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1993-04-08
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THE WEEK, Page 21HEALTH & SCIENCEEt Cetera
BRITTLE BONES
Postmenopausal women often get osteoporosis, a weakening of
the bones that can lead to easy fracture. A report in Science
may explain why. A drop-off in the hormone estrogen leads to an
overproduction of osteoclasts, cells whose job is to scour away
aging bone cells. Trouble is, other cells called osteoblasts,
which fill in the holes left by osteo clasts, don't increase
proportionately. If humans respond the same way as lab mice, new
drugs could supersede current estrogen-replacement therapy,
which can cause fluid retention and leg cramps.