Biomarkers in Bone Metabolism and Osteoporosis Management
Summary
Biomarkers of bone metabolism encompass molecular indicators of bone formation, resorption and regulatory processes that govern skeletal remodelling. Formation markers such as procollagen type 1 N-propeptide (PINP), bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin reflect osteoblastic activity, while resorption markers including C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), N-terminal telopeptide (NTX) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) signal osteoclastic turnover. Regulatory proteins such as receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin modulate the balance between formation and resorption. Measurement of these biomarkers in blood or urine complements imaging techniques like dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry by offering dynamic insight into ongoing bone turnover. In clinical practice, serial assessment of turnover markers aids in fracture risk stratification, treatment monitoring and evaluation of therapeutic response to antiresorptive or anabolic agents. Emerging high-sensitivity assays and point-of-care sensor technologies promise to enhance early detection of altered bone metabolism, enabling individualised intervention and dietary or lifestyle modifications. Despite analytical challenges such as biological variability and assay standardisation, integration of biomarker panels into routine care is gradually shaping a precision-medicine approach to osteoporosis management with global relevance for ageing populations.
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Biomarkers in Bone Metabolism and Osteoporosis Management publication trend
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Technical terms
Bone turnover markers: Molecular indicators measured in blood or urine that reflect rates of bone formation and resorption.
Bone mineral density (BMD): A quantitative measure of bone mass per unit area, typically assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
C-terminal telopeptide (CTX): A peptide fragment released during collagen I degradation, indicative of osteoclastic bone resorption.
Procollagen type 1 N-propeptide (PINP): A precursor peptide that is cleaved during collagen synthesis, serving as a marker of bone formation.
Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b): An enzyme secreted by active osteoclasts, used to quantify bone resorption activity.
Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP): A synthetic polymer with tailored binding sites for specific target molecules, used in biomarker sensing.
References
- The efficacy and safety of Gukang Capsule for primary osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trial. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2024).
- Sensors in Bone: Technologies, Applications, and Future Directions. Sensors (2024).
- Molecularly Imprinted Polymers: Shaping the Future of Early-Stage Bone Loss DetectionA Review. ACS Omega (2024).
- Bone biomarker for the clinical assessment of osteoporosis: recent developments and future perspectives. Biomarker Research (2017).
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