Does short-term glucocorticoid treatment of piglets cause changes in growth plate morphology and angiogenesis?
These results indicate that short-term glucocorticoid treatment of growing piglets severely disturbs the width of the growth plate, apoptosis of chondrocytes, VEGF expression by hypertrophic chondrocytes, the normal invasion of blood vessels from the metaphysis to the growth plate and bone formation at the chondro-osseous junction. These effects could alter the dynamics of endochondral ossification and thus contribute to glucocorticoid-induced growth retardation.
Elderly CD is more likely to present with Crohn's colitis and less likely to present with ileocolonic, perianal, or penetrating disease with less extraintestinal manifestations. Elderly are more likely to develop serious therapy-related infectious complications. Larger prospective trials are needed to evaluate the risks of CD immunosuppressive therapy in elderly patients.