[Functional mechanism of glucocorticoid in bone turnover and bone structure].

The functional mechanism of glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteoporosis is not fully understood. We examined to the effects of GC on bone turnover, minerals, structure, and bone strength in growing minipigs. GC administration caused prolongation of the period of bone tissue turnover in both trabecular and cortical bone and imbalance in bone formation and resorption, consequently leading to osteoporosis in growing minipigs. Bone structure were deteriorated both trabeculare and cortex. Deterioration of cortical bone rather than trabecular bone could play a role as main factor of bone fragilities in GC-induced osteoporosis.