Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Isolation, Purification, and Differentiation of Osteoclast Precursors from Rat Bone Marrow
Published on: May 19, 2019
A New 1,25 Dihydroxy Vitamin D Analog with Strong Bone Anabolic Activity in OVX Rats with Little or no Bone
Lori A Plum1, Julia Zella1, Margaret Clagett-Dame1
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
Abstract:
A new 1α,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 analog (2-methylene-22(E)-(24R)-22-dehydro-1α,24,25-trihydroxy-19-norvitamin D3 or WT-51) has been tested as a possible therapeutic for osteoporosis. It is 1/10th as active as 1,25(OH)2 D3 in binding affinity for the vitamin D receptor but is at least 200 times more active than 1,25(OH)2 D3 and equal to that of 2MD (2-methylene-19-nor-(20S)-1α,25(OH)2 D3 , an analog previously tested in postmenopausal women), in supporting bone formation by isolated osteoblasts in culture. However, in contrast to 2MD, it is virtually inactive on bone resorption in vivo. WT-51 markedly increased bone mass (lumbar and femur) in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Further, bone strength tested by the three-point bending system is significantly increased by WT-51. Thus, WT-51 is an attractive candidate for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Related Concept Videos
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
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...
Spongy Bone
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
Compact Bone
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
Bone Disorders
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...
The Hyoid Bone
Bone Structure

