Endocrine Abstracts

Osteocytes are the most abundant cell type in bone; however, they remain the least characterised of these. Several theories have been proposed regarding their function, including osteolysis, sensing the strains produced in response to mechanical loading of bones and producing signals that affect the function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts as well as the expression of molecules that directly affect the turnover process. This review also discusses the role of osteocyte apoptosis...