Short-term Use Of Intermittent PTH To Accelerate Healing Of Stress Fractures And During Bisphosphonate Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$633,331.00
Summary
Osteoporosis treatments prevent fractures by hindering cells that erode the skeleton. Normally, those cells also repair injuries like stress fractures. Some patients, treated for long periods, can suffer fractures because the treatment slows bone healing. We have an innovative model to test alternative treatments to accelerate stress fracture healing, while osteoporosis treatment continues. This could prevent unusual stress fractures, in patients who still need the bone-sparing effectiveness of ....Osteoporosis treatments prevent fractures by hindering cells that erode the skeleton. Normally, those cells also repair injuries like stress fractures. Some patients, treated for long periods, can suffer fractures because the treatment slows bone healing. We have an innovative model to test alternative treatments to accelerate stress fracture healing, while osteoporosis treatment continues. This could prevent unusual stress fractures, in patients who still need the bone-sparing effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment.Read moreRead less
Intrinsic Bone Qualities In Fragility Fracture Patients: Mass, Microarchitecture, Mineralization And Damage Accumulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,027.00
Summary
Osteoporosis drug therapies have been associated with a significant reduction in fragility fracture. Patients receiving osteoporosis drugs, which have different effects on BMD, may have similar reductions in fractures. Furthermore, patients with fragility fractures may have abnormalities in bone structural and material properties. Changes to the process of bone renewal, due to drug therapy, may explain why fracture risk decreases where no detectable change to the structure of bone has been detec ....Osteoporosis drug therapies have been associated with a significant reduction in fragility fracture. Patients receiving osteoporosis drugs, which have different effects on BMD, may have similar reductions in fractures. Furthermore, patients with fragility fractures may have abnormalities in bone structural and material properties. Changes to the process of bone renewal, due to drug therapy, may explain why fracture risk decreases where no detectable change to the structure of bone has been detected. It has also been shown that when bone renewal is suppressed microdamage accumulates in bone tissue, leading to reduced bone toughness. The toughness of bone is of primary importance in relation to fragility fractures, and it has been shown that the fatigue strength and fracture toughness (work to fracture) reduce considerably with age. This proposed study would seek to elucidate the role of bone tissue-level properties in determining bone quality for human subjects: patients with fragility hip fractures on no osteoporosis drugs therapy, hip fracture patients on osteoporosis drugs therapies, and normal age- and sex-matched individuals. Our laboratory has extensive experience in the analysis of the structure of human bone tissue. Recently, we have developed novel and unique techniques to assess bone quality, using micro-CT, backscatter SEM imaging, confocal microscopy and immunohistochemistry. This multifaceted study will identify at the bone tissue-level the structural mechanisms (micro-architecture, mineralisation, and microscopic cracking) that are indicative of the efficacy of fragility fracture drugs. Better understanding of the mechanisms by which bones are less likely to fracture will enable better targeting of osteoporosis drug therapy to individuals at risk of fragility fracture.Read moreRead less
Vertebral Body Strength: Contribution Of Bone Mass, Bone Structure And Material Properties
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,498.00
Summary
This study will determine the contributions to vertebral body strength made by its structural and material properties. Using state-of-the-art computed-tomography scanners, digitised representations of vertebral bodies in three-dimensions will be produced, which enable measurement of bone structure. After strength testing of the vertebral bodies, the structural and material properties, which combine to predict vertebral body strength, will be identified in an aged population.
Inhibition Of Bone Resorption Increases Skeletal Mechanical Strength By Thickening Trabecular Structures
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$175,648.00
Summary
This project will identify the basis by which a number of therapies for osteoporosis decrease the risk of bone fractures. Currently at least four classes of these compounds in current use for the treatment of osteoporosis. Some of them have been found to have a very marked beneficial effect by halving the risk of fracture. This study will determine if each of these classes of compounds have the ability to increase the mechanical strength of bone to the same level and if each of these compounds h ....This project will identify the basis by which a number of therapies for osteoporosis decrease the risk of bone fractures. Currently at least four classes of these compounds in current use for the treatment of osteoporosis. Some of them have been found to have a very marked beneficial effect by halving the risk of fracture. This study will determine if each of these classes of compounds have the ability to increase the mechanical strength of bone to the same level and if each of these compounds has the same effects on bone structure. Further the effects of stimulating bone formation by subjecting the skeletal to mechanical stress, on the efficacy of each of the therapies will be established. Conversely the effect of aging, which imposes a limitation on bone formation, will be studied.Read moreRead less
Bone Fragility: The Neglected Role Of Cortical Porosity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,381.00
Summary
Cortical (outer shell) or compact bone constitutes 80% of the skeleton. It is not solid as implied by its name but made of inter-connected canals resembling a network of roads. We recently discovered that most of the bone loss with age occurs from these canals, not from t rabecular bone as currently believed. This suggests to know why and how bone breaks requires the study of the morphology of these canals and how they change with age. This is what we propose to do. It has never been done.
Monitoring Bone Loss And Response To Therapy Through Bone Material And Structural Composition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,111.00
Summary
Millions of scripts are filled for treatment of osteoporosis. However, there is no way of knowing if these drugs are right for these individuals, if it improves bone strength or are actually doing harm. Bone density measurement is of limited value. We have developed a new analysis method that measures changes in bone structure that tell us if the treatment is or is not working so alternative treatment can be used. The aim of this study is to test this new method.
Identification Of Novel PTH Anabolic Targets In Osteoblasts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,216.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a major disease affecting Australians. Whilst there are a number of drugs available that will reduce bone loss, there are few drugs available that build new bone, and little is known of the action of these drugs. New targets have been identified that modulate bone formation, and this project aims to validate these in appropriate models and determine their mechanism of action.
Optimising Bone Regeneration Using Advanced Design And Fabrication Technologies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$916,671.00
Summary
The aging population has produced a rapidly increasing demand for synthetic implants that can regenerate lost or diseased bone. This project will produce an implant that represents a viable alternative to bone autografts and allografts with broad applications for the repair of large or challenging bone defects. Such an achievement will have significant healthcare benefits by reducing patient morbidity and recovery time, and improving long-term outcomes.
Determining The Influences Of Cell Stress And Heat Shock Factor-1 Action In Osteoclast Formation And Pathological Bone Loss.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$657,287.00
Summary
Cancer and rheumatoid arthritis cause painful bone destruction. This occurs due to increased numbers of bone destroying cells called osteoclasts. We found stress responses in bone cells can increase osteoclast numbers by activating proteins inside the bone cells that encourage osteoclasts to form. We will thus study whether cell stress blocking drugs might stop bone loss. As arthritis and cancer both cause stress responses, this work could identify a new way that such diseases affect bone.
I am an orthopaedic surgeon and clinician-scientist based at Sydney’s largest children’s hospital. My goal is to improve treatments for children with traumatic injuries and bone deformity. I have worked in bone research for over 20 years. My current research interests are finding new treatments for drug-resistant bacterial infections, treating genetic bone disease, and developing new medical devices to help children’s bones grow straight.