The idea that rats cannot model human osteopenias errs. The same mechanisms control gains in bone mass (longitudinal bone growth and modeling drifts) and losses (BMU-based remodeling), in young and aged rats and humans. Furthermore, they respond similarly in rats and man to mechanical influences, hormones, drugs and other agents.
Keywords:
Rat; Osteoporosis; Osteopenia; Bone modeling; Bone remodeling; Mechanical and nonmechanical agents