The death of osteocytes via apoptosis accompanies estrogen withdrawal in human bone.

Journal article

Estrogen withdrawal in women leads initially to rapid bone loss caused by increased numbers or activity of osteoclasts. We previously have noted apoptosis of lacunar osteocytes associated with conditions of high bone turnover. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether the increased bone loss associated with GnRH analogue (GnRH-a)-induced estrogen withdrawal affects osteocyte viability in situ in a way that would be directly contrary to the effect of estrogens on osteoclast viability. ...

Expand abstract

Authors: Tomkinson, A; Reeve, J; Shaw, R; Noble, B

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
• Volume: 82
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 3128-3135
• Publication date: 1997-09-01
• DOI: 10.1210/jc.82.9.3128
• EISSN: 1945-7197
• ISSN: 0021-972X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Biological Markers; Adult; Ilium; Cell Count; DNA Fragmentation; Bone and Bones; Electrophoresis; Osteocytes; Humans; Female; Middle Aged; DNA; Apoptosis; Estrogens