Growth factors: Potential treatment of osteoporosis

During the past decade, evidence has accumulated that skeletal tissues are a major storehouse of growth factors. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that bone-derived growth factors have anabolic effects on bone formation. This review discusses the physiologic role of three growth factor systems—(1) insulin-like growth factors, (2) transforming growth factor-β, and (3) bone morphogenetic proteins—in the regulation of local bone formation and the potential usefulness of these growth factors in the treatment of bone loss.