Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Aging effects on osteon remodeling

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Calcified Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Analysis of partial cross sections of 101 human tibiae indicated that osteon remodeling in the outer cortex is affected by age. The frequency of resorption spaces remained constant throughout life suggesting no loss of osteoclast function with age. However, the frequency of both forming osteons and osteons which were structurally complete but not completely mineralized increased with age. This suggests that protein matrix synthesis by osteoblasts slows with age and that initial mineralization, possibly mediated by osteoblasts, and final mineralization, possibly mediated by osteocytes, becomes increasingly deficient with increasing age. The frequency of osteons which have dense (sclerotic) inner lamellae decreases with age. This supports a hypothesis that such lamellae are functional, perhaps representing a specialized, labile, mineral phase and that osteons having this feature become less frequent as part of the general degenerative changes associated with aging.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amprino, R.: A contribution to the functional meaning of the substitution of primary by secondary bone tissue. Acta anat. (Basel)5, 291–300 (1948)

    Google Scholar 

  • Amprino, R.: Autoradiographic analysis of the distribution of labelled Ca and P in bones. Experientia (Basel)8, 20–22 (1952a)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amprino, R.: Further experiments on the fixation in vitro of radiocalcium to sections of bone. Experientia (Basel)8, 380–382 (1952b)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amprino, R., Bairati, A.: Processi di ricostruzione e di reassorbimento nella sostanza compatta delle ossa dell’uomo. Z. Zellforsch.24, 439–511 (1936)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amprino, R., Engstrom, A.: Studies on x-ray absorption and diffraction of bone tissue. Acta anat. (Basel)15, 1–22 (1952)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baud, A.: Submicroscopic structure and functional aspects of the osteocyte. Clin. Orthop.56, 227–236 (1968)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Belanger, L. F., Robichon, J., Migicovsky, B. B., Copp, D. H., Vincent, J.: Resorption without osteoclasts (osteolysis). In: Mechanisms of hard tissue destruction (R. F. Sognnaes, ed.), p. 531–556. Washington: American Association for the Advancement of Science 1963

    Google Scholar 

  • Enlow, D. H.: Functions of the Haversian system. Amer. J. Anat.110, 269–305 (1962)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Havers, C.: Osteologia nova. London: Samuel Smith 1691

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobdell, M. H., Braden, M.: An investigation into some diffraction effects observed in microradiographic images of bone sections. Calcif. Tiss. Res.7, 1–11 (1971)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jaworski, Z. F., Meunier, P., Frost, H. M.: Observations on two types of resorption cavities in human lamellar cortical bone. Clin. Orthop.83, 279–285 (1972)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, L. C.: The kinetics of skeletal remodeling. In: Structural organization of the skeleton, birth defects original article series, vol. 2, p. 66–142. New York: The National foundation—March of Dimes 1966

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, L. C.: Morphologic analysis in pathology. In: Bone biodynamics (H. M. Frost, ed.), p. 543–654. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. 1964

    Google Scholar 

  • Jowsey, J.: Age changes in human bone. Clin. Orthop.17, 210–218 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jowsey, J.: Variations in bone mineralization with age and disease. In: Bone biodynamics (H. M. Frost, ed.), p. 461–479, Boston: Little, BBrown & Co. 1964

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerley, E. R.: The microscopic determination of age in human bone. Amer. J. phys. Anthrop.22, 149–163 (1965)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lacroix, P.: Autoradiographic study of bone with45Ca. In: Radioisotopes and bone (F. McLean, P. Lacroix, A. M. Budy, eds.), p. 51–67. oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications 1962

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacroix, P.: Recherches sur le remaniement interne des os. Arch. Biol. (Liège)81, 275–304 (1970)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moreland, G. C.: Preparation of polished thin sections. Amer. Mineralogist53, 2070–2074 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ortner, D. J., Endt, D. W. von: Microscopic and electron microprobe characterization of the sclerotic lamellae in human osteons. Israel J. med. Sci.7, 480–482 (1971)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rowland, R. E.: Exchangeable bone calcium. Clin. Orthop.49, 233–248 (1966)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. W.: Age changes in the organic fraction of bone. J. Bone Jt Surg. B45, 761–769 (1963)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tomes, J., Morgan, C. de: Observations on the structure and development of bone. Phil. Trans. B143, 109–139 (1853)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 20560, Washington, D. C., USA

    Donald J. Ortner

Authors
  1. Donald J. Ortner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ortner, D.J. Aging effects on osteon remodeling. Calc. Tis Res. 18, 27–36 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02546224

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02546224

Key words

Search

Navigation