[Changes of bone morphogenesis proteins and transforming growth factor-beta in hind-limb bones of 21 d tail-suspended rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate changes of bone morphogenesis proteins (BMP), transforming growth [correction of grouth] factors-beta (TGF-beta) in tibia and the growing of femur in tail-suspended rats after 21 d simulated weightlessness.


METHODS
Fourteen male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (CON) and tall-suspension group (TS). After 21 d tail-suspension, basic physical parameters of the femur were measured; changes of BMP, TGF-beta in tibia were assayed by immunohistochemical method.


RESULTS
During 21 d tail-suspension, all rats grew well without apparent stress reaction. After 21 d weightlessness simulation, wet weight, dried weight, ash, diameter and density of femur in TS group declined significantly (P<0.01). Immunohistochemical results of tibia showed that both BMP and TGF-beta declined in tissues from all regions of the tibia.


CONCLUSIONS
After 21 d tall-suspension, the growth of rat's weight bearing bones were suppressed, production and secretion of BMP and TGF-beta was holdback.
Department of Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
Xin-sheng
XS
Cao
Lian-jia
LJ
Yang
Xing-yu
XY
Wu
Yan-hong
YH
Wu
Le-ning
LN
Zhang
Li-fan
LF
Zhang
D000818:Animals; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005269:Femur / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D019417:Hindlimb Suspension; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013977:Tibia / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D018474:Weightlessness Simulation
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta