Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
07:17
Murine Hind Limb Long Bone Dissection and Bone Marrow Isolation
Published on: April 14, 2016
National Bone Health Alliance Bone Turnover Marker Project: current practices and the need for US harmonization,
Summary
This project standardizes bone turnover markers (BTMs) for osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment monitoring in the USA. Establishing reference ranges and standardized assays will improve clinical utility and patient care.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratory Science
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Public Health and Epidemiology
Background:
- Osteoporosis affects 44 million Americans, posing a significant global health challenge.
- Bone turnover markers (BTMs) offer potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
- Key organizations recognize the need to advance BTMs in clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the National Bone Health Alliance's (NBHA) project for standardizing bone turnover markers in the USA.
- To address the current status and clinical utility of BTMs for osteoporosis management.
- To focus on two specific BTMs: serum procollagen type I N propeptide (s-PINP) and serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (s-CTX).
Main Methods:
- Standardizing sample collection procedures for BTMs across US clinical laboratories.
- Establishing US reference ranges for s-PINP (bone formation) and s-CTX (bone resorption) markers.
- Harmonizing BTM assays to ensure reliable and consistent laboratory measurements.
Main Results:
- The NBHA project aims to standardize BTMs with participation from diverse stakeholders.
- Standardized assays and reference ranges will enhance clinician confidence in using BTMs for treatment monitoring and fracture risk assessment.
- The project aligns with international efforts for global BTM standardization.
Conclusions:
- Successful standardization will assure US health professionals of BTMs' clinical utility.
- This initiative supports improved osteoporosis management and patient outcomes.
- Harmonization is crucial for advancing research and clinical application of BTMs.
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.
01:31Bone 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...
01:31Osteoclasts 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...
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:18The Bone Matrix
Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in acid or...