Bear bones could provide clues for osteoporosis prevention

Washington, Aug 15 (ANI): Bears hibernate throughout winter and yet, when the re-emerge, their bones are stronger than ever. Michigan Technological University researchers set out to find why.

Seth Donahue found that hibernating black bears produce parathyroid hormone that may maintain bone formation while they snooze away the winter.

So serum hormones and bone remodelling markers in hibernating bears could help create a model for preventing disuse osteoporosis in people.

In human beings, bones degenerate as they grow older and when they are out of use for a long time - for instance in bed ridden people or astronauts in the low- or no-gravity conditions of outer space. (ANI)