Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Cortical Bone Assessment Using Ultrasonic Guided Waves: A Reproducibility Study in a Healthy Population
Published on: January 31, 2025
Biochemical assessment of bone turnover and bone fragility in men
P Szulc1, J M Kaufman, P D Delmas
1INSERM Research Unit 831, University of Lyon, Lyon, France. szulc@lyon.inserm.fr
Unlabelled:
Osteoporosis in men is less studied than in women. Few data concern biochemical bone turnover markers (BTM) in men and their potential use.
Methodology:
We evaluated papers concerning BTM in men cited on Medline. Selection of studies were based on the number of subjects, age range, group homogeneity, follow-up duration, number of BTM.
Results:
BTM levels are high in young men, then decrease with age. In elderly men, bone resorption increases with age more than bone formation. Variability of individual values is high and their significance is unclear. In elderly men, BTM levels correlate negatively with bone mineral density suggesting that accelerated bone turnover underlies age-related bone loss. Data on the prediction of accelerated bone loss and fractures by BTM in men are scant. Testosterone treatment induces a decrease in bone resorption followed by a decrease in bone formation. Bisphosphonates and calcitonin decrease BTM levels in osteoporotic men. Parathyroid hormone 1-34 and growth hormone induce a rapid increase in bone turnover followed by a progressive slowdown.
Conclusions:
Few studies concern BTM in men. Currently available data are not sufficient to suggest guidelines for the practical use of BTM in the clinical management of the osteoporosis in elderly men.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:40Bone Remodeling
01:31Bone Remodeling and Repair
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:31Essential Minerals for Bone Health
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling