An imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption is thought to underlie the pathogenesis of reduced bone mass (bone loss) in osteoporosis. A study which evaluated a possibilities increase in spontaneous osteoclast formation in postmenopausal osteoporotic women is described below.
The schematic diagram demonstrates an increase in the production of RANKL and TNF-A by PBMC of osteoporotic women with respect to controls. This study also tested the sensitivity to vitamin D, osteoclast activity, the relationship between osteoclastogenesis and bone mineral density, analyzed cytokines, and the addition of M-CSF and RANKL.
Completed Physiopathological Mechanism for Postmenopausal Bone Loss in Osteoporotic Women can be seen here: http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/doi/10.1096/fj.04-2214fje
