Bone marrow plays a role in bone metabolism: histomorphometry of iliac bone in postmenopausal women.
We conducted a histomorphometrical study on the role of the bone marrow in cancellous bone metabolism using iliac bone specimens from 79 postmenopausal women. A gradual decrease in hematopoietic tissue of the bone marrow was proportionate to the decrease in cancellous bone and the ratio of osteoid perimeter/bone perimeter regardless of age. On the other hand, the ratio of eroded perimeter/bone perimeter remained almost steady until hematopoietic tissue decreased significantly. These findings suggest that a change in the bone marrow, that is, a decrease in hematopoietic tissue, causes an imbalance in bone formation and resorption and leads to bone loss.
Hirano
T
T
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Japan.
Iwasaki
K
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium; D008875:Middle Aged; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000503:physiopathology*