Bone mineral alterations and Mg content in aging.

The authors propose to determine whether the quantity of bone mass reduction linked to aging is accompanied by qualitative modifications of the mineral structure. To this end, 18 samples of cancellous bone from the femoral heads of two groups of patients (Groups A & B), were examined. Group A was made up of 8 old osteopenic patients suffering from fracture of the femur neck (age 62-84). Group B consisted of 10 young non-osteopenic subjects (age 34-53). Through chemical analysis a statistically significant percentage increase in Mg++ was noted in Group A and, by X-Ray diffraction, significant presence of beta-TCP. Mineral structure alterations occur in the process of aging of the skeletal tissue.