Age-related changes in trabecular bone microstructures: global and local morphometry

Abstract

Introduction: A recently developed method allows investigating trabecular bone on an elemental (rod/plate) level. With this method, it is possible to measure local morphometric parameters such as thickness or orientation directly on the extracted rods and plates. Age-related changes of trabecular microarchitecture can thus be investigated on an elemental level, which may help to improve the understanding of age-related bone failure mechanism as well as the effect of pharmaceutical intervention in the prevention of such fractures. Methods: Autopsies from femoral heads (FH) and lumbar spine (LS) were analyzed by global morphometry. Additionally, the trabecular structures were decomposed into rods and plates for the analysis with local morphometry. These morphometric indices were related to age using an analysis of covariance to test for gender differences and linearity with age. Results: In this study, age-related changes showed no gender but site differences. In LS, rods were thinned in aging and finally vanish from the structure, causing a transformation of the trabecular bone structure to longer and, on average, thicker rods. In FH, changes were expressed by a simultaneous thinning and loss of interconnecting trabeculae and perforation of plates leading to new plates and rods. Results were mostly in agreement with earlier findings using descriptive analysis of the aging process. Conclusion: Here we present for the first time preliminary quantitative evidence of changes in the local microstructure, i.e., individual rods and plates. Nevertheless, the number of samples was too small to make for ready conclusions. We conclude that the combination of local and global morphometry is a useful method for a detailed and quantitative description of age-related changes in bone microstructure.

Gracility of the modernHomo sapiensskeleton is the result of decreased biomechanical loading

“…Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disease with significant global health impacts that is characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration, leading to increased bone fragility and fracture risk (36). Although both cortical and trabecular bone, together, determine bone strength, trabecular architecture is particularly susceptible to age-related loss because of the extensive exposure of its metabolically active surfaces and the relatively thin plates and struts (37)(38)(39)(40). Because of the documented gracilization of the human skeleton (2) and the diversity of subsistence strategies performed in the past, the hominin fossil and skeletal record is ideal for addressing questions aimed at understanding contemporary human bone biology and health.…”

Serum Osteocalcin as a Diagnostic Biomarker for Primary Osteoporosis in Women

“…BMD correlates strongly with bone strength and accounts for 60% to 80% of bone strength. Bone strength depends not only on the amount of mineral but also on the structural characteristics of the skeleton such as size, shape, and three-dimensional architecture [3][4][5]. Until now the prediction of bone strength and risk of fracture has mainly been based on densitometry measurements.…”

Locally measured microstructural parameters are better associated with vertebral strength than whole bone density

“…It has been proposed that assessment of the weakest parts of the cancellous bone may lead to better prediction of fracture risk [18]. Indeed, earlier studies demonstrated that sampling bone density and microstructural parameters in smaller regions can provide better predictions of vertebral strength [19][20][21][22]. The number of samples analyzed per vertebrae, however, was usually rather limited and, depending on the techniques used (experimental, computational), dictated by minimum size requirements for meaningful analysis of a bone sample.…”