title: Vertebral bone loss in menopause.
abstract: A direct correlation between loss of ovarian function and reduction of bone mass is well established. The incidence of fractures sharply increases with age starting from the menopause. Therefore, it is very important to know the rate of bone loss occurring after menopause, at both trabecular and cortical levels. Several factors may contribute to the reduction of bone mass in menopause. Reduced estrogen secretion results in reduced intestinal calcium absorption, increased bone resorption, and probably a deficient production of calcitonin. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro experimental data confirm that estrogen failure is associated with histologic changes, mirroring the biochemical changes described in postmenopausal osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Medicina Interna, Università di Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Isaia
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salamano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mussetta
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Molinatti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000172:deficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013131:Spine / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D002116:Calcitonin