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Related Concept Videos

Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones 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...
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling01:31

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...
Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone 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.
Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate01:27

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate

Calcium and phosphate are essential electrolytes in the human body, with calcium being the most abundant mineral. Around 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the skeleton and teeth, forming a crystal lattice of mineral salts in combination with phosphates. Calcium plays crucial roles in various bodily functions such as blood clotting, neurotransmitter release, muscle tone maintenance, and nervous and muscle tissue excitability.
The calcium concentration in blood plasma is primarily regulated...
Acid Suppressive Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Proton Pump Inhibitors01:13

Acid Suppressive Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Proton Pump Inhibitors

Peptic ulcers, often induced by H. pylori infections or NSAID usage, arise from disruptions in the delicate balance of gastric acid production. Peptic ulcers stem from heightened gastric acid levels due to H. pylori infections or NSAID use. The protective mucus layer diminishes in the presence of these factors, allowing gastric acid to erode the stomach lining and form ulcers.
Gastric acid, a potent cocktail of hydrogen and chloride ions, is produced in specialized parietal cells within the...
Essential Minerals for Bone Health01:31

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect 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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Site-Directed Immobilization of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 to Solid Surfaces by Click Chemistry
11:20

Site-Directed Immobilization of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 to Solid Surfaces by Click Chemistry

Published on: March 29, 2018

Bisphosphonates: how do they work?

Socrates E Papapoulos1

  • 1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. M.V.Iken@lumc.nl

Best Practice & Research. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
|November 26, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are potent drugs that target bone resorption by osteoclasts. They improve bone density and reduce fracture risk, with ongoing research focusing on long-term safety and efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Bone Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Bisphosphonates (BPs) are a class of drugs that accumulate in bone.
  • They effectively inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption.
  • Their skeletal retention is high, without saturation at typical therapeutic doses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the pharmacological properties of bisphosphonates.
  • To understand their mechanism of action in bone resorption.
  • To inform optimal clinical application, including long-term safety and efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on bisphosphonate pharmacology and bone metabolism.
  • Analysis of bisphosphonate binding to bone mineral and cellular uptake.
  • Evaluation of tissue-level effects on bone turnover and structural properties.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Site-Directed Immobilization of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 to Solid Surfaces by Click Chemistry
11:20

Site-Directed Immobilization of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 to Solid Surfaces by Click Chemistry

Published on: March 29, 2018

Main Results:

  • Bisphosphonates bind selectively to bone mineral crystals.
  • They are internalized by osteoclasts, inhibiting bone resorption.
  • Bisphosphonates decrease bone turnover, enhance bone mineral density, and improve bone quality, reducing fracture risk.

Conclusions:

  • Bisphosphonates are effective anti-resorptive agents with significant skeletal uptake.
  • Their mechanism involves direct interaction with bone and osteoclasts.
  • Further research is crucial for optimizing long-term clinical use, safety, and efficacy.