Mechanical stress,osteocyte apoptosis,and bone remodeling

Osteocytes are the most abundant cells in bone,which have various important functions. As the mechanical stress receptors in bone tissue,osteocytes can translate the mechanical load into intrinsic biochemical reaction process such as apoptosis,and meanw hile produce some kinds of cytokines and hormones regulating osteoblasts and osteoclasts,participating in the remodeling of bone tissues. Osteocyte apoptosis is the pathogenesis of some bone metabolic diseases,leading to bone loss or obstacle of bone tissues. This paper briefly introduces that the external mechanical stress stimulates the organism to generate hormonal regulation on osteocyte apoptosis by regulating the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts,thus influencing bone modeling and bone remodeling.The research on the regulation of mechanical stress to osteocyte apoptosis can provide a new theoretical basis for the prevention,treatment,and diagnosis of bone metabolic diseases.