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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Anabolic Agents, Animals, Bone Density Conservation Agents, Calcium Signaling, Cartilage, Articular, Cattle, Cells, Cultured, Chondrocytes, Clodronic Acid, Diphosphonates, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drug Evaluation, Preclinical, Extracellular Matrix, Matrix Metalloproteinase 13, Pamidronate, Receptors, Purinergic, Signal Transduction.
user
Does clodronate exert an anabolic effect on articular chondrocytes mediated through the purinergic receptor pathway? Context: Bisphosphonates are commonly used anti-osteoporotic drugs which have controversial effects on joint diseases including osteoarthritis. Certain bisphosphonates have been shown to have anabolic effects on cartilage which could have important ramifications for their proposed effects in vivo; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of clodronate on primary articular chondrocyte metabolism and to determine the underlying signaling pathways responsible. The effects of clodronate and pamidronate on extracellular matrix (ECM) biosynthesis, accumulation and MMP-13 activity were observed in high density, 3D cultures of bovine articular chondrocytes for up to 4 weeks were evaluated. Mechanisms were delineated by measuring intracellular Ca(2+) signaling and the effects of pharmacologic inhibition of the purinergic receptor pathway. Clodronate (100 μM) induced an anabolic effect (increased biosynthesis by 13-14%) which resulted in an 89-90% increase in ECM accumulation after 4 weeks of culture and without an associated effect on matrix turn-over. Stimulation by clodronate resulted in a 3.3-fold increase in Ca(2+) signaling and pharmacological inhibitor experiments suggested that the anabolic effects exerted by clodronate are transduced through the purinergic receptor pathway.
assistant
These findings support the previous notion that certain bisphosphonates may be useful as adjunctive therapies to potentially ameliorate progression of cartilage degeneration and improve arthritis management. Final Decision: yes