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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Murine Hind Limb Long Bone Dissection and Bone Marrow Isolation

Murine Hind Limb Long Bone Dissection and Bone Marrow Isolation

Published on: April 14, 2016

Hyponatremia and bone: an emerging relationship.

Ewout J Hoorn¹, George Liamis, Robert Zietse

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, P. O. Box 2040, Room D-405, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ejhoorn@gmail.com

Nature Reviews. Endocrinology

|October 26, 2011

Summary

Hyponatremia, a common electrolyte disorder, is linked to bone fractures. New research indicates hyponatremia directly impacts bone quality, independent of osteoporosis and falls, by activating osteoclasts.

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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

Area of Science:

Endocrinology and Bone Metabolism
Electrolyte Disorders

Background:

Hyponatremia is the most frequent electrolyte disturbance, primarily recognized for neurological effects.
Emerging evidence suggests hyponatremia is associated with increased risk of falls, osteoporosis, and fractures.
The direct causal link between hyponatremia and bone complications remains under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current understanding of the relationship between hyponatremia and bone health.
To explore potential mechanisms by which hyponatremia may directly affect bone.
To discuss clinical implications and identify areas for future research.

Main Methods:

Review of existing epidemiological, animal, and in vitro studies.
Analysis of the association between hyponatremia and fractures, considering osteoporosis and falls.
Examination of hyponatremia's impact on bone quality beyond bone mineral density (BMD).

Main Results:

Animal and in vitro studies demonstrate that hyponatremia can directly impact bone, primarily through osteoclast activation.
The link between hyponatremia and fractures is observed independently of osteoporosis (low BMD).
The association between hyponatremia and fractures is not fully explained by an increased propensity to fall.

Conclusions:

Hyponatremia exerts a direct detrimental effect on bone quality, not solely explained by BMD or fall risk.
Osteoclast activation is a key mechanism through which hyponatremia affects bone.
Further research is needed to elucidate mechanisms and guide clinical management of hyponatremia-related bone complications.