Newer reserach points to a loss of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) in bone which leads to osteoporosis. Looking at the impact of missing even one of the 10 BMP isoforms commonly found in bone, a linkage analysis has now shown that BMP-2 is reduced or missing in people with osteoporosis. Without the BMPs in the bone, mesenchymal stem cells cannot be activated and differentiated into osteoblasts which produce bone tissue - the essential substrate for calcium to bind. Interesting that there is so much focus on various types of calcium, vitamins, and micronutrients, which only address the mineral component of bone. Osteoporosis is the loss of not only the bone mineral but the matrix or tissue. Only BMPs can activate MSC to produce bone tissue. Orthopedic surgeons have been growing bone for years, now BMPs are available orally (Ostinol) in a bone supplement called Pro-stiminol®. Newer company (ZyCalbio) focuses on solid, peer-review medical literature on their web versus company sponsored studies - a refreshing change.
Edited by Bio-jack, 11 December 2008 - 02:58 AM.
