Aromatase activity and bone loss.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing biological mechanisms and prior literature without primary data or systematic search methodology.
PubMed 21874760 · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-387025-4.00006-6
What was done
Narrative review of the role of aromatase (encoded by CYP19A1), which converts C19 androgen precursors into C18 estrogens, in skeletal development, peak bone mass attainment, and age-related bone loss across sexes.
What was found
The abstract reports no primary experimental data or statistical estimates. It notes that extraglandular aromatization is the primary source of estrogen in postmenopausal women and accounts for roughly 85% of circulating estradiol in men (with only 15% directly released by the testis). Aromatase activity is described as essential for longitudinal growth, pubertal growth spurt, epiphyseal closure, normal bone remodeling, and determining age-related bone loss and fracture risk.
Why it matters
The review highlights that peripheral estrogen synthesis via aromatase is a critical regulator of bone metabolism and fracture risk in both aging men and postmenopausal women.
Limits
This is a narrative review without original human data or systematic synthesis methodology. The abstract provides no quantitative effect sizes, sample sizes, or clinical trial comparisons.
Cited by
- supports Pre-pubertal castration of males prevents epiphyseal growth plates from fully closing and leads to osteoporosis due to the lack of aromatization of testosterone to estrogen.