Prostaglandin PGE2: a possible mechanism for bone destruction in calcinosis circumscripta
Caniggia, A.; Gennari, C.; Vattimo, A.; Runci, F.; Bombardieri, S.
Calcified Tissue Research 25(1): 53-57
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-0594 PMID: 647437 Document Number: 133045
A patient showed osteolysis in phalanges and heavy periarticular Ca deposits of the fingers, wrists and toes which avidly took up 47Ca. The dense white tooth-paste like fluid contained in the periarticular Ca deposits was studied by 2 different X-ray diffraction methods, by Ubatubas bioassay for prostaglandin [PG], by TLC and by mass spectrometry. The Ca deposits were hydroxyapatite, and PGE2 was detected in them. The bone resorption stimulating activity of PGE2 would be expected to result in increased bone destruction with release of Ca salts. This could be a working hypothesis of the pathogenesis of calcinosis circumscripta.