No abstract

No abstract

There was no racial difference in the extent of fatty degeneration. We conclude that the lesser extent of adiposity in blacks is a racial characteristic that is unaffected by aging, whereas fatty degeneration which may have partly occupied space vacated by bone loss, is an aging phenomenon, unrelated to race. Greater bone turnover in blacks may be expected to lead to more frequent renewal of fatigue-damaged bone, which together with sturdier bone structure may contribute to the lower fragility fracture rates in blacks. (J Bone Miner Res 1998;13:1300-1307)

Data in the literature on bone histomorphometry in the baboon are scant. This study provides data from analysis of trabecular bone of the iliac crest of 16 adult male chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) in captivity. Five animals were young adults judging by the presence of growth cartilage in the iliac crest biopsy. Bone volume resembled that in humans, but trabeculae were thinner and more closely spaced. Bone turnover appeared somewhat lower than in humans. Coupling of resorption and formation was excellent as judged by cellular and kinetic variables; erosion surface was an unreliable indicator of ongoing coupling. The similarities between human and baboon trabecular bone make the baboon suited for the study of microstructure and bone turnover of trabecular bone with relevance to humans.

Alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis is associated with bone loss, but bone histomorphometric data describing the mechanism of cortical (Ct) and trabecular (Tb) bone loss are scarce. In this case-control study, we investigated 13 black male patients aged 41.2 +/- 8.9 years with alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis by routine iliac crest cortical and trabecular histomorphometry and by biochemistry relevant to bone, liver function, and iron overload. Patients showed lower values for Ct thickness (P = 0.018), endocortical (Ec) wall thickness (P = 0.0002), Tb bone volume (0.019), Tb thickness (0.001), Tb wall thickness (P < 0.0001), Ec osteoid thickness (P = 0.001), Ec mineral apposition rate (P = 0.011), and Ec bone formation rate (P = 0.035). Ec eroded surface (P = 0.004) was elevated compared to controls. Tb osteoid thickness (P = 0.14) and Tb mineral apposition rate (P = 0.195) tended to be lower than in controls. Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (P < 0.005), serum magnesium (P = 0.02), and ascorbic acid (P = 0.049) were lower and urine calcium/creatinine ratios higher than in controls. Alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were negatively correlated but iron markers were positively correlated with bone structural and formation variables. The histomorphometric data were found to be consistent with alcohol bone disease. Osteomalacia was not a feature. Secondary pathogenetic factors were liver disease, hypovitaminosis D and C, diabetes mellitus, and possibly chronic pancreatitis.