Biochemical Markers of Bone Turnover

The bone turnover (remodeling) cycle is characterized by two opposite but finely coupled processes, bone formation and resorption. In adult normal bone these two processes represent not only the physiological response of the skeleton to injuries, but they also provide the mechanism for renewal of aging bone and remodeling of the skeletal architecture to maximize its flexibility to stress and resistance to load. Most metabolic bone diseases, including osteoporosis, are the consequence of an unbalanced bone turnover.