Abstract

The ultrastructure of bone can be considered as a conjunction between the biology and the biomechanics of the tissue. It is the result of cellular and molecular activities of bone formation, and its organization dominates the mechanical behavior of bone. Following this perspective, the objective of this review is to provide a current understanding of bone ultrastructure and its relationships with the toughness of the tissue. Therefore, we first provide a discussion on the organization of bone constituents, namely collagen, mineral, and water. Then, we present evidence on how the toughness of bone relates to its ultrastructure through the formation of micro damage. In addition, attention is given to how damage accumulation serves as a toughening mechanism. Finally, we describe how changes in the ultrastructure-caused by osteogenesis imperfecta, gamma irradiation, fluoride treatment, and aging affect the toughness and competence of bone.

• Related Studies :

  • Osteoporosis Treatments Affect Bone Matrix Maturation in a Rat Model of Induced Cortical Remodeling.

    The example of sodium fluoride (NaF) clearly demonstrates an instance where increasing bone mass while altering maturation can negatively affect drug efficacy. NaF was a promising osteoporosis treatment because it increased BMD.5 However, it became evident that the treated patients were at increased risk of fracture,6, 7 which was later

  • Fluoride reduces bone strength in older rats

    In response to recent concerns about the effect of water fluoridation on hip fracture rates, we studied the influence of fluoride intake on bone strength. Four groups of rats were fed a low-fluoride diet ad libitum and received 0, 5, 15, or 50 ppm of fluoride in their drinking water.

  • Fluoride content and mineralization of red deer (Cervus elaphus) antlers and pedicles from fluoride polluted and uncontaminated regions

    Fluoride, calcium, and phosphorus content as well as ash percentage and ash density of primary antlers and pedicle bones were studied in nine yearling red deer stags from a fluoride polluted region in North Bohemia (Czech Republic) and in nine control animals from two uncontaminated areas in West Germany. Fluoride

  • Bone response to fluoride exposure is influenced by genetics

    Genetic factors influence the effects of fluoride (F) on amelogenesis and bone homeostasis but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain undefined. A label-free proteomics approach was employed to identify and evaluate changes in bone protein expression in two mouse strains having different susceptibilities to develop dental fluorosis and to alter bone

  • Bone quality in fluoride-exposed populations: A novel application of the ultrasonic method.

    Highlights A novel ultrasonic bone quality biomarker was tested in a population with low to high exposure to F.- Negative associations were found between F- exposure and bone quality Decreased bone quality reflects net bone loss, abnormal mineralization and altered collagen. The finding highlights that F- exposure has complex

• Related FAN Content :

  • The Relationship Between Fluoride, Bone Density, and Bone Strength

    Although fluoride has generally been found to reduce the bone density of cortical bone, it is well documented that fluoride can increase the density of trabecular bone (aka cancellous bone). Trabecular  bone is the primary bone of the spine, whereas cortical bone is the primary bone of the legs and arms. While increases in

  • Fluoride Reduces Bone Strength in Animals

    Most animal studies investigating how fluoride effects bone strength have found either a detrimental effect, or no effect. Few animal studies have found a beneficial effect. In fact, one of the few studies that found a beneficial effect was unable to be repeated by the same authors in a later

  • Mechanisms by which fluoride may reduce bone strength

    Based on a large body of animal and human research, it is now known that fluoride ingestion can reduce bone strength and increase the rate of fracture. There are several plausible mechanisms by which fluoride can reduce bone strength. As discussed below, these mechanisms include: Reduction in Cortical Bone Density De-bonding of

  • Fluoride Reduces Bone Strength Prior to Onset of Skeletal Fluorosis

    The majority of animal studies investigating fluoride's impact on bone strength have found that fluoride has either no effect, or a detrimental effect, on bone strength. Importantly, several of the animal studies that have found fluoride reductes bone strength have reported that this reduction in strength occurs before signs of skeletal fluorosis

  • "Pre-Skeletal" Fluorosis

    As demonstrated by the studies below, skeletal fluorosis may produce adverse symptoms, including arthritic pains, clinical osteoarthritis, gastrointestinal disturbances, and bone fragility, before the classic bone change of fluorosis (i.e., osteosclerosis in the spine and pelvis) is detectable by x-ray. Relying on x-rays, therefore, to diagnosis skeletal fluorosis will invariably fail to protect those individuals who are suffering from the pre-skeletal phase of the disease. Moreover, some individuals with clinical skeletal fluorosis will not develop an increase in bone density, let alone osteosclerosis, of the spine. Thus, relying on unusual increases in spinal bone density will under-detect the rate of skeletal fluoride poisoning in a population.