Effects of antiresorptive therapy on the structural and material properties of bone strength

Abstract

Bone strength depends on its structural and material properties. Structural properties are determined by the size and shape of bone and also the microarchitecture. Material properties are determined by mineral crystallinity, collagen structure and microdamage in bone. The strength of bone is adapted to the needs of physical activities by biologic mechanisms, bone modeling and remodeling. The deterioration of bone strength in postmenopausal women is characterized by a trabecular bone deficit with poor trabecular connectivity and followed by a cortical bone deficit with trabeculation of endocortical bone and intracortical porosity due to accelerated bone remodeling. In high turnover osteoporosis antiresorptive therapy is effective in preventing the structural deficit and in increasing the stiffness and the toughness(bone strength)by increasing the mean degree of mineralization of bone tissue through the prolongation of secondary mineralization. But the long-term use of strong antiresorber, i.e. bisphosphonate or denosumab, would result in highly mineralized bone and disturbed repair of microcracks by inhibition of bone remodeling. Intermittent use or discontinuation of strong antiresorber after about 3-5 years of administration could be recommended to avoid the deterioration of bone strength.