Static and tetracycline-based bone histomorphometric data from 34 normal postmenopausal females.

Area of Science:

• Bone biology and histomorphometry
• Gerontology and aging research
• Metabolic bone diseases

Background:

• Establishing normal bone histomorphometry is essential for diagnosing and managing bone diseases.
• Previous studies often relied on data from deceased individuals, limiting applicability to living populations.
• Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a significant health concern, necessitating accurate reference ranges for bone health indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normal bone histomorphometry parameters in healthy postmenopausal women.
• To investigate age-related changes in bone formation and remodeling rates.
• To expand the database of bone histomorphometry in living subjects with in vivo fluorochrome labeling.

Main Methods:

• Transilial bone biopsies from 34 healthy postmenopausal women after in vivo fluorochrome labeling.
• Histomorphometric analysis of undecalcified bone sections using a Merz grid.
• Collection and evaluation of structural, surface, and dynamic histomorphometric data.

Main Results:

• Normal ranges for bone histomorphometry were determined for the cohort and age-stratified groups.
• Mineral apposition rate (MAR) showed a marked decline with age.
• Bone formation rate (BFR/BV) and remodeling period (Rm.P) exhibited wide individual variations.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a comprehensive database of normal bone histomorphometry in living postmenopausal women.
• Findings highlight the age-dependent decrease in bone mineralization, relevant to osteoporosis.
• This data serves as a critical reference for clinical and research applications in bone metabolism.