Decline in osteocyte lacunar density in human cortical bone is associated with accumulation of microcracks with age

Despite osteocytes’ ideal position to sense the local environment and thereby influence bone remodeling, the function of osteocytes in bone remains controversial. In this study, histomorphometric examination of male and female femoral middiaphyseal cortical bone was conducted to determine if bone’s...

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Published in:Bone (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2000-04, Vol.26 (4), p.375-380
Main Authors: Vashishth, D., Verborgt, O., Divine, G., Schaffler, M.B., Fyhrie, D.P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Aging
Aging - pathology
Biological and medical sciences
Cell Count
Cortical bone
Diaphyses - pathology
Female
Femur - pathology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Lacunae
Male
Microcracks
Middle Aged
Osteocyte
Osteocytes - pathology
Porosity
Probability
Sex Factors
Skeleton and joints
Space life sciences
Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system
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Summary:Despite osteocytes’ ideal position to sense the local environment and thereby influence bone remodeling, the function of osteocytes in bone remains controversial. In this study, histomorphometric examination of male and female femoral middiaphyseal cortical bone was conducted to determine if bone’s remodeling response, indicated by tissue porosity and accumulation of damage, is associated with osteocyte lacunar density (number of osteocyte lacunae per bone area). The results support the sensory role of the osteocyte network as the decline in osteocyte lacunar density in human cortical bone is associated with the accumulation of microcracks and increase in porosity with age. Porosity and microcrack density increased exponentially with a decline in osteocyte lacunar density indicating that a certain minimum number of osteocytes is essential for an “operational” network. No gender-related differences were found in the relationship of osteocyte lacunar density to age, porosity, or microcrack density. The coefficient of variation of osteocyte lacunar density increased linearly with age, indicating that aging bone tissue is characterized by increased heterogeneity in the spatial organization of osteocytes. Osteocyte lacunar density, porosity, and microcrack density exhibited the same exponential probability density distribution in the donor population, indicating their regulation by similar biological phenomena.
ISSN:8756-3282
1873-2763
DOI:10.1016/S8756-3282(00)00236-2