[Effects of SERMs on bone health. Mechanisms of bone mass control by selective estrogen receptor modulator]

The bone mass, which is controlled by the balances between bone formation and bone resorption can be reduced by estrogen deficiency in post-menopausal osteoporosis. Reduced bone mass can be recovered by hormone replacement therapy (HRT) , however, HRT has various side effects. Although SERMs can rescue the bone mass with less side effect compared to HRT, the precise mechanisms of this effect is still elusive. From the results of the analyses for osteoclast specific estrogen receptor (ER) alphaknockout mice and the genome wide approach of ERalphabinding site, estrogen and SERMs can, at least in part, protect the bone mass by inducing the expression of Fas ligand and controling the life span of osteoclasts. More precise molecular mechanisms of the effect of SERM, especially in tissue/cell type specificity, may help to investigate new SERM, which is more specific and effective to treat post-menopausal osteoporosis.