Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 1, 2025
07:56
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
17.7K
Microgravity-Related Changes in Bone Density and Treatment Options: A Systematic Review
Ronni Baran1, Markus Wehland2,3, Herbert Schulz2,3
1Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 4, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|August 12, 2022
Summary
Space travelers experience significant bone loss due to microgravity. Exercise and various treatments show promise in slowing bone resorption and enhancing bone formation for space exploration.
Area of Science:
- Space medicine
- Bone physiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Space travelers face microgravity, leading to accelerated bone loss.
- This bone loss hinders long-duration space missions.
- Current countermeasures include exercise, but novel treatments are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of space-induced bone loss.
- To review current and emerging treatment options for mitigating bone loss in microgravity.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 482 studies from PubMed and Scopus.
- Inclusion of 37 studies meeting eligibility criteria.
Main Results:
- Microgravity increases bone resorption more than bone formation.
- Exercise, bisphosphonates, RANKL inhibitors, and other agents reduce bone resorption.
- Emerging therapies like irisin and exosomes show positive effects on bone loss.
Conclusions:
- Microgravity-induced bone loss is a significant challenge for space travel.
- Exercise and pharmacological interventions can counteract bone loss.
- Novel therapeutic strategies show potential for future space missions.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
3.8K
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...
3.8K
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
3.1K
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...
3.1K
01:40Bone Remodeling
38.5K
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.
38.5K
01:31Essential Minerals for Bone Health
4.3K
The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
4.3K
01:55Bone Structure
49.0K
Within the skeletal system, the structure of a bone, or osseous tissue, can be exemplified in a long bone, like the femur, where there are two types of osseous tissue: cortical and cancellous.
49.0K
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
2.9K
The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
2.9K