Learn about the two secret servants that strengthen our bones: Osteoblasts and Osteoclasts

Have you ever wondered how our bones are so strong? Or how, when an arm or a leg is broken, it heals and grows back? When we think of bones, we think of them as lifeless, stone-like things. But in fact, our bones are living, constantly changing tissues, just like the rest of our bodies. There are two very important workers behind this amazing work. We're going to talk about them today.

Who are these osteoblasts and osteoclasts?

Simply put, osteoblasts and osteoclasts are two types of specialized cells found inside our bones. Together, they grow our bones, keep them strong, and repair broken and fractured areas.

These two cells continue to work not only from when we were little until we grew up, but even after we became adults. Like a maintenance team.

• Osteoblasts: Think of them as the "carpenters" of bone. They build new bone tissue and strengthen existing bones. In English, they are called "blasts for builders." That means they build.
• Osteoclasts: These are the "cleaners". They break down and dissolve old, damaged bone fragments, allowing new, stronger bone to form. In English, they are called "clasts for cleaners". That means cleaners.

These two work together like a team. One removes the old, and the other builds new in its place. We call this process bone remodeling.

What exactly happens to osteoblast cells?

As we mentioned earlier, osteoblasts are the ones who build bones. They have three main functions:

1. Growing new bones: As we grow from childhood to adulthood, our bones lengthen and grow larger because of these cells.

2. Bone Remodeling: As we age, they help change the shape and strength of our bones to suit our lifestyle.

3. Healing broken and damaged bones: When a bone breaks, it is these osteoblast cells that create new bone tissue to heal it.

Imagine a pothole on a road. Just as the road builders come and fill the hole with new asphalt, when a bone is damaged, osteoblast cells come in and repair it.

How does this work happen?

When a bone needs to grow or when it is damaged, these osteoblast cells receive a signal from hormones and chemicals in our body. They then make a special mixture of proteins. It is called bone matrix . This is mainly collagen.It contains protein, minerals like calcium and phosphate.

This prepared bone matrix is ​​then deposited in the bone like cement mortar. Over time, this mixture solidifies and becomes strong, forming new bone tissue.

Who are these osteocytes?

Osteocytes are the "guards" or "supervisors" inside bones. These cells are the most abundant in bones. They are constantly monitoring the pressure and weight that the bone is feeling. If there is even a small crack or damage to a bone, these osteocyte cells are the first to notice it. Once they notice it, they send signals to the osteoblasts (the ones that build) and osteoclasts (the ones that break down) that we talked about earlier, saying, "There's a problem here, come and take a look." Then those two groups come in and start the repair work.

So what happens to osteoclast cells?

Osteoclasts are the "debris removal team" in bones. They dissolve and remove old, weak, and damaged bone tissue. They do this to make way for osteoblast cells to build new, stronger bone tissue.

They release a special type of enzyme. These enzymes dissolve old bone tissue. But this is not as bad as you might think. It is not like acid dissolving metal like in cartoons. This is a very controlled and precise process. Only the areas marked by osteocytes as "only this bit should be removed" are dissolved and removed by osteoclast cells.

When those old pieces are removed, little pits form on the surface of the bone. Then, the osteoblasts get to work. They come in and fill those pits with new bone matrix, creating a brand new, stronger bone.

Are there any diseases that affect the function of these cells?

Yes. Our bones are healthy as long as these two cells work in balance. That means there needs to be a good balance between the rate of formation and the rate of removal. But if this balance is lost, various diseases can occur.

Imagine what would happen if the rate at which old bone is removed (osteoclasts work) exceeds the rate at which new bone is made (osteoblasts work)? Then the bones gradually become thinner, weaker, and more easily broken.

Some of the main diseases caused by such problems are:

• Osteoporosis: This is the most common condition. The bones become porous, weak, and can break even with a minor fall.
• Osteopenia: This is the initial stage that precedes osteoporosis. It is a decrease in bone density below normal levels.
• Hyperparathyroidism: Excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone causes calcium to be lost from the bones, weakening them.
• Paget's disease of the bone: This is a condition in which the process of bone remodeling goes awry, causing the bones to become deformed and weak.

What tests are done to check the health of our bones?

Your doctor will not usually test these special cells separately. Instead, they will perform tests that can look at the health of the entire skeletal system. These tests will be ordered if there is any suspicion of a condition such as osteoporosis.

• Bone density test: This is done using a DXA scan.It's also called a bone scan. It uses low-level X-rays to measure the strength of your bones. This is very important to see if your bones are getting weaker as you age.
• Vitamin D test: Checks whether the body is getting enough vitamin D.
• Calcium test: Checks calcium levels in the blood and 24-hour urine.
• Intact parathyroid hormone (IPTH) test.
• Creatinine test: This test is done to check kidney function, as kidney health is very important for vitamin D and calcium balance.

What can we do to keep our bones healthy?

Keeping our bones strong is in our hands. Here are some simple things we can do:

• Eat a good nutritious diet, especially foods rich in calcium and vitamin D (milk, yogurt, cheese, small fish, green vegetables).
• Do weight-bearing exercises. Things like walking, running, and climbing stairs are great for strengthening bones.
• Avoid smoking completely. Smoking is a major cause of weak bones.
• Take calcium and vitamin D supplements if necessary, as directed by your doctor. However, this should only be done after consulting your doctor .
• Get regular medical checkups. It is especially important for people over the age of 65, postmenopausal women, and those with other chronic conditions to see their doctor regularly to check on their bone health.

Now you can see how important these two little cells are to keeping our bones healthy. They are constantly doing their silent work, renewing and strengthening our bones. So it's our responsibility to help them do their job properly.