Bone Abstracts

Objective: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is most commonly caused by a defect in the genes that produce type I collagen. Clinical features include low bone mass, fractures and spinal abnormalities. Pars defects are abnormalities in the pars interarticularis of vertebrae. There is a higher incidence of pars defects in the lumbar spine in children with OI compared to the normal population. Abdominal muscle weakness and altered spinal postures are common presentations in the childr...

Risk factors for osteoporosis are often present among patients referred for diagnostic CT scans. Recent UK Clinical Guidelines (NICE-CG146) promote the initial use of FRAX in the majority of patients at risk of osteoporotic fracture, in any health setting. We gained approval and NHS Innovation funding for a pilot service whereby patients undergoing a routine clinical CT scan of the abdomen or pelvis could be screened by estimating their 10-year fracture risk. Patient and radio...

Objective: Children with hypophosphatasia (HPP) treated with asfotase alfa in a Phase 2 study (NCT00952484) and its open-label extension (NCT01203826) experienced significant improvements in skeletal mineralization and physical function that were sustained through 5 years of treatment (1). Herein, we report data from these studies with a maximum of 7 years of treatment.Methods: Children with HPP aged 6–12 years at baseline received asfotase alfa (3 ...

Since the identification of LRP5 as the causative gene for the osteoporosis pseudoglioma syndrome (OPPG) as well as the high bone mass (HBM) phenotype, LRP5 and the Wnt/β-catenin signalling have been extensively studied for their role in the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts, in the apoptosis of osteoblasts and osteocytes and in the response of bone to mechanical loading. However, more recently the direct effect of LRP5 on osteoblasts and bone formation has...

Polynesians have higher bone mineral density and lower rate of hip fracture compared to age-matched Caucasian in New Zealand, and anecdotal evidence suggests that bones of Polynesian patients heal much faster than those of Caucasians. We compared gene expression in osteoblasts cultured form bone samples taken from patients of Polynesian and Caucasian origin, in order to identify genes and pathways that contribute to the greater density and accelerated healing of Polynesian bon...

The musculoskeletal system experiences severe mechanical strain, with repetitive or extreme strains causing significant trauma; the result being an increase in mechanobiological studies evaluating mechanical strain on musculoskeletal cells. Currently, most stretching studies utilise fibronectin-coated cultures, as these enhance cell attachment. However, recent studies suggest that fibronectin increases cell turnover and DNA damage and affects cell differentiation. Furthermore,...

Introduction: Current Canadian clinical practice guidelines recommend the FRAX or Canadian Association of Radiologists and Osteoporosis Canada (CAROC) fracture risk assessment tools to report 10-year fracture risk in an individual. CAROC considers sex, age, BMD and previous fracture as risk factors. It is unknown whether one reporting system is more effective in helping general practitioners (GPs) identify individuals who should be recommended for pharmacological treatment. We...

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis have often been reported to coexist in older people. However, the literature is conflicting regarding size and indeed direction of the association. The aim of the present study was therefore to assess associations between the Framingham general cardiovascular risk score and bone characteristics in a cohort of older adults.Methods: We studied 374 men and 379 women, born 1931–1939, who participated...

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Osteocytes differentiate from osteoblasts, are embedded in mineralised matrix and are critical regulators of bone remodelling. In vitro osteocyte models are limited to cell lines in monolayer, which do not represent their 3D environment in vivo. We have shown that osteoblasts in 3D gels differentiate along the osteocytic pathway. Since IGF1 regulates osteoblasts, and is involved in osteocyte response to mechanical loading, we hypothesised that IGF1 modulates ...