Pathogenetic Role of Bone Metabolism Markers in the Development of Osteoporosis and Osteopenia (Review)

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, osteoporosis is one of most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Abnormal bone remodelling is known to lead to the progression of osteoporosis and osteopenia and a significant increase in the risk of bone fractures. To study the processes of bone tissue resorption and formation, various indicators are used that reflect the activity of the cellular elements of bone tissue and the state of its matrix. The purpose of this review was to analyse current concepts about the pathogenetic role of bone metabolism markers and regulators in the development of osteoporosis and osteopenia for the earliest possible diagnosis of these pathologies. We reviewed 570 literature sources retrieved from the digital databases PubMed, PubMed Central, eLIBRARY.RU as well as the search platforms Google Scholar, SpringerLink and Elsevier published between 2009 and 2023. The search was performed in Russian and English using the following keywords and their combinations: bone tissue, remodelling, resorption, bone formation, osteoporosis, osteopenia, cytokines, RANKL/RANK/OPG system. The exclusion criteria narrowed the list to 47 most significant studies providing comprehensive insights into certain aspects of osteoporosis and osteopenia. The literature analysis showed that some markers of bone tissue remodelling, as well as inflammatory mediators, have pathogenetic significance in the development of osteoporosis and osteopenia and can be used for early diagnosis of these diseases. Searching for new molecular markers of abnormal bone remodelling appears to be a promising area of research on osteoporosis and osteopenia.

Keywords

• bone tissue
• remodelling
• resorption
• bone formation
• osteoporosis
• osteopenia
• cytokines
• rankl/ rank/opg system