Effect of alcohol on bone fragility

Excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor for over 200 different diseases, including changes in bone remodeling. It is known that 30% of alcoholics who do not have liver cirrhosis have osteoporosis, and that 36% of them have radiologically proven pathological fractures of the spinal vertebrae....

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Main Authors: Štulić Miloš, Ćulafić Đorđe, Đonić Danijela
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty 2025-01-01
Series:Medicinski Podmladak
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Online Access:https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0369-1527/2025/0369-15272502015Q.pdf
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author Štulić Miloš
Ćulafić Đorđe
Đonić Danijela
author_facet Štulić Miloš
Ćulafić Đorđe
Đonić Danijela
author_sort Štulić Miloš
collection DOAJ
description Excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor for over 200 different diseases, including changes in bone remodeling. It is known that 30% of alcoholics who do not have liver cirrhosis have osteoporosis, and that 36% of them have radiologically proven pathological fractures of the spinal vertebrae. This publication presents an overview of modern literature on the mechanisms of alcohol's effects on bone, depending on the type and amount of alcohol. Various cellular and molecular mechanisms are considered responsible for the osteotoxicity of alcohol, including a direct effect on osteoblasts and osteoclasts, as well as altered osteo-adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The effect of alcohol on bone is regulated by Wnt and mTOR pathways. In addition, systemic changes such as hormone homeostasis, oxidative stress, but also altered parathyroid hormone (PTH) - vitamin D and growth hormone - insulin-like growth hormone (IGF) axes have indirect effects on bone cells. Long-term excessive alcohol consumption reduces the absorption of nutrients, testosterone synthesis and the ability of stem cells to differentiate into cells of the osteogenic lineage, which results in a decrease in the activity and level of osteoblastic differentiation while simultaneously increasing osteoclastogenesis. However, particularly controversial are the data of numerous studies that confirm that light to moderate alcohol consumption has a positive effect on bone structure, and that the primary mechanism leading to improvement in bone mineral density is suppression of bone resorption. What still remains unclear is the more precise determination of the amount and type of alcoholic drink that has a benefit on bones, and when toxicity begins to manifest itself, with a consequent decrease in bone mineral density. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out further tests in order to start therapy in a timely manner and prevent pathological bone fractures.
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spelling doaj-art-e75872ab3ed440b8a0695fc05100ea152025-08-20T03:35:44ZengUniversity of Belgrade, Medical FacultyMedicinski Podmladak0369-15272466-55252025-01-01762152110.5937/mp76-492300369-15272502015QEffect of alcohol on bone fragilityŠtulić Miloš0Ćulafić Đorđe1Đonić Danijela2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1043-1077Univerzitet u Beogradu, Medicinski fakultet, Beograd, Srbija, SerbiaUniverzitet u Beogradu, Medicinski fakultet, Beograd, Srbija, SerbiaUniverzitet u Beogradu, Medicinski fakultet, Institut za anatomiju "Niko Miljanić", Beograd, SerbiaExcessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor for over 200 different diseases, including changes in bone remodeling. It is known that 30% of alcoholics who do not have liver cirrhosis have osteoporosis, and that 36% of them have radiologically proven pathological fractures of the spinal vertebrae. This publication presents an overview of modern literature on the mechanisms of alcohol's effects on bone, depending on the type and amount of alcohol. Various cellular and molecular mechanisms are considered responsible for the osteotoxicity of alcohol, including a direct effect on osteoblasts and osteoclasts, as well as altered osteo-adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The effect of alcohol on bone is regulated by Wnt and mTOR pathways. In addition, systemic changes such as hormone homeostasis, oxidative stress, but also altered parathyroid hormone (PTH) - vitamin D and growth hormone - insulin-like growth hormone (IGF) axes have indirect effects on bone cells. Long-term excessive alcohol consumption reduces the absorption of nutrients, testosterone synthesis and the ability of stem cells to differentiate into cells of the osteogenic lineage, which results in a decrease in the activity and level of osteoblastic differentiation while simultaneously increasing osteoclastogenesis. However, particularly controversial are the data of numerous studies that confirm that light to moderate alcohol consumption has a positive effect on bone structure, and that the primary mechanism leading to improvement in bone mineral density is suppression of bone resorption. What still remains unclear is the more precise determination of the amount and type of alcoholic drink that has a benefit on bones, and when toxicity begins to manifest itself, with a consequent decrease in bone mineral density. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out further tests in order to start therapy in a timely manner and prevent pathological bone fractures.https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0369-1527/2025/0369-15272502015Q.pdfalcoholbone fragilitybone remodeling
spellingShingle Štulić Miloš
Ćulafić Đorđe
Đonić Danijela
Effect of alcohol on bone fragility
Medicinski Podmladak
alcohol
bone fragility
bone remodeling
title Effect of alcohol on bone fragility
title_full Effect of alcohol on bone fragility
title_fullStr Effect of alcohol on bone fragility
title_full_unstemmed Effect of alcohol on bone fragility
title_short Effect of alcohol on bone fragility
title_sort effect of alcohol on bone fragility
topic alcohol
bone fragility
bone remodeling
url https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0369-1527/2025/0369-15272502015Q.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT stulicmilos effectofalcoholonbonefragility
AT culaficđorđe effectofalcoholonbonefragility
AT đonicdanijela effectofalcoholonbonefragility