Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
07:53
Peptides from Phage Display Library Modulate Gene Expression in Mesenchymal Cells and Potentiate Osteogenesis in Unicortical Bone Defects
Published on: December 10, 2010
Evidence for exercise-induced bone formation in premature infants
D Nemet1, T Dolfin, I Litmanowitz
1Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Meir General Hospital, Kfar-Saba, The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|February 14, 2002
Summary
Gentle exercise for premature infants significantly increased bone formation markers, specifically bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), and decreased bone resorption markers, indicating improved bone health in very low birth weight infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Premature infants, especially those with very low birth weight, are at risk for impaired bone development.
- Bone turnover markers are crucial indicators of skeletal health in vulnerable infant populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a four-week exercise training intervention on bone turnover markers in very low birth weight premature infants.
- To assess changes in bone formation and resorption following a standardized exercise protocol.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-four very low birth weight premature infants were randomized into exercise and control groups.
- The exercise group received daily passive range of motion exercises for four weeks.
- Bone turnover was assessed using serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), C-terminal procollagen peptide (PICP), and C-terminal cross-links telopeptide of type-I collagen (ICTP).
Main Results:
- The exercise group showed significantly greater weight gain compared to the control group.
- A significant increase in BSAP levels was observed in the exercise group, indicating enhanced bone formation.
- A significant decrease in ICTP levels was noted in the exercise group, suggesting reduced bone resorption.
Conclusions:
- A brief exercise intervention can stimulate bone formation and reduce bone resorption in very low birth weight premature infants.
- This exercise protocol offers a promising non-pharmacological approach to improve bone health in this high-risk population.
- Further research is warranted to explore long-term skeletal benefits.
Related Concept Videos
01:55Bone Structure
Within the skeletal system, the structure of a bone, or osseous tissue, can be exemplified in a long bone, like the femur, where there are two types of osseous tissue: cortical and cancellous.
01:40Bone Remodeling
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
01:27Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
Chondrocytes form a temporary cartilaginous model by dividing and secreting a thick gel-like extracellular matrix. Once the chondrocytes undergo programmed cell death, osteoblasts enter the site of the cartilaginous model. The process of replacing the temporary cartilaginous model with bone in an ordered manner is called endochondral ossification. In endochondral ossification, not all of the cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. Some cartilage that performs a protective and supportive function...
01:29Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification
Intramembranous ossification is one of the two processes involved in the development of bones within an embryo. The flat bones of the face, most of the cranial bones, and the clavicles are formed via this process. During intramembranous ossification, the bones develop directly from sheets of undifferentiated mesenchymal connective tissue.
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into...
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into...
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
01:24Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...