GROWTH-FACTORS - POTENTIAL TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS

During the past decade, evidence has accumulated that skeletal tissues are a major storehouse of growth factors. In vitro and in vivo studie s suggest that bone-derived growth factors have anabolic effects on bo ne formation. This review discusses the physiologic role of three grow th factor systems-(1) insulin-like growth factors, (2) transforming gr owth factor-beta, and (3) bone morphogenetic proteins-in the regulatio n of local bone formation and the potential usefulness of these growth factors in the treatment of bone loss.