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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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Published on: November 6, 2014

Aromatase activity and bone loss.

Luigi Gennari¹, Daniela Merlotti, Ranuccio Nuti

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrine-Metabolic Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. gennari@unisi.it

Advances in Clinical Chemistry

|August 31, 2011

Summary

Aromatase, an enzyme crucial for estrogen production, plays a vital role in bone health throughout life. Its activity impacts bone growth, mass, and remodeling, influencing bone loss and fracture risk with aging.

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Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Bone Biology
Enzymology

Background:

Aromatase, a cytochrome P450 enzyme, converts androgens to estrogens.
Encoded by CYP19A1, it's expressed in gonads and extraglandular sites like bone.
Estrogen levels, regulated by aromatase, affect bone health via endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize the critical role of aromatase and estrogen production in bone metabolism.
To highlight aromatase's significance in both genders and across the lifespan.

Main Methods:

Review of clinical and experimental evidence on aromatase activity and bone health.

Main Results:

Aromatase activity is essential for longitudinal bone growth, peak bone mass, pubertal growth, epiphyseal closure, and bone remodeling.
Extraglandular aromatization is the primary source of estrogen in men and postmenopausal women.
Individual variations in aromatase activity influence age-related bone loss and fracture risk.

Conclusions:

Aromatase-mediated estrogen production is fundamental for maintaining bone integrity from youth to old age.
Understanding aromatase function is key to addressing bone disorders and fracture prevention strategies.