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The relationship between resorption depth and mean interstitial bone thickness: age-related changes in man
P I Croucher1, R W Mellish, S Vedi
1Department of Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Health Park, Cardiff, UK.
Calcified Tissue International
|July 1, 1989
Summary
Bone remodeling involves resorption and formation. This study found no age-related changes in resorption depth, but did find decreases in bone formation with age.
Area of Science:
- Bone biology and aging
- Skeletal remodeling dynamics
Background:
- Bone mass is determined by the balance of bone resorption and formation.
- Mean wall thickness (MWT) reflects bone formation and decreases with age.
- Age-related changes in bone resorption depth are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in bone resorption depth.
- To analyze the relationship between bone formation and resorption parameters.
Main Methods:
- Calculated mean interstitial bone thickness (MIBT) as an indirect measure of resorption depth.
- Measured MWT and mean trabecular plate thickness (MTPT) in 48 normal subjects (aged 19-80).
- Analyzed relationships between MIBT, MWT, and MTPT to infer resorption depth changes.
Main Results:
- No significant age-related changes in MIBT were observed in either sex or combined.
- MWT and MTPT significantly decreased with age (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively).
- Analysis suggests age-related decrease in resorption depth is consistent with reduced MTPT.
Conclusions:
- Bone resorption depth does not significantly change with age in normal individuals.
- Age-related bone loss is primarily driven by decreased bone formation.
- No evidence of increased resorption depth during menopause was found.