Aromatase expression in osteoarthritic and osteoporotic bone

Abstract

Our findings indicate that the aromatase gene is expressed in bone tissue in high amounts, similar to those found in adipose tissue, but transcript levels are lower in tissue samples and osteoblast cultures from patients with OA than in those from patients with hip fracture. Since estrogens may help to prevent local cartilage degradation, it can be speculated that such a reduced expression of aromatase could facilitate the development of OA.