Pathophysiology of Bone and Mineral Metabolism

Bone is the principal store for calcium and phosphate and one of the main regulators of mineral metabolism. The principal cells involved in bone remodeling are osteocytes, osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which maintain a precise equilibrium of bone mass.

However, there are many factors that can affect bone and mineral homeostasis such as inadequate diet, microbiota alterations or aging. Furthermore, pathological conditions such as renal diseases, genetic disorders, obesity or inflammatory diseases can also potentially affect bone homeostasis, compromising bone health and leading to fractures and complications. Thus, integration of the mechanisms involved in mineral and bone alterations is key to understand bone physiology and its endocrine functions.

Bone homeostasis is commonly threatened by other systemic disorders or hormonal dysfunctions. Disorders such as diabetes or renal insufficiency compromise the appropriate coupling between bone formation and resorption and may also alter the bone hormone production. Many of these disorders may cause inflammatory responses that result in increased bone resorption and bone loss. This research topic aims to cover state-of-the-art findings related to bone pathophysiology and mineral alterations in the context of distinct syndromes. The decreased bone mineral density often leads to fractures, which are associated with morbidity and mortality. Understanding the mechanisms involved in these alterations is crucial to avoid the decrease in bone mineral density and prevent fractures and complications.

Original research articles, mini-reviews and review articles are especially welcome. The contents may cover any aspect of mineral metabolism disorders and bone (patho)-physiology, including, but not limited to:

- Bone and mineral abnormalities associated with renal diseases
- Postmenopausal osteoporosis
- Bone alterations associated with inflammatory diseases
- Hereditary bone diseases
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Mineral disorders
- Vascular and soft tissue calcification
- Hypo and hypercalcemic disorders
- Hypo and hyperphosphatemic disorders
- Cancer-associated bone diseases
- Glucocorticoid-induced bone disease

Keywords: bone remodeling, parathyroid hormone, mineral homeostasis, osteoporosis, fibroblast growth factor 23, sclerostin, bone histomorphometry

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.