Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
06:59
Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture Evaluation in an Osteoporosis Mouse Model
Published on: September 8, 2023
Changes in trabecular microarchitecture in postmenopausal women on bisphosphonate therapy
Susan L Greenspan1, Subashan Perera, Robert Recker
1University of Pittsburgh, Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. greenspans@dom.pitt.edu
Bone
|January 7, 2010
Summary
High-resolution MRI revealed improved trabecular microstructure in women on bisphosphonate therapy, indicating enhanced skeletal integrity beyond bone mineral density measurements.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics and skeletal biology.
- Radiology and medical imaging.
- Pharmacology and therapeutic interventions.
Background:
- Trabecular microstructure, in addition to bone mineral density (BMD), is crucial for skeletal strength.
- Understanding changes in bone architecture during antiresorptive therapy is essential for assessing treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in trabecular microarchitecture in postmenopausal women undergoing bisphosphonate therapy.
- To evaluate the utility of high-resolution MRI (hr-MRI) in detecting these microstructural changes.
Main Methods:
- 10 postmenopausal women on risedronate therapy were followed for 12 months.
- High-resolution MRI (hr-MRI) of the wrist was used to assess trabecular microarchitecture parameters.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers were also measured.
Main Results:
- hr-MRI showed significant improvements in surface-to-curve ratio and reduced erosion index, indicating less deterioration (p<0.05).
- BMD and bone turnover markers remained stable throughout the study.
- hr-MRI parameters correlated strongly with 1/3 distal radius BMD (r=0.71-0.86, p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- hr-MRI of the radius can detect improvements in trabecular microstructure during antiresorptive therapy.
- These microstructural changes, assessed by hr-MRI, provide information on skeletal integrity not captured by conventional BMD.
- hr-MRI offers valuable insights into the effects of therapy on bone structure.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
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...
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
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.
01:31Osteoclasts 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...
01:09Spongy Bone
All bones comprise an outer layer of compact bone, and an interior made up of spongy bone tissue, also called cancellous or trabecular bone. In long bones, spongy bone tissue is mainly found in the interior of the epiphyses (broad ends of the bone).
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
01:31Bone Remodeling and Repair
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...
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...