Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Alcohol and bone: review of dose effects and mechanisms

  • Review
  • Published:
Osteoporosis International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Alcohol is widely consumed across the world. It is consumed in both social and cultural settings. Until recently, two types of alcohol consumption were recognized: heavy chronic alcohol consumption or light consumption. Today, there is a new pattern of consumption among teenagers and young adults namely: binge drinking. Heavy alcohol consumption is detrimental to many organs and tissues, including bones, and is known to induce secondary osteoporosis. Some studies, however, have reported benefits from light alcohol consumption on bone parameters. To date, little is known regarding the effects of binge drinking on bone health. Here, we review the effects of three different means of alcohol consumption: light, heavy, and binge drinking. We also review the detailed literature on the different mechanisms by which alcohol intake may decrease bone mass and strength. The effects of alcohol on bone are thought to be both direct and indirect. The decrease in bone mass and strength following alcohol consumption is mainly due to a bone remodeling imbalance, with a predominant decrease in bone formation. Recent studies, however, have reported new mechanisms by which alcohol may act on bone remodeling, including osteocyte apoptosis, oxidative stress, and Wnt signalling pathway modulation. The roles of reduced total fat mass, increased lipid content in bone marrow, and a hypoleptinemia are also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Schuckit MA (2009) Alcohol-use disorders. Lancet 373:492–501

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Ganry O, Baudoin C, Fardellone P (2000) Effect of alcohol intake on bone mineral density in elderly women: the EPIDOS Study. Epidemiologie de l’Osteoporose. Am J Epidemiol 151:773–780

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Gonzalez-Calvin JL, Garcia-Sanchez A, Bellot V, Munoz-Torres M, Raya-Alvarez E, Salvatierra-Rios D (1993) Mineral metabolism, osteoblastic function and bone mass in chronic alcoholism. Alcohol Alcohol 28:571–579

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hoidrup S, Gronbaek M, Gottschau A, Lauritzen JB, Schroll M (1999) Alcohol intake, beverage preference, and risk of hip fracture in men and women. Copenhagen Centre for Prospective Population Studies. Am J Epidemiol 149:993–1001

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Feskanich D, Korrick SA, Greenspan SL, Rosen HN, Colditz GA (1999) Moderate alcohol consumption and bone density among postmenopausal women. J Womens Health 8:65–73

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Jugdaohsingh R, O’Connell MA, Sripanyakorn S, Powell JJ (2006) Moderate alcohol consumption and increased bone mineral density: potential ethanol and non-ethanol mechanisms. Proc Nutr Soc 65:291–310

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Orwoll ES, Bauer DC, Vogt TM, Fox KM (1996) Axial bone mass in older women. Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Research Group. Ann Intern Med 124:187–196

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ilich JZ, Brownbill RA, Tamborini L, Crncevic-Orlic Z (2002) To drink or not to drink: how are alcohol, caffeine and past smoking related to bone mineral density in elderly women? J Am Coll Nutr 21:536–544

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Pedrera-Zamorano JD, Lavado-Garcia JM, Roncero-Martin R, Calderon-Garcia JF, Rodriguez-Dominguez T, Canal-Macias ML (2009) Effect of beer drinking on ultrasound bone mass in women. Nutrition 25:1057–1063

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Williams FM, Cherkas LF, Spector TD, MacGregor AJ (2005) The effect of moderate alcohol consumption on bone mineral density: a study of female twins. Ann Rheum Dis 64:309–310

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Tucker KL, Jugdaohsingh R, Powell JJ, Qiao N, Hannan MT, Sripanyakorn S, Cupples LA, Kiel DP (2009) Effects of beer, wine, and liquor intakes on bone mineral density in older men and women. Am J Clin Nutr 89:1188–1196

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Venkat KK, Arora MM, Singh P, Desai M, Khatkhatay I (2009) Effect of alcohol consumption on bone mineral density and hormonal parameters in physically active male soldiers. Bone 45:449–454

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hernandez ER, Revilla M, Rico H (1991) Total body bone mineral and pelvis bone mineral content as parameters of bone mass in men. A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry study. Acta Anat 142:227–230

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Yamamoto A, Sekino A, Tajima M, Nguyen VC, Ezawa I (1997) Effect of long-term alcohol administration on bone metabolism in rats. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol 43:369–375

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Maurel DB, Boisseau N, Ingrand I, Dolleans E, Benhamou CL, Jaffre C (2011) Combined effects of chronic alcohol consumption and physical activity on bone health. Study in a rat model. Eur J Appl Physiol Ahead Publ. doi:10.1007/s00421-011-1916-1

  16. Rapuri PB, Gallagher JC, Balhorn KE, Ryschon KL (2000) Alcohol intake and bone metabolism in elderly women. Am J Clin Nutr 72:1206–1213

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Sripanyakorn S, Jugdaohsingh R, Mander A, Davidson SL, Thompson RP, Powell JJ (2009) Moderate ingestion of alcohol is associated with acute ethanol-induced suppression of circulating CTX in a PTH-independent fashion. J Bone Miner Res 24:1380–1388

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Fanti P, Monier-Faugere MC, Geng Z, Cohen D, Malluche HH (1997) Moderately high consumption of ethanol suppresses bone resorption in ovariectomized but not in sexually intact adult female rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 21:1150–1154

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Turner RT (2000) Skeletal response to alcohol. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 24:1693–1701

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Alvisa-Negrin J, Gonzalez-Reimers E, Santolaria-Fernandez F, Garcia-Valdecasas-Campelo E, Valls MR, Pelazas-Gonzalez R, Duran-Castellon MC, de Los Angeles Gomez-Rodriguez M (2009) Osteopenia in alcoholics: effect of alcohol abstinence. Alcohol Alcohol 44:468–475

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Diamond T, Stiel D, Lunzer M, Wilkinson M, Posen S (1989) Ethanol reduces bone formation and may cause osteoporosis. Am J Med 86:282–288

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Malik P, Gasser RW, Kemmler G, Moncayo R, Finkenstedt G, Kurz M, Fleischhacker WW (2009) Low bone mineral density and impaired bone metabolism in young alcoholic patients without liver cirrhosis: a cross-sectional study. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 33:375–381

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Hannan MT, Felson DT, Dawson-Hughes B, Tucker KL, Cupples LA, Wilson PW, Kiel DP (2000) Risk factors for longitudinal bone loss in elderly men and women: the Framingham Osteoporosis Study. J Bone Miner Res 15:710–720

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Nishiguchi S, Shiomi S, Tamori A, Habu D, Takeda T, Tanaka T, Ochi H (2000) Effect of ethanol on bone mineral density of rats evaluated by dual-photon X-ray absorptiometry. J Bone Miner Metab 18:317–320

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Nyquist F, Halvorsen V, Madsen JE, Nordsletten L, Obrant KJ (1999) Ethanol and its effects on fracture healing and bone mass in male rats. Acta Orthop Scand 70:212–216

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Sampson HW, Perks N, Champney TH, DeFee B 2nd (1996) Alcohol consumption inhibits bone growth and development in young actively growing rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 20:1375–1384

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Sampson HW, Hebert VA, Booe HL, Champney TH (1998) Effect of alcohol consumption on adult and aged bone: composition, morphology, and hormone levels of a rat animal model. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 22:1746–1753

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Lelovas PP, Xanthos TT, Thoma SE, Lyritis GP, Dontas IA (2008) The laboratory rat as an animal model for osteoporosis research. Comp Med 58:424–430

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Lieber CS, DeCarli LM, Sorrell MF (1989) Experimental methods of ethanol administration. Hepatology 10:501–510

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Addolorato G, Capristo E, Greco AV, Stefanini GF, Gasbarrini G (1997) Energy expenditure, substrate oxidation, and body composition in subjects with chronic alcoholism: new findings from metabolic assessment. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 21:962–967

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Bunout D, Gattas V, Iturriaga H, Perez C, Pereda T, Ugarte G (1983) Nutritional status of alcoholic patients: it’s possible relationship to alcoholic liver damage. Am J Clin Nutr 38:469–473

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Hernandez-Munoz R, Ma XL, Baraona E, Lieber CS (1992) Method of acetaldehyde measurement with minimal artifactual formation in red blood cells and plasma of actively drinking subjects with alcoholism. J Lab Clin Med 120:35–41

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Savola O, Niemela O, Hillbom M (2004) Blood alcohol is the best indicator of hazardous alcohol drinking in young adults and working-age patients with trauma. Alcohol Alcohol 39:340–345

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Ammann P, Rizzoli R (2003) Bone strength and its determinants. Osteoporos Int 14(Suppl 3):S13–18

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. de Vernejoul MC, Bielakoff J, Herve M, Gueris J, Hott M, Modrowski D, Kuntz D, Miravet L, Ryckewaert A (1983) Evidence for defective osteoblastic function. A role for alcohol and tobacco consumption in osteoporosis in middle-aged men. Clin Orthop Relat Res 179:107–115

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Schnitzler CM, Solomon L (1984) Bone changes after alcohol abuse. S Afr Med J 66:730–734

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Chappard D, Plantard B, Petitjean M, Alexandre C, Riffat G (1991) Alcoholic cirrhosis and osteoporosis in men: a light and scanning electron microscopy study. J Stud Alcohol 52:269–274

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Schnitzler CM, Mesquita JM, Shires R (2010) Cortical and trabecular bone microarchitecture and turnover in alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis: a histomorphometric study. J Bone Miner Metab 28:456–467

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Sakurama K (1998) Effects of long-term ethanol administration on the kidneys, bones and muscles of mice. Nihon Arukoru Yakubutsu Igakkai Zasshi 33:703–717

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Sampson HW, Chaffin C, Lange J, DeFee B 2nd (1997) Alcohol consumption by young actively growing rats: a histomorphometric study of cancellous bone. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 21:352–359

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Maddalozzo GF, Turner RT, Edwards CH, Howe KS, Widrick JJ, Rosen CJ, Iwaniec UT (2009) Alcohol alters whole body composition, inhibits bone formation, and increases bone marrow adiposity in rats. Osteoporos Int 20:1529–1538

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Trevisiol CH, Turner RT, Pfaff JE, Hunter JC, Menagh PJ, Hardin K, Ho E, Iwaniec UT (2007) Impaired osteoinduction in a rat model for chronic alcohol abuse. Bone 41:175–180

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Chakkalakal DA, Strates BS, Garvin KL, Novak JR, Fritz ED, Mollner TJ, McGuire MH (2001) Demineralized bone matrix as a biological scaffold for bone repair. Tissue Eng 7:161–177

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Wezeman FH, Juknelis D, Frost N, Callaci JJ (2003) Spine bone mineral density and vertebral body height are altered by alcohol consumption in growing male and female rats. Alcohol 31:87–92

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Nyquist F, Ljunghall S, Berglund M, Obrant K (1996) Biochemical markers of bone metabolism after short and long time ethanol withdrawal in alcoholics. Bone 19:51–54

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Sampson HW (1998) Alcohol’s harmful effects on bone. Alcohol Health Res World 22:190–194

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Bikle DD (1993) Alcohol-induced bone disease. World Rev Nutr Diet 73:53–79

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Laitinen K, Lamberg-Allardt C, Tunninen R, Harkonen M, Valimaki M (1992) Bone mineral density and abstention-induced changes in bone and mineral metabolism in noncirrhotic male alcoholics. Am J Med 93:642–650

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Broulik PD, Vondrova J, Ruzicka P, Sedlacek R, Zima T (2010) The effect of chronic alcohol administration on bone mineral content and bone strength in male rats. Physiol Res 59:599–604

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Dyer SA, Buckendahl P, Sampson HW (1998) Alcohol consumption inhibits osteoblastic cell proliferation and activity in vivo. Alcohol 16:337–341

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Turner RT, Kidder LS, Kennedy A, Evans GL, Sibonga JD (2001) Moderate alcohol consumption suppresses bone turnover in adult female rats. J Bone Miner Res 16:589–594

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Berg KM, Kunins HV, Jackson JL, Nahvi S, Chaudhry A, Harris KA Jr, Malik R, Arnsten JH (2008) Association between alcohol consumption and both osteoporotic fracture and bone density. Am J Med 121:406–418

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Kanis JA, Johansson H, Oden A, McCloskey EV (2009) Assessment of fracture risk. Eur J Radiol 71:392–397

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Santori C, Ceccanti M, Diacinti D, Attilia ML, Toppo L, D’Erasmo E, Romagnoli E, Mascia ML, Cipriani C, Prastaro A, Carnevale V, Minisola S (2008) Skeletal turnover, bone mineral density, and fractures in male chronic abusers of alcohol. J Endocrinol Invest 31:321–326

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Lucas EG (1987) Alcohol in industry. Br Med J 294:460–461

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Cawthon PM, Harrison SL, Barrett-Connor E, Fink HA, Cauley JA, Lewis CE, Orwoll ES, Cummings SR (2006) Alcohol intake and its relationship with bone mineral density, falls, and fracture risk in older men. J Am Geriatr Soc 54:1649–1657

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Peris P, Guanabens N, Monegal A, Suris X, Alvarez L, Martinez de Osaba MJ, Hernandez MV, Munoz-Gomez J (1995) Aetiology and presenting symptoms in male osteoporosis. Br J Rheumatol 34:936–941

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Gonzalez-Reimers E, Garcia-Valdecasas-Campelo E, Santolaria-Fernandez F, Milena-Abril A, Rodriguez-Rodriguez E, Martinez-Riera A, Perez-Ramirez A, Aleman-Valls MR (2005) Rib fractures in chronic alcoholic men: relationship with feeding habits, social problems, malnutrition, bone alterations, and liver dysfunction. Alcohol 37:113–117

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Nyquist F, Karlsson MK, Obrant KJ, Nilsson JA (1997) Osteopenia in alcoholics after tibia shaft fractures. Alcohol Alcohol 32:599–604

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Chakkalakal DA (2005) Alcohol-induced bone loss and deficient bone repair. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 29:2077–2090

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Melton LJ 3rd, Christen D, Riggs BL, Achenbach SJ, Muller R, van Lenthe GH, Amin S, Atkinson EJ, Khosla S (2010) Assessing forearm fracture risk in postmenopausal women. Osteoporos Int 21:1161–1169

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Peng TC, Kusy RP, Hirsch PF, Hagaman JR (1988) Ethanol-induced changes in morphology and strength of femurs of rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 12:655–659

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Hogan HA, Sampson HW, Cashier E, Ledoux N (1997) Alcohol consumption by young actively growing rats: a study of cortical bone histomorphometry and mechanical properties. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 21:809–816

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Chakkalakal DA, Novak JR, Fritz ED, Mollner TJ, McVicker DL, Garvin KL, McGuire MH, Donohue TM (2005) Inhibition of bone repair in a rat model for chronic and excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol 36:201–214

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Brown EC, Perrien DS, Fletcher TW, Irby DJ, Aronson J, Gao GG, Hogue WJ, Skinner RA, Suva LJ, Ronis MJ, Hakkak R, Badger TM, Lumpkin CK Jr (2002) Skeletal toxicity associated with chronic ethanol exposure in a rat model using total enteral nutrition. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 301:1132–1138

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Pepersack T, Fuss M, Otero J, Bergmann P, Valsamis J, Corvilain J (1992) Longitudinal study of bone metabolism after ethanol withdrawal in alcoholic patients. J Bone Miner Res 7:383–387

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Wezeman FH, Emanuele MA, Emanuele NV, Moskal SF 2nd, Woods M, Suri M, Steiner J, LaPaglia N (1999) Chronic alcohol consumption during male rat adolescence impairs skeletal development through effects on osteoblast gene expression, bone mineral density, and bone strength. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 23:1534–1542

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Sampson HW, Spears H (1999) Osteopenia due to chronic alcohol consumption by young actively growing rats is not completely reversible. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 23:324–327

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Sibonga JD, Iwaniec UT, Shogren KL, Rosen CJ, Turner RT (2007) Effects of parathyroid hormone (1–34) on tibia in an adult rat model for chronic alcohol abuse. Bone 40:1013–1020

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Stahre M, Naimi T, Brewer R, Holt J (2006) Measuring average alcohol consumption: the impact of including binge drinks in quantity-frequency calculations. Addiction 101:1711–1718

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Lamminpaa A (1991) Hospitalizations due to poisonings in Finland—1978–1984. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 29:111–129

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Menecier P, Girard A, Badila P, Rotheval L, Lefranc D, Menecier-Ossia L (2009) Acute alcoholic intoxication at the hospital: a clinical stake. A prospective study of 1 year in a general hospital. Rev Med Interne 30:316–321

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Poikolainen K (1984) Estimated lethal ethanol concentrations in relation to age, aspiration, and drugs. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 8:223–225

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Schoberl S, Nickel P, Schmutzer G, Siekmeyer W, Kiess W (2008) Acute ethanol intoxication among children and adolescents. A retrospective analysis of 173 patients admitted to a university children hospital. Klin Padiatr 220:253–258

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Donovan JE (2009) Estimated blood alcohol concentrations for child and adolescent drinking and their implications for screening instruments. Pediatrics 123:e975–981

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Callaci JJ, Himes R, Lauing K, Wezeman FH, Brownson K (2009) Binge alcohol-induced bone damage is accompanied by differential expression of bone remodeling-related genes in rat vertebral bone. Calcif Tissue Int 84:474–484

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Sampson HW, Gallager S, Lange J, Chondra W, Hogan HA (1999) Binge drinking and bone metabolism in a young actively growing rat model. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 23:1228–1231

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Callaci JJ, Juknelis D, Patwardhan A, Sartori M, Frost N, Wezeman FH (2004) The effects of binge alcohol exposure on bone resorption and biomechanical and structural properties are offset by concurrent bisphosphonate treatment. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 28:182–191

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Wezeman FH, Juknelis D, Himes R, Callaci JJ (2007) Vitamin D and ibandronate prevent cancellous bone loss associated with binge alcohol treatment in male rats. Bone 41:639–645

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Lauing K, Himes R, Rachwalski M, Strotman P, Callaci JJ (2008) Binge alcohol treatment of adolescent rats followed by alcohol abstinence is associated with site-specific differences in bone loss and incomplete recovery of bone mass and strength. Alcohol 42:649–656

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Gil-Martin E, Calvo P, Fernandez-Briera A (1998) Chronic alcoholization in rats by free-choice ingestion of a hydroalcoholic solution. Food Chem Toxicol 36:941–946

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Gonzalez-Reimers E, Garcia-Valdecasas-Campelo E, Santolaria-Fernandez F, Sanchez-Perez MJ, Rodriguez-Rodriguez E, Gomez-Rodriguez MA, Vina-Rodriguez J (2008) Prognostic value of nutritional status in alcoholics, assessed by double-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Alcohol Alcohol 43:314–319

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Khosla S, Atkinson EJ, Riggs BL, Melton LJ 3rd (1996) Relationship between body composition and bone mass in women. J Bone Miner Res 11:857–863

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Pluijm SM, Visser M, Smit JH, Popp-Snijders C, Roos JC, Lips P (2001) Determinants of bone mineral density in older men and women: body composition as mediator. J Bone Miner Res 16:2142–2151

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Visser M, Kiel DP, Langlois J, Hannan MT, Felson DT, Wilson PW, Harris TB (1998) Muscle mass and fat mass in relation to bone mineral density in very old men and women: the Framingham Heart Study. Appl Radiat Isot 49:745–747

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Robling AG (2009) Is bone’s response to mechanical signals dominated by muscle forces? Med Sci Sports Exerc 41:2044–2049

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Reid IR (2008) Relationships between fat and bone. Osteoporos Int 19:595–606

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Cirmanova V, Bayer M, Starka L, Zajickova K (2008) The effect of leptin on bone: an evolving concept of action. Physiol Res 57(Suppl 1):S143–151

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Thomas T, Gori F, Khosla S, Jensen MD, Burguera B, Riggs BL (1999) Leptin acts on human marrow stromal cells to enhance differentiation to osteoblasts and to inhibit differentiation to adipocytes. Endocrinology 140:1630–1638

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Otaka M, Konishi N, Odashima M, Jin M, Wada I, Matsuhashi T, Ohba R, Watanabe S (2007) Effect of alcohol consumption on leptin level in serum, adipose tissue, and gastric mucosa. Dig Dis Sci 52:3066–3069

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Maurel DB, Jaffre C, Rochefort GY, Aveline PC, Boisseau N, Uzbekov R, Gosset D, Pichon C, Fazzalari NL, Pallu S, Benhamou CL (2011) Low bone accrual is associated with osteocyte apoptosis in alcohol-induced osteopenia. Bone Ahead of Publ. doi:10.1016/j.bone.2011.06.001

  92. Chen JR, Lazarenko OP, Shankar K, Blackburn ML, Badger TM, Ronis MJ (2010) A role for ethanol-induced oxidative stress in controlling lineage commitment of mesenchymal stromal cells through inhibition of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. J Bone Miner Res 25:1117–1127

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  93. Wang Y, Li Y, Mao K, Li J, Cui Q, Wang GJ (2003) Alcohol-induced adipogenesis in bone and marrow: a possible mechanism for osteonecrosis. Clin Orthop Relat Res 410:213–224

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Cui Q, Wang Y, Saleh KJ, Wang GJ, Balian G (2006) Alcohol-induced adipogenesis in a cloned bone-marrow stem cell. J Bone Joint Surg Am 88(Suppl 3):148–154

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Wezeman FH, Gong Z (2004) Adipogenic effect of alcohol on human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 28:1091–1101

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Ronis MJ, Mercer K, Chen JR (2011) Effects of nutrition and alcohol consumption on bone loss. Curr Osteoporos Rep 9(2):53–59

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Menagh PJ, Turner RT, Jump DB, Wong CP, Lowry MB, Yakar S, Rosen CJ, Iwaniec UT (2010) Growth hormone regulates the balance between bone formation and bone marrow adiposity. J Bone Miner Res 25:757–768

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. Wezeman FH, Gong Z (2001) Bone marrow triglyceride accumulation and hormonal changes during long-term alcohol intake in male and female rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 25:1515–1522

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  99. Turner RT, Rosen CJ, Iwaniec UT (2010) Effects of alcohol on skeletal response to growth hormone in hypophysectomized rats. Bone 46:806–812

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  100. Giuliani N, Girasole G, Vescovi PP, Passeri G, Pedrazzoni M (1999) Ethanol and acetaldehyde inhibit the formation of early osteoblast progenitors in murine and human bone marrow cultures. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 23:381–385

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  101. Beresford JN, Bennett JH, Devlin C, Leboy PS, Owen ME (1992) Evidence for an inverse relationship between the differentiation of adipocytic and osteogenic cells in rat marrow stromal cell cultures. J Cell Sci 102(Pt 2):341–351

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Gong Z, Wezeman FH (2004) Inhibitory effect of alcohol on osteogenic differentiation in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 28:468–479

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  103. Rosa ML, Beloti MM, Prando N, Queiroz RH, de Oliveira PT, Rosa AL (2008) Chronic ethanol intake inhibits in vitro osteogenesis induced by osteoblasts differentiated from stem cells. J Appl Toxicol 28:205–211

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  104. Suh KT, Kim SW, Roh HL, Youn MS, Jung JS (2005) Decreased osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in alcohol-induced osteonecrosis. Clin Orthop Relat Res 431:220–225

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  105. Lindholm J, Steiniche T, Rasmussen E, Thamsborg G, Nielsen IO, Brockstedt-Rasmussen H, Storm T, Hyldstrup L, Schou C (1991) Bone disorder in men with chronic alcoholism: a reversible disease? J Clin Endocrinol Metab 73:118–124

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  106. Howe KS, Iwaniec UT, Turner RT (2011) The effects of low dose parathyroid hormone on lumbar vertebrae in a rat model for chronic alcohol abuse. Osteoporos Int 22:1175–1181

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  107. Bikle DD, Sakata T, Leary C, Elalieh H, Ginzinger D, Rosen CJ, Beamer W, Majumdar S, Halloran BP (2002) Insulin-like growth factor I is required for the anabolic actions of parathyroid hormone on mouse bone. J Bone Miner Res 17:1570–1578

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  108. Wang Y, Nishida S, Boudignon BM, Burghardt A, Elalieh HZ, Hamilton MM, Majumdar S, Halloran BP, Clemens TL, Bikle DD (2007) IGF-I receptor is required for the anabolic actions of parathyroid hormone on bone. J Bone Miner Res 22:1329–1337

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  109. Atkins GJ, Anderson PH, Findlay DM, Welldon KJ, Vincent C, Zannettino AC, O’Loughlin PD, Morris HA (2007) Metabolism of vitamin D3 in human osteoblasts: evidence for autocrine and paracrine activities of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Bone 40:1517–1528

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  110. Griffiths HJ, Parantainen H, Olson P (1993) Alcohol and bone disorders. Alcohol Health Res World 17:299–304

    Google Scholar 

  111. Rico H (1990) Alcohol and bone disease. Alcohol Alcohol 25:345–352

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  112. Vantyghem MC, Danel T, Marcelli-Tourvieille S, Moriau J, Leclerc L, Cardot-Bauters C, Docao C, Carnaille B, Wemeau JL, D’Herbomez M (2007) Calcitonin levels do not decrease with weaning in chronic alcoholism. Thyroid 17:213–217

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  113. Maneesh M, Dutta S, Chakrabarti A, Vasudevan DM (2006) Alcohol abuse-duration dependent decrease in plasma testosterone and antioxidants in males. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 50:291–296

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  114. Tentler JJ, LaPaglia N, Steiner J, Williams D, Castelli M, Kelley MR, Emanuele NV, Emanuele MA (1997) Ethanol, growth hormone and testosterone in peripubertal rats. J Endocrinol 152:477–487

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  115. Baran DT, Teitelbaum SL, Bergfeld MA, Parker G, Cruvant EM, Avioli LV (1980) Effect of alcohol ingestion on bone and mineral metabolism in rats. Am J Physiol 238:E507–510

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  116. Dorgan JF, Reichman ME, Judd JT, Brown C, Longcope C, Schatzkin A, Campbell WS, Franz C, Kahle L, Taylor PR (1994) The relation of reported alcohol ingestion to plasma levels of estrogens and androgens in premenopausal women (Maryland, United States). Cancer Causes Control 5:53–60

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  117. Shankar K, Hidestrand M, Haley R, Skinner RA, Hogue W, Jo CH, Simpson P, Lumpkin CK Jr, Aronson J, Badger TM, Ronis MJ (2006) Different molecular mechanisms underlie ethanol-induced bone loss in cycling and pregnant rats. Endocrinology 147:166–178

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  118. Ronis MJ, Wands JR, Badger TM, de la Monte SM, Lang CH, Calissendorff J (2007) Alcohol-induced disruption of endocrine signaling. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 31:1269–1285

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  119. Chen JR, Lazarenko OP, Haley RL, Blackburn ML, Badger TM, Ronis MJ (2009) Ethanol impairs estrogen receptor signaling resulting in accelerated activation of senescence pathways, whereas estradiol attenuates the effects of ethanol in osteoblasts. J Bone Miner Res 24:221–230

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  120. Banfi G, Iorio EL, Corsi MM (2008) Oxidative stress, free radicals and bone remodeling. Clin Chem Lab Med 46:1550–1555

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  121. Syed FA, Ng AC (2010) The pathophysiology of the aging skeleton. Curr Osteoporos Rep 8:235–240

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  122. Silvain C, Chagneau-Derrode C (2006) Metabolisme de l’ethanol. Hépathologie

  123. Sendur OF, Turan Y, Tastaban E, Serter M (2009) Antioxidant status in patients with osteoporosis: a controlled study. Joint Bone Spine 76:514–518

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  124. Chen JR, Shankar K, Nagarajan S, Badger TM, Ronis MJ (2008) Protective effects of estradiol on ethanol-induced bone loss involve inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation in osteoblasts and downstream activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand signaling cascade. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 324:50–59

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  125. Tan SD, Bakker AD, Semeins CM, Kuijpers-Jagtman AM, Klein-Nulend J (2008) Inhibition of osteocyte apoptosis by fluid flow is mediated by nitric oxide. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 369:1150–1154

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  126. Chavassieux P, Serre CM, Vergnaud P, Delmas PD, Meunier PJ (1993) In vitro evaluation of dose-effects of ethanol on human osteoblastic cells. Bone Miner 22:95–103

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  127. Sun T, Deng Z, Zhu Y (2007) Effects of insulin-like growth factor 1 on inhibition of osteoblastic proliferation and function by ethanol. Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 21:1338–1341

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  128. Torricelli P, Fini M, Giavaresi G, Borsari V, Rimondini L, Rimondini R, Carrassi A, Giardino R (2007) Intermittent exposure to ethanol vapor affects osteoblast behaviour more severely than estrogen deficiency does in vitro study on rat osteoblasts. Toxicology 237:168–176

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  129. Cheung RC, Gray C, Boyde A, Jones SJ (1995) Effects of ethanol on bone cells in vitro resulting in increased resorption. Bone 16:143–147

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  130. Diez A, Puig J, Serrano S, Marinoso ML, Bosch J, Marrugat J, Mellibovsky L, Nogues X, Knobel H, Aubia J (1994) Alcohol-induced bone disease in the absence of severe chronic liver damage. J Bone Miner Res 9:825–831

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  131. Dai J, Lin D, Zhang J, Habib P, Smith P, Murtha J, Fu Z, Yao Z, Qi Y, Keller ET (2000) Chronic alcohol ingestion induces osteoclastogenesis and bone loss through IL-6 in mice. J Clin Invest 106:887–895

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  132. Calder JD, Buttery L, Revell PA, Pearse M, Polak JM (2004) Apoptosis—a significant cause of bone cell death in osteonecrosis of the femoral head. J Bone Joint Surg Br 86:1209–1213

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  133. Hurley MM, Martin DL, Kream BE, Raisz LG (1990) Effects of ethanol and acetaldehyde on collagen synthesis, prostaglandin release and resorption of fetal rat bone in organ culture. Bone 11:47–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  134. Bonewald LF (2011) The amazing Osteocyte. J Bone Miner Res 26:229–238

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  135. Burger EH, Klein-Nulend J (1999) Responses of bone cells to biomechanical forces in vitro. Adv Dent Res 13:93–98

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  136. Rochefort GY, Pallu S, Benhamou CL (2010) Osteocyte: the unrecognized side of bone tissue. Osteoporos Int 21:1457–1469

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  137. Tomkinson A, Gevers EF, Wit JM, Reeve J, Noble BS (1998) The role of estrogen in the control of rat osteocyte apoptosis. J Bone Miner Res 13:1243–1250

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  138. Verborgt O, Tatton NA, Majeska RJ, Schaffler MB (2002) Spatial distribution of Bax and Bcl-2 in osteocytes after bone fatigue: complementary roles in bone remodeling regulation? J Bone Miner Res 17:907–914

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  139. Lorenz R, Janicke-Lorenz J (1983) Electron microscopic observation on osteocytes of chronically alcoholized rats. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 102:118–122

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  140. Bonewald LF, Johnson ML (2008) Osteocytes, mechanosensing and Wnt signaling. Bone 42:606–615

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  141. Ko JY, Wang FS, Wang CJ, Wong T, Chou WY, Tseng SL (2010) Increased Dickkopf-1 expression accelerates bone cell apoptosis in femoral head osteonecrosis. Bone 46:584–591

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Pr N.L. Fazzalari from the Bone and Joint Research Laboratory, SA Pathology in Adelaide, Australia for the for advice on the English corrections. We also want to thank Pr Rustem Uzbekov, from the Departement des Microscopies, at Tours University, France, for imaging our bones by transmission electron microscopy.

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. B. Maurel.

Additional information

C.L. Benhamou and C. Jaffre equally contributed to this work.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Maurel, D.B., Boisseau, N., Benhamou, C.L. et al. Alcohol and bone: review of dose effects and mechanisms. Osteoporos Int 23, 1–16 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-011-1787-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-011-1787-7

Keywords

Navigation