Chipping away at marble-bone disease

Article Abstract:

Therapy for osteopetrosis can be improved by further understanding the causes of the disease and the abnormal actions of osteoclasts. Osteoclasts are cells involved in the breakdown and assimilation of bones (resorption). In osteopetrosis, also called marble-bone disease, osteoclasts don't function normally and bone accumulates. There are two forms of osteopetrosis: infantile and adult. Therapy using interferon gamma-1b appears to be useful in cases of infantile osteopetrosis. Questions of how interferon gamma-1b improves bone resorption and overpowers the osteoclast defects need to be answered. More therapies are needed because of the various causes of osteopetrosis.

Editorial, Physiological aspects, Bone diseases, Osteoclasis

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Bisphosphonate-induced osteopetrosis

Article Abstract:

The case of a 12-year-old boy is reported who developed a bone disease called osteopetrosis after he began taking the drug Aredia because his bone mineral density was lower than normal. He was taking a dose of Aredia that was more than four times the usual dose that is prescribed for children. On the other hand, some children take this type of drug for years. Doctors should do regular blood tests of bone function to make sure children do not experience any serious adverse effects from this drug.

Complications and side effects, Osteopetrosis, Disodium pamidronate, Pamidronate, Aredia (Medication), Diphosphonates

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Paget's disease of bone

Article Abstract:

Paget's disease of bone is a chronic affliction of the adult skeleton featuring one or more areas of aggressive osteoclast-mediated bone resorption preeding imperfect osteoblast-mediated bone repair. The diagnosis of this disease of bone is often suspected on the basis of an elevated serum alkaline phosphates level and confirmed by radiographic phosphatase.

United States, Diagnosis, Risk factors, Osteitis deformans, Disease/Disorder overview

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