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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research article

Postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis show different ultrastructural characteristics of trabecular bone of the femoral head

Authors: Yun Shen, Zi-Ming Zhang, Sheng-Dan Jiang, Lei-Sheng Jiang, Li-Yang Dai

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Background

Osteoporosis (OP) and osteoarthritis (OA) are public health diseases affecting the quality of life of the elderly, and bring about a heavy burden to the society and family of patients. It has been debated whether or not there is an inverse relationship between these two disorders.

Methods

To compare the exact difference in bone tissue structure between osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, we observed the ultrastructure of trabecular bone from the femoral heads using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A total of 15 femoral head specimens from postmenopausal women were collected during the procedures of total or hemi hip replacement (OP, n = 8; OA, n = 7). The morphologic structure of the trabecular bone, collagen fibers, resorption lacuna and osteoblasts were observed.

Results

Under SEM, osteoporotic trabeculae appeared to be thinning, tapering, breaking and perforating. A number of resorption lacunae of various shapes were seen on the surface of the trabeculum. The collagen fibers of lacuna were resorbed. On occasion, naked granular bone crystals could be found. In the OA group, the trabecular bone looked thick with integrated structure. Reticular and granular new bone could be found. The trabeculum was covered by well-arranged collagen fibers around the resorption lacuna. In the OP group, under TEM, marginal collagen fibers were observed to be aligned loosely with enlarged spaces. A few inactive osteoblasts and no inflammatory cells were seen. In the OA group, the collagen fibers inside the trabeculum were arranged in a dense manner with many active osteoblasts and inflammatory cells infiltrating the matrix.

Conclusion

We found significant differences in the trabecular bone, collagen fibers, lacunae and osteoblasts between postmenopausal women with OP and OA. These findings support the hypothesis that there is an inverse relationship between OP and OA.
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Metadata
Title
Postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis show different ultrastructural characteristics of trabecular bone of the femoral head
Authors
Yun Shen
Zi-Ming Zhang
Sheng-Dan Jiang
Lei-Sheng Jiang
Li-Yang Dai
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-10-35

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