Your Bones Under the Microscope

Musculoskeletal pathologies associated with
decreased bone mass affect millions of Americans.
According to the National Osteoporosis
Foundation, 10 million Americans currently suffer
from osteoporosis while 34 million have
osteopenia. As such, it is imperative to develop
countermeasures for bone loss. In recent years,
science has addressed bone loss by studying changes
in gene expression induced by osteoporosis, disuse,
spaceflight, and simulated microgravity.
Furthermore, low magnitude and high frequency
(LMHF) mechanical loads experienced in
activities such as standing have been shown to be
anabolic to bone. Most interestingly, LMHF loading
has even been shown to prevent some of the changes
induced by disuse at the cellular level, such as
increasing the expression of a gene decreased by
disuse. Although this book encompasses only a small
portion of what may actually be occurring in the
body, it furthers the knowledge on how cells respond
to changes in loading. Thus, science and
technology, when armed with this additional
knowledge, may be able to provide novel, target-
specific therapies to counteract bone loss.

Autorentext

Mamta loves to develop her own photography, play the guitar, grab a pair of shoes and run, cook a good meal, enjoy succulent dining, travel to see something new, get lost in a good book, and share these wonders with fabulous friends and the most ultimate family! She now lives in Houston, TX and works for NASA.

Klappentext

Musculoskeletal pathologies associated with decreased bone mass affect millions of Americans. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 10 million Americans currently suffer from osteoporosis while 34 million have osteopenia. As such, it is imperative to develop countermeasures for bone loss. In recent years, science has addressed bone loss by studying changes in gene expression induced by osteoporosis, disuse, spaceflight, and simulated microgravity. Furthermore, low magnitude and high frequency (LMHF) mechanical loads experienced in activities such as standing have been shown to be anabolic to bone. Most interestingly, LMHF loading has even been shown to prevent some of the changes induced by disuse at the cellular level, such as increasing the expression of a gene decreased by disuse. Although this book encompasses only a small portion of what may actually be occurring in the body, it furthers the knowledge on how cells respond to changes in loading. Thus, science and technology, when armed with this additional knowledge, may be able to provide novel, target-specific therapies to counteract bone loss.