn deficiency over the same period. Interestingly, the gene expression of bone-related markers (ALP, PTHR; parathyroid hormone receptor, OPN; osteopontin, OC; osteocalcin and COLI; collagen type I), and bone-specific transcription factor Runx2 were downregulated by Zn deficiency for 5 or 15 days, however, this was restored at 25 days. Conclusion: Our data suggests that Zn deficiency inhibits osteoblast differentiation by retarding bone marker gene expression and also inhibits bone mineralization by decreasing Ca/P deposition as well as ALP activity.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.126-133
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• 2020

Homer proteins are scaffold proteins that regulate calcium (Ca²⁺) signaling by modulating the activity of multiple Ca²⁺ signaling proteins. In our previous report, Homer2 and Homer3 regulated NFATc1 function through its interaction with calcineurin, which then acted to regulate receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone metabolism. However, to date, the role of Homers in osteoclastogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the roles of Homer2 and Homer3 in aging-dependent bone remodeling. Deletion of Homer2/Homer3 (Homer2/3 DKO) markedly decreased the bone density of the femur. The decrease in bone density was not seen in mice with Homer2 (Homer2^-/-) and Homer3 (Homer3^-/-) deletion. Moreover, RANKL treatment of bone marrow-derived monocytes/macrophages in Homer2/3 DKO mice significantly increased the formation of multinucleated cells and resorption areas. Finally, Homer2/3 DKO mice decreased bone density in an aging-dependent manner. These findings suggest a novel potent mode of bone homeostasis regulation through osteoclasts differentiation during aging by Homer proteins, specifically Homer2 and Homer3.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.106-110
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• 2005

The preventive effects of Sophorae Fructus extracts (I: hot water extract and II: combination product using I) on bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) rats were investigated. Sophorae Fructus extracts were orally administrated to OVX rats for 9 weeks. Ovariectomy caused the increase of body weight and deoxypyridinoline (Dpd: bone resorption marker) and decrease of calcium (Ca: bone formation marker) level in serum. Dpd level were significantly decreased and Ca levels were elevated at 9 weeks in Sophorae Fructus extracts administered groups after ovariectomy at a dose of 0.556 g/kg/day compared with control group. In administered groups, trabecular bone area (TBA) in the tibia and lumbar were also increased compared with control group in histomorphological analysis. The preventive or treatment effects of Sophorae Fructus extracts on bone loss in OVX rats appears to be due to suppression of bone turnover.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nutrition Society Conference
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• 1994.05a
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• pp.49-49
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• 1994

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.42 no.11 s.282
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• pp.770-776
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• 2005

Hardening and hydroxyapatite(HAp) formation behavior of the bioactive cements in the system of $CaO-SiO_{2}-P_{2}O_{5}$ glasses and the corresponding glass-ceramics were studied. DCPD (Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate: $CaHPO_4{\cdot}2H_2O$) and DCPA (Dicalcium Phosphate Anhydrous: $CaHPO_4$) were developed when the prepared glass and glass-ceramic powders were mixed with three different solutions. The DCPD and DCPA transformed to HAp when the cement was soaked in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF), and this HAp formation strongly depended on the releasing capacity of $Ca^{2+}$ ions from the cements. The glass-ceramic containing apatite showed fast setting, but no HAp formation was observed because no $Ca^{2+}$ ions were released from this glass-ceramics. The compressive strength of the cements increased with reaction time in SBF until all DCPD and DCPA transformed to HAp.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1013-1020
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to investigate nutrient intake and bone status in rural postmenopausal women in Korea. Ten postmenopausal women in An-Sung area participated in this study and they were divided into two groups ; women in group I had been postmenopausal for 4 years or less and those in group II had been postmenopausal for 5 years or more before the present study began. Their environmental factors and dietary intakes were surveyed through the personal interviews. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone(PTH), estradiol and urinary Ca, P, creatinine, hydroxyproline levels were measured from December 4 to December 27 in 1993. The reults of this study are summarized as follows : Average ages of group I and II were 54.8 and 57.2 years. Average menopausal ages of group I and II were 50.8 and 47.3 years. The nutrient intakes of subjects were higher than recommended dietary allowances(RDA) except calorie, protein, calcium, and vitamin A. The nutrient status did not show any significant difference between group I and II. Serum levels of Ca, P, PTH, estradiol and urinary P, creatinine excretion did not show any significant difference between group I and II, and all levels were in normal range. Urinary Ca excretion(p<0.05) and hydroxyproline excretion(p<0.01) were significantly lower in group I than in group II. Urinary Ca/creatinine(Ca/cr) and hydroxyproline/creatinine(Hpr/cr) rations were significantly higher in group II than in group I(p<0.01. And Hpr/cr levels of group I were in normal range, but most of subjects in group II were higher than 0.017 indicating sign of osteoporosis. Correlations between parameters showed that serum PTH adn urinary Ca, Ca/cr levels were positive related (p<0.01), and the years of the after menopausal year and urinary Hpr/cr was also positive related(p<0.05). The present results suggests that it is difficult to protect postmenopausal women's bone destruction having Korean usual diets. Therefore, to prevent osteoporosis with aging, minimizing the hormonal changes in postmenopausal women is needed as well as Ca supplementation and proper exercise before menopause begins.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.19-22
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of acetic acid and citric acid treatments on amount and content ratio of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) which were extracted from beef shank bones. The amount of Ca in shank bone extracts significantly increased with increasing citric acid and acetic acid concentration, whereas the amount of P increased with only adding citric acid to extraction media. In the case of combined treatment with 0.2 % acetic acid and 0.1 % citric acid, the amounts of Ca and P increased to 30 and 400 %, respectively and Ca and P ratio were drastically improved from 7.53 to 1.85 compared with treatment of 0.2 % acetic acid. The sensory score of shank bone extract prepared with 0.2 % acetic acid and 0.1 % citric acid treatment showed the highest values in taste and overall acceptability among the tested shank bone extracts.