Direct Measurement of Bone Formation/Resorption Rates

We will develop a unified experimental approach to the accurate and simultaneous measurement of bonand resorption rates applicable to all animals, including man, using stable isotopes of strontium (Sformation and resorption rates is of fundamental importance to a better understanding of bone metabodisease. During Phase I, they will establish 1. that when rats undergo continuous feeding with the smarked changes occur in the isotopic composition of their bones over a few weeks; 2. that their urinequilibrium with diet within the time period expected based on known dynamics of the Sr (Ca) exchangeither systemic Sr recycling does not introduce a significant error in the measurement of bone formarates, or that it can be reduced to an acceptably small value by manipulation of dietary Sr content;obtained for bone formation and resorption with this approach are the same as those obtained with acmethod in the same animals. During Phase II, they will critically establish the accuracy of this metmodels appropriate for the study of various aspects of human diseases of bone. Potential funding forcan be expected to come from both the public and private sectors.