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. 2005 Feb;64(2):222–225. doi: 10.1136/ard.2004.021329

Thermal stability and structure of cancellous bone mineral from the femoral head of patients with osteoarthritis or osteoporosis

L Mkukuma 1, C Imrie 1, J Skakle 1, D Hukins 1, R Aspden 1
PMCID: PMC1755354  PMID: 15647430

Abstract

Background: Cancellous bone from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) has been reported to be undermineralised and that from patients with osteoporosis (OP) is more liable to fracture. Changes in the mineral component might be implicated in these processes.

Objectives: To investigate the thermal stability and the mineral structure of cancellous bone from femoral heads of patients with either OA or OP.

Methods: Powdered bone was prepared from femoral heads of patients with either OA or OP and a control group. Composition and thermal stability were determined using a thermogravimetric analyser coupled to a mass spectrometer. Unit cell dimensions and the crystallite size of the mineral were measured using x ray diffraction.

Results: Thermal stability of the bone matrix, or of the mineral phase alone, was little altered by disease, though OA bone contained less mineral than OP or control bone. In all three groups, x ray diffraction showed that the mineral unit cell dimensions and crystallite sizes were the same. The mean carbonate content in the mineral from all three groups was between 7.2 and 7.6% and is suggested to be located in both the A site (that is, substituting for hydroxyl groups), and the B site (that is, substituting for phosphate groups).

Conclusions: These results confirm that there is a lower mass fraction of mineral in OA bone, and indicate that the nature of the mineral is not a factor in either disease process.

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Figure 1.

Figure 1

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 A typical trace, from a control sample, of (a) the mass as a function of temperature, measured using TGA, and (b) the corresponding traces of water and carbon dioxide recorded on the mass spectrometer (the inset is an enlarged version of the traces above 600°C). All samples were air dried, so no account was taken of the first mass lost, which can be explained by loss of residual water. Organic components are lost between 200–550°C. Carbonate was evolved in two stages: a doublet peak between 700–800°C then an extended loss up to 1100°C. Final decomposition of the mineral occurs at about 1300°C.

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