A new study revealed the details of the changes that occur to the cells that make up the skeleton with age. These changes lead to a weakness in the bone structure and become more fragile and prone to breakage. The results of the study are an important step towards finding better treatments for osteoporosis associated with age.
The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Texas in Austin in the United States, and its results were published in the “Small” magazine, and the Yurrick Alert website was written about.
Aging affects the function of bone cells
The bone consists of 4 different types of cells, osteblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts cells, and bone cells.
Bone cells form the majority of cells in the bones. It plays a major role in maintaining the health of the skeleton, as it monitors mechanical and chemical changes in the surrounding environment, and signals are sent to regulate and demolish bone construction.
Affairs and stress can lead to cell aging, which leads to structural and mechanical changes that affect their ability to sense mechanical signals, which ultimately leads to weakening bones.
The elderly cells release a toxic mixture of molecules that lead to inflammation and damage in the surrounding tissues, and the bone cells themselves begin to harden. The elderly cells are the damaged cells that stop division, but do not die.
Researcher Maryam Tilton, a assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas, and the researcher participating in this study, indicates that “the cellular structure of the bone cells is like a pillar inside the building. When this pillar becomes solid and unworthy, the building cannot adapt to changes and pressures, which leads to structural problems. Likewise, the hardening of the bone cells weakens its ability to organize bone reshaping, which contributes to Bone loss.
“We explore how mechanical signals can help restore these elderly cells to what they were previously or even removing them.”
The team plans to expand their research by exploring the effect of different pressures on bone cells and investigating potential therapeutic interventions.