Osteoporosis: Pathogenesis and Therapy

Ancient bone disease in a Peruvian mummy revealed by quantitative skeletal histomorphometry

“…Since trabecular bone is spongy, with a greater surface area in contact with the extracellular fluid compartment, it reveals metabolic changes before they can be seen in the larger mass of more compact cortical bone (Avioli, 1977;Weinstein, 1979). We are thus witnessing the results of an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption which produced trabecular atrophy.…”

“…Metabolic bone disease however, may severely compromise histologically determined age estimates. Even subtle changes, due to disease, which have remained undetected by roentgenographic or gross histological examination can introduce significant error (Avioli, 1977). For an example, the increased pace of osteon remodeling caused by a high protein diet and the consequent mild metabolic acidosis may lead to bone loss and skeletal histology simulating older age (Lemann et al, 1966;Erikson, 1976;Richman et al, 1979).…”

Effects of castration on the bone structure of male rats: A model of osteoporosis

“…In human postmenopausal and senile osteoporosis the mandible is rarely affected [1]. The reasons for this are unclear, although it is known that the rate of bone turnover is higher in cancellous and tubular bones than in compact bones, such as the skull and mandible [22]. Epidemiological surveys have demonstrated an increase in bone resorption, beginning about the third decade and resulting in a loss of skeletal mass, especially in the vertebrae and along endosteal surfaces of tubular bones [21,23].…”

Osteoporosis

“…Moreover, in the decade after age 40, men lose only about 0.5% to 0.75% of bone mass yearly, while women lose bone at more than twice that rate (1.5% to 2% a year). Following menopause, the rate of bone loss in some women may temporarily approach 3% a year (Avioli, 1977).…”