Title |
Long-term effects of bisphosphonate therapy: perforations, microcracks and mechanical properties
|
---|---|
Published in |
Scientific Reports, March 2017
|
DOI | 10.1038/srep43399 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Shaocheng Ma, En Lin Goh, Andi Jin, Rajarshi Bhattacharya, Oliver R. Boughton, Bhavi Patel, Angelo Karunaratne, Nghia T. Vo, Robert Atwood, Justin P. Cobb, Ulrich Hansen, Richard L. Abel |
Abstract |
Osteoporosis is characterised by trabecular bone loss resulting from increased osteoclast activation and unbalanced coupling between resorption and formation, which induces a thinning of trabeculae and trabecular perforations. Bisphosphonates are the frontline therapy for osteoporosis, which act by reducing bone remodelling, and are thought to prevent perforations and maintain microstructure. However, bisphosphonates may oversuppress remodelling resulting in accumulation of microcracks. This paper aims to investigate the effect of bisphosphonate treatment on microstructure and mechanical strength. Assessment of microdamage within the trabecular bone core was performed using synchrotron X-ray micro-CT linked to image analysis software. Bone from bisphosphonate-treated fracture patients exhibited fewer perforations but more numerous and larger microcracks than both fracture and non-fracture controls. Furthermore, bisphosphonate-treated bone demonstrated reduced tensile strength and Young's Modulus. These findings suggest that bisphosphonate therapy is effective at reducing perforations but may also cause microcrack accumulation, leading to a loss of microstructural integrity and consequently, reduced mechanical strength. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 11 | 7% |
United States | 5 | 3% |
Brazil | 3 | 2% |
Netherlands | 1 | <1% |
Canada | 1 | <1% |
Bangladesh | 1 | <1% |
Saudi Arabia | 1 | <1% |
El Salvador | 1 | <1% |
Greece | 1 | <1% |
Other | 4 | 2% |
Unknown | 134 | 82% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 154 | 94% |
Scientists | 6 | 4% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 2 | 1% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 1 | <1% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 143 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Ph. D. Student | 29 | 20% |
Student > Master | 20 | 14% |
Researcher | 17 | 12% |
Student > Bachelor | 17 | 12% |
Student > Postgraduate | 12 | 8% |
Other | 18 | 13% |
Unknown | 30 | 21% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 33 | 23% |
Engineering | 21 | 15% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 11 | 8% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 6 | 4% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 5 | 3% |
Other | 28 | 20% |
Unknown | 39 | 27% |