OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of age, menopause, anthropometry, nutrition and lifestyle on bone status of women of the Northern Mediterranean Region of Croatia, which is considered the Adriatic Coast of Southeast Europe. METHODS: Quantitative ultrasound measurement was performed on the women's right heel and the values of the primary parameters (the Broad Ultrasonic Attenuation and the Speed of Sound [BUA and SOS]) were obtained. Dietary data were assessed with specially designed semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the influence of age and anthropometry, as well as hormonal and nutritional factors on BUA and SOS. RESULTS: In all female subjects, both primary parameters were predicted by menopause. Among nutrition and lifestyle factors, carbohydrates were significant predictors for BUA (β= -0.151, p < 0.05), and smoking is significant predictor for SOS (β= -0.113, p < 0.05). In premenopausal women, BUA is significantly predicted by body height (β= 0.71, p < 0.05) and body mass index (β= 1.44, p < 0.05). In postmenopausal women, both primary parameters are strongly predicted by age and anthropometric parameters. Besides, SOS is significantly predicted by smoking (β= -0.18, p < 0.01) and alcohol (β= -0.13, p < 0.05). Besides, SOS is significantly predicted by smoking (β= -0.18, p < 0.01) and alcohol (β= -0.13, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Bone quality in women from the Croatian Mediterranean Region mostly depends on their hormonal status. When the effect of menopause is controlled, bone status becomes dependent on age and anthropometry.

OBJETIVO: El propósito de este estudio fue explorar la influencia de la edad, la menopausia, la antropometría, la nutrición y el estilo de vida en la condición ósea de las mujeres de la región mediterránea norteña de Croacia, que es considerada la Costa Adriática del Sudeste de Europa. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una medicación cuantitativa mediante ultrasonido en el talón derecho de las mujeres y se obtuvieron los valores de los parámetros primarios (la atenuación del ultrasonido de banda ancha y la velocidad del sonido [AUB y VDS]). Los datos dietéticos fueron evaluados mediante un cuestionario semi-cuantitativo de frecuencia de alimentos, especialmente diseñado. Se empleo el análisis de regresión múltiple para examinar la influencia de la edad y la antropometría, así como los factores hormonales y nutritivos sobre AUB y VDS. RESULTADOS: En todas las sujetos hembras, ambos parámetros primarios fueron predichos por la menopausia. Entre los factores nutrición y estilo de vida, los carbohidratos fueron predictores significativas de para AUB (β= -0.151, p < 0.05), y fumar es el predictor significativo para VDS (β= -0.113, p < 0.05). En las mujeres premenopáusicas, la AUB es predicha significativamente por la altura del cuerpo (β= 0.71, < 0.05) y el indice de masa corporal (β= 1.44, p < 0.05). En las mujeres postmenopáusicas, ambos parámetros primarios son fuertemente predichos por la edad y los parámetros antropométricos. Además, la VDS es predicha significativamente por el hábito de fumar (β= -0.18, p < 0.01) y el alcohol (β= -0.13, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIÓN: La calidad ósea de las mujeres de la región mediterránea croata depende principalmente de su estado hormonal. Cuando el efecto de la menopausia se controla, la condición ósea se hace dependiente de la edad y la antropometría.

The objective of the present investigation was to perform a 14-day time-course study of treatment with salbutamol, a ß2 adrenoceptor agonist, on rat soleus muscle in order to assess fiber type selectivity in the hypertrophic response and fiber type composition. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (N = 10), treated with salbutamol (N = 30), denervated (N = 30), and treated with salbutamol after denervation (N = 30). Salbutamol was injected intraperitoneally in the rats of the 2nd and 4th groups at a concentration of 0.3 mg/kg twice a day for 2 weeks. The muscles were denervated using the crush method with pean. The animals were sacrificed 3, 6, 9, 12, and 14 days after treatment. Frozen cross-sections of soleus muscle were stained for myosin ATPase, pH 9.4. Cross-sectional area and percent of muscle fibers were analyzed morphometrically by computerized image analysis. Treatment with salbutamol induced hypertrophy of all fiber types and a higher percentage of type II fibers (21%) in the healthy rat soleus muscle. Denervation caused marked atrophy of all fibers and conversion from type I to type II muscle fibers. Denervated muscles treated with salbutamol showed a significantly larger cross-sectional area of type I muscle fibers, 28.2% compared to the denervated untreated muscle. Moreover, the number of type I fibers was increased. These results indicate that administration of salbutamol is able to induce changes in cross-sectional area and fiber type distribution in the early phase of treatment. Since denervation-induced atrophy and conversion from type I to type II fibers were improved by salbutamol treatment we propose that salbutamol, like other ß2 adrenoceptor agonists, may have a therapeutic potential in improving the condition of skeletal muscle after denervation.