Murine models of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by an inadequate amount and/or faulty structure of bone, which increases the susceptibility to fracture with minimal trauma. Osteoporotic fractures are most commonly observed among the elderly. Yet, the pathogenesis of osteoporosis starts early in life, leading some researchers to view osteoporosis as a pediatric disease (1). Considerable past research has centered on the influence of reproductive, nutritional, and/or life-style factors on the development of osteoporosis. With the advent of new molecular genetic approaches, the focus of research has recently shifted toward genetic factors. Genetic epidemiological studies provide convincing descriptive data including population and ethnic differences, studies of familial aggregation, familial transmission patterns, and comparisons of twin concordance rates that tell a significant part of how the vulnerability to developing osteoporosis is inherited (2,3). Almost certainly, the development of osteoporosis will be found to involve a complex interplay between both genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control in complex populations.