Bone Abstracts

Polyphosphates (polyPs) are inorganic phosphate chains found in many cell types with higher concentrations in bone cells. As a source of inorganic phosphate (Pi) and an effective calcium reservoir due to chelation, PolyPs enable total Ca2+ and PO42− concentrations above those required for apatite saturation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) cleaves Pi from polyP, thus polyPs may be involved in apatite mineralization.Aim: ...

Bone is a tough composite material, comprised of a compliant collageneous matrix, brittle apatite mineral crystals and a suite of non-collageneous proteins (NCPs). Bone material properties depend on these components, and their interactions at the mineral-collagen interface. ‘Bone mineral density’ (BMD), a parameter used to predict fracture risk, is routinely quantified by DEXA. Previous studies used ex vivo emu tibiae as a model to test the effect of organic...