Effects of vitamin E supplementation on bone metabolism in nicotine treated rats

Abstract

Bone is a unique connective tissue which constantly undergoes remodelling. Bone remodelling involves bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts. Serum osteocalcin and urine deoxypyridinoline (DPD) are among the specifi c biochemical markers used to measure bone formation and bone resorption activities, respectively.(1,2) Cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are called bone-resorbing cytokines and play a major role in bone resorption.(3) The bone matrix is composed of organic and inorganic components. The organic components include collagen and glycoprotein while the inorganic components include minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Both the organic and inorganic components provide rigidity and strength to the bone.