Osteocyte Apoptosis, Bone Marrow Adiposity, and Fibrosis in the Irradiated Human Mandible

Abstract

Irradiation alone does not seem to induce excessive bone marrow fibrosis. The damage to bone mesenchymal stem cells leads to increased marrow adipogenesis and decreased osteoblastogenic potential. Early osteocyte death resulting in avital persisting bone matrix with severely impaired regenerative potential may contribute to the vulnerability of irradiated bone to infection and necrosis.