Bone metabolism biopsies and biomarkers

Question 1

What is a needle bone marrow biopsy?

Answer 1

Invasive procedure to obtain a bone marrow sample to estimate cell turnover

Question 2

What is a bone biopsy?

Answer 2

Minimally invasive procedure to obtain bone sample from outer layers of bone

Question 3

How is a bone biopsy tested for bone mineralisation?

Answer 3

Fluorescent marking with tetracycline in 2 intervals, over a few days

Question 4

What shows normal mineralisation in a bone biopsy?

Answer 4

Well-resolved double label of fluorescent marker tetracycline

Question 5

Give 5 examples of osteoclast biomarkers?

Answer 5

Acid phosphatase
Glucuronidase
Collagenase
Metalloproteinase
Cathepsins

Question 6

Give 5 examples of osteoblast biomarkers?

Answer 6

Alkaline phosphatase
Osteocalcin
Pro-collagen peptides
Cytokines
PTHrP

Question 7

Give 5 examples of resorption biomarkers?

Answer 7

Collagen Crosslinks PYD/DPD
Telopeptides NTX/CTX
Cross-linked C-terminal Telopeptide 1CTP
Hydroxyproline
Calcium

Question 8

Give 2 examples of bone formation biomarkers?

Answer 8

Osteocalcin

Pro-collagen Peptides (P1CP/P1NP)

Question 9

What resorption biomarker has the best clinical utility?

Answer 9

CTX

Question 10

What bone formation biomarker has the best clinical utility?

Answer 10

P1NP