The receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), its cognate receptor RANK, and its natural decoy receptor osteoprotegerin have been identified as the final effector molecules of osteoclastic bone resorption.
This study examined the effects of synthetic genistein in combination with other potential bone-protective dietary molecules on bone mineral density (BMD) in early postmenopausal women.
The present study utilized 12-week-old male mice overexpressing human full-length adiponectin specifically in the liver and focused on the endocrine effects of this molecule on bone, since human adiponectin is biologically active in mice [ 14, 27].
The evaluation of risk factors for the above mentioned conditions includes serum measurements (such as classical hormones and other endocrine molecules), imaging of bones and joints by DXA, X-ray and pQCT, measuring muscle strength, and genetic determinants of endocrine diseases and traits.
In one approach, the delivery of siRNA molecules to bone metastatic tumors was mediated by their attachment to bovine pepsin treated type I collagen (atelocollagen) [57], [58].
There should be further evaluation of the use of these molecules as biomarkers of bone union.
Loss of function of a number of molecules regulating removal of bone mineral or degradation of bone matrix were shown to be associated with a decrease of bone resorption without, however, affecting or even stimulating bone formation [ 10, 11].
Among other molecules, the group of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), which are members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily, are being extensively studied, as they exhibit powerful osteoinductive properties by inducing both proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osteoprogenitor cells [ 10, 11].
This review gives a brief overview of miRNA biochemistry and explores the evidence to date implicating these small molecules in the pathogenesis of bone tumors.
