51 - Diseases of the Bone and New Markers Flashcards
Bone composition
Cortical - hard, outer layer
Trabecular bone - spony, inner layer
Cells - forming + resorbing
Extracellular - organic matrix of collagen + inorganic components
What inorganic components are there of bone?
Hydroxypatite
Minerals - Ca, phosphate
Bone is called what before mineralisation
Osteoid
What is the matrix mineralised by
Hydroxyapatite (calcium-phosphate-hydroxide salt)
What are osteoblasts?
Terminally differentiated products of mesenchymal stem cells which make osteoids
What are osteoids?
Non-mineralised organic matrix, consists of mainly type 1 collagen
Functions of osteoblasts
Communicate with other bone cells
Make hormones (osteocalcin), matrix proteins and alkaline phosphatase
Prerequisite for mineralisation
Osteoblasts can be osteoclasts
What are osteoclasts?
Osteoblasts that are buried/trapped within the matrix
Osteoclasts appearance
Large, multinucleated
Ruffled-resorption border
Found in bone pits (resorption bays)
Osteoclast function
Break down bone
Produce enzymes which breakdown extracellularly matrix
Help enhance blood Ca levels
Regulated by hormones
Osteocytes
Star shaped Trapped osteoblasts Communicate via cytoplasmic extensions Mechanosensory properties Involved with regulating bone matrix turnover
Test for gross structure of bone
X ray
Test for bone mass
DEXA scan
Test for cellular function/turnover
Biochemistry
Test for microstructure/cellular function
Biopsy, qCT
Biomarkers for bone formation
Alkaline phosphatase (TAP, BAP) Osteocalcin Procollagen type I (P1NP) - but loads of cells have type one collagen
Biomarkers for bone resorption
Hydroxyproline
Pyridinium crosslinks
Crosslinked telopeptides for of type I collagen
Osteoclast enzymes
Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase
Cathepsin K
Alkaline phosphatase facts
Measured in LFTs and Bone profiles
50% liver and 50% bone
Specific isoenzymes can be measured if diagnostic doubt
What releases and stimulate alkaline phosphatase?
Osteoblasts
Childhood/pubertal growth spurts, fractures, hyperparathyroidism, Paget’s disease
P1NP - made where, describe activity
Osteoblasts make it - precursor for type one collagen
Low diurnal and intraindividual variation
[Serum] not affected by food intake
Increase with increased osteoblast activity
Decreased with reduced osteoblast activity
Collagen cross-links (NTX, CTX)
Cross-linking molecules which are released with bone resorption
Increased in periods of high bone turnover
Diurnal variation, do not predict bone mineral density, decrease with anti-resorptive therapy
Usefulness of bone markers
Collagen one - not specific but can detect changes in bones
Indication of bone turnover and/or loss
Evaluation of treatment effect (CTX)
Evaluation of medication compliances (P1NP)
DEXA gives what score
T-scores
- 1 and above = normal
- 1 and -2.5 = osteopenia
- 2.5 and below = osteoporosis
Bone disorders
Metastatic disease Hyperparathyroidism Osteomalacia/Rickets Osteoporosis Paget's disease
What happens to the spine of a patient with osteoporosis?
Increase in biconcavity of lower thoracic bodies