The Warning Signs of Bone Loss?

Unfortunately, There Are None

Accelerated bone loss affects more than 25 million Americans and the majority of them are postmenopausal women. But men, younger women, and otherwise healthy, active individuals can also experience the dangerous thinning and weakening of bones associated with osteoporosis. Complications of osteoporosis are the 12th leading cause of death in America. The Metametrix Bone Resorption Assay can not only identify individuals at risk, but also monitor the effect of your therapeutic interventions.

Bone Density = Formation Resorption
Bone is a very active tissue, undergoing constant "remodeling," a process of both formation and resorption. Net loss of bone mass occurs when the resorption rate exceeds the rate of formation of new bone. The rate of bone loss is highly variable from one individual to another. Since the bone formation process is difficult to assess, it is important to identify both men and women with rapid bone resorption. These individuals are at greatest risk for osteoporosis and will benefit most from therapeutic intervention.

Bone-specific Collagen Breakdown
The protein matrix of bone upon which the mineral structure is accumulated consists of Type I collagen. Type I bone collagen contains unique cross-linked protein structures that give greater stability. Active bone resorption requires a breakdown of this protein structure; the peptide fragments from this breakdown are excreted in urine. Since bone resorption is a relatively constant process, the amount of specific peptides found in the urine provides an accurate measure of the rate of bone resorption.

The Metametrix Bone Resorption Assay measures the deoxypyridinoline fragment of Type I collagen breakdown from a single urine specimen. This is the fragment that contains the cross-linking point and has been demonstrated to be more specific to bone resorption than breakdown fragments measured in some earlier assays.

Simple and Cost-Effective
Serial bone scans are costly and do not indicate present bone activity. Also, they can only detect changes in bone density over long periods of time, often up to twelve months. The Metametrix Bone Resorption Assay detects biochemical markers which reflect present remodeling activity. The relatively low cost of this assay makes it a cost-effective tool to routinely monitor bone resorption rates and the effectiveness of therapy. Repeated measurements every six to twelve weeks will monitor the effectiveness of your therapeutic interventions and allow timely adjustments.

The Metametrix Bone Resorption Assay features: