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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
11:47
A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published on: June 8, 2014
Menopausal changes in bone remodeling
The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine
|December 1, 1978
Summary
Estrogen loss at menopause increases bone resorption and accretion rates, leading to a negative skeletal balance. Hormone therapy can restore premenopausal bone remodeling levels.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Bone Biology
- Calcium Metabolism
Background:
- Menopause is associated with significant hormonal changes, particularly estrogen deficiency.
- Estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating bone remodeling and maintaining skeletal balance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of estrogen status on bone remodeling and skeletal balance in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
- To determine the impact of estrogen loss on mineral accretion and resorption rates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a calcium-kinetic method to measure bone remodeling.
- Studied 151 normal perimenopausal women, comparing premenopausal, postmenopausal, and estrogen-treated postmenopausal groups.
- Conducted paired studies across menopause in 15 women.
Main Results:
- Premenopausal women had remodeling rates of 0.337 gm/day Ca for accretion and 0.358 gm/day Ca for resorption (skeletal balance: -0.021 gm/day Ca).
- Untreated postmenopausal women showed significantly higher rates: 0.387 gm/day Ca for accretion and 0.425 gm/day Ca for resorption (skeletal balance: -0.038 gm/day Ca).
- Estrogen-treated postmenopausal women exhibited rates similar to premenopausal women.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen loss at menopause is linked to increased skeletal resorption, contributing to a negative skeletal balance.
- Estrogen replacement therapy can normalize bone remodeling rates, mitigating the negative skeletal balance observed postmenopause.
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