Influencing bone remodeling in osteoporosis

Abstract

A physician education piece on osteoporosis and the mechanism of action of Actonel, a drug for its treatment. Bone is living tissue that is constantly renewed. Cells called osteoclasts remove damaged bone and cells called osteoblasts replace it with new bone. Because estrogen suppresses osteoclast activity, postmenopausal estrogen loss causes an imbalance in favor of the osteoclast, that is, bone removal. When more bone is removed than replaced, bone thinning causes osteoporosis. Actonel is absorbed by bone and ingested by osteoclasts during bone removal. By interfering with cell functioning, Actonel kills osteoclasts. Remodeling balance is restored and osteoporotic fracture risk is reduced. Copyright held by creator.