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Z. Kraiem, G. Maor, and M. Silbermann

ABSTRACT

We examined whether cyclic AMP (cAMP) affects the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into cartilage cells and, if so, whether this action could be related to the inhibitory effect of glucocorticoid hormones on the growth of ossifying cartilage. Incorporation of [3H]thymidine into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable material by mouse cartilage was measured concomitantly with the concentration of cAMP. Dexamethasone (1 μmol/l) significantly (P < 0·05) depressed the incorporation of [3H]thymidine. The cAMP analogue 8-bromo-cAMP (0·01–1 mmol/l) also depressed the incorporation of the radionucleotide in a dose-dependent fashion. When various concentrations of 8-bromo-cAMP were added with dexamethasone (1 μmol/l), no apparent changes took place compared with the effect of dexamethasone alone. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (0·2-1 mmol/l) elicited an inhibitory effect on [3H]thymidine incorporation and a stimulatory influence on cartilage cAMP concentrations. Dexamethasone, at doses (0·01–1 μmol/l) causing significant inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation, failed to increase cartilage levels of cAMP. It seems, therefore, that the depressive effect of dexamethasone on [3H]thymidine incorporation in condylar cartilage is not mediated through an increase of cAMP in the tissue.

J. Endocr. (1986) 109, 209–213

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G. Maor, Z. Laron, R. Eshet, and M. Silbermann

ABSTRACT

Skeletal growth during the early postnatal period is thought to be GH-independent, and is probably regulated by intrinsic growth factors. We studied the involvement of locally produced insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in the growth of the neonatal mandibular condyle. Immunofluorescence studies revealed intense staining with antibodies to IGF-I in the mandibular condyle of 2-day-old ICR mice. We have also shown that these mandibular condyles contain specific high-affinity binding sites (K d = 0·157 nmol/l) for IGF-I (427 fmol/mg). Autoradiographical studies of iodinated IGF-I revealed that the distribution of the receptors for IGF-I was parallel to that of IGF-I production, mainly in the younger zones of the condyle, namely the chondroprogenitor and the chondroblast cell layers. Immunoinhibition of IGF-I resulted in an almost complete inhibition (−91%) of thymidine incorporation into DNA, as well as in marked degenerative changes in the morphological appearance of the condyle. Our studies support the hypothesis that early postnatal growth is dependent on the paracrine activity of endogenous GH-independent IGF-I.

Journal of Endocrinology (1993) 137, 21–26

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R Eshet, G Maor, T Ben Ari, M Ben Eliezer, G Gat-Yablonski, and M Phillip

Sex hormones may influence longitudinal growth, either indirectly, by affecting the growth-hormone-insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis, or directly, by affecting changes within the epiphyseal growth plate (EGP). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, on longitudinal growth and changes in the EGP in vivo. Eighteen peripubertal male mice were divided into three groups. The first group was killed at baseline, the second was injected with letrozole (Femara) s.c., 2 mg/kg body weight/day, for 10 days, and the third was injected with the vehicle alone. Serum testosterone levels were found to be significantly higher in the treated group than in the controls. Letrozole induced a significant increase in body weight, tail length and serum growth hormone level, but had no significant effect on the level of serum IGF-I. On histomorphometric study, there was a significant increase (12%) in EGP height in the treated animals compared with controls. Immunohistochemistry showed a 3.4-fold letrozole-induced increase in the proliferation of the EGP chondrocytes, as estimated by the number of proliferation cell nuclear antigen-stained cells, and a decrease in the differentiation of the EGP chondrocytes, as estimated by type X collagen staining. Letrozole did not interfere with type II collagen levels. The study group also showed a twofold increase in the number of IGF-I receptor-positive cells compared with controls. In conclusion, the aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, appears to increase the linear growth potential of the EGP in mice.