Osteoporosis: Pathophysiology and therapeutic options

Authors

  • Ursula Föger-Samwald Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria, Tel: +43 (1) 40400-56940 or 51270, Fax: +43 (1) 40400-51300, E-mail: ursula.foeger-samwald@meduniwien.ac.at
  • Peter Dovjak Department of Acute Geriatrics, Salzkammergut Klinikum Gmunden, Gmunden, Austria
  • Ursula Azizi-Semrad Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Katharina Kerschan-Schindl Department of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Peter Pietschmann Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2020-2591

Keywords:

osteoporosis, pathophysiology, osteoimmunology, gut microbiome, senescence, osteoporosis treatment

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease that, on a cellular level, results from osteoclastic bone resorption not compensated by osteoblastic bone formation. This causes bones to become weak and fragile, thus increasing the risk of fractures. Traditional pathophysiological concepts of osteoporosis focused on endocrine mechanisms such as estrogen or vitamin D deficiency as well as secondary hyperparathyroidism. However, research over the last decades provided exiting new insights into mechanisms contributing to the onset of osteoporosis, which go far beyond this. Selected mechanisms such as interactions between bone and the immune system, the gut microbiome, and cellular senescence are reviewed in this article. Furthermore, an overview on currently available osteoporosis medications including antiresorptive and bone forming drugs is provided and an outlook on potential future treatment options is given.

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Published

2020-07-20

How to Cite

Föger-Samwald, U., Dovjak, P., Azizi-Semrad, U., Kerschan-Schindl, K., & Pietschmann, P. (2020). Osteoporosis: Pathophysiology and therapeutic options. EXCLI Journal, 19, 1017–1037. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2020-2591

Issue

Vol. 19 (2020)

Section

Review articles

License

Copyright (c) 2020 Ursula Föger-Samwald, Peter Dovjak, Ursula Azizi-Semrad, Katharina Kerschan-Schindl, Peter Pietschmann

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