osteoporosis tagged posts

Knocking out the Spop protein in developing mouse limb leads to brachydactyly, a shortening of the fingers and toes (left) and reduced bone density (right). Credit: Liu Laboratory, Penn State University

Loss of a key protein leads to defects in skeletal development including reduced bone density and a shortening of the fingers and toes – brachydactyly. The discovery was made by researchers at Penn State University who knocked out the Speckle-type POZ Protein (Spop) in the mouse and characterized the impact on bone development. The research redefines the role of Spop during bone development and provides a new potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

“The Spop protein is involved in Hedgehog signaling – a well-studied cell-to-cell communicatio...

Model of a Sclerostin-fragment (green) bound to the antibody AbD09097 (heavy and light chain in cyan and red, respectively; surface representation in grey). Credit: Thomas Mueller

Osteoporosis particularly affects elderly women and the risk of suffering fractures rises. As prophylaxis patients are advised to have a healthy diet and perform physical exercises; when the risk of bone fractures is high, medicine preventing further bone loss is prescribed in addition. Inhibiting protein sclerostin could probably help treating the bone-loss disease osteoporosis. Bone resorption diminishes and bone re-growth is stimulated...

Agave tequilana

Apart from being the raw material for making a very traditional drink in Mexico, the blue variety of the Agave tequilana has substances capable of improving the absorption of calcium and magnesium, essential minerals to maintain bone health. This has been demonstrated by research conducted at the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav) in center Mexico. Dr. Mercedes López states that “the consumption of fructans contained in the agave, in collaboration with adequate intestinal micriobiota, promotes the formation of new bone, even with the presence of osteoporosis.”

To reach this conclusion, the research team conducted various experiments with animal models. The procedure consisted of removing the ovaries from female mice in order to induce osteoporosis...

Comparing volume and activity of the cells that break down bone density in the upper and lower jaw bones of Medaka fish after 56 days spent aboard the International Space Station with those on the ground. Credit: Chatani et al, Sci. Rep. 5, 14172 (2015)

During spaceflight, astronauts lose bone mineral density, but it is not clear exactly what causes this loss. They reared small freshwater fish aboard the International Space Station for 56 days and examined the animals’ jawbones and teeth for any effects from microgravity. Previous studies suggest that microgravity activates osteoclasts, cells that control the breakdown of bone tissue, and the Medaka fish investigation examined the relationship between this increased osteoclast activity and reduced bone mineral density.

Investigators found ...