Apportioning Deficits In Bone Size And Density In Women With Fractures To Growth Or Ageing By Studies In Their Daughters
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,018.00
Summary
Women fracture their bones because the bones are small and break easily and because the bones are thin or low in denseness (very porous like a honey comb). This study is aimed at identifying why women with fractures have small bones and why the bones are so porous. They may have these problems because they lost a lot of bone as they get older or because growth was abnormal so the size of the bone didn't reach its potential size or because the denseness of the bones didn't develop properly. The s ....Women fracture their bones because the bones are small and break easily and because the bones are thin or low in denseness (very porous like a honey comb). This study is aimed at identifying why women with fractures have small bones and why the bones are so porous. They may have these problems because they lost a lot of bone as they get older or because growth was abnormal so the size of the bone didn't reach its potential size or because the denseness of the bones didn't develop properly. The study will be carried out in women with spine or hip fractures and their daughters. All participants will have bone densitometry, provide a 24 hour urine sample and a fasting blood sample of 20 ml whole blood. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The bone density scan is associated with radiation exposure of about 4 mSv, about one tenth of a chest x ray, temporary bruising may follow taking blood. If we can understand the different ways osteoporosis can occur we can then start to devise specific treatments tailored to the individual. Also if we can identify the causes of small bones and bone thinness during growth it may be possible to correct some of these causes before the reduced growth and reduced building of bone occurs. We might also prevent the thinning of bone by identifying and removing causes of bone thinning.Read moreRead less
The Effect Of Loading On The Size, Shape And Strength Of Cortical Bone During Different Stages Of Maturation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the skeleton becomes fragile and susceptible to fractures. It is a public health problem that affects both men and women over the age of sixty. Although osteoporosis affects the elderly, the most opportune time to prevent osteoporosis may be during childhood. Physical activity is a lifestyle factor known to affect the strength of the skeleton. Bone density is commonly used as a measure of bone strength because it is easily measured and is related to the break ....Osteoporosis is a condition in which the skeleton becomes fragile and susceptible to fractures. It is a public health problem that affects both men and women over the age of sixty. Although osteoporosis affects the elderly, the most opportune time to prevent osteoporosis may be during childhood. Physical activity is a lifestyle factor known to affect the strength of the skeleton. Bone density is commonly used as a measure of bone strength because it is easily measured and is related to the breaking strength of bones. However changes in the shape of bones can also affect bone strength with or without an increase in bone density. Changes in bone shape in response to exercise in children or adults have rarely been investigated, and little is known about the effects of exercise on bone shape during different stages of growth. This study is the first to investigate how exercise during childhood may affect bone strength by changing bone shape. 45 elite female tennis players aged between 6 to 18 years have completed two years of this study. 90 novice and competitive male tennis players aged between 6 to 20 years and 60 healthy age matched controls will be asked to participate in this study. Measurements will be made annually for three years. The bone shape and density of the dominant and non-dominant arms of the players will be compared with the children who don't play tennis - comparisons will also be made between i) different stages of puberty and ii) girls and boys. The findings of this study are important because the lifestyle of children today may predispose them to a greater risk of osteoporosis late in life. Physical activity may be the most important modifiable protective factor against fragile bones in old age. The findings of this study will be the first to provide insight into whether there is a unique time during growth when exercise will result in the greatest increase in bone strength by changing bone shape.Read moreRead less
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.
The Effects Of A Two Year Randomised Exercise Intervention On Markers Of Bone Turnover In Postmenopausal Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$43,573.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become more fragile and can break more easily. In Australia after age 60, three out of every five women and three out of every ten men will fracture a bone. When people fracture a hip they lose their independence and become much less mobile. Exercise is one lifestyle approach which may help in preventing osteoporosis by slowing bone loss and keeping the muscles strong. Previous research has not been able to clearly demonstrate the usefulness of exercis ....Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become more fragile and can break more easily. In Australia after age 60, three out of every five women and three out of every ten men will fracture a bone. When people fracture a hip they lose their independence and become much less mobile. Exercise is one lifestyle approach which may help in preventing osteoporosis by slowing bone loss and keeping the muscles strong. Previous research has not been able to clearly demonstrate the usefulness of exercise due partly to the difficulty in getting people to exercise for a least one year, which is how long bone studies must be carried out for. We have conducted two large research studies in women past the menopause where they have done weight training exercises. In the previous study we showed the greatest increase in bone mass occurred in those women lifting the heaviest weights. In a recently completed two year study in 126 woman, which forms the basis of this proposal, we found a weight training program was effective at increasing the bone mass at the hip, a common fracture site. The fitness group did not show any increase. So although we have been able to show this type of exercise helps increase bone mass we don't know how the bone is able to respond to this. The question we wish to address with this proposal is does exercise slow the breakdown of bone or does it help form new bone? The best way to be able to answer this question is by measuring certain products in blood, known as bone markers. Bone is continually turning overthese markers are released from bone into the blood. By studying these bone markers in blood samples taken from the subjects over two years it will helps us determine how exercise is affecting bone. From our previous studies we know that weight training can help slow bone loss. By measuring the bone markers we will then be able to make recommendations to people on how exercise will help prevent bone loss.Read moreRead less
The Central Role Of The Osteocyte In Skeletal Pathophysiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,517.00
Summary
Bone diseases affect more people than any other group, carry a huge and growing socioeconomic cost, yet their aetiologies are not fully determined. This study will elucidate the role of the resident bone cell, the osteocyte, in prevalent bone diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and related orthopaedic conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, bone cancer, and in systemic metabolism. The goal is to provide the knowledge and mechanisms for developing improved treatments and patient outcomes.